The small, quaint Northeast town of Brewster, New York, may not be on most people's travel guides, but it has plenty to offer visitors and locals alike in terms of entertainment, lodging, dining, and nature. Situated just a short distance from the Hudson River and the Connecticut state border, Brewster's convenient location just an hour north of New York City makes it a perfect place to enjoy the best of what suburban and city life has to offer. With spring just around the corner, the demand for fun weekend activities will increase as people yearn to get back outdoors.
If you're on the lookout for some fun ways to spend a weekend in and around Brewster, you're lucky. Our team at Brewster Ford has compiled a list of the top four attractions in the area, perfect for families and singles alike in search of fun spring outings.
Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden
The first spot on our list goes to the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden, located just a short drive south of Brewster in North Salem, New York. This location features a museum filled with rotating exhibits highlighting the beauty of Eastern culture and its intersections with the West. Perhaps this site is most known for its authentic 3.5-acre stroll garden filled with beautiful Japanese-inspired landscaping. Learn about the rich history and intricacies of Japanese gardens and the intentions behind each aesthetic detail, including the appeal to four senses: sight, sound, touch, and smell.
Hammond Museum showcases artistic performances, lectures, and films depicting elements of Eastern and Western cultures. You can also take part in a variety of classes detailing aspects of Eastern customs, such as tai chi (Chinese movement meditation), ikebana (Japanese flower arranging), and Chanoyu, or the Way of Tea, which honors the art of the Japanese tea ceremony and its emphasis on the Zen principles of respect, purity, tranquility, and harmony. The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden are closed each winter and reopen just in time for the spring and summer seasons' beautiful blooms and warm weather.
Location: 28 Deveau Road, North Salem, New York
Phone: 914-669-5033
Bedford Post Inn
The next spot on our list is the Bedford Post Inn, located just 30 minutes south of Brewster. This charming and luxurious inn provides the best of what the historic Hudson Valley has to offer, including scenic countryside views, extraordinary dining, and various daytime activities that are sure to charge your mind, body, and spirit. The property where the inn currently sits dates back to the 19th century, when it was transformed from a decaying old mansion into the luxury inn it remains to be to this day.
A stay at the Bedford Post Inn is sure to relax you, thanks to its gorgeous and plentiful amenities. Check out their award-winning Yoga Loft, a bright and tranquil studio where guests can attend group classes, private sessions, workshops, lectures, and more. The property also has three restaurant options ranging from casual to fine dining, a patio and reflecting pool for lounging and relaxation, an outdoor fireplace for nighttime comfort, and a guest lounge where visitors can sit and unwind with a book, snacks, a glass of wine, or some new friends.
Location: 954 Old Post Road, Bedford, New York
Phone: 914-234-7800
The Arch
If you're looking for some dining recommendations in the lower Hudson Valley, consider taking a visit to The Arch restaurant, located right here in Brewster. This beautiful restaurant offers the luxury and relaxation only a fine dining establishment can guarantee, complete with adventurous meal options and the harmonious sounds of soft jazz. Enjoy some time sitting by the wood-burning stone fireplace inside the main dining room during the winter or on the small outdoor patio during warmer weather.
While the restaurant began serving solely French cuisine, they've since added more diverse menu options, with some iconic French dishes like beef Wellington, escargot, and baked French onion soup still available. If you can't get enough of the beauty and luxurious aesthetic of the restaurant, you're in luck — The Arch hosts a variety of events at their craftsman-style home property, including wedding receptions, baby showers, birthday parties, and family gatherings. They also offer Sunday brunch, making this spot perfect for a weekend daytime outing.
Location: 1292 Route 22, Brewster, New York
Phone: 845-279-5011
Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center
The final spot on our list goes to the Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center right here in Brewster. This farm is home to over 300 farm animals and rehabilitates and houses injured wildlife. Each year, thousands of visitors from around the Northeast visit the Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center to tour the property and learn all about the various animals that inhabit it. Individuals and small groups can freely roam the barn and paddocks, but groups of six or more are required to schedule a tour.
All of the farm animals housed in the teaching barn, horse barn, paddocks, and wildlife area are open to the public each weekend, making this an ideal weekend daytime outing that the whole family can enjoy. This spring, take advantage of one of their seasonal group tours, where a guide can take you all throughout the property from mid-April to mid-November. A general farm tour takes you to see various species of animals, including horses, donkeys, camels, llamas, and pigs.
Location: 400 Doansburg Road, Brewster, New York
Phone: 845-279-2995
So, there you have it. These are our picks for the top four ways to spend a long weekend in and around the Brewster, New York, area. We hope you find this list helpful when deciding on your next weekend activities near the lower Hudson Valley. Did we leave out one of your favorite local spots? Feel free to contact us, and our team at Brewster Ford would be more than happy to add your suggestion to the list.
