When exploring places outside NYC to visit, I usually plan on driving at last 2 hours in any direction to see something cool but in today’s case, I found an amazing destination that’s literally less than an hour from the city worth checking out: Untermyer Gardens. In this post I’ll be showcasing why this is such an amazing place to explore and everything else you need to know about it!
Info:
- Name: Untermyer Gardens
- Location: Yonkers New York
- Cost to enter: Free
- Distance from NYC: 30 minutes
- Ideal time to visit for: 1 day
- Reviews: 4.8 out of 5
Overview:
The Untermyer Gardens are basically a mix of a botanical garden and arboretum on an old estate which once belonged to a man named Samuel J. Untermyer. After his passing and other circumstances, the area became a conservancy that is now visited daily by NYC locals and out of town visitors.
Here you’ll find plenty of different gardens, trees, flowers and architecture that is from different cultures mixed together, all while having an amazing view of the Hudson River and the Palisades Mountains across it.
Things to do:
After visiting this place twice, I’ve seen the many things there are to do here and the list is quite huge but here’s a brief overview of that:
- Walking around the area (most popular)
- Gardening
- Picnicking
- Drawing
- Sightseeing
Aside from these basics, let’s talk about specific things you can do in more detail and we’ll start with the tours:
Untermyer Gardens isn’t just a place to admire the sights, it’s also a cultural hub where activities are abound for visitors of all ages. One of the jewels in the garden’s crown is the array of guided tours on offer.
Every season in this area is also a big deal as it ushers in unique events and educational workshops. Imagine attending a concert amidst cascading terraces or participating in a workshop that merges horticulture with artistry. Whether you’re looking to engage with nature or expand your cultural palate, Untermyer Gardens serves as a perfect setting.
For the photographers and artists, Untermyer Gardens is truly worth the trip in my opinion (as you’ll see some photos in a moment). Every single season in this area is photogenic as far as I’m concerned.
My personal favorite is to just walk around the entire area as it offers so many varieties of sights, architecture and views that make for an awesome experience. At a slow pace, it can take you about a few hours to explore and enjoy this place in my experience.
Best times to go:
Spring in the gardens is a celebration of renewal. This is when you’re going to find an array of amazing flowers including tulips, daffodils, and cherry blossoms painting a vivid display against the still awakening landscape. Early spring is when you can catch these sights.
Summer showcases the garden at its most lush and dynamic. This is also when you’ll usually find the most crowds and an array of cultural performances and concerts available (including karaoke).
Autumn is for me at least the season I want to most visit this place during. Thus far I’ve been here during the spring and summer and loved it, but to add more natural autumn colors to this beautiful place is something I look forward to seeing.
Winter brings its own stark beauty to Untermyer Gardens. Though it might seem counterintuitive to visit a garden in the cold, the bare structures and quiet solace of the season offer a different perspective on the garden’s design. Plus, without the cover of leaves, you can often spot architectural details otherwise hidden.
Overall I wouldn’t wait for a specific season to visit this place. Just go when the day is free and you don’t want to go too far outside the NYC area. You can always revisit this place considering it’s free to go anyway.
Photos:
Nearby places to see:
There’s a whole world to explore right outside its gates of this place. The vibrant city of Yonkers and the surrounding Westchester County all have tons of places to see (parks, museums, restaurants, etc…).
Outdoor enthusiasts can continue their green escape at the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park. It’s the perfect spot for hiking, biking, or simply strolling along the scenic trails rich in New York history and makes for a great add on once you finished exploring the Untermyer Gardens.
I’m more a fan though of visiting the Hudson Highlands which are about 30 minutes north of Untermyer Gardens and in this case there’s a few recommendations I have:
- Breakneck Ridge (great hike)
- Bannerman Castle (another great sight for history and sights)
- Road 9 from Untermyer Gardens all the way to the Catskills is amazing
- Glenview Mansion is also worth seeing.
You can easily make a visit to Untermyer Gardens and any one or more of these suggestions a great day trip escape from NYC and that’s exactly what I’ve done on the 2 occassions I’ve visited this place (and more to come).
One final tip I want to suggest is that if you’re not a fan of crowds, to visit Untermyer Gardens during the early morning on weekdays or very early in the weekends. As with most popular/beautiful sights you’ll usually find massive crowds during the peak hours and weekends here and if you want to avoid, just get there earlier or just avoid weekends altogether if you can and the same goes for the other places I suggested you visited after.