Innisfree Garden
If you haven’t been to Innisfree Garden before, charge up your camera batteries, because trust me: You’ll need them. Taking pictures at Innisfree is like foolproof photography: No matter where you point and shoot, it’s gorgeous.
Innisfree opens for the season from May 7 to October 20. This garden is worth a stop, whether you happen to be driving by or you want to make a day of it. Bring a picnic! It has tables up near the parking area. Innisfree makes for a terrific family outing – remembering to be mindful of the youngest explorers and guiding them on how to appreciate the delicate plants and beautiful lake without disturbing them. We like to stroll all the way around the lake, and my kids think that the mist is the best part. There’s so much to see that it can take a while to absorb each encounter of your Innisfree.
Innisfree is open from Wednesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $4 on weekdays for ages 4 or older, and $5 on weekends and holidays for ages 4 or older. Innisfree is located at 362 Tyrrel Road in Millbrook. For more information, call (845) 677-8000 or visit www.innisfreegarden.org.
Slabsides
John Burroughs’ Slabsides cabin is one of my absolute favorite indulgences in the Hudson Valley: high yield for minimal effort. I usually arrive in the woods feeling distracted, outside of the present moment, conscious of my limited time before I retrieve my daughter from her dance class nearby. Next thing I know, I’m suddenly transported into a feeling of openness and calming centeredness.
I hear trickles of water running through the rocks. I hear wind blowing through the trees below. I hear a bird off in the distance. Wait, was I really driving on 9W just five minutes ago? It’s like I ended up in somebody’s dreamlike state or guided visualization, perhaps even trading places with famed local naturalist John Burroughs himself. But it’s me, and it’s real!
On Saturday, May 18 from 12 noon to 4:30 p.m., stop by for the twice-a-year Open House. See the inside of the cabin, get a guided tour and go explore some of those trails! Slabsides is located on John Burroughs Drive, off Floyd Ackert Road in West Park. For more information, call (212) 769-5169 or visit https://research.amnh.org/burroughs.
Kingston Kayaking Program
Many of us cross the Hudson River regularly, even daily. Some of you can see it from your home. But how often do you actually get on the water? Really connect directly with the river? Kayaking is one way to explore our beautiful estuary and tributaries.
Curious to learn kayaking? Enjoy kayaking but want to paddle in a group? Explore new territory? Forsyth Nature Center’s Kingston Kayaking Program is here to help with knowledge and equipment. Keep an eye out for its upcoming schedule with an array of outings for all skills and abilities, including rank beginner. For more information, visit www.forsythnaturecenter.org.
