Day trips and afternoon drives, within a stone’s throw
A 250 acre Hudson Valley estate hotel. Home for centuries to naturalists, poets and romantics. Revived and renewed for the locavore, the creative, the curious and adventurous.
An art star comes to the Berkshire Mountain foothills in the nearby hamlet of Wassaic. Wassaic Project is a multi-disciplinary residency program and contemporary exhibition space within an exceptional old mill, their annual summer festival is not to be missed. An inspired example of community integration.
Elizabeth’s Jewelry sure looks like a chain, but this is actually a good jewelry store with both fine and funky gems. Great for repairs and restyling.
We have bikes and will admit to letting them gather dust for a while until we found the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Built from the remnants of the old train tracks currently connecting Wassaic to Millerton, but with plans for expansion all the way up to Chatham, the trail traverses creeks, winds through foliage and cuts through mossy rock formations. In other words, it’s a spectacular bike route – flat, free of cars so family and casual-rider friendly.
1 John St, Millerton
518-789-9591
hvrt.org
The reward for completing that bike ride—the most delectable PB&J ever. We don’t know if it’s the jam or excellent bread, but these things are tasty! There’s also something slightly mischievous about having a “kid’s” sandwich in the casually elegant surroundings of a tearoom. Speaking of… you know the name, but did you realize that the quality brand was based here? A food lover’s stop, the Harney & Sons Fine Tea boutique offers all manner of hostess and entertaining gifts, and the expansive tasting bar can answer all your burning leaf questions.
13 Main St, Millerton
518-789-2121
harney.com/pages/the-millerton-shop
A cross between an antiques store, a museum, and a flea market, Hunter Bee has a most unusual and quirky collection of objects and furniture. The merchandise is beautifully displayed, and the pieces scan a range of styles, from industrial to mid-century, to country. Cut yourself sometime to browse in this fun store.
Irving Farm Coffee House is a cozy spot to sit and chat, and has a cup of coffee that will keep you from pining for another. The beans are grown from estates around the world, but weekenders might recognize the aroma of the roasted beans from the java house’s multiple Manhattan locations. Locals love the original as a hub and for baked on premises grub. We’re talking cookies. Big ones.
Little shop of flora—stunning, artfully designed arrangements and hand selected gifts from the garden make Kamilla’s boutique an absolute visit for flower lovers. Her imaginative color combinations and displays are quite literally a breath of fresh, fragrant air.
518-789-3900
kamillas.com
Curios on consignment, on the corner. Like an estate sale gone wild, Millerton Antiques has a constantly changing panorama of intriguing items that warrants an unhurried poke around. The sprawling, two story, multi vendor store should be of particular interest to collectors of folk art, jewelry and ephemera.
EDITOR’S NOTE – If you’re looking for antique furniture, be sure to check out Johnson’s Antiques just around the bend.
25 Main St, Millerton
518-789-6004
millertonantiquescenter.com
We do love a true blue bookstore and Oblong Books & Music just might take the cake. (Though the sister shop in Rhinebeck gets our props as well.) Find recent releases and obscure titles with the help of friendly and knowledgeable staff. The children’s section is especially delightful and we always check the windows for upcoming events. Long live indie!
Oblong Books
26 Main St, Millerton
518-789-3797
The Oakhurst Diner was established in 2010 by Paul Harney, Justin and John Panzer, Its name is in honor of the old Oakhurst Inn. It offers a retro vibe, local and speciality foods along with diner comfort classics.
19 Main St, Millerton
518-592-1313
oakhurst-diner.com
We’ve admired the minimalist beauty of their print ads for years, but the impressively stocked shelves of this specialty shop are the real attention grabbers. Stop in before your next picnic, dinner party or drive home for a thoughtfully selected bottle. Or case.
AMP is a nonprofit organization that celebrates American workers and inspires collaboration. In addition to its centerpiece “art of work” mural exhibit—the largest indoor collaborative artwork in the world—AMP offers educational programs for all ages and an eclectic lineup of live events. AMP’s mural exhibit depicts diverse workers on a grand scale and tells real-life workers’ stories. The exhibit is open to the public on Fridays (10am-5pm), Saturdays (10am-5pm), and Sundays (12pm-5pm). Volunteers support AMP’s mission through program assistance, event help, and maintaining this unique cultural landmark, which is a renovated historic mill building.
90 Whiting St, Winsted, CT 06098
(860) 379-3006
https://www.americanmuralproject.org/
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