Things to do / Travel Guide
There are four botanical gardens or arboretums in the region - three are in the Hudson Valley and the fourth is located in the heart of the Catskills. The region's rain-soaked, mineral-rich soil is perfect for the cultivation of all kinds of flowers, plants, and trees, many from all over the world.
Stonecrop Gardens
Stonecrop Gardens is located east of Cold Springs when arriving from State Road 301, across the river from Storm King State Park. The Gardens' location is 1,100 feet above sea-level, on a windswept range just south of picturesque Jordan Pond. Within, you'll find 12 acres of plants and gardens, including woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, cliff and rock gardens, and an enclosed English-style flower garden. The Conservatory also houses interesting floral selections.
The Gardens are open from the beginning of April until the end of October, Monday-Friday (and the first and third Saturday each month). The entrance fee is minimal, and, upon prior coordination, guided tours for groups of 10 people or more are available.
Vassar College
The historical Vassar College, one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country, is in fact also an arboretum. Between the period and modern buildings, on 1,000 acres of forest land, there are over 200 types of trees. For a century and a half, the members of every class to pass through the college's gates have chosen a unique tree to reflect and memorialize them. These trees include such specimens as elms and maples, Russian olive trees and cucumber-tree magnolia. And since 1916, the Shakespeare Garden has featured all or many of the trees the Bard mentioned in his plays and sonnets.
Vassar is located near Poughkeepsie - you can take Hooker Avenue eastward from the downtown area. Since this is a college admission is of course free, and there are markers indicating the types of trees.
Innisfree Garden
The particular focus of Innisfree Garden, located around Tyrrel Lake off U.S. Highway 44 from Taconic State Parkway, is to meld the water and stone environment so ubiquitous to the region, into a tasteful garden in the Chinese tradition. Tyrrel Lake, 40 acres in size, is surrounded by cliffs, low hills, waterfalls, and streams. Throughout, stones including sandstone, limestone, granite, and quartz, have been strategically placed. The lotus flower is the most characteristic of the Garden's flora. Innisfree is open from May 7th-October 20th, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Mountain Top Arboretum
The Mountain Top Arboretum is not only for trees, but also for shrubs and wildflowers. It actually calls itself a “living museum,” focusing on education as much as on aesthetics. There are 50 different species of conifers to be seen, and many other types of trees such as oak, maple, and mountain ash. Exotic imports include trees with origins such as the Himalayas, Japan, and Turkey. The arboretum is open year-round. The fall, in particular, is a great time to visit as the leaves' impressive colors radiate. Winter visits are also great, as you can stand in awe of the gorgeous outlines and shapes the snow creates on the trees.
The Mountain Top Arboretum is located in Tannersville, in the heart of the Catskills. To get there, take I-87 to State Road 32, to State Road 23A.
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