Large and beautiful park. Friends chose it for an easy social hike and chose/followed along the…read morepaths using a trail app. (There is also a map available at the visitor's center but the app makes it easy to detour without getting lost, plus it details length of the hike and other trail details.) This park is SO lovely. While there we saw ducks, frogs, goats... Some took the train from Manhattan and an Uber to the park from there. If you drive it is only $6 to park. There are restrooms and water fountains in the main parking lot. Bring a bag to keep any garbage! In this park there are no trash cans, you take out what you bring in.

Rockefeller State Park has some nice walking trails. They are pretty low impact which is nice if…read moreyou're not looking for something too intense. There are also beautiful views of the Hudson River. There is a small parking lot, but not too many spaces so try to come early to find a spot.

Love this place! I have been here so many times…read more I love running, walking, hiking and sight seeing here. There are always great views and very picturesque paths ... I would highly recommend this place. During Covid, most people had masks. I would say that most people were social distancing, and it was still a safe place during quarantining. I'll definitely be back again soon.

Beautiful park with areas for picnics they also have grills installed. You can also hike or go for…read morea stroll with your dog.

I've been running on the OCA most every week for the past five years, and it's one of my favorite…read moreroutes in Westchester. I'm most familiar with the segments in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, but I've also run south from Tarrytown to Hastings-on-Hudson as well as from the Croton Dam (which is the the northern endpoint). The OCA runs along the old aqueduct route that served New York City between 1842 and 1955, and is part of the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park. The trail's past life is most visible in the old weirs and ventilators, which look like medieval battlements and are located at regular intervals along the path. There also is a keeper's house along the trail in Dobbs Ferry that's open to the public. The trail is well marked, and offers runners a flat grade and dirt surface. It's wide enough for two-way traffic at social distance along much of its length, but there are points at which it narrows to a single track. There also are points where you will suddenly find yourself crossing streets, running through downtown areas, and passing through neighbors' backyards. Note that the trail is broken by I-287 in Tarrytown. You can exit the trail and run along the sidewalk to pick it up on the other side. One of my favorite parts of the OCA is that it connects to other parks and sights along the Hudson. In Sleepy Hollow, you can run directly from the trail into Rockefeller Park (including the Rockwood Hall section, which takes you to the river) and the scenic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Just south of 287, the trail takes you directly through the grounds of Lyndhurst. You can enter/exit the trail at numerous points, and for the most part you can find street parking (or pay for a spot in one of many municipal lots, if that's your thing). One especially popular free lot is Sleepy Hollow High School. The trail passes right through the campus, and there are plenty of spaces when school is not in session. Farther to the north, you can park for free along Croton Dam Rd (which takes you to the trailhead). I'm not aware of any restroom facilities besides those in Croton Gorge Park, which is located below the trailhead at the foot of the dam), and the trail is not plowed in the winter.

My mechanic operates out of Dobbs Ferry and since I'm off today, I decided to have my car looked…read moreat, oil change, etc. I knew it would be a wait. We visit Dobbs Ferry often and noticed a park off of Cedar Street, the Croton Aqueduct Park. Last night I did some recon and saw that there is a trail that resides within the park and figured I'd take advantage of the free time I'd have and do a run today. I dropped off my car and proceeded to the park. The trail continues right at the entrance. It's not paved which is great. It's starts off as loose gravel, so not too rough on your tootsies, and then it is an all-dirt path which great on the knees. Although, there are many large rocks so you should be very careful and pay attention where you step. During my run, I passed people who dotted the trail but for the most part, I was alone. I wasn't concerned at all. The trail passes homes and civilization so you don't really feel alone. It's really quite a beautiful trail with different terrain and nature surrounding. The deer and rabbits make it quite tranquil. I enjoy running in silence or listening to my Zombies Run app which is like listening to an audio book. I hate listening to music whole I run because the tempo never meshes with my stride. During this run, I took advantage of the natural sounds and ran in silence. The birds, the rustling of squirrels and the sound of my foot hitting the ground was music, enough. I sound like a hippy but this year my husband and I have discovered so many nature paths in our backyard and I just wish I had more warm months left in the year to enjoy them all.

What can I say, Im an outdoorsy person and the vibe is different in different seasons. Snow…read moresledding during snowy winters are fun for the chicldren. My favorite part is that it has a good walking trail to get a good exercise while enjoying the view. Can bring children or dogs for walks.

Two parking areas available if the one near the trailhead is full. The trail in itself is not the…read moremost exciting, but you get multiple views of the Hudson R. with the Tappan Zee Bridge as a reward. Just under three miles. Currently the lookout point is under construction.

A summer favorite. There is the paved trail that is convenient to walk on or ride your bike. But I…read morelove the long path trail for a nice hike. It's about 2-3 miles total to loop around via long trail. There's lots to do here too. Miniature golf. Pool. Picnic and more. If you want to spend an awesome day in nature Definately give this place a try. Parking is $8. The pool is $20 for the whole day but you cant bring food inside. They do have plenty of food for sale tho.

What a great spot for a day hike. We love going to Tallman because of the diversity in hiking…read moreoptions. Our favorite spots are the picnic areas which offer ample parking, table and grills.

Great park for a Sunday afternoon trail hike! The weather was beautiful the trail a bit soggy from…read morethe rain the day before. They need to do a little work to the trail to make it more accessible.

The falls completely dried up (mid-July) and there was not a drop of water, so that was definitely…read moreanticlimactic after the climb. What I liked was that it was 'preserved' as much as I see had been preserved, and that it was there, period. The climb really wasn't bad, and it was probably more memorable for the incline and the rockiness than for the distance, because it only took us about 10 minutes or less to get to where the falls were supposed to be. I wonder if the dryness is seasonal, and hope the falls start flowing again.

The Greenburgh Nature Center, located in Scarsdale, NY, features a small live animal museum where…read morekids can interact with and pet a variety of animals, including reptiles, turtles, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, to name a few. The staff is friendly and extremely knowledgeable about the animals they care for. The nature center is also home to several non-releasable birds of prey, including eagles, owls, and ravens. Each animal has been given a name, making the experience even more personal and engaging. They offer field trips, summer camps, and birthday parties, as well as special members-only events such as tie-dye activities and live butterfly releases. Walking the grounds is free, and parking is also free. Admission to the live animal museum is approximately $7 per person, but be sure to check their website, as prices may change from time to time. They have a small gift shop as well if you want to bring a souvenir home.

This spot is great for young kids. You could easily stay on the grounds and pay nothing and still…read morehave a great time. There are some lovely trails and a playground that has different age-appropriate spaces. There are also many places to eat in the grass and some tables. You can pay to go inside and see even more animals. This experience is pretty cool, though the space can get tight. You can get pretty up-close-and-personal to various animals with the help of some of the volunteers, which is a fun experience. My kids love going here. It feels like a nice oasis in lower Westchester.

Untermyer Gardens is one of the most beautiful hidden gems in the New York area. The grounds are…read morealways stunning, but they're especially spectacular in September when everything is in full bloom and the gardens are filled with vibrant colors. Admission is completely free, although donations are accepted to help preserve this incredible place--which is amazing considering how well maintained it is. It's the perfect destination to spend about two hours, whether you want to enjoy a peaceful stroll, take plenty of photos, or do a little of both. The breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Palisades make the visit even more memorable. There's also plenty of free parking, which makes getting there easy. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is that it can get fairly crowded on beautiful weekends, but it's absolutely worth visiting and returning to throughout the year.

Untermyer Gardens Conservancy is widely celebrated as a breathtaking, 43-acre hidden gem in…read moreYonkers, NY. Visitors like me rave about the stunning, Greco-Persian walled gardens, dramatic Temple of Love, and sweeping Hudson River views, it offers a peaceful, cinematic, and highly rated escape for locals and out-of-state visitors. The landscape perfectly blends ancient-style ruins with vibrant horticulture, resulting in a peaceful, immersive retreat. I like the spectacular architecture, fountains, and beautiful floral arrangements. It is a tranquil escape from the city that delivers immense historical charm. Because the property is a former millionaire's estate undergoing a long-term revitalization, some guests note that portions can feel slightly unkempt or dilapidated. Parking can also become limited on busy, peak-season days. It holds an impressive 4.5+ average rating across travel platforms, with many reviewers calling it a "must-see".