6 Fun Ways to Spend the Day Around Cortlandt

Located near Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River, Cortlandt, New York, is almost considered a hidden gem in the Empire State. This town encompasses two incorporated villages and numerous neighborhoods, each with distinctive characteristics but all united by heritage. The next time you find yourself near this area, stop by one of these six locations recommended by Bill Volz Westchester to spend the day learning and having fun.

Blue Mountain Reservation

Head over to the northwestern section of Westchester County to explore all the Blue Mountain Reservation has to offer. The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until dusk.  This 1,538-acre site features miles of trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Two of the more challenging trails sit atop two large peaks: Blue Mountain and Mt. Spitzenberg. The 12-mile Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway is accessible via the Blue Mountain trail system, though this trail is unpaved. Also, the trails are marked according to skill, with yellow for beginners, orange for intermediate, and red for advanced.

Another option is to complete the Blue Mountain Reservation Loop, which connects the main parking lot at the pond to those two large peaks. You can complete the loop in either direction, with the northern portion following the Dickey Brook Trail. Spitzenberg Mountain is accessible via the Sitting Duck Trail, and you can gaze out to the Hudson River during your hike.

Back Nine Indoor Golf

Back Nine Indoor Golf, located in Cortlandt Manor, features a state-of-the-art indoor golf simulator, along with a casual dining atmosphere. No matter what the weather is outside, the inside is warm and dry, so you can enjoy a round of golf without dealing with the weather. And whether you’re an avid golfer or have never picked up a club, the indoor golf facility is the perfect place to play a round.

If you have some, bring your golf clubs and balls with you to play. You can also rent clubs and buy balls. Come by and play in a league, take a lesson, or invite a bunch of friends and family to enjoy this experience. Choose among 40 different courses including some PGA championship ones, such as St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. On average, 18 holes take one person about an hour to finish. So, if you have four people in your group, expect to finish in about four hours.

Cortlandt Lanes

If the weather is bad or you just feel like spending some time indoors, head over to Cortlandt Lanes in Cortlandt Manor and play a few games of bowling. Depending on the age of your group, you can add bumper lanes or use lane slopes to make the game more enjoyable.

The facility is open daily and stays open every night until at least 11 p.m., so you can stop by whenever it’s convenient for you. Game prices vary depending on the time and day of the week. You can even come in on Saturday mornings and bowl for two hours, anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., and enjoy breakfast afterward. Cortlandt Lanes also offers a Sunday lunch special between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For children age 10 and under, bowling shoe rental is free.

Cortlandt Waterfront Park

The Cortlandt Waterfront Park, at the end of Broadway on Riverview Avenue in Verplanck, is the ideal spot to spend the day. During the early 1990s, the area underwent a massive renovation when public access to the Hudson River and Steamboat Dock became threatened. And since then, the town has invested millions to expand the park from 1 acre to almost 30 acres. Some of the features you can enjoy at the park include the following:

• A public boat launch.
• A riverfront pedestrian trail that connects the sidewalks on the two main roads.
• An aviation-themed playground.
• Horseshoe pits.
• A fishing pier, where you can fish and crab.

Hook up your boat to your Ram, and bring your boat during seasonal use, which runs from April 1 through October 31. On most Thursdays from June through August, enjoy the summer concert series and evening movie events. The park is also an excellent location to view birds like red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and blue herons.

Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

Found in nearby Peekskill, the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art opened its doors in 2004 thanks to the efforts of Livia and Marc Straus, who have been major contemporary art collectors since 1968. Together, they helped open the center to highlight the work of internationally renowned artists and up-and-coming talents. In addition to its exhibits, the center has launched six Peekskill Projects, which are citywide celebrations on site-specific installations and performances, each featuring 120 national and global artists.

The Hudson Valley Center is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursday and Saturday. Contact them to schedule an in-depth tour given by professional educators so you can learn all about the types of art showcased. Tours can also be tailored to your specific needs.

The New Croton Dam

The New Croton Dam (also known as Cornell Dam) forms the New Croton Reservoir and stretches across the Croton River, about 22 miles north of New York City. Completed in 1906 to supply New York with water, it was the first large masonry dam in the country. It’s 266 feet broad at the base and 297 feet tall, and when completed, was the tallest dam in the world. Check out the stunning views of the dam from the 97-acre Croton Gorge Park or the Old Croton Trail, which is a popular hiking and biking path.

What do you think of this list from Bill Volz Westchester of the best six ways to spend the day in or around Cortlandt? Did we mention all the right spots, or is there a perfect place we missed? If so, please contact us and let us know. We want to make sure everyone knows where they can spend the entire day with their friends and family.

 

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