As long as you load up on allergy meds, there is no better way to spend a summer day than wandering through a garden worthy of Buckingham Palace. Whether you are a flora enthusiast or just looking for a peaceful summer stroll, the Hudson Valley’s multiple garden tour offerings are the perfect place for you to experience a quiet, reflective moment alone and get some fresh air. These garden tours will delight even the most devout anthophile.
Stonecrop Gardens | Cold Spring
This summer, make your way over to Cold Spring’s Stonecrop Gardens to experience the full floral variety that the Hudson Valley has to offer. Originally the home to Anne and Frank Cabot, founders of The Garden Conservancy, Stonecrop now offers 15 acres of gardens for you to explore, as well as a conservatory, Alpine House, and Pit House with over 50 plant species. Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and some Sundays, reservations required on weekends.
Garden Conservancy Open Days
For the rare chance to glimpse private gardens at a rotating roster of homes, The Garden Conservancy has got you covered. Since 1995, this nonprofit has been hosting its Open Days every year to welcome people to private gardens all over the US. This year, they are hosting many open days in the Hudson Valley, including ones at Bear Creek Farm in Stanfordville, Black Dogs in Bloomington, and the garden of Peter Bevacqua & Stephen King in Claverack. Tickets are required and are available for purchase on the Conservancy’s website, along with a full list of Open Days.
Orange County Arboretum | Montgomery
If you’re looking for a place to take a beautiful garden walk for the low cost of $0, look no further than the Orange County Arboretum. While donations are abbreviated to keep the place up and running, the Arboretum does not have any cover cost for access to its wide selection of different landscaping, ranging from the Asian Tea Garden to the September 11th Memorial Garden. Open seven days a week, rain or shine, from dawn till dusk.
Mohonk Mountain House | New Paltz
Come one and all to Mohonk Mountain House this summer. Bringing bits and pieces of French and Italian inspiration from across the pond while culminating into an English-inspired paradise in the Hudson Valley, the Mohonk Mountain House is the perfect summer destination. At Mohonk, you can participate in both overnight stays and day-pass experiences, with tours of the iconic gardens and greenhouse. Check the website for specially scheduled guided garden tours.
Olana | Hudson
Offering a more historical approach to garden viewing, the home of Frederic Church, Olana, provides a special peek into what life might have been for the who’s who of Hudson Valley aristocracy in the 19th century. Spanning across 434 acres, the grounds and architecture are almost as priceless as the gardens, and it is no wonder that Olana is the recipient of the 2024 Trip Advisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award. Tours take place Tuesday through Sunday, 10am-3pm, and Third Thursdays: 1-6:30pm.
Mountain Top Arboretum | Tannersville
Up some 2,400 feet of altitude in the Catskill Mountains lies a picturesque paradise dedicated to showing and protecting species of plants and trees native to the northeastern US. The Mountain Top Arboretum also provides a place of education, research, and recreation. You can visit its one-of-a-kind education center or simply stroll through its trails connecting 200 acres of natural wonders. Sat above the New York City Watershed, this arboretum offers a very special look into the foliage of the Hudson Valley.
