We asked our followers on Facebook and Instagram, what is your favorite place to visit in Putnam County, and we got some great responses.
Welcome to our new segment. Each month we will want to hear from you on your favorite places to visit (attractions, historical sites, restaurants, shops etc.) and we will highlight them.
Plan a visit to the following followers’ suggestions:
1) Ninham Mountain Fire Tower
The Ninham Mountain fire tower is 80 ft. tower with breath taking views of the Catskills located in the 1,054-acre Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area is named after Chief Daniel Nimham (a prominent Native American leader in the Hudson Valley and American Revolutionary War combat veteran) of the Wappingers tribe. Take a 15-minute stroll up the gravel path to the tower. Along the path keep an eye-out for the mysterious old stone chambers.
Location: The intersection of Gipsy Trail Rd and Mt. Nimham Ct in Kent, NY will take you right to the entrance.
See: Nimham Mountain Multiple Use Area - NYSDEC
2) Chuang Yen Monastery
Chuang Yen Monastery is a Buddhist temple situated on 225 acres in Carmel, NY. The temple is home to the largest indoor statue of a Buddha in the Western Hemisphere. The name "Chuang Yen" means "Majestically Adorned".
Monastery is open from 10 am to 3 pm every day from April 1st to January 1st.
Please respect the rules of the Monastery.
Location: 2020 Route 301, Carmel, NY
See: Homepage - BAUS
3) Graymoor Friars of the Atonement
Nestled in the hills of the Hudson River in Putnam County, 50 miles north of New York City, Graymoor’s picturesque grounds, shrines and chapels are open dawn to dusk, year round, for the public and people of all faiths to enjoy. From the summit of Mount Atonement, marvel at the sweeping vista and the beauty of a replica of Michelangelo’s Pieta. A few steps away find the tranquility of the St. Francis Chapel, with its altar that once marked the spot where St. Francis of Assisi received his holy stigmata in 1224.
Location: 1350 Route 9, Garrison, NY
See: Franciscan Friars of the Atonement (atonementfriars.org)
4) Archipelago at Home
Located in Cold Spring this small business sells Everchanging, Unique, Home Furnishings, Accessories and Gifts.
Location: 119 Main St., Cold Spring, NY
See: https://www.facebook.com/p/Archipelago-at-home-100037601265102/
5) Manitoga
Visit Manioga, the House, Studio and Woodland Garden of pioneer industrial designer, Russel Wright (1904-1976), envisioned with his wife Mary Einstein Wright (d. 1952) for their family. Experience Dragon Rock, the experimental home which Wright built onto the rock ledge of an abandoned quarry while masterfully orchestrating the surrounding landscape into a series of outdoor rooms of varying character and delight.
Location: 584 NY-9D, Garrison, NY
See: MANITOGA (visitmanitoga.org)