If you spend a day in one Westchester town this spring or summer, it should be Croton-on-Hudson. This little enclave along the Hudson has everything you could want to escape the season’s swelter, from great coffee (iced, of course) and verdant parks with sweeping views and space for swimming to historic homes and homemade ice cream cones.
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10 a.m. – Pick up coffee and a bagel for breakfast
Start your day with a jolt of caffeine at Matters Coffee (50 Maple St.; 914.810.7248). This cozy coffeehouse serves sustainably sourced, responsibly grown, specialty-grade coffee. Be on the lookout for its seasonal offerings as well. Coffee in hand, take a short drive to Bagels on Hudson (171 S Riverside Ave; 914.271.5412), where bagels get a heavy-handed coating of everything spice. Have the kids with you? Nella’s Nutri-Bar (2 Maple St; 914.259.2296) offers fun and healthy smoothies and açai bowls in a variety of colors and flavors.
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11 a.m. – Shop around Croton
Pop into 3rd Universe Comics (35 N Riverside Ave; 914.827.3600) to check out the staff picks and peruse the selection of board games to keep the fun going long after you get home. Or, stay in town and browse the art pieces at the Croton River Artisans Gallery (9 Old Post Rd S.; 914.233.1920).
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12 p.m. – Have lunch at The Tavern at Croton Landing
Nothing screams delicious quite like plump chunks of lobster, simply dressed and piled into a buttered bun. Few places in Westchester do traditional lobster rolls better (or have a better view) than The Tavern at Croton Landing (41 N Riverside Ave; 914.271.8020). The restaurant has a back patio for when the weather is nice!
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1:30 p.m. – Snap pictures at Croton Park Point
Take advantage of the (hopefully) warm, sunny weather with a visit to Croton Point Park (1 Croton Point Ave; 914.862.5290). Snap an Instagram-worthy shot of the view as you stroll along the RiverWalk, catch some rays at the beach, go for a quick dip, or just find a patch of grass under a shady tree and relax. If you prefer to see the second largest work of hand-hewn masonry, take the short drive to Croton Gorge Park (35 Yorktown Rd.; 914.827.9568). Here, you can admire the stunning views of the Croton Dam, have a picnic, and even walk on top of the dam if you so choose.
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3:30 p.m. – Ride a horse at Westchester Trail Rides
Jump on one of three horses available to ride at Westchester Trail Rides (6 Croton Lake Rd; 914.539.2987) and experience something new. With acres of prime untouched land, there will always be something new to see. You’ll also learn about horses, saddles, and much more while here.
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6 p.m. – Savor dinner at La Catrina of Westchester
For dinner in Croton-on-Hudson, try out the town’s newest Mexican restaurant La Catrina (171 Grand St; 914.862.0573). They offer authentic Mexican cuisine combining traditional recipes with modernized cooking techniques. Start off with a margarita and the fried spicy calamari. Entrees include grilled pork chop in green sauce, grilled salmon, chiles rellenos, and more.
8 p.m. – Grab dessert at Baked by Susan or The Blue Pig
Treat yourself to something sweet to end your day in Croton-on-Hudson. It’s a hard choice between a slice of fruit pie at Baked by Susan (379 South Riverside Ave; 914.862.0874) and some of the county’s best scoops at The Blue Pig (121 Maple St; 914.271.3850), where superb iterations of the classics —matcha latte, salted caramel, and Aztec “hot” chocolate chip — share freezer space with classic flavors like vanilla and Oreo. The shop also has treats for your furry friends!
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9 p.m. – Rest and get pampered at The Abbey Inn & Spa
Just a few miles outside of Croton-on-Hudson lies the four-star, immaculate hotel, The Abbey Inn & Spa (900 Fort Hill Rd, Peekskill; 914.736.1200). Formerly the convent of the Episcopal Sisters of Saint Mary’s, The Abbey Inn tempts with a farm-to-table restaurant and a spa featuring treatment rooms, saunas, and a whirlpool.
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