5 Spring Things to Do Near Carmel, NY

You and your family have hibernated long enough over the winter months. With the return of longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures to Carmel, New York, spring is ideal for getting outdoors, attending community events, having fun, and discovering Carmel’s distinctive attractions. Here are some suggestions to put on your must-do list this spring.

Enjoy a Picnic and Experience Nature at Fahnestock State Park

Experience nature’s beauty around Carmel at Fahnestock State Park. This approximately 14,000-acre park in Dutchess and Putnam counties offers outdoor enthusiasts multiple ways to enjoy nature.

If you enjoy fishing, try your hand at angling bass, pickerel, brook, perch, and rainbow trout at the Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. All individuals must carry a fishing permit from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

You can also hike the trails through the mountains or walk along the trails that border the beach during your visit. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your meal at one of the picnic sites located in the park for a fun outing with friends or family.

Play a Round of Golf at Centennial Golf Club

Take to the links as you bask in the beauty of a spring day at Centennial Golf Club. This golf club’s claim to fame is its distinctive 27-hole championship course that was designed by Larry Nelson. Nelson, a World Golf Hall of Fame member and winner of the U.S. Open and two PGA Championships, described the 340-acre course layout as “most naturally suited to golf.” Rolling hills, ponds, natural rock outcroppings, and expansive vistas offer golfers one of the most pleasurable golfing experiences in the Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield counties.

If your swing has been rusty during the winter months, head to the driving range, which is double-ended with 65 tees. Three putting greens and two separate chipping and bunker areas also allow you to maximize your practice time at the driving range.

Centennial Golf Club follows a dynamic pricing model. Rates change in real-time based on player demand. Golfers can take advantage of this pricing structure by booking their tee times in advance. According to Centennial’s website, rates range from $29 to $139. Contact the golf club for additional information and reservations.

Quiet Your Mind With a Walk Through the Zen Garden at Chuang Yen Monastery

Experience the peace and serenity that only a walk through a Zen garden can provide at the Chuang Yen Monastery, home of the Buddhist Association of the United States, in Carmel. The monastery, home to the biggest indoor statue of Buddha in the Western Hemisphere, opens its doors to outside visitors from April to January. During this period, guests can explore the history and traditions of monastic life at this Buddhist monastery in the hills of Putnam County.

The Zen garden is a treasure of the Chuang Yen Monastery. Bordering the Seven Jewels Lake, the garden offers access to walking paths. You can stroll slowly and contemplatively as you take in the scenic wonders of this outdoor oasis of tranquility. Listen for the sounds of birds, and let the sun’s warm rays soothe your soul and renew your mind this spring season.

Take a High-Rise Walk on the Walkway Over the Hudson

Discover the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge in Poughkeepsie and Highland, New York. The bridge, now known as the Walkway Over the Hudson, opened in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge to transport raw materials to industrial centers. When it first opened for use, the Walkway Over the Hudson was the world’s longest bridge.

At 212 feet above the Hudson River, this 1.28-mile linear park offers visitors scenic views north to the Catskill Mountains and south to the Hudson Highlands. The Walkway comprises the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Network, connecting Ulster County’s Hudson Valley Rail Trail to the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail.

Open from sunrise to sunset throughout the year, the Walkway Over the Hudson offers visitors unobstructed 360-degree views of the Hudson River and the surrounding scenic valley. A distinctive 21-story ADA handicapped-accessible glass-enclosed elevator provides access to the walkway from the Poughkeepsie waterfront at Upper Landing Park. The elevator is open seasonally from 9 a.m. until 90 minutes before the park’s closing.

You can access the Walkway Over the Hudson from 87 Haviland Road (Highland entrance), 61 Parker Ave. (Poughkeepsie entrance), and 83 N. Water St. in Poughkeepsie (Upper Landing Park) for the elevator entrance.

Visit the Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park

Take a two-minute drive from downtown Carmel to explore Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park. The park, which encompasses more than 200 acres, offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, picnicking, and swimming at the only public county-owned lake in Putnam.

As its name suggests, Putnam County Veterans Memorial Park contains several memorials to those who served in the U.S. military. The lower section of the park features the Veterans Memorial, flanked by an M60A3 tank and a Cobra helicopter suspended approximately 20 feet in the air on the other side. Crossed Navy anchors rest next to the tank. A small veterans museum contains exhibitions that feature authentic memorabilia from before the American Civil War to present-day military operations.

Visitor parking is available on Gipsy Trail Road. The cost is $8 a day, $40 for a season’s pass for county residents, and $85 for a season’s pass for individuals who live outside the county. Senior discounts are also available, and parking is free for veterans. The park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. during the fall, winter, and spring.

Make this spring a time for discovery in Carmel, New York. What did you think about our spring activity suggestions? Did we overlook one of your favorite attractions or things to do in the region? Send us a note and let us know so that we can update this list. Our dedicated team members always enjoy sharing the charms of Carmel with customers and visitors to our community.