day trip ideas for picture taking (White Plains, Mount Pleasant: live, farm, park)

[LightningMcQueen]

Although I've lived in the area for several years, I've never ventured out to discover fun and scenic places around here. I know Harriman Park is one place people visit to take in the scenes, especially during this time of the year when the leaves change colors.

What are some other areas on this side of the Tapan Zee? I want to take some pictures with my son with the fall foliage, so where would you recommend? I'm in White Plains.

[bmwguydc]

Bear Mountain is nice, but you'd need to cross the Bear Mountain Bridge or take the Palisades from Rockland, which necessitates the Tappan Zee.

I'd recommend Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and the Rockefeller Preserve highly for scenery. Ward Pound Ridge is off 684, Route 35E exit at Katonah to Route 121 (Old Post Road) to the park on the left on Reservation Road.

The Rockefeller Preserve also has areas that have views to the Hudson. It's located on Route 117 in Mount Pleasant, which is easiest reached from White Plains via the Taconic to 117W (Bedford Road) to the park on the left.

On the Putnam/Dutchess border, the Clarence Fahnestock Memorial Park is a large park that has many scenic trails. Clarence Fahnestock is also host to part of the Appalachain Trail. It's located right off the Taconic, follow Route 301W from the Taconic to the park.

Hudson Highlands State Park has many areas that offer spectacular vistas of the Hudson Valley. Hudson Highlands is on Route 9D and begins near Cold Spring.

And, then in Patterson, while a little smaller at only 600 acres, Walter Merritt Park has great trails and waterfalls. Walter Merritt Park is on Haviland Hollow Road in Patterson, which is off Route 22. To get there from White Plains, follow 684 to the end, where it meets 84 and get on Route 22N towards Pawling.

In Connecticut, a little distance from Patterson and Walter Merritt (in the same general direction), is Pootatuck State Forest where the trails connect to nearby Squantz Pond Park. This area is near New Fairfield, and on the shore of Candlewood Lake. You could follow Route 68 across into Connecticut (Haviland Hollow Road) and then to CT 37N (Pembroke Road) and then to CT 39 (right turn) in New Fairfield. Squantz Pond / Pootatuck Forest is about 5 miles further.

[dma1250]

bmwguydc's list is excellent. I'd add Teatown Lake Reservation in Yorktown/Ossining (large lake, lots of trails, great waterfall) which is 5 minutes off of the route 134 exit on the Taconic; the Croton Dam and Croton Gorge Park (on route 129 in Croton); Muscoot Farm on Route 100 in Somers; Turkey Mountain Preserve on route 118 in Yorktown; and the Hanover Hilltop Farm on Hanover street in Yorktown. There are a tremendous number of gorgeous nature preserves with stunning vistas in the area. Have fun!

[ponytrekker]

Originally Posted by LightningMcQueen

Although I've lived in the area for several years, I've never ventured out to discover fun and scenic places around here. I know Harriman Park is one place people visit to take in the scenes, especially during this time of the year when the leaves change colors.

What are some other areas on this side of the Tapan Zee? I want to take some pictures with my son with the fall foliage, so where would you recommend? I'm in White Plains.

Old Croton Aqueduct.

North County Trailway.

[LightningMcQueen]

Thanks all for the suggestions. We walked the Rockefeller Preserve... quite a jem.

[KRL2BKND]

Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossinning is Beautiful