Carmel, New York

1. Chuang Yen Monastery

Peacefully nestled in the Carmel hamlet, the Chuang Yen Monastery offers devotees and visitors a wonderfully calm and serene change from the bustle of the city. The architecture of the monastery closely follows the teachings of China’s Tang Dynasty, and the central and tallest building, known as the Great Buddha Hall, is home to the largest indoor Buddha statue in the Western hemisphere. Visitors are welcome to come and spend a few hours admiring the monastery and soaking up the peaceful atmosphere, or to join open study or meditation sessions. Longer multi-day retreats are also available and guided tours are held on Sundays, followed by a vegetarian luncheon.

Chuang Yen Monastery, 2020 NY-301, Carmel Hamlet, NY 10512, Phone: 845-225-1819

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2. Fahnestock State Park

The Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park is a popular recreational area which covers over 14,000 acres in Duchess and Putnam counties close to Carmel. The park offers a great variety of outdoor activities to suit the whole family. You can enjoy hiking along the scenic trails, fishing on two lakes and four ponds, bird-watching and guided canoe and kayak expeditions along the Hudson River. There is a campground for tents and RV’s, should you wish to set up camp and stay for a few days. In winter the Fahnestock Winter Park is the place to go to enjoy over 20km of groomed cross-country and snow-shoe trails.

Fahnestock State Park, 1498 Route 301, Carmel, NY 10512, Phone: 845-225-7207

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3. Wonder Lake State Park

Located on what was once a substantial summer house estate, Wonder Lake State Park is a hiker’s delight. The park covers over 1000 acres and is home to the man-made Wonder Lake and Laurel Pond, which offer good fishing. There are several very scenic hiking trails in the park including the Highlands trail which runs around the perimeter of the lake and Laurel Pond. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife which you may be lucky enough to spot – be on the lookout for turtles, otters and many birds. The hiking trails are well signed and maintained and the park is particularly lovely in fall when the foliage starts to change color.

Wonder Lake State Park, 357 Mooney Hill Rd, Patterson, NY 12563, Phone: 845-225-7207

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4. Veteran’s Memorial Park

Established to pay honor to the men and women of New York who so bravely serve their country in the armed forces, Veteran’s Memorial Park is a very pleasant destination to enjoy outdoor activities. In addition to being dotted with several monuments and memorials, including a Cobra 318 helicopter and a large tank, the park also hosts a wide variety of activities for all ages. Once you have taken a tour of the monuments you can spend an hour or two hiking a few of the trails or enjoying a game of volleyball or basketball. Swimming is allowed from Memorial Day to Labor Day and any day is a good time for a picnic. In winter you can come to the park to ice skate and cross-country ski.

Veteran’s Memorial Park, 201 Gipsy Trail Rd, Carmel, NY 10512, Phone: 845-808-1994

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5. Centennial Golf Club

Centennial Golf Club is home to a championship golf course designed by Larry Nelson, who has two PGA championship titles under his belt. The beautiful course boasts 27 holes featuring long rolling fairways, natural rock outcrops and superb views. The 27 holes are divided into three 9-hole courses named Meadows, Lakes and Fairways, each of which offers players a completely different and interesting golfing experience. Before you tee off you can spend a little time honing your skills on the driving range, putting greens, bunker, and chipping practice areas. After a memorable round you can relax and enjoy a meal and drinks at the Centennial Grille Room.

Centennial Golf Club, 185 John Simpson Rd, Carmel, NY 10512, Phone: 845-225-5700

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6. Gappy’s Pizza

Since opening their doors for the first time in 2002, Gappy’s Pizza has become your go-to place for friendly service, delicious food and a relaxed family dining experience in Putnam County. Owner George Papazian and his dedicated staff make it their first priority to provide excellent customer service and welcome each guest as if they were family members. Although Gappy’s is definitely a pizza restaurant they also serve a good selection of other favorites including mozzarella sticks, mussels marinara, buffalo wings, salads and wraps. The specialty pizza menu will blow you away with choices for all tastes, including gluten-free options. You can eat indoors or out on the terrace or take it all home as a take-away.

Gappy’s Pizza, 1323 NY 52, Carmel, NY 10512, Phone: 845-878-0800