Situated in the western part of Putnam County, New York, Philipstown is a charming small town that has plenty of history. It was initially settled all the way back in 1715! Within the town, there are villages and hamlets to explore, and plenty of nature to check out. It might just be the best historic town in New York. To learn more, keep reading below!
The town’s origins date all the way back to 1697, when the landowner Adolphus Philipse bought a tract of land from Dutch traders. Currently, the town is a little over 50 square miles, and borders the Hudson River to the west.
Philipstown has a population of a little under 10,000 residents, with most of those residents residing in the village of Cold Spring, the hamlet of Garrison and the village of Nelsonville. Downtown Cold Spring is full of great places to eat and shop.
Garrison is the site of a variety of great non-profit and cultural institutions. There’s the woodland gardens estate of the modernist designer Russel Wright and, pictured below, the Boscobel House and Gardens. Boscobel was built in the early 19th century and considered an important piece of Federal-style American architecture.
Then there’s Constitution Island, which is located between Cold Spring and West Point. It’s the location of the first Revolutionary War fortifications around the Hudson Valley.
A trip to Philipstown would make for a great day, or even an entire weekend at this historic town in New York! While you are in the area, it’s worth checking out Cold Spring Depot, which is a restaurant located in a historic train depot in the town. There’s also this amazing Texas-style BBQ spot located in the same town! For sure, there are plenty of great food options in Cold Spring. And if you need a place to stay in the area, we recommend Cold Spring Hotel, which has an 8.4 rating and is both cozy and opulent.
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