Travel

Millbrook is one of the loveliest small towns in the Hudson Valley – with no shortage of things to do. The Village of Millbrook has a strong sense of community and has been a getaway destination for city residents and tourists alike. Millbrook boasts lots of friendly, family-run farms, gardens, shops, and restaurants, making for a day rich with culture and community. 

Here are some of our selections for how to spend a day in Millbrook, New York. 

Early Morning

Start your day off right with a large coffee and a quick easy bite at either the Millbrook Diner, the Millbrook Deli, Babette’s, or All That Java.

The Millbrook Diner is a staple in town. In this vintage stainless steel building, you can find all of the diner classics on the menu – from breakfast that’s served all day, soups, salads, and paninis, and a variety of entrees – the Millbrook Diner is your one stop shop for bites at any time of the day. 

The Millbrook Deli is another cornerstone of the Millbrook community. With a menu full of breakfast, sandwiches, and pizza, they’ve got you covered. 

Babette’s Kitchen is a gourmet market, coffee shop, and bakery offering grab-and-go goods to keep you fueled up for the day ahead. Breakfast items are baked fresh daily and include muffins, scones, croissants, sticky buns, and buttermilk biscuits, among others. 

All That Java is your go-to for delicious, specialty coffee. Find them behind Barbaro’s on Church Street. 

Mid-Late Morning 

After fueling up for the day, hop in the car and head east on Route 44 to the Trevor Zoo at the Millbrook School. The Trevor Zoo is the only zoo in the United States that is located at a high school. It was established in 1936 and is home to more than 170 exotic and indigenous animals across six acres. The Trevor Zoo is open from 9am-5pm everyday by reservation only. 

After the Trevor Zoo, head over to Wethersfield Estate & Garden for your dose of botanicals. Wethersfield is located on 1,000 acres of rolling hills on the Millbrook-Amenia border. Reservations are strongly encouraged to visit the gardens to ensure that the footprint of the garden remains small and intimate. In addition to viewing the gardens, you can also purchase a day or season pass to enjoy the hiking trails on the estate or a tour of the Main House and Carriage House. 

If you’re venturing to Millbrook on a Saturday, make sure you head over to the municipal parking lot across from the Millbrook Bank to check out the Millbrook Farmers Market. The market boasts more than 20 vendors that offer local produce and artisan products. The market runs on Saturdays from 9am-1pm from the end of May through October.

Early Afternoon

Spend the early afternoon popping in and out of the shops on Franklin Avenue and the surrounding streets. Start at Merritt Bookstore on Front Street and pick out a few good reads from their comprehensive offerings. Then make your way to Franklin Ave and make sure you hit some of the hot spots – Reardon Briggs for any home and garden needs, the Millbrook Watch Shop for unique watches and repairs, the Millbrook Antiques Mall for unique and vintage finds, Millbrook Floral Design to grab a beautiful bouquet, and Bryte Nail Spa if you’re looking for a quick mani or pedi. 

Afterwards, take a brief siesta in the beautiful Tribute Gardens. The park was established in 1920 to commemorate local World War I veterans. The path through the park is flanked by native plants, a naturalistic pool and cascading brook, and flowering shrubs. At the top of the hill, there is a collection of maple trees that were planted in 1920 and honors an individual veteran, identified on a metal plaque. 

Late Afternoon 

If you’re feeling outdoorsy and are looking to spend time being active outside, head over to Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds. Visitors can enjoy two unique sporting clay courses, a Five Stand, Wobble Trap, and a thriving retail space. A regular schedule of Orvis Wingshooting Schools is also available by reservation, as are private lessons with Sandanona’s instructors. Folks who aren’t interested in shooting can unwind on the porch or enjoy a meal in the clubhouse dining room. 

If you’re interested in learning about our ecosystem in the Hudson Valley, take a gander over to Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies. Their 2,000 acre campus is home to a weather station, research complex and laboratories, a robust education department, and a variety of hiking trails. The trails feature a range of ecosystems, from old fields and upland forests to wetlands. Take a walk and learn about species native to the Millbrook area. 

Alternatively, if you want to be outside enjoying the weather but not actively participating in any activities, head over to the Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. Situated atop a hill with beautiful views of the vineyard and the Catskill Mountains, the Millbrook Winery is a great place to spend the afternoon unwinding. Take a seat in the tasting room for a guided tasting, or if you already know what you want to drink, purchase a bottle and head outside for a picnic in the lawn. The Winery has picnic tables available on a first come, first serve basis, but you’re also welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and lawn games with you as well. 

Evening

For dinner, you’ve got a few great selections, depending on the type of cuisine you’re searching for. 

Barbaro sits on the corner of Franklin Ave and Church Street, and features simple yet elegant Italian cuisine, carefully crafted cocktails, and a curated wine selection.

Cafe Les Baux is a cozy, timeless restaurant featuring traditional French cuisine and an extensive wine list. Dishes are rooted in the flavors of the land of Provence and are infused with the distinctive taste of France.

Charlotte’s, located off of Route 44 a little ways out of the village of Millbrook, offers locally-sourced European fare and boasts a robust selection of diverse wines in a country setting with fireplaces and an outdoor patio. 

Late-Evening 

If you’re looking for a good spot for post dinner drinks, head over to Nooch’s Pub & Grill or to Canoe Hill Bar. At Nooch’s, the games are always playing on the big screens, there is plenty of local beer on draft, and nightly events – including trivia and karaoke! Canoe Hill boasts a menu full of small plates – and oysters! – as well as cocktails and natural wines. 

This is a brief selection of businesses and activities. For a comprehensive list of things to do in Millbrook, check out the Millbrook Business Association’s website here.