Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers, NY

Traveling constantly isn’t a reality for most people, even for those of us that like to write about it. For those of us with standard office jobs, it is especially impossible. However, one way I keep a sense of exploration when I’m stuck in those months between vacations is a sort of “local adventure map” that I consistently add new things to.

My home base adventure map includes New York City and the two counties above it where I have lived, Rockland & Westchester. I add pins for museums and beautiful estates I want to visit, restaurants to try out, and even just spots that might have a nice view. Then when the weekend rolls around and I want to go photograph or eat something new, I just pick a spot on the map and try it out.

Here are a few spots currently on my list:

Beautiful / Historic Places to Photograph

Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate (Sleepy Hollow, Westchester)
Top of the Rock Observation Deck (Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, NYC)
Lyndhurst Mansion (Tarrytown, Westchester) - I finally made my way to this spot the other weekend, check out my stroll through the grounds over here.

Museums

Edward Hopper House Art Center (Nyack, Rockland)
Hudson River Museum (Yonkers, Westchester)
Rubin Museum of Art (Manhattan, NYC)

Restaurants & Cafes

Blossom for vegan fare (Manhattan, NYC)
Blue Hill at Stone Barns for farm-to-table dining (Pocantico Hills, Westchester)
Red Rooster for comfort food (Manhattan, NYC)

Thanks for reading, and please let me know of any spots I should add! As always, please leave any questions, suggestions, or comments in the section below,

Keep exploring,

~V

Date & Locations: 2015 & 2016 - Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers, NY (Another spot that was originally on my list!)

Photos taken with: Nikon D5300, Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f1.8 Lens, & Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f3.5-5.6 lens