Explore Peekskill through a range of interests: take in views of the Hudson, get active on the water, walk along wooded trails or discover art and regional history. Riverfront Green Park offers a view of the river with the Hudson Highlands in the background.
Riverfront and outdoor activities
At the water’s edge, observation and activity go hand in hand. At Charles Point Park, visitors can spot birds, including eagles. Boat trips can begin at the historic Fleischmann Pier in Riverfront Green Park on the Hudson River. China Pier at Charles Point offers opportunities for kayaking; you can also kayak or stand-up paddle along the Peekskill waterfront. The options range from taking in views of the river to getting out on the water: birdwatching brings the natural surroundings into focus, while paddling and boat trips make the water itself the main attraction.
The trails and parks offer a variety of experiences, too. Depew Park has numerous wooded trails. Dogs are welcome on the MacGregory Brook Trail. Fort Hill Park offers a nature scavenger hunt for children. These activities add different options to your trip, from trails through green spaces and a walk with your dog to a nature scavenger hunt.
Theater, art and Peekskill’s history
The distinctive Paramount Theater is located in downtown Peekskill. Its program includes music, dance, theater, spoken word, film and cultural events. Its range of offerings makes the theater a destination for people with diverse interests in the performing arts and culture. For those more interested in the city’s history, the Peekskill Museum offers a different focus, sharing knowledge of Peekskill and the surrounding area through exhibitions, programs and publications.
The Peekskill Museum’s history began in 1946, when it acquired the former home of the Herrick family. The collection includes stoves, as well as artifacts and photographs from the foundries and their workers. The story of local history thus also encompasses the foundries and the people who worked there. For visitors interested in history, the museum provides a connection to the city’s past that goes beyond individual events.
The Lincoln Depot Museum is a specific historic site: the 3,000-square-foot freight and passenger rail depot sits on Peekskill Bay on the east bank of the Hudson River. On February 19, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln stopped there during his inaugural journey by train from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C., to greet New Yorkers. The exhibition explores Lincoln’s connections to Peekskill and the Hudson Valley. It includes more than 100 artifacts, including rare maps, photographs, memorabilia and an order signed by Lincoln; individual exhibits may change.
Contemporary art is also part of Peekskill’s cultural profile. Hudson Valley MOCA has shaped the city with more than 80 art exhibitions, six major art festivals and educational programs. An illuminated sculpture trail runs from the Peekskill Metro-North station to downtown. It offers another way to include public art in your exploration of the city.
Getting around
The Discover Peekskill Shuttle is a free weekend service that runs in summer and fall. The Peekskill Shuttle connects visitors with downtown, the train station and the waterfront. Service details may change, so check the current schedule before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Yorktown Heights, Mt Kisco, Tarrytown, White Plains, New Rochelle, Ardsley.
For the main travel guide: Westchester.
