The Quiet New York Village Nestled Among Lush Woodlands And Peaceful Countryside
Upstate New York has been an idyllic travel spot for years. Some travelers have fled to the scenic landscape and quiet towns up north to seek romantic getaway destinations or refuge from the crowds and noise of the city. Some families have trekked to New York's Hudson Valley in the fall to enjoy epic leaf peeping and apple picking. Outdoor enthusiasts love the area for the skiing in the Catamount Mountains, the ample opportunities for fly fishing, and some of the best biking trails in the world.
However, one charming town in particular stands out for all of these amenities plus its unique history and culture: Amenia. Don't get us wrong, this tranquil town in Dutchess County also has the picturesque scenery. After all, it's right there in the name, which is derived from the Latin word "amoena" meaning "beautiful." But due to its mixture of privately owned farmland, conservation efforts, and challenging topography, the town and surrounding collection of seven hamlets are spread far from one another, and the community small. As of the last census, the population remains under 4,000 people. Nevertheless, this sleepy corner of New York has long been a haven for free thinkers, artists, and off-beat philosophers who were looking to disrupt the status quo.
[Featured image by HSV via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 3.0]
Amenia has a history of movers and shakers
Amenia was one of the original nine precincts that became towns on March 7, 1788 due to a law passed by the New York State Assembly. Not long after that, abolitionists were congregating here while slavery was still legal with roughly 2,000 enslaved people residing in Dutchess County. In fact one of the area's earliest residents, Jacob Bockee, not only started freeing his own slaves in the 1790s, but during his tenure as a member of the New York State Assembly from 1795-1797, he called for the abolition of slavery.
Throughout the 1800s, Amenia was a hub of transcendental thought with figures like Thoreau and Emerson making regular appearances at the town's historic Troutbeck estate. The Springarn family, who purchased Troutbeck in the early 1900s, were civil rights activists who were among the founding members of the NAACP. They hosted two important meetings at the estate that became known as the Amenia Conferences which were full of extremely influential guests such as activist W.E.B. Du Bois and suffragist Mary White Ovington.
Today, the bohemian energy continues to characterize the hamlet, and nowhere is that more evident than the Wassaic Project: a non-profit that hosts art education programs, exhibitions, lectures, artist residencies, camps, and festivals. The organization is housed in a beautifully renovated historic grain mill while the studios are set up in a 19th-century barn.
What is there to do in Amenia?
The Troutbeck estate — now a luxury hotel — is still a vibrant, sought-after place to visit. Recently renovated by the prestigious Champalimaud Design out of New York City, this stunning 250-acre property simultaneously holds historic charm with modern convenience. Between the peaceful swimming pool, the U.S. Open surfaced tennis courts, the river perfect for fly fishing, and the wellness studio offering a variety of yoga and pilates classes, you may decide to stay on the property. But should you decide to venture out, there are plenty of adventures available nearby. The Silo Ridge Field Golf Club has family-friendly activities year-round and is worth a visit whether you plan to play a scenic round or not. You can go on a horseback riding excursion in the summer or swim in the lake, which doubles as a hockey rink when it freezes over in the winter.
Take a walk or a bike ride down the Harlem Valley Rail Trail that stretches 22 miles from Wassaic to Copake Falls at present. The goal is to reach all the way to Chatham for a total of 46 miles. If you prefer a more relaxing vacation, sample hand-crafted local spirits and take a weekend distillery tour at Tenmile Distillery. If you're visiting during the spring, summer, or early fall, don't miss Four Brothers Drive-In. With on-site Airstream camping, mini golf, an art walk, a mastodon exhibit, a playground and arcade, and multiple places to eat, this is not your ordinary drive-in movie theatre. Don't forget to reserve your spot on-line before you visit; it fills up quickly.