Looking for all the amazing things to do in Millerton, New York? This Hudson Valley getaway is set on the Taconic Ridge along the New York/Connecticut border, not far from Salisbury and the Taconic State Park.
Looking for outdoor adventures, historic buildings, and a charming downtown experience? You’ll find all of that here in Millerton!
One of the standout features of rural Millerton is the array of outdoor recreational opportunities. Set in the stunning Taconic Mountains and surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, it’s the perfect base for a day of hiking, biking, and fishing. Just off Main Street, you can head out on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, a scenic path popular with day hikers and cyclists.
Millerton, New York is also popular for its quaint shops and boutiques that line Main Street. You can explore antique malls, bookstores, clothing boutiques, and artisan shops selling locally made items. The village also features an eclectic mix of eateries serving up everything from farm-to-table cuisine to locally roasted coffee.
The small-town ambiance and recreational opportunities make Millerton a delightful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life! If you’re looking for the perfect Catskills day trip, keep reading about our favorite things to do in Millerton.
Check Out the Top Things to Do in Millerton
Harney & Sons Tea
Calling all tea lovers, you’re in for a treat as one of the best things to do in Millerton is visit the original Harney & Sons Tea location! As you turn onto Main Street, you’ll find Harney & Sons Tea on the left.
Millerton is where John Harney started the company back in 1983. Today, it’s a popular tea brand known for its extensive selection of high-quality teas. Visiting the flagship store is one of the most popular things to do in Millerton, especially if you love a fresh cup of tea!
The Harney & Sons Tea in Millerton is a special experience because it features a beautiful tearoom, the Teabar. Here, you can enjoy a meal with all the spacious indoor and outdoor seating. They offer a well-balanced menu of salads, sandwiches, and heavier entrees. The tearoom also offers a list of 250 Harney & Sons teas, ranging from classic blends to unique and exotic varieties.
The tearoom offers daily tastings, where you can sample up to four teas at a time. During tastings, friendly staff members guide you through the tasting process, providing information on different tea varieties, flavor notes, and brewing techniques.
And of course, you’ll want to visit the charming, rustic store! Peruse walls lined with traditional and H&S signature blends, as well as a variety of teapots, gifts, and local items that go perfectly with a cup of tea. And if you’re a Harney & Sons fan, don’t forget to bring in your empty tins, which get refilled at a discount!
We popped in quickly to shop for some tea and grab a nice ice tea to go to to continue exploring this charming downtown area.
Harney & Sons Tea in Millerton is open from Wednesday to Saturday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. On Sundays, they’re open from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
If you’re a fan of New York rail trails and looking for things to do in Millerton, NY, you’ll love the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. Right now, it stands in two sections that cover about 26 miles along the former Harlem Valley rail line. When it’s finished, the trail will span 46 miles from Wassaic to Chatham, offering a fantastic outdoor experience for walkers, hikers, cyclists, and nature lovers!
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail begins in the hamlet of Wassaic (close to the Metro North Station there if you’re coming on the train to hike). Mile 10.7 connects with Main Street in Millerton, and then the trail continues another 15+ miles to Hillsdale. There’s a longer bit of unpaved path for over 5 miles more, but it’s very undeveloped.
What draws nature lovers to this rail trail is the wide, paved path and the stunning countryside in the picturesque Harlem Valley region of New York. You’ll wind alongside picturesque farmland, dense woodlands, tranquil streams, and rolling hills.
The trail features several access points and parking areas. There are also picnic areas and benches where you can take a break and observe the local flora and fauna. Open year-round, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail offers a beautiful setting in and out of every season.
We visited in the winter, so we didn’t do much along the trail during our visit but we can’t wait to come back another season and check it out!
Wander Around on Main Street
One of your favorite things to do in Millerton will be strolling along the adorable Main Street! Harney & Sons Tea is not far from the southern end of Main Street. From here, the road winds up and around a curve about 1000 feet, with some great shops along the way!
If you love antique shopping, make sure to stop into Hunter Bee. This beautiful store is the kind of place where you’ll lose track of time as you hunt for treasures. You’ll be enchanted by the authentic midcentury-modern furniture, farmhouse-style knick-knacks, vintage art pieces, and more. They’re open Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
One of our favorite visits was to Westerlind, a high-end outdoor fashion clothing store. You can find beautiful, high-quality clothing for men and women, as well as accessories and home goods. And shopping in the store is very calming, with light wood, natural light, and open spaces. Plus, you can head downstairs to the Westerlind Pantry for packaged goods and local items before hitting the trail! We’ve actually encountered a few of their stores in the Hudson Valley including in Hudson too!
And while you’re on Main, a break at Irving Farm Coffee is a must. The striking carriage house location will catch your eye even before you step inside! This small roastery has a passion for ethically-sourced, sustainable coffee. They focus on small, seasonal roasts, curating unique blends and single-origin options. Come in for a rest while you enjoy a cup of joe with a breakfast plate, sandwich, or salad made with local ingredients.
Shop at Oblong Books
While you’re on Main Street in Millerton, New York, make it a point to visit Oblong Books, this was by far one of our favorite spots we visited in town. This is a really cool indie bookshop (that has since opened up a second location in Rhinebeck).
Inside, the space is cozy and inviting, and you’re sure to leave with a book! Upstairs, there’s a diverse range of topics for adults, and downstairs is a wonderful children’s section, which includes toys and games.
Oblong Books is all about community involvement and supporting important causes. Check out the ‘cheap art’ section where every purchase helps feed homeless cats and trap and neuter programs! They also have regular author talks and book launches at both locations, so make sure to check their calendar.
Millerton Antique Center
One of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley is take advantage of all the cool antique shops this region has to offer and another Main Street store we wanted to highlight is Millerton Antique Center.
If you love sifting through antique stores, a visit here is definitely one of the best things to do in Millerton! Try to set aside at least an hour, if you want to get a really good look around.
There are almost 40 different vendors across two expansive levels, and you’re sure to find something for everyone! From antique European furniture to rare Victorian oddities, it’s at Millerton Antique Center. There are sellers with impressive collections of rare jewelry, first-edition books, Persian rugs, tons of records, and more random things too like Playboy magazines.
The center also has vendors that offer different specialties, like custom picture frames or niche collections like antique Christmas décor.
They’re open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and on Sundays from 11 AM to 4:30 PM.
Antique Shopping at Old Mill of Irondale
For more of the best antique shopping in Millerton, drive north on NY-22 a short way to Old Mill of Irondale. You can miss the beautiful old mill on the right side of the road! The owners are a sweet couple who are always around if you need anything.
They have tons of smaller items, especially antique kitchen utensils, and sought-after glassware. Come here if you’re looking for vintage PYREX or Fiestaware. Or check out their collection of chairs, antique art and frames, and chandeliers. And this is also a great place to stop if you need something appraised.
As we were browsing, another local who was also doing some shopping told us that this was THE antique store in the region that alot of other antique stores in popular places like Hudson and Kingston shop for their stores too. I am not sure how valid that statement is, but we did notice that the prices here were a bit lower than a few other Hudson Valley towns we visited.
They’re open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Eat at Oakhurst Diner
With all the fun things to do in Millerton, you’re going to get hungry! We suggest adding Oakhurst Diner to your Millerton to-do list. Located next to Hunter Bee on Main Street, it’s a classic retro diner complete with chrome and neon exteriors!
Inside, you can sit on a chrome stool at the iconic diner counter or go with a table complete with soft vinyl booth chairs. However, the food at Oakhurst Diner is anything but typical! While the menu includes all your American classics, like pancakes, burgers, and milkshakes, there’s so much more. Eat clean with locally-sourced salads and plates or go with a more exciting meal of pho or banh mi sandwiches.
They also have a decent children’s menu and a variety of beverages, including CBD seltzer, beer, wine, and liquor. You can check out Oakhurst Diner Thursday through Monday, from 8 AM to 8 PM.
The Moviehouse
One of the most popular reasons to visit Millerton, NY is to see a show at The Moviehouse. The independent film theater on Main Street is housed in a historic building and has been entertaining residents and visitors for over 40 years. They have a pleasant variety in their lineup, including independent films, cult classics, box office hits, and recordings of live Broadway shows!
You can enjoy a show at The Moviehouse on three different screens or book an intimate gathering in their private screening lounge. There’s a full bar offering a selection of beer and wine alongside your classic movie theater snacks. Come early and hang out in the lobby where you can enjoy tables and plush booths or take them to your seat.
If you’re hard of hearing, they offer headphones and closed caption devices. And if you find climbing stairs difficult, the theater recently installed a state-of-the-art elevator system! Head to the box office or go online to see their daily movie showtimes or find out about upcoming events.
Enjoy a Hike a Rudd Pond
If you’re looking for more outdoorsy things to do in Millerton, head north to Rudd Pond. Situated inside the sprawling Taconic State Park, Rudd Pond is known for its peaceful atmosphere and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Besides camping, boating, and swimming, hiking is a popular pastime at the pond.
The larger Taconic State Park is known for its wide range of trails available, offering something for all skill levels. Rudd Pond is 1 of 2 more developed areas of the park and features its own range of trails that take you to viewpoints or along scenic routes.
One excellent loop trail is the Iron Mind Pond Loop. It’s a moderate trail covering 4.5 miles that will take an average hiker roughly 2 hours to hike.
You have your choice of starting at the trailhead at Shagroy Road on the southern end of the pond, which is the most popular route. Or start near the campsite parking lot at the northern end. If you take the trailhead, you’ll be on the South Taconic Trail for quite a while, enjoying views of the smaller Iron Mill Pond as well as old ruins and a serene forest.
After reaching a high point for panoramic vistas of the area. Turning back, you’ll connect with the Rudd Pond Trail. Follow this trail down for great views of Rudd Pond and connect to the road, which leads back to the trailhead.
You could also follow the Taconic State Park Trail. It’s a gentler trail, but covers 14 miles deeper into the park, connecting with other trails. Rudd Pond trail is much shorter and takes you directly to the viewpoint, but it’s straight up and down.
After a successful hike, take advantage of the park’s quality amenities! You can enjoy picnic areas, showers, fishing spots, boat launches, a sandy beach for swimming, and more. The park is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset, year-round. Just keep in mind that some trails can close due to poor weather conditions. Camping and swimming are open roughly from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year.
Check out Millbrook
While you’re exploring the best things to do in Millerton, be sure to check out another charming New York town in the heart of the Hudson Valley nearby. Millbrook is less than a 30-minute drive away and is another cool small town to check out with shops, antique stores, and fun stops like Millbrook Vineyards and Winery for wine tastings!
We have an entire guide to exploring the best things to do in Millbrook, a town that’s a countryside retreat for the ultra-wealthy and a fun stop while exploring Dutchess County.
One of my all-time favorite antique stores we have visited in the state is Millbrook Antiques Mall where there was an awesome collection of designer vintage pieces and rare antiques and collectibles for sale. Many of which have documentation telling its story as well as why it was rare, one in particular during our visit was a set of Staffordshire pottery figures.
There are other fun shops like Creel & Gow and Orangerie where you can find some of the most interesting home decor and it’s just outside the Hitchcock Estate Gatehouse, which is interesting to look at on its own but its backstory is also fascinating as this was the home of Timothy Leary who did some psychedelic exploration here!
Both towns are easy to visit on the same trip, that’s how we did it and we highly recommend making a visit when you’re checking out Millerton, New York since it’s so close!
Millerton, New York is famous for its charming small-town atmosphere, boutique shops, and its location in the scenic Hudson Valley.
Millerton, New York is approximately 100 miles away from New York City, making it a drive of about 2 hours, depending on traffic and the specific starting location in NYC.
What to do in Millerton, New York (Post Summary):
- Harney & Sons Tea
- Harlem Valley Rail Trail
- Wander Around on Main Street
- Shop at Oblong Books
- Millerton Antique Center
- Antique Shopping at Old Mill of Irondale
- Eat at Oakhurst Diner
- The Moviehouse
- Enjoy a hike at Rudd Pond
- Check out Millbrook
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