Explore the gardens and landscapes of Dutchess County’s Great Estates along the Hudson River. Experience the outdoor beauty of these estates from the Revolutionary War, the Gilded Age, and the World War II eras on your own or attend an outdoor event! Don't miss the Great Estates Garden & Landscape Weekends June 6–7 and Aug. 1–2, 2026. Find details of what each site is offering below and check back as additional events and details continue to be added!
• Garden and Landscape Tour (Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10 a.m.; Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, 10 a.m.) — Wilderstein is a historic country estate located along the Hudson River. With its exquisite Queen Anne mansion and Calvert Vaux -designed landscape, Wilderstein is widely regarded as one of the region's most important examples of Victorian architecture. It was the home of Margaret (Daisy) Suckley, a distant cousin and confidante of Franklin Roosevelt. During this special outdoor guided tour, participants will learn about Wilderstein’s landscape and gardens, the exterior design of the mansion and outbuildings, and the lives of the Suckley family. One hour should be planned for the tour with an additional half hour for perusing the gift shop, exploring the hiking trails on the property, and enjoying the spectacular views. Click here to purchase tickets.
• Guided Landscape Walk of Staatsburgh’s Grounds: “What You See and What You Don’t See” (Saturday, June 6, 2026, 10 a.m.) — Enjoy a free guided walk through the estate’s grounds that explores how the landscape was designed to reflect the luxurious lifestyle of Staatsburgh’s owners while deliberately hiding the turn-of-the-century technology and labor that made the estate run. Click here to complete the required registration.
• Child and Family Program: "Raiders of the Lost Greenhouse Complex" (Saturday, June 6, 2026, 2:30 p.m.) — Following maps, written descriptions, and photographic documents, children and their families will discover the remnants of Staatsburgh’s once-thriving nursery complex on a 40-minute guided walk. Following the walk, child participants will make a miniature garden in a Gilded Age glass to take home. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Please dress appropriately for an outdoor walk. In the event of heavy rain, this program will be held the following day. Click here to purchase tickets.
• Garden Tours (Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 1 and 2, 2026, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) — Mount Gulian Historic Site invites visitors to explore its garden and unique horticultural history. Learn about the garden's origins, evolution, and notable gardeners, including MaryAnna Verplanck, who as a precocious 11 year old, designed the original 1804 garden; James F. Brown, an enslaved person who fled Maryland and worked as Mount Gulian's master gardener after he was manumitted by the Verplanck family; and Virginia Verplanck, whose literary contributions include two gardening books, "Every Day in My Garden" and "A Year in My Garden" from the early 20th century. Reservations are required for this special program. Please call (845) 831-8172 or email info@mountgulian.org.
• Small Space, Serious Veg: Techniques from the Roosevelt Home Garden (Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, 10:30–11:30 a.m.) — Part of the Beatrix Farrand Garden Talks Series, this program in the Small Space Garden Exhibit at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site will examine ways you can enjoy growing your own vegetables, even if you lack sun, soil, space, time, water, money, physical capacity or “all of the above.” You’ll go home with a lot of big ideas for a little garden. Click here to purchase tickets.
• Self-guided tours — The gardens at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site will be available throughout the Great Estates Garden & Landscape Tour Weekends. Park grounds and gardens are available from 7 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.
• “The Livingston Landscape" (Sunday, June 7, 2026, 2 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, 2 p.m.) — Look back through generations of the Livingston family and explore how their role as landowners shaped the land and local communities. From the questionable land purchases from Indigenous tribes to enslaved men and tenant farmers tilling the soil, to the Livingstons' own gentleman farmers, the relationship with the land and those who worked it changed many times over the past 300 years. This event meets in the Visitor Center. There will be a PowerPoint presentation prior to landscape walk. Please wear sturdy shoes. In the event of severe weather, the landscape walk portion of this event will be rescheduled.
Set within a natural bowl around Tyrrel Lake, Innisfree blends Chinese and Japanese garden designs with modern and ecological principles to create a sense of intimacy and enclosure — the defining characteristics of the garden. Click here to see a list of all their events and to purchase tickets.
• Bald Eagle Walk & Talk (Saturday, June 6, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.) — Renowned wildlife biologist Pete Nye leads this walk and talk centered around Innisfree’s beloved resident bald eagles. See the eagles’ nesting site and learn about the lives, habits, and remarkable comeback of these iconic birds.
• "Blessing Our Sacred Earth" (Sunday, June 7, 12–2 p.m.) — This multi-faith gathering brings together regional leaders and members of diverse spiritual and religious traditions for an afternoon of music, reflection, and shared gratitude.
