What to Do in Millerton: A 24-Hour Guide to the Sweetest Small Village
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Wikimedia Commons | Photo by Doug Kerr
With boutique shops, cozy cafés, and bustling restaurants, the Dutchess County neighborhood is a busy community in a small package.
Set into the hills of northeastern Dutchess County, Millerton is about as close as you can get to Connecticut without crossing the state border. Though small, the village sits along the soaring Taconic Range and is surrounded by rolling fields, making it an ideal hiking and biking destination.
For prospective Hudson Valley day trippers, there’s plenty to do right in town or just a short drive away. Take a look at our guide and then plan your own ideal trip to Millerton. P.S. Don’t forget to tag us @HudsonValleyMag on Instagram if you visit any of these spots!
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9 a.m. – Start your health kick with a breakfast at Oakhurst Diner
Oakhurst serves a healthier, more organic spin on typical diner food, spicing up the old reliables of omelets and pancakes with avocado toast, pinto bean plates, and decent doses of kale. Many ingredients are locally sourced and, while serving sizes are a little smaller than your average diner, unexpected flavors abound, making for a perfectly satisfying start to the day.
19 Main St, Millerton
518.592.1313
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10:30 a.m. – Enjoy a sip of coffee at the lovely Irving Farm Coffee House
When New York City-based chain Irving Farm moved its roasting facilities up to Millerton, it added even more incentive for locals and visitors to pop into town. While there, a trip to the nearby cafe for a taste of the brews is absolutely worth your time. Visit the lovely Irving Farm Coffee House, offering an inviting sit-down experience in a warm setting just a mile down the road from the roastery.
44 Main Street, Millerton
518.789.2020
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11 a.m. – Visit the home of Harney & Sons Fine Teas
Millerton is home to the headquarters of Harney & Sons, as well as the 90,000 sq ft factory where the leading tea brand receives, blends, and packages the dozens of fine teas it distributes around the country. Sample a wide variety of teas onsite, and be sure to check out the offerings on its menu for fresh Hudson Valley fare. This iconic destination is perhaps the most well-known tea shop in the entire region.
13 Main St, Millerton
518.789.2121
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12:30 p.m. – Dig into lunch at The Millerton Inn
The lunch here focuses on seafood and greens, with plenty of salads and baked moussaka for vegetarians in addition to a menu of burgers, fish, steak, and a host of fresh pastas.
53 Main St, Millerton
518.592.1900
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1:30 p.m. – Take a walk or ride on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail
One of the earliest in the region, this excellent rail trail heads south out of town along the Webatuck Creek, passing 10.7 miles through roads, woods, and fields before reaching the Wassaic Station. Unpaved and undeveloped sections have been purchased, with the goal of extending it for 46 miles, all the way to Chatham. It’s a pleasant walk and an easy roundtrip by bike.
See website for trailhead locations
4 p.m. – Enjoy boutique shops on Main Street in Millerton
Main Street is short but packed with notable shops and boutiques, from the original Oblong Books to several antiques shops and the Harney & Sons storefront with tasting room and shop. Those looking for something a little heavier can walk up to Gordon R. Keeler’s, one of the last remaining local appliance stores, or to Country Gardeners for all their floral needs.
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6 p.m. – Splurge on dinner at 52 Main
Undeniably the fanciest place in town, 52 Main serves all manner of tapas, from vegetarian (warm burrata with truffle oil truffle and savory bread pudding with butternut squash and whipped goat cheese) to seared scallops, Swedish meatballs, smoked gouda mac and cheese, and more. Imported wines, live music, and decadent desserts – like mixed fruit panna cotta – round out the experience.
52 Main St, Millerton
518.789.0252
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7:30 p.m. – Catch a movie at The Moviehouse
This all-digital, independent theater shows a mix of blockbusters, prestige dramas, and scrappy indies across its multiple screens, with reserved seating in theaters 1, 2, and 3. It also displays art and has hosted local authors and filmmakers for special talks. If you need to relax or want to keep quiet for an hour or two, The Moviehouse is worth a stop.
48 Main St, Millerton
518.789.0022
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9:30 p.m. – Stay the night at The Millerton Inn
Spend the night on Main St in one of the classy rooms at The Millerton Inn. Designed by Eleni Stefanopoulos, these accommodations provide an upscale atmosphere. Cozy rooms, a spacious bar area, and a comfortable outdoor porch tie a perfect bow on a weekend stay in the quaint village of Millerton.
53 Main St, Millerton
518.592.1900