Weekend in Katonah: an easy escape just an hour from NYC

Some people travel for food. Some travel for adventure. And some travel to pet all the cute animals. As you might have noticed, we’ve been in full-on snuggle mode with everything furry and fluffy lately. We cuddled with cats in Alexandria, Virginia, then hung out with Golden Retrievers in Jeffersonville, Vermont. So when we heard about Muscoot Farm in Katonah, New York, where you can befriend tons of farm animals, even pygmy goats, there was no question where The WeekEnder was headed next.

“We have about a hundred full-time residents here at the farm: dairy goats, pygmy goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, cows, chickens, ducks, and farm cats,” says Jonathon Benjamin, Muscoot’s farm director. “People can come and spend time with the animals—you can even do morning farm chores.”

And when you’re done bonding with little critters, you can take in an opera, make your own maple syrup, catch a contemporary art exhibit, or snack on croissants at a cool cafe. Welcome to Katonah, a sweet town in Westchester County that has it all—from endless parkland to a buzzing downtown lined with independent boutiques and restaurants. Best of all: It’s just an hour by train or car from New York City.

“The whole town is adorable, and it’s got a hipster vibe. I can’t even tell you how many people have moved here from Brooklyn,” says Gretchen Menzies, owner of the Katonah Reading Room, a bookstore and cafe that is the downtown gathering spot. “We have real estate agents bring people to the Reading Room, and they go, ‘You won’t miss out. You will have matcha. You’re going to be okay.’”

Tucked away in the lush nature that surrounds Katonah are some serious cultural institutions that make this town a hub for the arts. “The location is so inspiring, and its close proximity to the city has allowed many important philanthropists and collectors and artists to settle here,” says Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, executive director at the Katonah Museum of Art, which was originally founded in the local library and is now housed in a stunning building designed by the modernist architect Edward Larrabee Barnes.

Not far away is Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, a former estate that has been transformed into a year-round destination with 80 acres to explore and plenty of live music (symphony, opera, jazz, and more). Caramoor’s president and CEO, Edward J. Lewis III, is a classically trained violinist. What he loves about this spot: “It’s the perfect weekend destination,” says Lewis.

Sounds like Katonah has everything going for it. And, hey, it’s not every day you can pet a pygmy goat.

-Laura Begley Bloom, New York's Senior WeekEnder Writer

There are no hotels right in Katonah, but here are a few great places to stay within a 15-minute radius that are worth the quick detour.

Turns out actor Richard Gere has a side hustle as a hotelier: He’s the co-owner of this 18th century country inn, located in neighboring Bedford. The eight rooms are made for that A-lister life, with exposed beams, working fireplaces, and massive soaking tubs. There’s also a Yoga Loft and a farm-to-table restaurant.

A 1960s Holiday Inn has been transformed into this family-friendly hotel, located just a 10-minute drive away in Mount Kisco.

It’s a bit farther away in Chappaqua, but Menzies recommends this “cute inn,” while guests appreciate “the reasonable rates.”

Downtown Katonah is small but packed with some quality places to eat. Here’s our list, along with a few nearby spots that can’t be missed.

Katonah Reading Room in Katonah - Set in Katonah’s first library from the mid-1800s, the Reading Room has it all—a small cafe serving up all kinds of coffee drinks, breakfast treats (the avocado toast is the fan favorite), and lunch options like the wildly popular Thai peanut wrap. But leave your laptop at home: They’re not allowed. “We’re really trying to encourage people to meet each other, to have a community space, and to create,” says Menzies. (For more on those creative offerings, see the Arts section below.)

The Jay Street Cafe in Katonah - If you slept in, no worries—Jay Street serves breakfast all day and into the evening (don’t miss the cornbread French toast). At lunch and dinner, you’ll also find dishes like tuna tartare, shrimp bowls, and steak frites.

Tazza in Katonah - Want a quick coffee to go? This is Lewis’s pick as the place to “experience the local Katonah vibe while having a great cup of coffee,” he says.

LMNOP Bakery in Katonah - Talk about a cool backstory: A former costume designer at the Metropolitan Opera got into baking and opened this spot. The result? Incredible sourdough bread and creative sandwiches like a baguette topped with brie, house-made strawberry jam, and micro greens. “This bakery has a cult following in town,” says Yun Mapplethorpe. Soon, you’ll be able to sample LMNOP’s baked goods and sandwiches in the garden at the Katonah Museum of Art, too.

The Muscoot Tavern in Katonah - This rustic red-and-white tavern on the outskirts of town has been a local standby since the 1920s for pub grub like fish ’n’ chips and bacon-topped cheeseburgers.

Peppino’s Ristorante in Katonah - “It’s super cozy, wood-paneled, and serves Italian classics like chicken cutlets and chicken parm,” says Menzies.

Blue Dolphin in Katonah - “The Blue Dolphin is an old favorite. It’s an Italian restaurant that feels like you’re in Capri,” says Yun Mapplethorpe.

The Whitlock in Katonah - There’s usually a wait, but it’s worth it for The Whitlock’s upscale comfort food like French onion soup with bone marrow or honey-drizzled roast chicken. “There’s a small bar scene, great American fare, and a really good burger,” says Menzies.

The Inn at Pound Ridge in Pound Ridge - Wondering about the chef behind this rustic-chic restaurant? None other than Jean-Georges Vongerichten. And the 1830s-inn setting delivers on atmosphere, too. While it’s a solid date-night destination, Yun Mapplethorpe says it’s also ideal for daytime dining: “If you want a more elevated leisurely lunch after a visit to the museum, I would recommend going here.”

Pour in Mt Kisco - “This is the only true lounge bar in the area. And it’s just different—in a big Victorian house with cool vibes,” says Menzies. “You wouldn’t necessarily find it unless you’re told to go.”

Nature is a major draw, and there are dozens of ways to get out there, whether you’re hiking, making maple syrup, or hanging with faux dinosaurs.

Muscoot Farm in Katonah - On this 1880s farm, you’ll find more than six miles of scenic hiking trails, old buildings like an ice house to explore, and furry friends like Regina, an adorable donkey who rolls around in the grass and has a sweet tooth (she loves it when the farmers feed her cinnamon rolls). And a heads up: Right now is sugar season—prime time for learning how to make maple syrup.

Lasdon Park in Katonah - The crown jewel at this park is a conservatory designed by the same folks that built the one at the New York Botanical Gardens. “They have a mini botanical garden there with a lot of different trees,” says Benjamin. “There’s also a dinosaur garden for the kids, which is really cool.”

Westchester Land Trust - “The Westchester Land Trust has a ton of hiking trails and preserves that are open to the public—it’s worth checking out their website to find recommendations of where to go,” says Menzies.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Pound Ridge - “For nature lovers, I’d recommend Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, a beautiful park with hiking trails and a nature museum,” says Lewis.

“We have a very rich community that is deeply involved in the arts,” says Yun Mapplethorpe. “That level of sophistication and cosmopolitanism has really inspired and nurtured a strong focus on culture.”

Katonah Museum of Art in Katonah - There’s so much to do and see at this contemporary art museum that hosts rotating exhibitions throughout the year and has a 10,000 square-foot sculpture garden. And great news for parents—there are tons of family-friendly events, plus the Pollack Family Learning Center, where kids can drop in and make art and participate in experiences that go along with the exhibitions. “The activities are all free, so kids can just go to the learning center and stay as long as they want,” says Yun Mapplethorpe.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah - A former estate has been transformed into a music and arts center with gardens, Renaissance and Asian art, and performances by musicians from all over the world. As you explore the grounds you’ll encounter Caramoor’s Sound Art collection, which are—in a nutshell—stunning sculptures that make music.

Katonah Reading Room in Katonah - Along with all the culinary treats (see above), this cafe has a well-curated bookshop, gifts (journals, toys), and classes in painting, collaging, and more.

John Jay Homestead in Katonah - This was the 1787 home of John Jay, coauthor of the Federalist Papers and the first chief justice of the United States. Today, the public can tour the house, stroll through the gardens, and take tours themed around topics like slavery and abolition, the Constitution, and more.

Bedford Playhouse in Bedford - This playhouse is worth a detour to neighboring Bedford. “You might want to attend a film or talk at the Bedford Playhouse and dine in their on-site cafe,” says Lewis.

Yellow Studio in Cross River - This gallery in nearby Cross River also offers residency spaces for artists and a co-working program. “It was founded by a woman who used to work in the city and shows local artists, especially women,” says Yun Mapplethorpe. “It’s really wonderful.”

Feeling some local pride as you duck in and out of shops along the main street? That’s part of the appeal. “What makes Katonah so interesting is that all the small businesses are owned by local people,” says Menzies.

Bijou in Katonah - The range of jewelry curated by owner Casey Carter, a GIA Graduate Gemologist, will take your breath away—from sleek diamond-studded rings and necklaces by up-and-coming designers to antique brooches reworked into modern settings to your daughter’s first pair of earrings. “Casey is a doll,” says Menzies. “He pierces every little girl’s ears in town, which is so much better than going to the mall.”

Nine by Ash in Katonah - “It’s got gorgeous, nice-quality men and women’s clothes that are a little bit different, from cool cowboy boots to soft button-downs with a Southwest flare, which doesn’t make any sense in Katonah—but why not?” says Menzies.

WildFig Floral in Katonah - Even if you’re not in the market for flowers, it’s worth a stroll through this shop that feels like being in a botanical garden. “Nichole Wilder’s gorgeous arrangements and enchanting shop, just steps away from the train station, will immediately elevate your mood and inspire you to more deeply connect with nature,” says Yun Mapplethorpe.

This and That Vintage in Katonah - “The owner has two vintage stores—one here in town, which is more upscale, and another 15 minutes away in Cross River,” says Menzies. “She has amazing jackets from the twenties with beaded coolness, as well as vintage jewelry and hats and purses and clothes that people would wear today.”

Community Shop at the Community Center of Westchester in Katonah - This shop has a feel-good factor, selling pieces by local makers who are facing financial hardship. “They work with underrepresented communities, especially women who are not able to have a more conventional career, and they teach them sewing and design,” says Yun Mapplethorpe. “All of the proceeds go directly to the makers themselves, so they’re able to sustain themselves and their families.”