Persian Garden Holiday Lights Stroll

Let's go on a night stroll at a Persian Garden in Westchester all decked out in holiday lights.

Agenda: We'll get there "early" to explore the gardens in daylight. Then at 4pm, when the holiday lights are turned on, we'll stroll through the gardens at night.

NOTEWORTHY: ENTRANCE TO THE GARDEN IS FREE AND NO TIMED ENTRY ADVANCED RESERVATION REQUIRED.

About Untermeyer Garden: Who knew the finest Persian garden in the entire Western Hemisphere is located right in Westchester, New York?

The Untermyer Gardens were developed during the first 40 years of the 20th century, and was part of an 150-acre site that was the once an estate called "Greystone" belonging to lawyer and civic leader Samuel Untermyer. Set high above the Hudson on his former estate, on a hillside above the Hudson River and features a rock garden, a "Grecian garden" (actually a Persian Paradise garden), a small Grecian-style amphitheater, a classical pavilion, pergola, statuary, and a view of the river. Untermeyer Gardens are one of the more fanciful and elaborate walled gardens ever planted in America.

read the history of the Gardens ---------> HERE

This winter, come and see the Walled Garden lit with more than 100,000 lights and listen to holiday music from many traditions. This holiday treat is free thanks to our generous sponsors. Inaugurated in 2015, the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy's Grand Holiday Illumination has quickly become a Yonkers tradition, and thousands of visitors come to enjoy the spectacle.

GETTING THERE: we'll meet at Grand Central to take the 12:25PM train to GREYSTONE arriving at 1:04PM.

You can also pick up the same GCT train when it stops at any stop outside of Grand Central. Just check mta.info for train schedule from your boarding station.

Other ways to get to the garden: https://www.untermyergardens.org/hours-and-directions.html

When we get to Greystone station, it's a 20-minute UPHILL walk to the Garden.

If you are not taking Metro-North, just meet us at the garden at 1:30PM.

AGENDA: once we're inside Garden we'll leisurely explore on foot. The lights will not be turned on until 4PM-ish. Only the Walled Garden will be illuminated. We're getting there early to explore other parts of the garden before seeing the illuminations.

RETURN TRAIN: After the garden, we'll pick up the Westchester Bee bus that will take us to YONKERS station. Here we can grab eats and drinks before heading home. There are 2 trains leaving Yonkers for NYC every hour.

WHO SHOULD COME: Anyone with a sense of adventure and a positive attitude. A smile also goes a long way. Please leave the drama and crankiness at home.

WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING: Dress for the weather. Wear suitable walking shoes.

WEATHER: This Meetup is rain or shine!

LIABILITY WAIVER: come prepared. Participate at your own risks. Hold no one liable. Etc. Etc.