Peekskill, New York is a dream of a weekend getaway with much to discover and explore whether you are looking for a romantic weekend, to enjoy the arts, have an adventure, explore its gastronomy, or learn about its history. Conveniently located 20 miles from Westchester, New York, 31 miles from Poughkeepsie, New York, 37 miles from Greenwich, Connecticut, 39 miles from Hyde Park, New York, 44 miles from Manhattan, New York, 65 miles from Newark, New Jersey, 80 miles from New Haven, Connecticut, 113 miles from Albany, New York, and 142 miles from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Peekskill, New York offers something for everyone and should be on your "travel radarscope."

Founded in 1640, Greenwich, Connecticut is one of the wealthiest towns in the United States. Located on Connecticut's Gold Coast on Long Island Sound, Greenwich is only a 50-minute train ride from Manhattan, yet it is a world away. Sumptuous shopping, luxury hotels, upscale restaurants, beaches, parks, summer concerts, along with cultural, sports, and community events offer residents and visitors something to enjoy in every season. No wonder then that Greenwich attracts many celebrities who call Greenwich home or come to visit.

The towns surrounding Madison, Connecticut are like a string of pearls, each with its own charm. Heading north from the south, you will pass the towns of Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, and Killingworth, all of which are worth exploring. New England shore towns, the possibilities for discoveries are endless in any season. We thoroughly enjoyed a mini vacation experiencing their charm.

Although this has been a very mild winter in Connecticut, when the month of March hit the calendar, we were ready to get out of the house and start exploring nature again and looking for signs of Spring. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center located in Stamford, Connecticut provided the perfect opportunity with their combination of hiking trails, friendly animals, and a sensational museum.

Orchids are nature's most beloved and exotic of flowers and The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in Bronx, New York, annually attracts orchid aficionados, horticulturists, artists, and photographers to celebrate their stunning beauty. Celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2023, this year's show features the vision of the acclaimed landscape artist and designer Lily Kwong who transforms the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory into a dream-like fantasy that must be seen to be fully appreciated. We attended opening weekend, and the show once again dazzled our senses. The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden runs until April 23, 2023.

Once again, we were enchanted with the Holiday Train Show® at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) located in the Bronx, New York. For over 30 years, the NYBG has continued their tradition of creating a holiday fantasy that deftly combines over 190 iconic models of New York landmark buildings all made from natural items found in a forest with more than 25 G-scale model trains and trolleys. Delightful for all ages, we have made the Holiday Train Show® one of our annual traditions since 2017, and every year it keeps getting better. The magic of the holiday season at the NYBG and the Holiday Train Show® runs until January 16, 2023.

While thoroughbred horse racing is synonymous with Saratoga Springs, New York, there is also another kind of horsepower there at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Located inside the historic brick bottling plant that was once home to the famous Saratoga Springs waters, the Museum has an excellent collection of permanent and special exhibits. If you love automobiles, this Museum will have your engine racing!

Since the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame opened to the public on June 2, 1956, at 191 Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, it has been an icon, recording the history and legacy of thoroughbred racing that began in 1863 at the oldest thoroughbred racetrack in America. If you love the sport of horseracing, this world-class racing museum and hall of fame should be on your must-visit list when visiting Saratoga Springs, New York.

Looking for a fun (and educational as well) outing? We had to look no farther than The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Connecticut, which provided us with hours of enjoyment and is perfect for all age groups. Sharks, and rays, and harbor seals, oh my! There were so many interesting exhibits to experience that kept us enthralled. Located 43 miles from Manhattan, and is easily accessible by boat, car, or Metro-North train, The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is the perfect year-round destination for entertainment.

Looking for a fun New York "day getaway"? We fell in love ... with Wave Hill located on 28 stunning acres along the Hudson River in the Riverdale section of Bronx, New York, which is a stunning oasis to relax, refresh, and enjoy art and nature. Their slogan is "A public garden and cultural center," and on the day we visited there were beautiful gardens to explore, new art installations in their galleries, and dance performances by Pigeonwing Dance . Although we were only 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan, it felt like we were worlds away. Easily accessible by car, Metro-North train, subway, and bus, Wave Hill is the perfect place to spend the day for New Yorkers, Tri-Staters, or "Big Apple" visitors. 

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) located in the Bronx, New York celebrates The Orchid Show's 19^th year with Renowned Designer Jeff Leatham's: Kaleidoscope where his stunning use of color, shape, size, and design create a kaleidoscope of color with breathtaking orchid displays. The Orchid Show runs until May 1, 2022, and it is the perfect location to celebrate Spring.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum located in Norwalk, Connecticut is truly spectacular at any time of the year, however when it dons its Victorian finery for the holiday season it is absolutely magnificent! We got into the spirit of the season with their exhibit and tour "Holiday Enchantment at the Mansion," which runs until January 9, 2022. Tours are given Wednesday through Sunday at 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

Holidays are about traditions, and for the past 30 years, the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) - Holiday Train Show® has been an annual tradition for families to kick off the joyful spirit of the winter holiday season. The Holiday Train Show®, located in Bronx, New York, along with baking holiday cookies, watching holiday movies, and sipping hot cocoa brimming with marshmallows while wrapping gifts, has become a holiday tradition for Luxury Experience. Perfect for all ages, visiting the Holiday Train Show® at the NYBG will linger in your imagination long after you leave the show. The Holiday Train Show® at the NYBG runs from November 20 through January 23, 2022. Happy Holidays! 

There is something magical about visiting zoos and spending time with animals that bring out the child in all of us, and the Beardsley Zoo located in Bridgeport, Connecticut is fun for all ages. Founded over 90 years ago the Beardsley Zoo located inside the gorgeous Beardsley Park has evolved into more than just a zoo providing home to endangered and vanishing animals as well as rescued animals, it is also a learning center, botanical garden, is a certified AZA (Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) that "design and maintain Species Survival   Plans (SSP), and so much more, which we "discovered" on our visit there. 

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is a spectacular 250-acre landmark oasis located in Bronx, New York that we love visiting year-round. Each season there is something different to experience as the gardens come into bloom, and their new exclusive art in the garden exhibition, KUSAMA: Cosmic Nature, which runs until October 31, 2021, should be experienced in every season. Featuring the impressive works of the acclaimed contemporary Japanese artist, Yayoi Kusama, set amidst the garden's spectacular flowers and foliage, the large-scale sculpture installations enchant and delight the senses.

Incorporated in 1719, Litchfield, Connecticut offers much for visitors to explore and discover with its historic and picturesque setting in the Litchfield Hills, hand-crafted artisanal spirits, upscale dining, and outdoor activities. Located 16 miles northwest of Waterbury, 34 miles west of Hartford, 40 miles from New Haven, 52 miles from Springfield, Massachusetts, 78 miles from Greenwich, and 96 miles from Manhattan, make it a desirable day-trip location. We had a wonderful day exploring its many offerings.

Searching for something fun to do? The Stamford Museum & Nature Center in Stamford, Connecticut has it all! We spent a fantastic morning visiting the 118-acre museum and nature center, exploring the hiking trails, experiencing the grandeur of the Bendel Mansion once the home of fashion icon Henri Willis Bendel, and of course, spending time with the animal residents at the Heckscher Farm. The Stamford Museum & Nature Center is a perfect experience for all age groups.

Connecticut was the fifth state to join the United States in 1788, and Woodbury, Connecticut founded in 1673 and its nearby towns are rich in history. From a museum to antique shops and galleries to artisanal craft breweries and wineries, there is much to discover in the area. As always, Luxury Experience did our best to discover new places for our readers to enjoy and experience for themselves.

New Jersey is nicknamed the Garden State, so on a beautiful summer Sunday morning, we drove to Rutgers Gardens in North Brunswick, New Jersey to explore the beauty of their gardens. Part of Rutgers University, Rutgers Gardens is a sensational botanical garden that has delighted visitors for over 100 years and was the perfect place to stroll and spend a few hours soaking up nature. After "sheltering in place" for several months due to the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, we were more than ready to get out in nature while maintaining social distancing, and the 180-acre Rutgers Gardens was the perfect place for a morning of exploration.

During these trying days of the coronavirus 2020, we thought readers might like to do a little "armchair traveling" to Southampton, New York to cheer the spirit and plan for future trips. While you may know that Southampton, New York is part of the chic and wealthy towns that comprise The Hamptons, did you that it is also a very historic town that was founded in 1646? Whether you wish to explore its pristine beaches, dine at world-class restaurants, do some retail therapy, or discover its cultural and historical offerings, Southampton, New York is a perfect escape in any season!

Concord, New Hampshire founded in 1734, is the state capital and interesting to note is that it was the home of the 14^th United States President, Franklin Pierce. As such, history abounds in this pretty New England city. While leaf-peepers flock to New Hampshire to experience Autumn's finest colors, Concord has much to attract visitors in all seasons, with its historic sights, museums, vineyard, great restaurants, and much more, which we discovered when we visited in late August.

Living in Connecticut, for years we have wanted to visit The Glass House in New Canaan. As it is only open for tours from May until November 30, somehow time slipped away from us each year without experiencing this architectural treasure built by the renowned American architect Philip Johnson. This year, we finally visited this National Trust Historic Site. Built between 1949 and 1995, The Glass House is nestled on 49-acres in the affluent town of New Canaan, Connecticut and consists of fourteen stunningly modern structures. Now a museum, Philip Johnson (1906 - 2005) lived in The Glass House from 1949 until his death in 2005.