SURPRISED BY NYACK, NY

I have crossed the Tappan Zee Bridge from Nyack to Tarrytown and points beyond perhaps dozens of times since moving to New Jersey in 1999. Always fascinated by the idea of Nyack, New York, a dotted cluster of buildings peeking out from foliaged perches along the Palisades on the west bank of the Hudson River. The area held great promise of being an interesting road trip. So it seemed a perfect Saturday afternoon drive for Ralph and I, the day after I returned from Indy. What we stumbled on however was much more charming and amiable than I imagined. Turns out it is an eighteenth century seaport center named after the Nyack Indians, that has collected layers of history like a woman fills her jewel box over a lifetime.

Some forty-five minutes up the Garden State Parkway (or 25 miles north of New York City) we found ourselves immersed in streets lined with eclectic shops, cafés, Victorian mansions and beautiful decades old flowering bushes. A real step back in time made contemporary by sophisticated bohemian style. And did I mention that there is a European chocolate shop called Chocolaterie? Pack my bags – I am ready to move my studio and set up shop! OK, not today, but Nyack is certainly on my short list.

Unquestionably worthy of a daylong trip, Nyack is the place to go with a friend who likes scouting interesting shops, not a husband who just wants to go somewhere to eat. That being said, there were many antique and vintage shops I did not get a chance to dive into – but yes, I am already planning a return – soon. The following list represents most of what we did see this time around:

Maria Luisa (http://www.marialuisaboutique.com/) – A lifestyle boutique that carries pretty walking shoes, natural fiber clothing and my new favorite essential garment, a wrap knitted/crocheted (?) piece that can be worn many ways as a jacket or a shawl…. A must.
GRANDVIEW – Talk about unique clothing, across Broadway just off lower Main Street, the GRANDVIEW is operated by Veronica Jones, her eye and attention to details is inspiring including a line of sculpted resin jewelry by a NYC artist.
SAFFRON Trading Company (http://www.saffrontradingcompany.com/) – Is a unique blend of Asian antiques and contemporary household items.
Circa 2000 (http://www.circa2000antiques.com/), owned by Margaret Ann Treanor features antiques and grand reproductions.
Lanterna Tuscan Bistro – Where we finally ate a late lunch and were pampered by the chief himself. Good food and fresh crisp white table linens, what’s not to like? Daily specials not included you can see menus at: (http://www.lanternausa.com/).

With camera and sketchbook in hand I am headed back to shop hop and see some of these landmarks and places of interest:

• Edward Hopper House Art Center - 82 North Broadway - This home of the realist painter Edward Hopper was built in 1858.
• John Green House - Main Street - Built in 1817 it is the oldest house standing.
• Julius Petersen Inc. - Foot of Van Houten Street – started by old Nyack families.
• Nyack Library - 59 South Broadway, the 1903 Carnegie Library building.
• Nyack-Tarrytown Ferry - Foot of Main Street - Begun 1834 by Isaac S Blauvelt
• Oak Hill Cemetery - 140 N. Highland Avenue (Rte. 9W) - 1840-present.
• Red Cross Center - 143 North Broadway, A cross gable Queen Anne building, built in 1882 by Julia and Garret Blauvelt, a physician, surgeon and director of Nyack Hospital, and given to the Red Cross in 1915.
• Riverspace Arts in Nyack - 119 Main Street.
• Tappan Zee Playhouse - 20 South Broadway

More Information and Links:

Nyack Historical Society: http://nyackhistory.org/
(has good reference links)

Shops / Galleries / Restaurants: http://shopnyack.com/

Old NY Times article, but still good overview: http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/02/arts/in-nyack-ny-scenic-walks-and-a-paradise-of-victoriana.html

Walking Tours Info: http://www.friendsofthenyacks.org/index.php

Learn about other communities along the lower Hudson River: www.southnyack.net/links/

The Hook, Art & Cultural of Lower Hudson Valley: http://www.thehook.org/ (high end, nicely done magazine available for free in town or for subscription of $30 per year).