Enjoy this content as part of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s Inside The Community series.
Millbrook is a quaint and colorful town in Upstate New York. Often referred to as the “low-key Hamptons of the Hudson Valley,” the town is known for its rural charm, rolling hills, and peaceful counterpoint to the pace of city life. The town is also known as a hub for the equestrian life, hosting several premier events, multiple training facilities, and the Millbrook Hunt, a leading equestrian club in North America, has been a cornerstone of the community for over a century.
Here is a curated selection of fine dining, boutique shopping, and everyday essentials in Millbrook.
Café
3293 Franklin Ave, Millbrook
Situated in the heart of Millbrook, Babette’s Kitchen is a true neighborhood café. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu has quick bites for customers on the go, or to eat while watching the bakery prepare a wide array of baked goods. Babette’s carries a strong relationship with farmers across the area, with all of their meals using local seasonal ingredients. With the dinner menu rotating alongside the seasons, there is always something new to try and reasons to keep coming back to this affable café throughout the year.
Dining
3290 Franklin Ave, Millbrook
Going with the theme of the town, Millbrook Cafe is the hidden gem inside this hidden gem of a town. An upscale dining experience, there are options for both cozy and intimate settings inside. All meals at the cafe are cooked inside a brick oven with natural wood. Sitting at the bar offers a view of your dishes being cooked in the oven. Customers rave over the boastful seafood options, with the duck and seared scallops at the top of the list.
3264 Franklin Ave, Millbrook
Canoe Hill continues on the narrative, with their own fireplace and dimly lit setting. The setting evokes the warmth and comfort of one’s own living room. Standouts on the menu include $2 oysters at the bar daily during happy hour, accompanied by a colorful wine and drink list. On Mondays, enjoy a burger and beer for $19. Shareable bites make for a pleasant date night, or try one of their several slow-cooked meats or pan-seared seafood. There is something for every appetite at Canoe Hill.
Attractions
Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School
282 Millbrook School Road, Millbrook
The Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School is a culture defining pillar of Millbrook. Established in 1936 by Millbrook School’s first biology teacher Frank Trevor, it remains the only zoo in the United States located at a high school. Home to over 170 exotic and indigenous animals, 70 different species are represented along six acres of property. Students are able to work at the zoo daily to help assist management and maintain the grounds. The Trevor Zoo makes for a unique activity for families to travel across six continents in one afternoon.
362 Tyrrel Road, Millbrook
A stunning entrance road leads visitors to 185 acres of modern and romantic gardens wrapped around Tyrrel Lake. A delicate fusion of creative intent and organic form, the garden has been a quintessential part of Millbrook for over a century. Innisfree is home to several cup gardens evoked from Chinese and Japanese ideals. The terraces make for amorous feelings and views almost too good to be true. The fountain jets and natural topography make for a scenic day unlike any other.
Local Favorites
55-57 Front St, Millbrook
An independent book and toy store, the Merritt Bookstore has offered unparalleled customer service for the Hudson Valley for over 35 years. Confident that you will leave with at least one item purchased, the bookstore is more than happy to order books they may not already have before you arrive as well. The store also hosts many local events throughout all seasons, including farmers markets in the summer and and a wool & sheep festival in the fall.
34 Front St, Millbrook
Core Collective is self-proclaimed as a sanctuary for the mind and body. Their lineup of classes include yoga, HIIT, pilates, strength training, and much more. There are options for both private and group classes. Core Collective also organizes retreats around the world, with travelers finding peace and personal growth through the wellness cultures of places such as Santorini and Guatemala.
