Mt Kisco

Wetlands, wooded trails, arts offerings, and indoor entertainment showcase different sides of Mt Kisco. Visitors who want to include nature and culture in their trip can choose from short walks, varied landscapes, and indoor activities. Each trail and location has its own focus.

Walks between wetlands and woods

The Peninsula Wetlands Trail is easily accessible from downtown Mount Kisco. The path is flat and easy to walk. A round trip to the end of the peninsula and back to the entrance on Lieto Drive takes 20–30 minutes, making it easy to plan as a short walk. The trail runs along Branch Brook, which flows through the wetlands. More than 35 bird species, as well as dozens of butterflies, bumblebees, and dragonflies, can be found there.

Kisco Mountain offers a different experience of nature. Most of the mountain’s 66 acres are covered with mature trees. The Kisco Mountain Trail begins in a gently sloping, four-acre meadow and offers seasonal views of the village. From there, the described views also extend across the valley and to the hills eastward toward Merestead. This makes it a distinct landscape to explore alongside the wetlands at Branch Brook.

The Woodcrest Trail also combines nature watching with a place to pause: in spring, its pond is full of water lilies, and five benches along the trail invite visitors to enjoy forest bathing and relax. Along the Early Settlement — River Walk Trail, the Kisco River flows through a landscape of streams and woods. A high tree canopy and a natural view over Leonard Park are among the sights there. A 1½-mile trail also leads from the Marsh Sanctuary to Leonard Park.

Nature and history

You can discover Westmoreland Sanctuary through its landscape and Nature Center. More than 300 bird species have been documented in the Sanctuary’s habitats—fields, woods, streams, and three different ponds. The Nature Center houses live animals and educational exhibits. Admission is free, and the building is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This lets you combine a visit to the exhibits with an interest in nature.

A historical highlight can be found on a trail at the 13th French encampment. In 1781, a total of 5,000 French soldiers camped there on their march to Virginia and the Battle of Yorktown. The number of soldiers, the location, and its place along their march make this a specific point of interest for travelers who are also interested in the area’s history.

Arts and indoor activities

The Mount Kisco Arts Council runs concerts, writing workshops, pop-up exhibitions, and the monthly Art Hub. The Katonah Art Center in Mount Kisco offers classes, camps, and exhibitions for all ages. Visitors who want to include arts and creative activities in their stay can choose from a range of formats, from events to classes and exhibitions.

As an indoor entertainment center, K1 Speed Mount Kisco offers a ninja obstacle course, bowling lanes, and indoor electric go-karting. This adds a distinctly different activity to the walking trails and nature spots. When choosing a vacation rental in Mt Kisco, consider whether trails and scenery, nature watching, arts, or indoor entertainment will be the main focus of your trip.

More local guides: Tarrytown, Ardsley, Peekskill, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon, Rye Brook, Yorktown Heights, and Elmsford.

For the broader travel overview: Westchester.