The secret to enjoying the best of summer may come down to timing. The long lush days of July and August are a popular time for family vacations, but they may not be ideal for a more quiet getaway. For a relaxing, romantic escape that’s designed to revive body and spirit, many savvy vacationers prefer to wait until September. The month still offers many honeyed days of summer weather, and with school back in session, favorite destinations can be enjoyed at a less hurried pace. Mohonk Mountain House offers scenic, romantic getaways all year long, but there’s something special about September, the secret summer month in which it’s possible to savor their offerings at a more tranquil pace.
Nestled within 40,000 acres of protected forest, Mohonk Mountain House is an award-winning National Historic Landmark resort, located just 90-miles north of New York City. As well as offering luxurious accommodations and exceptional views, the Victorian castle resort provides plenty of opportunities for summer fun, including 85 miles of trails for hiking, rock scrambling and mountain biking. It’s a scenic Hudson Valley escape with a pristine glacial lake for boating, fishing and swimming, plus a nine-hole golf course, stables for horseback riding and carriage rides, tennis and pickleball courts, an indoor pool, and the resort’s pedigreed Victorian show gardens.
Wine Tastings & Music Festivals at Mohonk
September activities at Mohonk include concerts, wine tastings, and curated Signature Events. Garden Holiday, a beloved Mohonk tradition that turns 92 this summer, runs from August 30 to September 4. A celebration of the Victorian Show Gardens designed by Mohonk founder Albert Smiley, this year’s Garden Dreamscapes theme incorporates playful design elements and surrealistic, whimsical inspirations in the garden. Guests can attend garden tours and gardening talks led by Mohonk’s gardening team, sample Seneca Lake wines while walking among the blooms, or get a taste of the honey made by Mohonk’s bees. The highlight of the week is the Victorian High Tea Garden Party, hosted in the gardens and complete with live music and festive attire.
The weeklong Music on the Mountain festival from September 7 to 13 features a dynamic lineup. This year’s compelling, genre-spanning artists include Natalie Merchant, American Idol finalist Drew Angus, and Broadway star Julie Benko, alongside award-winning pianist and composer Jason Yeager.
Hiking at Mohonk
Mid-September is a great time to revel in the resort’s beautiful natural surroundings, and Mohonk makes it easy with a weekend dedicated to mountaintop explorations. Hiker’s Holiday, which will take place September 18-20, features guided hikes and nature walks. Guests can explore forested paths, rugged ridgelines, rock scrambles, and even venture out on night hikes.
Adventurous guests can take advantage of Mohonk’s singular ridgetop location with thrilling, one-of-a-kind outdoor offerings. The Pinnacle Ledge Tour is a guided, awe-inspiring walk and rock scramble that explores several historic footpaths, traveling along rock ledges and cliff faces, and culminating in an aerial skybridge . The Via Ferrata blends rock climbing, cable traverses, and aerial staircases for an unforgettable journey through the stunning Shawangunk Ridge. With the help of support systems, Via Ferrata climbers are placed right on the rock face, allowing people without technical climbing skills to experience mountainous areas and vistas that would otherwise be inaccessible. It’s an immersive, three-hour experience that couples can enjoy together or solo travelers can try on their own.
Outdoor Spa Sessions at Mohonk
After a forest walk or a challenging hike, it may be time for some soothing meditative self-care. Wellness has been an essential part of the Mohonk experience since its founding in 1869. The resort’s award-winning spa features a range of transformative body treatments, wellness experiences, and mindfulness programs.
An idyllic place to experience your self-care journey is at the Lakeview Summerhouse, a rustic outdoor spa treatment room that blends seamlessly into the landscape and the vernacular of the resort. The site overlooks Lake Mohonk and offers breathtaking views of the Shawangunk Ridge and Sky Top Tower. Nestled within its dramatic, sylvan surroundings, the outdoor treatment room is a unique setting for a massage or couples’ massage, and also offers private mindfulness, yoga, and meditation sessions.
Dining at Mohonk
The resort offers many ways to nourish the spirit, but there are also plenty of seasonal farm-to-table dining options to satisfy your appetite. From mouthwatering fine dining to lakeside barbeque, the Mohonk Mountain House culinary team has been perfecting techniques, menus, and mixology for over a century. The Dining Room features seasonal menus sourced from Hudson Valley farms, while The Granary, an outdoor casual spot by Lake Mohonk, serves barbecue lunches and summer evening cookouts. The Founders Dining Room focuses on world flavors and cooking methods, including wood-burning, wok, and tandoori.
Whether guests prefer to engage in the resort’s structured activities or simply choose to relax in a rocking chair and bask in their glorious surroundings, Mohonk’s slow and tranquil pace is ideal for recharging. Set atop a mountain, surrounded by nature, it’s hard to imagine a location that makes it easier to put the busy world on pause. A September getaway to Mohonk may be just what’s needed to reset and reconnect.
