Wilderstein

This playful all-wooden Queen Anne mansion (330 Morton Rd., off Rte. 9 south of Rhinebeck [1], 845/876-4818, www.wilderstein.org [2], noon–4 p.m. Thurs.–Sun. May–Oct., adults $6, students under 17 free) sits in the middle of a 19th-century estate designed by Calvert Vaux, one of the two men who designed Central Park [3]. Inside the 1852 house—adorned with dormers, gables, and a magnificent, five-story tower—are lavish interiors by J. B. Tiffany. Outside are 40 acres of meadows and woods, including roads and trails offering great views of the Hudson.

Wilderstein means “wild man’s stone” and was named after an Indian petroglyph found on the property. Guest speakers and complimentary teas are occasionally featured.