 If you've ever wanted to visit mysterious and historic Bannerman Island on the Hudson River, you're in luck! The Bannerman Castle Trust will start their 2017 Touring & Event season out on the Island beginning May 5th, with an evening hike to the summit of the Island. Guided walking tours of the Island will depart every weekend from Beacon and Newburgh, New York, through the end of October. Bannerman Island, also known as Pollepel Island, is located in Fishkill, New York, between Beacon and Cold Spring, on the east side of the Hudson River. If you've taken the Metro-North train to New York City from points north, you've likely seen the Island and wondered what it was all about. Now is your chance to find out. This year promises to be Bannerman Island's biggest yet, with walking tours, hikes to the summit, live music and theatrical performances, photography workshops, picnics, movie screenings, wine and cheese cruises, a dinner and more on the agenda. In addition to the significant amount of work that members of the Trust have done on the Island in just the past year alone, in the past several weeks, West Point cadets came to the Island to build a bridge over a ravine that's on the Island, in place of a bridge that stood there more than a century ago! Due to the nature of the Island, and the structures on it, the only safe and legal way of visiting it is through official tours provided by the Bannerman Castle Trust, the non-profit group that is working to preserve, maintain and improve the structures and gardens on the Island. Transportation to Bannerman Island for the majority of tours are on their boat, the Estuary Steward, though some approved group kayak tours are also available from time to time. If you're interested in visiting this year, be sure to book your reservations in advance. They are selling out quickly! To learn more about trips there and to reserve tickets, click here. Interested in an evening tour? The art installation Constellation is currently on display over the Island through the end of the season, and separate tours are offered especially for it. For tickets and information about evening cruises to enjoy Constellation, click here.
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