For those who need a break from the beach but still yearn to be outdoors, head into Old Westbury for a tour of an early 20th century estate mansion, its attractively landscaped surroundings and breathtaking lakeside views.
Old Westbury Gardens sprawls over 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, wooded walkways and landscape features. The perimeter is flanked by the serene Lotus Pond on the west side and by East Lake on the other side. This was the property of John and Margarita Phipps and their four children, and the Phipps family resided at the estate for more than 50 years. Today, Old Westbury Gardens is a popular locale for a scenic stroll back in time to a prosperous era and for numerous cultural and seasonal events.
The most known mansion of Long Island’s affluent Gold Coast, Westbury House, was a wedding gift that John presented to his bride. The 23-room, Charles II-style mansion was designed by an English architect by the name of George A. Crawley, and the home was completed in 1906. The ornately adorned mansion features an array of spectacular rooms that are still home to antique English pieces and furnishings. The interior displays elaborately decorated ceilings, carved woodwork and extravagant detailing. Visitors may embark on a guided tour of the mansion and gardens, or they may opt to explore and meander just the grounds at their leisure. Guided tours offer a wealth of information as it pertains to the estate’s history, architecture, horticulture and lifestyle culture. Old Westbury Gardens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The grounds of Old Westbury Gardens are magnificent. Statuary figures stand sentry at various focal points, and the spring, summer and fall seasons present a colorful display of flora. Brick walkways, terraces, allees, columns and fountains, walled gardens, boxwood gardens, arbors, rose gardens, masonry arches, a ghost walk, a thatched cottage, a log cabin, the family’s pet cemetery, a breezy and expansive patio, the East Lake bridge and the Temple of Love gazebo are just some of the points of visual interest that the estate has to offer garden aficionados and photography enthusiasts alike. The on-site Café in the Woods is a charming rest spot to break for lunch outdoors. The menu features gourmet soups, sandwiches, wraps and salads.
From the black iron entrance gates adorned with gilt accents to the endless and varied scenes that come into view along the way, Old Westbury Gardens presents a visual symphony from spring through fall. The grounds provide elegant, romantic and lush backdrops for wedding photography by appointment.
Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Road in Old Westbury. For directions, hours of operation, a calendar of events and a blooming schedule for the gardens, visit www.oldwestburygardens.org
Old Westbury Gardens sprawls over 200 acres of lush, formal gardens, wooded walkways and landscape features. The perimeter is flanked by the serene Lotus Pond on the west side and by East Lake on the other side. This was the property of John and Margarita Phipps and their four children, and the Phipps family resided at the estate for more than 50 years. Today, Old Westbury Gardens is a popular locale for a scenic stroll back in time to a prosperous era and for numerous cultural and seasonal events.
The most known mansion of Long Island’s affluent Gold Coast, Westbury House, was a wedding gift that John presented to his bride. The 23-room, Charles II-style mansion was designed by an English architect by the name of George A. Crawley, and the home was completed in 1906. The ornately adorned mansion features an array of spectacular rooms that are still home to antique English pieces and furnishings. The interior displays elaborately decorated ceilings, carved woodwork and extravagant detailing. Visitors may embark on a guided tour of the mansion and gardens, or they may opt to explore and meander just the grounds at their leisure. Guided tours offer a wealth of information as it pertains to the estate’s history, architecture, horticulture and lifestyle culture. Old Westbury Gardens is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The grounds of Old Westbury Gardens are magnificent. Statuary figures stand sentry at various focal points, and the spring, summer and fall seasons present a colorful display of flora. Brick walkways, terraces, allees, columns and fountains, walled gardens, boxwood gardens, arbors, rose gardens, masonry arches, a ghost walk, a thatched cottage, a log cabin, the family’s pet cemetery, a breezy and expansive patio, the East Lake bridge and the Temple of Love gazebo are just some of the points of visual interest that the estate has to offer garden aficionados and photography enthusiasts alike. The on-site Café in the Woods is a charming rest spot to break for lunch outdoors. The menu features gourmet soups, sandwiches, wraps and salads.
From the black iron entrance gates adorned with gilt accents to the endless and varied scenes that come into view along the way, Old Westbury Gardens presents a visual symphony from spring through fall. The grounds provide elegant, romantic and lush backdrops for wedding photography by appointment.
Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Road in Old Westbury. For directions, hours of operation, a calendar of events and a blooming schedule for the gardens, visit www.oldwestburygardens.org