Getting Around: A day trip to Innisfree Garden in Millbrook

12:00AM / Wednesday, July 17, 2002Print Story | Email Story

On a sunny morning in late June, a friend and I headed south to Millbrook, New York in Dutchess County. Our day trip had one main destination, Innisfree Garden, a beautiful natural place that exudes tranquility and lacks even the slightest hint of commercialism. We decided to take the Taconic State Parkway down exiting at Route 44 (just a couple of miles beyond Salt Point Turnpike exit). Turn left on Route 44. Look for the Innisfree sign on the right at Tyrrel Road as you drive east toward the village of Millbrook. It is a small sign and easy to miss. Once you turn on to Tyrrell road, signs will continue to direct you along a narrow country road for approximately 1 mile to the entrance. From Williamstown the trip took a little more than an hour and a half; from South county is should be a bit quicker. As we parked our car, a gentleman approached us to collect a modest $3 per person entrance fee required of all visitors 6 years old or older. On weekend and holidays, it goes up to $4. A simple brochure, with a map, can be taken from a box at the beginning of the main foot path. The brochure explains that until 1960, Innisfree was the private garden of Walter and Marion Beck when Mrs. Beck gave the property to the Innisfree foundation and the gardens were opened to the public. The gardens are heavily influenced by Chinese garden art and concepts of painting over 1,000 years old. The gardens are set around a 40-acre glacial lake. We were told that the path around the lake was three-fourths of a mile but we chose, instead, to hike up the gentle hills set along the northwest side of the lake before making the easy short walk around it. Trees and plants indigenous to the area blend nicely with rocks, ledges, terraces, waterfalls and streams to create a decidedly Asia feel. Innisfree is to garden art what fusion cuisine is to contemporary dining. Although clearly the placement of plantings with natural objects in the park has been carefully planned, the gardens have an informal feel. Plantings are well integrated with wild flowers. Waterfalls have been created throughout the park using rocks taken from the surrounding area. We even came across a geyser at the top of one of the hills. During the two hours we walking around Innisfree, we only came upon a few other visitors but we did see frogs, turtles, a family of swans and a large flock of Canadian geese that seemed none too pleased as we tried to walk past their resting area on the banks of the lake. It is quite remarkable that there arenâ€™t more people visiting Innisfree; it has got to be one of the loveliest gardens in our region and the entrance fee is so modest. Very near Innisfree, on Route 44A, you can also visit the Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum to walk the nature trails and view plant collections and a tropical greenhouse. We didnâ€™t have time to stop but friends have told me that it is well worth a visit. For information call (845) 677-5359. After leaving the garden, we continued on Route 44 through the village of Millbrook to Allynâ€™s Restaurant which is housed in a large colonial house on Route 44, 4 miles east of town. We enjoyed a nice lunch at a lawn table overlooking rolling pastures. You can also bring a picnic to Innisfree; tables are set up near the parking area. Millbrook itself is worth a stop. The main street, Franklin Street is Route 44. Several antique centers share the street with every day shops and a few boutiques. Another worthwhile stop is the Millbrook Vineyard and Winery which can be accessed from Shunpike Road (Route 57). If you are starting out from Innisfree, go west on Route 44 for a short distance to Route 82 north which will take you to Route 57 east. If you are in Millbrook or at Allynâ€™s, take Route 44 to Route 57 going west. There should be a sign directing you at Wing Road. You can take a winery tour and and enjoy a wine tasting for a few dollars. The main building, a large, beautifully renovated Dutch style barn, also houses exhibits of Hudson Valley artists. The Vineyard Grill is open weekend afternoons from Memorial Day through late September and offers meals that highlight locally produced ingredients. You are also welcome to bring a picnic. Clinton Vineyards in Clinton Corners just northwest of Millbrook is also worth a visit. Known for their Seyval Blanc wine, you can also sample sparkling wines and dessert wines made from local fruits. Clinton Vineyards is located east of the Salt Point Turnpike exit from the Taconic. Follow the road through the little town of Clinton Corners and turn left onto Schultzville Road just across from the Post Office. The vineyards will be on the left a short way up Schultzville Road. Hours are Friday - Monday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Instead of returning home via the Taconic, consider one of several other routes. If you continue east on Route 44 toward Amenia, you will be able to pick up Route 22 north which will take you past the turnoff for Cascade Mountain Winery, outside of Amenia. The winery offers tours and serves lunch in a lovely mountain setting. Call ahead (845) 373-9021) as hours vary according to the season. Continuing north along Route 22, McEnroe Organic Farm Market is worth a stop. You canâ€™t miss it on the left just before you reach Millerton. Information www.dutchesstourism.com www.newyorkwines.org Getting There East on Rt. 44 exit from the Taconic State Parkway. Signs for Innisfree will be on the right before you get to the town of Millbrook. Return home via Rt. 22. Along the Way Cascade Mountain Winery, off Rt. 22 in Amenia, N.Y. McEnroe Organic Farm Market, Rt. 22 between Amenia and Millerton, N.Y. Taconic State Park, off Rt. 22 between Millerton and Copake, N.Y. Dining In and Out Allynâ€™s Restaurant, Rt. 44 east of Millbrook; (845) 677-5888 Millbrook Vineyards & Winery and Cascade Mountain Winery (see below) Picnic table: Innisfree Garden and Millbrook Vineyards and Winery Attractions Innisfree Garden, Tyrrel Rd. off Rt. 44, Millbrook, N.Y.; (845) 766-8000 Mary Flagler Cary Arboretum, Rt. 44A, Millbrook, N.Y.; (845) 677-5359 Antique Centers on Franklin St. (Rt. 44) in the town of Millbrook Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, 26 Wing Rd., Millbrook, N.Y.; (800) 662-WINE; www.millbrookwine.com Clinton Vineyards, Schultzville Rd., Clinton Corners, N.Y.; (845) 266-5372; www.clintonvineyards.com Cascade Mountain Winery, Flint Rd., Amenia, N.Y. (845) 373-9021

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Friday Front Porch Feature: A Charming House Like New

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:57PM / Friday, December 19, 2025

The home prior to renovations.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Are you looking for a newly renovated home with great space? Then this might be the perfect fit for you!

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week, we are showcasing 100 Autumn Drive.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom split level was built in 1965 and is 1,396 square feet on 0.32 acres.

The house was completely renovated recently. It includes a one-car garage, and comes with appliances including a dishwasher and stove/oven, and other major appliances.

The house is listed for $359,500.

We spoke with owners Michael Zeppieri and Chris Andrews, who did the renovations. Zeppieri is an agent with Alton and Westall Real Estate Agency.

What was your first impression when you walked into the home?

Zeppieri: I purchased this home to do a full renovation flip and saw tremendous potential in this mid-century split level home that had not been updated since it was built in the 1960s, in a great North Adams neighborhood.

Andrews: The house was a much different house when we first purchased it in 2022 (photo attached is from about 2010.) The interior was painted all in dark colors and we brightened it up with neutral colors. The transformation makes you feel like you are in a totally different house.

What were the recent renovations, any standout design features?

Zeppieri: The house has had a complete reconfiguration including new kitchen with high-end appliances, ceramic tiled baths, hardwood floors, new windows and roof ... just to name a few. All a buyer has to do is move in and enjoy.

Andrews: Yes, we renovated the entire house. New windows, new roof, all new custom black gutter system, new blacktop driveway, hardwood floors were installed through out the house. New kitchen and bathrooms as well as painting the exterior and interior of the house. New paver patio in the back yard.

What kind of buyer would this home be ideal for?

Zeppieri: The buyer for this home could be a first-time homebuyer or a retiree ... the location is close to attractions in North Adams ... and the property is located in Autumn Heights, which is a very small residential development with several long-term owners.

Andrews: This home is truly ideal for a variety of buyers. Whether a first-time homebuyer, a small family or even someone looking to downsize from a larger home.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market?

Zeppieri: The location, price and move-in condition of this home make it a true market leader in the North Adams Market.

Andrews: This house is completely renovated and in a desirable location of North Adams. The natural light in the home really makes the interior pop. And with all the upgrades the home stays quite cool in the summer months.

Do you know any unique stories about the home or its history?

Zeppieri: This home was built for the Gould family in 1969 and they lived there till 2010. It was always a family home during that time in which the Goulds had two children ... and Virgina Gould managed Mohawk Forest Apartments and was a very active resident of North Adams.

Andrews: Built in about 1965.

What do the current owners love about this home?

Zeppieri: As the current owner it was a fun project to transform this home and get it ready for its next adventure with a new family to enjoy for many years.

Andrews: No one has lived in the house since we purchased the home. The new owners would be the first to live in the house since the renovations have been completed.

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space?

Andrews: I would suggest seeing the house either on a sunny day or at twilight to really get a vision of how special the home feels.

You can find out more about this house on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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