And somehow… I had never properly done Untermyer Gardens Conservancy.
Make it make sense.
So yesterday I played tourist in my own backyard—and now I’m questioning all my life choices.
First of All… The View
You walk in and within minutes you’re like… excuse me??
The stairs. The Hudson. The whole dramatic “I should be in Italy right now” energy.
It’s giving movie set. It’s giving proposal location. It’s giving “I need someone to take 200 photos of me immediately.”
The Temple of Love (Obviously I Loved This)
Yes, that’s actually the name. And yes, I fully leaned in.
Columns, breeze, views… and then I notice the plaque and I’m like—wait, I know that name.
Angelo Martinelli… as in the Martinellis from Westchester Magazine.
We love a local connection. We love a power couple moment. We love a Temple of Love with a backstory.
The Details That Got Me
This is what surprised me the most—it’s not just the big views.
It’s the little things.
The stone lions that look like they’re judging your outfit (fair)
That Rumi quote tucked into the ground that makes you stop for a second
The water details, the textures, the random corners that feel like you discovered them
You don’t rush this place. You wander.
And somehow every turn feels like a different mood.
Wait… It Wasn’t Always Like This
Here’s the part that feels very Westchester-insider.
Back in the 70s, this place was not… this.
It was overgrown, abandoned, a little wild—and yes, part of the whole David Berkowitz era rumors.
Like… the kind of place people told you not to go.
And now?
It’s calm. It’s beautiful. It’s actually kind of romantic.
The glow-up is insane.
Real Talk Before You Go
Because I’m not sending you unprepared:
- It’s free (we love that)
- Wear real shoes—this is not a cute sandal situation
- Parking is tight but it does move—bring your patience and your camera
- Go later in the day for the light (trust me)
- You will take too many pictures. Just accept it
Why I Loved It
I’m always onto the next thing—next dinner, next opening, next invite.
And this was just… easy.
Beautiful. Local. No reservation needed.
The kind of place that makes you remember why you live here.
Final Thought
If you haven’t been—go.
If you’ve been—go again.
And if you’re like me and somehow skipped it for years… we’re not talking about that.
Just go play tourist.
