Discover Peekskill
9 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Charles Point Park
Small waterfront park with panoramic Hudson River views: Bear Mountain, a nearby bridge, Peekskill Bay marina and a mansion on a rocky hill. Easy parking, free entry, floating dock for dynamic foregrounds. Best at sunrise or sunset for warm light and reflections; fall brings vivid foliage. Weekday mornings are quiet and good for birding and trains as foreground interest.
Annsville Preserve Park
Annsville Preserve Park offers tidal marshes, forested trails and boardwalks overlooking the Hudson—ideal for estuary landscapes, birdlife and reflective water compositions. Best at golden hours and during spring/fall migrations. Small parking lot near trailhead; trails are mostly flat but can be muddy after rain. No fee. Weekday mornings are quieter.
Fleischmann Pier Park
Small waterfront park on the Hudson with a pier, river trail and industrial/historic Peekskill backdrop — great for sunset panoramas, long exposures of river traffic, and intimate environmental portraits (dogs, anglers, families). Easy street parking near John Walsh Blvd; paths and pier are wheelchair friendly. Best at golden hour and blue hour; weekdays and early mornings have fewer people. No entry fee.
Depew Park
Small, well-maintained park around a reflective lake with big boulders, duck life, wooded trails and recreational courts. Shoot dawn/dusk for golden hour reflections and soft light; weekday mornings minimize people. Park is free with on-site parking; paths are mostly wide and wheelchair-friendly but some wooded trails are uneven. Night scenes possible thanks to park lighting; close to Peekskill station and eateries for logistics.
Peekskill Landing Park
Small waterfront park on the Hudson River with wide river views, docks, a grassy promenade and industrial-to-historic Peekskill skyline. Ideal for sunrise/sunset reflections, long river leads, boat and train crossings, and seasonal foliage. No entry fee; municipal parking and street parking nearby. Accessible paths; weekends busier with events and concerts. Best light: golden hour and blue hour; overcast days bring moody reflections.
Riverfront Park
Small waterfront park on the Hudson offering wide river vistas, Bear Mountain silhouettes, a riverside boardwalk, amphitheater and picnic lawns. Easily reached by Metro-North or car (free weekend parking, restrooms on site). Best at sunrise or sunset for golden-hour light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Dog- and family-friendly with occasional events — bring layers for river breezes.
Hudson Valley MOCA
Small but dynamic contemporary museum showcasing installations, sculpture and intimate gallery vignettes—great for detail shots, human-form studies and dramatic interiors. Open limited hours (weekends primarily); arrive at opening to avoid crowds. Interiors can be low-light—respect no-flash/tripod rules and ask staff. Street parking and short walk from Peekskill waterfront; pair with DIA:Beacon or local brewery for a photo day in Hudson Valley.
The Peekskill Museum
Small intimate historic house museum with period rooms, vintage stove collection and local artifacts — great for detailed interior and documentary shots of Peekskill history. Best on weekday mornings after opening for small groups and soft window light. Check guided-tour times, tripod/flash rules, and nearby street parking or Riverfront Park parking. Note stairs/limited accessibility in a historic home.
Lincoln Depot Museum
Compact 19th-century rail depot turned Lincoln museum — shoot detailed artifacts, period rooms, and the restored brick exterior against the Hudson River backdrop. Best on weekday mornings for low crowds; golden hour softens brick and river reflections. Interior lighting is low and museum events (Lincoln Remembrance) draw crowds; check opening hours and exhibit photography policy. Street parking and small nearby lots; building is easy to reach from Peekskill waterfront.