Small-town charm and natural beauty in Maybrook
Set 67 miles north of New York City, Maybrook is a cozy village tucked into bucolic Orange County. “Maybrook is very small — that’s what makes it so charming,” says Della Mikulski, a resident of more than 35 years. The village features a few parks and businesses, but streets are generally quiet — lined with single-family homes priced below the national median. Maybrook’s close-knit character shows up in its community programs and the pride residents take in preserving local landmarks, such as the Maybrook Railroad Museum. “Everyone helps each other — that’s what I like about it,” Mikulski says. Much of the surrounding landscape is defined by dense woodland and rolling fields, while Montgomery, 5 miles away, provides shopping and dining essentials.
Modern townhomes and 20th-century Colonial Revivals
Construction spans from the early 20th century to the present. “There are a lot of older homes,” Mikulski says. “They’re all different — they’re pretty.” In the southern half of town, early to mid-20th-century Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes sit on wide lawns dotted with mature trees and mailboxes, often featuring rustic details like clapboard siding and covered porches. The northern half, primarily developed over the past 50 years, leans toward bi-levels and split-levels with more modern amenities, such as attached garages. Along Country Club Drive, townhomes and condominiums add to the mix, typically featuring mixed-material exteriors, smaller lots and assigned parking. Depending on size and features, prices range from $130,000 to $530,000.
Valley Central schools are well-rated by Niche
Maybrook is part of the Valley Central School District, rated B overall by Niche. Kids may start at the B-rated Montgomery Elementary before moving to Valley Central Middle and Valley Central High — both are rated B-plus. The latter offers a robust course catalog, including topics such as Shakespeare, forensic science and fashion design.
Storybook parks, flower gardens and the Stewart State Forest
Maybrook’s breezy parks feel as if they’re pulled straight from a storybook. “There are always moms and kids in strollers during the nice warm weather,” Mikulski says. Frederick Meyers Veterans Memorial Park is the community’s go-to for baseball, sand volleyball or a picnic under the shelter. “There are tables where you can bring your lunch, and of course, clean up your mess — we hope,” Mikulski says. Nearby, Canada geese wander the fields at David Weiss Memorial Park, which also features basketball courts and a playground.
Four miles away, the public Stony Ford Golf Course offers 18 holes, and the Orange County Arboretum features 35 acres of gardens and woods filled with seasonal blooms. Stewart State Forest, 8 miles away, offers a deeper escape into nature, featuring fishing ponds and dirt-packed trails suitable for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. The 6,700-acre forest is also home to a wide range of birds, including red-winged blackbirds and white-crowned sparrows.
Mimosa brunches, Sicilian-style pizza and grocery trips to Montgomery
Shopping and dining are limited, but the village has a couple of standbys. The Main Line Diner offers a wide range of comfort dishes, well beyond the typical diner fare of coffee and burgers. Sunday brunch features orange creamsicle mimosas and challah French toast, while the dinner menu spans Greek gyro platters, Italian pastas and Southern favorites, like barbecue baby back ribs. For something quick, Little Pops Pizza serves Sicilian-style slices, hot heroes and finger-food favorites, such as garlic parmigiana jumbo wings.
Montgomery provides additional options, including a ShopRite. The 88 Charles Street Restaurant is a date-night destination for its elegant atmosphere, curated wine list and refined Italian dishes, such as lobster ravioli. Around the corner, Copperfields Kildare Pub offers a more relaxed setting to catch a game with hearty comfort fare, such as the Irish Burger, smothered in Guinness gravy. There are also several farms in the area, including Hoeffner Farms, with fresh-cut flowers and seasonal vegetables.
Community programs, events and the Maybrook Railroad Museum
The Maybrook Golden Links Senior Citizen Club meets weekly at the Maybrook Senior Center and organizes dinners and trips throughout the year. The George C. Bullis Community Center serves as both a library and a play space, offering storytime and craft activities for children. “We come up with some good stuff, and they get a healthy snack,” Mikulski says. The village has seasonal traditions, too, including a Memorial Day Parade and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with an appearance by Santa himself.
Maybrook preserves its past with landmarks such as the 18th-century Federal-style John Blake House. The Maybrook Railroad Museum highlights the village’s roots as a key rail stop along the Central New England Railway during World War II, showcasing artifacts and stories from its role in wartime transport.
Commuting to NYC via Route 208
The village is sidewalk-lined and considered bike-friendly, but residents drive to get around Orange County. State Route 208 passes through the village, providing connecting access to New York City. New York Stewart International Airport is 9 miles away. The Northern Medical Center, a clinic, is a 19-mile drive, and the 24-hour Ellenville Regional Hospital is 27 miles away.
