Garrison is a quiet hamlet in Putnam County, part of the Town of Philipstown, on the east bank of the Hudson directly across from West Point. My family has lived here for years, and my kids go to Garrison School and Haldane, so I know this town well. If you want river views, protected land and a real train commute without giving up a small-town feel, Garrison is worth a look.
Saunders Farm, Garrison, NY
Getting to New York City
Garrison has its own Metro-North station on the Hudson Line, at Garrison's Landing, with direct trains to Grand Central Terminal. It's roughly 50 miles from midtown, and the ride usually takes about an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half, depending on the train. Service runs about hourly off-peak and more often at rush hour.
Check the MTA TrainTime app for current times. By car, expect about an hour to the city without traffic.
Garrison Train Station
What it feels like
Garrison is rural and spread out, with no real downtown. The center of the hamlet is the Desmond-Fish Library. Garrison's Landing, by the river, has the Garrison Art Center, the Philipstown Depot Theater in the old train station, and the yacht club. Cold Spring, a few minutes north, is where most people go for restaurants and shopping.
Things people come for
Boscobel, a restored early-1800s mansion overlooking the Hudson and home to the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in summer.
Manitoga, the Russel Wright Design Center, with woodland trails.
Constitution Marsh, an Audubon sanctuary with trails and canoe tours.
Hiking in the surrounding Hudson Highlands.
Constitution Marsh
What homes cost in Garrison
From November 13, 2025 to November 13, 2026, 42 single-family homes sold in Garrison (10524):
Median sold price: $747,500
Price range: $265,000 to $2,395,000
Average days on market: 56 (the median home sold in 36)
Sale-to-list ratio: about 100%. Homes generally sell at or very near asking price.
Active listings right now: 8
Homes priced right sell quickly and close to asking price, and with only 8 homes on the market, buyers don’t have much to choose from.
Source: OneKey MLS, single-family sales, 11/13/2025 to 11/13/2026. Data deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Schools
Garrison Union Free School serves kindergarten through 8th grade. For high school, students can attend Haldane High School in Cold Spring, James I. O’Neill High School in Highland Falls, or Putnam Valley High School.
My kids attend Garrison School and Haldane.
Fun facts about Garrison
The 1969 Barbra Streisand film Hello, Dolly! used Garrison as a filming location for its Yonkers scenes. The old Garrison train station, now the Philipstown Depot Theater, stood in for the Yonkers train station in the movie.
Garrison is named after Isaac Garrison, who ran a ferry service across the river to West Point.
Boscobel, the mansion overlooking the Hudson, was originally built in Montrose, New York, and was moved to Garrison and restored in the mid-1900s. The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival began in 1987 with its first performances at Manitoga.
Saint Basil Academy in Garrison was the finish line for season 10 of The Amazing Race in 2006.
Well-known people connected to Garrison include singer-songwriter Don McLean, Broadway composer Duncan Sheik, director Julie Taymor, and former Governor George Pataki.
Source: Wikipedia.
Hello Dolly set and now
Is Garrison right for you?
It suits people who want space, nature, and a train to the city, and who don't mind driving for groceries and dining. If you want a walkable downtown, look at Cold Spring or Beacon instead.
Thinking about buying or selling in Garrison? I'm David Lant with Stevens Real Estate. Call or text me at (845) 666-3474