Retreat to These Waterside Homes
Near New York City
by INHABIT EDITORS
From the beaches of the Hamptons to a private lake in the Catskills, these summer escapes all lie within a two-hour drive of Manhattan.
Style and taste may be fluid like the tides, but people never tire of life by the water. Whether you’re called by the golden sands of the Atlantic, the supreme boating between Long Island’s two forks, a distant Catskills swimming hole, or the Hudson River’s rugged shores, here is but a sampling of listings across Corcoran’s network that showcase the Empire State’s bluest amenities.
This stunningly modern Hamptons house well-emphasizes the “water” part of Water Mill, a hamlet that’s equally well-known for its wineries, cornfields, and polo grounds. With historic Mill Pond lapping at its edge, the nearly half-acre property feels tailor made for sitting and staring out for hours on end, especially when the sun’s descent over the horizon casts a breathtaking ombre over its gentle waters. Fittingly, there are several places to do it: The peaceful back deck is an obvious first choice, allowing you to gaze over the water without obstructions. Gigantic glass windows and doors allow much of the same from the inside, and two pond-facing bedrooms each sport the added luxury of a private porch. Did we mention it’s all strolling distance to SoulCycle?
Struggling to choose between the North Fork lifestyle and a beachfront “south of the highway?” With 132 feet of frontage and a private beach on Peconic Bay, this swoon-worthy Mattituck estate brings together the best of both East End worlds. Calming ripples are on full display whether you’re cooking something up in the kitchen, curled up beside the gas fireplace in the living room, sipping morning coffee on the primary suite’s balcony, or soaking up the sun poolside. Meanwhile, golfers can work on their long and short games alike from a personal driving range and putting green. There’s a 20-by-40-foot pool, a pool house, and an outdoor shower. It’s all set on a prime 1.5-acre property lies at the mouth of James Creek Inlet, a haven for those keen to venture out onto the water.
Retreat from the noise and recharge your batteries year-round at this home on Little Fresh Pond, a small but mighty-enticing body of water that lures more with the scene it doesn’t have compared to more populated corners of Southampton. It’s difficult to not be drawn directly to the back deck—sliding glass doors point the way—that overlooks the private dock out back. You’ll be able to enjoy everything from swimming to kayaking to stand-up paddle boarding, all surrounded by lush woods. Should you want to reconnect with the rest of the Hamptons, North Sea’s restaurants and marinas are close by, with the ocean beaches and buzzing downtown of Southampton Village just a few miles away.
Perched on a rocky outcropping that juts into the Hudson River, Ledgerock is a sui generis masterpiece that can never be replicated. The mansion was able to circumvent the modern requirement of a minimum 100-foot setback from the water’s edge, as it was built on the footprint of three older buildings, allowing it to rise from a sturdy base of bedrock and concrete footers. Architect Lee Ledbetter designed this singular estate to highlight the spectacular views from every room, which are guaranteed in perpetuity—the 198 acres across the Hudson were placed into conservation by Ledgerock’s owners, ensuring that the natural wild vistas will continue forever.
Auchmoody is a storied Hudson Valley estate centered around a 25-acre private lake, one of the largest in the Catskills. The property spans 164 acres and borders a network of public and private conservation lands that are protected from development. Auchmoody is so secluded that it was once served as home to the most exclusive nudist colony in the country, with its members frolicking lakeside, climbing trees, relaxing on the rocks, and canoeing—all in the buff. In addition to swimming, residents can ride on motorized or non-motorized boats on the lake, easily launched from the dock of the historic boathouse, one of several residences on this grand property.
Why not commute by boat from your one-bedroom condo in the River House? After all, it’s located in Hudson Harbor, a sprawling redevelopment along the Sleepy Hollow–Tarrytown waterfront boasting its own marina and ample docking for boats and personal watercraft. There are plenty of other lovely amenities here as well, including a private outdoor pool, fitness and yoga studios, and a branch of Farmer & the Fish, well-known for its locally sourced seafood and farm-to-table meals. Beyond its easy access to Metro-North’s Hudson Line, Hudson Harbor is located directly on the RiverWalk, a half-mile greenway landscaped with native plants; plans are in place to extend the esplanade into a 51-mile path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Piermont’s historic Bogertown neighborhood retains its peaceful aura from its early days as a fishing community of just 10 houses in the early 19th century. This waterfront three-bedroom cottage was built in 1951 and is the last house on Paradise Avenue, a dead-end street in Bogertown, tucked away between the salt marsh and the famous 4,000-foot Piermont Pier. The property includes its own dock and is ideally situated for exploring the marshlands and the Hudson River via kayak or canoe. From inside the house, gaze out onto the painterly views of the water and the marshlands. Piermont is a birder’s paradise, with the chance to check double-crested cormorants, belted kingfishers, peregrine falcons, and even occasionally, a goldfinch, off your birding bucket list.