The fireworks in Peekskill may be cancelled this year due to COVID-19, but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate July 4th in true Hudson Valley fashion.
We've collected the best things to do in Peekskill for the long Independence Day weekend. Summer lives on!
1. Attend the BLM Rally at the Peekskill Riverfront
Friday, July 3, 11am-1:30pm
Peekskill's last Black Lives Matter rally was a peaceful and unifying affair at Depew Park. This rally at the riverfront should be more of the same -- positive vibes, unity, and a celebration of Peekskill's diversity and reputation as a friendly town. There'll be dancing, spoken word, singing/rapping, and a march. While attending, please practice safe social distancing and wear a mask.
2. Have specialty pizza on a former parking space at Gleason's new parklet
Friday, 4pm-9pm
Saturday, 12pm-9pm
Sunday, 3pm-8pm
Gleason's doesn't have any outdoor dining space, so they worked with the City of Peekskill to make some! The street parking spaces in front of the restaurant have been transformed into a parklet -- and now you can enjoy Gleason's speciality pizzas and creative cocktails from the safety of the great outdoors. Bonus: they're having a buy 2 pizzas, get 1 free special.
3. Have a burrito at Peekskill's newest restaurant: Bajarito
Friday & Saturday, 12pm-10pm
Monday, 4pm-9pm
Where Buns-n-Bourbon once stood, and next door to Taco Dive Bar, comes Peekskill's newest dining experience, Bajarito. It's a fast casual "build your own burrito" spot -- sort of a non-chain version of Chipotle. There's also draft beers and canned adult to-go beverages on the menu. Sounds like a great way to kick off the holiday weekend if you ask us. And if you're missing Buns-n-Bourbon, according to The Examiner News, their offerings will be incorporated into the menu at The Eagle Saloon which is scheduled to reopen in the fall.
4. Enjoy the City of Peekskill's July 4th Emergency Service Vehicle Parade
Saturday, July 4, 10am
In celebration of the upcoming Independence Day holiday, on July 4th 2020 at 10:00am, the city will hold a brief vehicle parade of emergency vehicles to stay in the tradition of the annual parade. The parade route is as follows: South on Broad St to Crompond Rd. ➡ West on Crompond Rd to S. Division St. ➡ North on Division St to Main St. ➡ West on Main St to Broad St. ➡ ending at the Peekskill Firehouse. While attending, please practice safe social distancing and wear a mask.
5. Shop the Peekskill Farmer's Market for your July 4th BBQ needs
Saturday, July 4, 8am-2pm
Peekskill's Summer Farmer Market is a weekly institution in town and they'll be there on Bank Street July 4th for your holiday shopping needs. Vendors include: Champagne Tea, Cooperstown Cheese Company, Do-Re-Me Farms, Fi-Dough Inc., Healthway Farms, Irvington Delight, KDA Seafood, Meredith's Bread, Mozzarella 4U, Picklelicious, Rebel Greens, Rob's Poultry Supply Store, Rolling Ridge Farm, and Satori Unlimited. While shopping, please practice safe social distancing and wear a mask. And if you have a BBQ, remember Phase 3 Guidelines limit social gatherings to 25 people.
6. Have a beer slushie and use a beer vending machine at Peekskill Brewery
Friday-Sunday, 12pm-8pm
Head over to Peekskill Brewery and experience their newest summer innovations in their outdoor patio beer garden. Their beer slushies are a refreshing mix of frosty flavored slush, a shot of liquor, mixed together with one of their craft brews. Slushies on offer include Simple Sour Lime, Eastern Standard Watermelon, and Day After Blue Raspberry. In addition to the slushies, the brewery has also introduced a beer vending machine developed by BeerBot. It's a contactless way to get a can of beer, and it's just plain cool to get a beer from a vending machine.
7. Shop The Coop's liquidation sale for up to 50%-70% of antiques and gifts
Friday, Sunday, Monday, Closed July 4
Sadly, The Coop Peekskill is closing their doors in mid-July and they're having sale to liquidate their inventory. They're offering 50%-70% off their inventory of antiques, art, and gifts (consignment items excluded) so it's a great chance to get a deal and check out the beautiful storefront in Peekskill's Flatiron Builiding one last time.
8. Take a pleasure cruise on the Hudson River with Trinity Cruises
Friday-Sunday
Peekskill's Evening Star is back on the water and setting sail at reduced capacity ensuring a safe trip for all passengers. Trinity Cruises is setting sail all weekend with river cruises and sunset cruises that will take you past landmarks like Jones Point, Iona Island, Bear Mountain, and Anthony's Nose. Book a cruise today, spots are filling up fast.
9. Dine above the Hudson at Apropos Restaurant & Bar
Friday, 5pm-9pm
Saturday, 12pm-9pm
Sunday Brunch, 11:30am – 2:30pm
One of Peekskill's newest restaurants is Apropos at The Abbey Inn & Spa and it sits atop Forth Hill with an epic view of the Hudson River. Their menu uses locally sourced ingredients from Hudson Valley suppliers and you can enjoy your food on their Grand Terrace overlooking the Hudson. If you're lucky, you might be able to catch some distant fireworks on the horizon.
10. Check out local art and enjoy creative iced beverages at The Peekskill Coffee House
Friday-Monday, 7am-5pm
Closed on July 4
After being shuttered for months and relegated to take out service, Peekskill's living room, The Peekskill Coffee House, has reopened its doors and is welcoming the community once again. Along with the reopening is a new art exhibition featuring the work of local artists Aleah Conlon and Liz Zerrle. Liz's series of watercolor pencil work of hands holding florals is the perfect summer vibe. And Aleah's distinctive character illustrations belong in a graphic novel (which incidentally, is something she's working on). While you enjoy the artwork, cool down with one of PCH's distinctive iced beverages. We're partial to the Turbo Sour (nitro cold brew with shot of lemonade), and the iced matcha lemonade looks pretty great too.
