7.0 out of 10

Millbrook

41.8081248510179 -73.644205686641
Great for
  • Clean & Green
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Safe & Sound
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Resale or Rental Value
Not great for
  • Public Transport
  • Nightlife
  • Schools
  •  
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Professionals
  • Country Lovers
  • Tourists
  • Trendy & Stylish
  • Families with kids

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 3/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 4/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+
Editors Choice

"A village with wealth and character"

Millbrook is a lovely little 1.9 square mile village in the center of the greater town of Washington, NY in Dutchess County. It is quite affluent and is sometimes compared to the Hamptons in Long Island. It has a village green, a stunning Main Street district decorated with gorgeous pots of flowers, handsome homes, historical buildings, adorable shops and boutiques and some stellar eateries.

Those notable restaurants include the adorable Café Les Baux with standout dishes like mussels and crepes, the tried and true Millbrook Diner, the pretty Aurelia restaurant which showcases fresh Mediterranean-inspired fare and houses a lovely terrace and a nice bar, the local casual favorite the Millbrook Café, China Chinese Restaurant, Coach’s Food and Spirits , Marcello’s Restaurant and the elegant Charlotte’s Restaurant and catering which is situated in a lovely homestead replete with a fireplace. Ianucci’s Stagecoach Market is affectionately termed the “everything you need market” and sells super homemade ice cream at their “ice cream station” as well as a range of hot and cold deli sandwiches, breakfast sandwiches, bagels and retail items.

Babette’s Kitchen and Coffee Bar with its tagline “simply good food” is a restaurant, coffee shop, gourmet market and caterer all rolled into one. It actually was a reader’s choice winner in 2008 for Hudson Valley’s “Best Gourmet Shop” and is known for its luscious baked goods, cheeses and organic coffees.

Millbrook R & B Bar and Grill is a popular dinner and after-hours hot spot. It hosts all kinds of great live music, Sunday 3D movie nights, darts, beer pong, “Tipsy Tuesdays” with cool drink specials and a DJ, lively karaoke on Wednesday nights, open mic nights on Thursdays, happy hour bands, a DJ and live bands on Friday nights and bands and jukebox sessions on Saturday nights. It is an intimate, hip and beautifully decorated and has some really cool cocktails and mouth-watering munchies.

Millbrook is definitely a fun destination for antique hunters with the Millbrook Antique Center, Gracie’s Attic, Millbrook Antique Mall, Yellow Church Antiques and Red School House Antiques & Decorative Accessories.

There are two great independent booksellers in Millbrook: Copper Fox Farm Books and Merritt Bookstore. There are some really nice clothing and jewelry boutiques including Manic Trout, Citrus, Hillscape Bag Company, J. McLaughlin, Millbrook Department Store, Punch, and Uncle Al’s Thrift Shop as well a few home décor stores, a dry cleaners, a spa, two personal training centers, a couple of sporting goods stores, four beauty and hair salons, a florist, several gift boutiques, two hardware stores and quite a few garden centers, farm supply stores and nurseries.

Grocery shopping can be fulfilled at Brennan’s Supermarket & Video, Marona’s Market, Slammin’ Salmon Fish & Charcuterie, Stewarts, Quattro Farm Store and Village Wine & Spirits.

Innisfree Garden is a Chinese-style “tea garden” with a 40 acre lake, cliffs, waterfalls and streams. Millbrook Tribute Gardens has a garden and playground. On Route 44 in parent town of Washington is the Town of Washington Park & Pool which has a sun bathing beach, volleyball courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, pavilions and picnic areas. Tribute Gardens is a lovely set of gardens with a nice playground and lots of sand for the kiddies.

Millbrook also has the Millbrook Golf & Tennis Club, a polo club and a la dee da equestrian organization called Millbrook Hunt that sponsors trail rides, hunter paces, hunter trials and hound and puppy shows. In fact, there are many farms, stables and equestrian activities here in general. The town of Washington’s park and rec department has decent sports programs, as well, senior activities, adult classes plus a swimming pool and a half day camp.

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery makes for a lovely afternoon outing and you will feel as if you are in the middle of wine country. The actual winery is located in a Dutch dairy barn. They offer great tours and wine tastings. They hold a wine-growers boot camp, various release parties, buffet lunches, jazz Saturdays, lobster bake dinners and an annual harvest party.

The town itself sponsors quite a few parades and the whole community really shows up. There are also free summer concerts at the local bandshell. There is definitely a sense of togetherness and pride here.

Millbrook students are a part of the Millbrook Central School District which is excellent.

The household income is around $68,552.

The population of Millbrook is approximately 1,452.
Pros
  • Some great restaurants
  • Cute shops and boutiques
  • Sense of community pride
  • Green and picturesque
  • Many well-to-do residents
  • Quiet and safe
Cons
  • Little nightlife
  • Fairly Expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 5/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"Go Back in Time and Forget Your Cares in Millbrook"

The sleepy town of Millbrook within the greater town of Washington, NY is one of the area's most affluent areas, offering wonderful schools (Millbrook Central School District), lots of antique stores, wonderful fine dining restaurants and an awesome bookstore. Found right off Rt. 44, Millbrook is lovingly known as the “Hamptons” of Dutchess County, as the prices here can be a bit hefty, but the community here is well worth it, as people really care what happens to their town, and there's excellent restaurants for a unique dining experience.

When visiting Millbrook I recommend staying at “Cat In Your Lap” B&B. During the day, make the rounds to the town's famous Antiques mall, with lots of antique shops where you'll find your latest treasure! There's beautiful vineyards in Millbrook that will make you feel like you've visited California if you come here in the summer. It's also the perfect place for horse riding (visit the Fox Ridge Equestrian Center for lessons and riding opportunities).

After a delicious French meal at Cafe Les Baux with your special someone (or a family outing to the beloved Millbrook Diner), take a trip into the Merritt Bookstore for great reads and information about the annual Literary Festival, which celebrates literature by inviting many authors from both local and afar.

Millbrook is not far from Poughkeepsie, where you'll find a Metro-North station that can take you to NYC. Newburgh also has the Stewart Airport for further travel plans. It's a great place to enjoy good food and friendly folk who will make you feel right at home.

One of the most special things that's in Millbrook is the Innisfree Garden, a 150-acre Chinese landscape complete with waterfalls and streams, that is one of the most peaceful places you'll ever visit in your life. It's a great place to meditate and find inner peace. Go alone or with a friend; either way you'll be sure to want to return.
Pros
  • Green and picturesque
  • Quiet and safe
  • Many well-to-do residents
  • Cute shops and boutiques
  • Some great restaurants
Cons
  • must have a car
  • Fairly Expensive
  • Little nightlife
  • Few local businesses
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 5/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 5/5
2yrs+

"A quaint, rarefied village"

The village of Millbrook, NY sits at the center of the town of Washington in Dutchess County. It’s a favorite of many New York-based celebrities, who either live here full-time or part-time. Located in the more rural, undeveloped eastern part of the county, Millbrook is very small, with less than two square miles of land and a population of 1,500.

Settled by the Quakers, the village still retains its 19th century feel. It’s known for its availability of antiques; the Millbrook Antique Mall and Millbrook Antique Center draw both locals and visitors. Additional shops and restaurants line Franklin Avenue, the main road bisecting the town. One of the Hudson Valley’s most well-known wineries, Millbrook Winery, is located here as well, offering tastings, live music and other events.

Millbrook is ninety minutes from New York City. While there is no direct Metro-North service, both the Poughkeepsie and Dover Plains train stations are about twenty-five minutes away.

The village is served by the Millbrook Central School District, with approximately 1,200 students who hail from Millbrook and surrounding areas. There are two elementary schools, Alden Place and Elm Drive, as well as Millbrook Middle School and Millbrook High School. Overall, the schools perform very well, with scores at or above the state median on standardized assessments and Regents exams.

Millbrook is an upscale town and its recreation offerings fit the mold. The Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club, founded in 1900, is a private organization with a nine-hole course. Horseback riding is also very popular, as evidenced by the availability of equestrian and hunt clubs in and around the town. There are some small parks, primarily the Millbrook Tribute Garden and the Innisfree Garden, in the village as well.

Homes are expensive. The largest variety of inventory can be found around the million-dollar range. There are some attractive, well-maintained homes at more moderate prices, and there are some very inexpensive homes, though those tend to be in need of work.
Pros
  • Green and picturesque
  • Quiet and safe
  • Cute shops and boutiques
Cons
  • Fairly Expensive
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 5/5
  • Pest Free 2/5
  • Peace & Quiet 5/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 1/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 2/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 5/5
  • Parking 4/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 2/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
  • Schools 2/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"A little too well to do, but beautiful"

When moving to Dutchess County I looked at Millbrook very briefly before moving on to other towns. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Millbrook. It's a beautiful town with a lot of stunning homes and some great golf courses, but it is sure expensive.

I'm a young guy who recently got engaged. I need an affordable place, and Millbrook just doesn't provide that. It's nicer than most places, but it's a bit quiet for me and out of my price range.

All this said, I'll rundown a few of the positives of Millbrook. Yes, it is picturesque. You won't be left wanting for a great view. And this extends further than the natural beauty, as some of the homes and estates are extraordinary. I like driving through Millbrook on occasion to just look at the houses. You need to be pretty well-off to afford it, but you'll probably be happy in Millbrook if you like having an awesome home and rich neighbors.

Millbrook also has a couple golf and country clubs, which I suppose isn't terribly surprising considering the wealth of the residents. The Millbrook Golf Course is very nice, as is the Millbrook Golf and Tennis Club. You could do a lot worse than spend a lazy Saturday hitting the links here. Totally worth a look if you can get in.

As for restaurants or much else to do, Millbrook is fairly limited. You have a few Cafes like the Cafe Les Baux, and there's a cool antiques shop, but you don't have a ton of options for going out and getting a drink or a bite to eat. You'll need to drive outside the town to find much to do. Fortunately, Millbrook is right there on Route 44, so you can get out pretty easily, and traffic is very rarely bad.

All in all I don't have a great affinity for Millbrook. It's certainly nice, and the homes are spectacular for the most part, but you won't find nearly enough to do and there is a pretty limited number of people who can afford to move here.
Pros
  • Green and picturesque
  • Many well-to-do residents
  • Quiet and safe
Cons
  • Fairly Expensive
  • Little nightlife
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 2/5
  • Gym & Fitness 1/5
  • Internet Access 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 3/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 2/5
2yrs+

"Wealthy village with a charming feel"

Dutchess County residents, when asked to associate a word or words about the village of Millbrook, would probably choose "wealthy." It's fairly well known around these parts that Millbrook is a small colony for the well-to-do. The village itself has a few attractions, including some cafes and restaurants, and it does have a gas station, but otherwise there still isn't much here.

Driving through Millbrook, you'll see a picturesque little town, but you won't see anything even remotely close to a big box store, major medical facilities, or fitness centers. There are, however, churches, golf courses, ponds, and nice secluded homes (particularly just outside the village).

Millbrook has the advantage of being on US Route 44, which gives residents a straight shot at Poughkeepsie to find medical care, shopping, etc. They're also close to the Taconic State Parkway, which means a highway down to the New York City area. Speaking of cars, while you might get tourism through here (and I'm fairly certain that they do), I'd hardly call it anything like a tourist trap and you won't be in gridlock all day trying to get in and out -- I've heard Millbrook favorably compared to the Hamptons, but the Hamptons get way more auto traffic than Millbrook does. This village is nowhere near mass transit trains to New York City, which are located on the western and eastern sides of the county.

This area also has its fair share of wineries around, several of which are real tourist draws.

Millbrook is certainly a quiet area, relative to most of Dutchess County, but it does have some appeal that brings in visitors.
Pros
  • Quiet and safe
  • Green and picturesque
  • Many well-to-do residents
Cons
  • Little nightlife
  • Few local businesses
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish

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