📍Upstate NY Adventure | The Mysterious Castle on the Hudson River! 🏰

Just a 2-hour drive north of NYC brings you to Beacon, where you'll board a ferry to the enchanting Bannerman Island (also called Pollepel Island). This hidden gem holds centuries of wild history!✨ Our 40-something ferry captain shared the island's quirky Dutch origins: Back when New York was New Amsterdam, drunken sailors would get dumped here as punishment! The Dutch used a giant spoon-like device to scoop them back up when returning to Europe. 🥄😆 After changing hands between Dutch, British, and Americans, the island became a hotspot for shady dealings—until a wealthy philanthropist sold it to arms dealer Francis Bannerman. This guy built insane castle warehouses WITHOUT architects or blueprints, using scrap metal fished from the Hudson! No surprise they're now gloriously crumbling. ⚠️ The 90-minute tour (45-min guided + 45-min free exploration) lets you: • Wander through the atmospheric ruins (stay behind barriers!) • Visit Bannerman's restored residence-turned-museum • Take stunning photos of the castle against river vistas • Learn about Revolutionary War history from passionate guides 😆Pro Tips: • Book tickets at BannermanCastle.org • Beacon's ferry dock is right by Metro-North station (free weekend parking) • Pack snacks - the island's concession stand is limited • Listen for captain's tales of Washington's nearby headquarters!✨ That ferry ride alone is worth it—you'll glide past West Point and Revolutionary battle sites while hearing wild stories of America's fight for freedom. 🇺🇸 #OffTheBeatenPath #TravelUSA #NYCTravel #NYCLife #WeekendGetaway #UpstateNY #HudsonValley #NYCAdventures #CastleLovers #ExploreNewYork