Another year of digging up Nyack’s hidden stories, from wild amusement parks to swimmable beaches, forgotten airports, and Gilded Age mansions. Thank you for reading, sharing, debating, and helping bring our history to life.
History isn’t dry. It’s who we are. As Mark Twain said, “The past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.” Nyack does too.
To close 2025, here are the Top Ten Nyack People & Places stories, ranked by views and reader comments—with a little hint about why each one struck a chord.
Top Ten of 2025
- 1. When Nyack Dined at the Hilltop — The Hilltop brought together celebrities and locals for decades of unforgettable meals and memories.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/11/when-nyack-dined-at-the-hilltop/ - 2. When Nyack Beach Was Swimmable — Residents once spent entire summers in the river, long before water quality forced them out.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/07/when-nyack-beach-was-swimmable/ - 3. Five Reasons the Great Nyack House Tour Is Worth Every Penny — The return of the Historical Society’s house tour became a major hit.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/04/five-reasons-the-great-nyack-house-tour-is-worth-every-penny/ - 4. Sylvan Grove: Rockland Lake’s First Amusement Park — A forgotten Gilded Age playground hidden in the woods.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/06/sylvan-grove-rockland-lakes-first-amusement-park/ - 5. Before the Palisades Mall – The History of West Nyack’s Miller Airport — Cargo planes, daredevil flyers, and an airfield swallowed by development.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/04/before-the-palisades-mall-the-history-of-west-nyacks-miller-airport-2/ - 6. Hidden in the Hills: Summer Escape at Buttermilk Falls — A Catskills-style retreat without the drive.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/07/hidden-in-the-hills-summer-escape-at-buttermilk-falls/ - 7. Nyack’s McDermott’s Milk Bar in Flames — A day teenagers and downtown businesses never forgot.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/10/nyacks-mcdermotts-milk-bar-in-flames/ - 8. Seven Reasons the Edward Hopper Jazz Brunch Will Be Nyack’s Most Talked About Event — Breakfast, live jazz, and river views with members of the Edward Hopper House Museum.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/05/seven-reasons-the-edward-hopper-house-jazz-brunch-will-be-nyacks-most-talked-about-june-event/ - 9. The Diplomatic Baron: James Bennet and His Gilded Age Villa — Big money, big personality, and the mansion to prove it.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/04/the-diplomatic-baron-james-bennet-and-his-gilded-age-villa/ - 10. Nyack’s Skating Pond — Ice harvesting and winter fun before the Tappan Zee Bridge.
https://nyacknewsandviews.com/blog/2025/01/nyacks-skating-pond/
Happy Holidays from Nyack People & Places
See you on the river in 2026—send me your mysteries, rumors, and half-remembered legends. I love a good chase.
Mike Hays has lived in the Nyacks for 38 years. A former executive at McGraw-Hill Education in New York City, he now serves as Treasurer and past President of the Historical Society of the Nyacks, Trustee of the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center, and Historian for the Village of Upper Nyack.
Since 2017, he has written the popular Nyack People & Places column for Nyack News & Views, chronicling the rich history, architecture, and personalities of the lower Hudson Valley. As part of his work with the Historical Society, Mike has researched and developed exhibitions, written interpretive materials, and leads well-attended walking tours that bring Nyack’s layered history to life.
Married to Bernie Richey, he enjoys cycling, history walks, and winters in Florida. You can follow him on Instagram as @UpperNyackMike.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Sun River Health and Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty. Sun River Health is a network of 43 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) providing primary, dental, pediatric, OB-GYN, and behavioral health care to over 245,000 patients annually. Ellis Sotheby’s International Realty is the lower Hudson Valley’s Leader in Luxury. Located in the charming Hudson River village of Nyack, approximately 22 miles from New York City. Our agents are passionate about listing and selling extraordinary properties in the Lower Hudson Valley, including Rockland and Orange Counties, New York.
