What You May Not Know About Somers, New York

When you think of Somers, you probably think of the circus and The Elephant Hotel (see our Sept./Oct. 2024 issue) and Heritage Hills and even Muscoot Farm, but Somers is changing. Now, thanks to the Somers Land Trust, there are restored hiking trails and public land, Bobo’s Café has become a destination for residents and neighbors, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind is headquartered there.

“There are a lot of new things to do and great restaurants to visit now,” says Suzzanne Shilling, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in Somers. “There’s something for everyone. There are golf courses, Bobo’s Café, museums and more. It’s a very community-oriented place, but people come from all over.”

Eric Morrissey, who grew up in Somers and returned to raise his family there, says Somers has changed for the better over the past twenty years, but its charm still remains.

“Somers has a small-town feel, yet it has all of the conveniences that you would look for in a town,” he says. “It feels like suburbia, but in the woods. and yet we’re right off of I-684 and the Saw Mill River Parkway.  We’re also right on train lines, so you can easily get to Manhattan.”

So, if you haven’t been to Somers in a while, here’s what you may not know.

A beautiful view of the Coldwell Banker Realty office in Somers, blending modern charm with the town’s welcoming community spirit.

Things to do

Even though it’s January and quite cold, we’ll start with what you can do outdoors. There are two great places to hike in Somers: Angle Fly Preserve (654 acres) and Crane-Beshar Rhinoceros Creek Reservation (115 acres). At Angle Fly Preserve, you can hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, birdwatch and study nature. Rhinoceros Creek is a bit more limited, as the Stone House and several acres surrounding it are still privately owned. However, there are just over 55 acres on the southwestern parcel and almost 60 acres on the northeastern parcel  that you can explore.

Somers is packed with fun, keeping kids busy and smiles wide all day long.

“We take our kids to Angle Fly often,” says Dr. Gianna Ferranti, who owns Somers Smiles, which holds several non-dental events open to the public throughout the year. “There are many well-marked trails, and it’s really well maintained. There are placards that explain the different trees, types of animals who live there and why ferns grow. You’ll see a little stream, lots of birds, old fields and rock walls everywhere, dating back to the 1800s.”

Angle Fly also connects to Reis Park, which Judi McAnaw, first vice president of the Somers Lions Club, says is the “hub of Somers.”

“Reis Park has playgrounds, a pavilion where you can eat in the summertime, and it holds all the sports games,” she explains. “Anytime something big is happening, it typically takes place in Reis Park.”

“And, if you have kids,” McAnaw continues, “Muscoot Farm is another great place to go.”

On this 777-acre farm, you can walk right up to the animals and say hello, visit historic buildings and hike their trails.

For the athletic among us, Gridiron Partners, an all-female football league (read about them in our May/June 2024 issue or on our website), is based in Somers, and there’s also Somers Sports Arena, where you can train indoors.

But if a relaxing spa outing is more your thing, Bové Spa & Wellness is great for some quality “me time,” or it can be a bonding experience with friends. Along with the standard massages, facials, and medical and holistic treatments, there’s also a great little cottage out back, which is available to customers who purchase the day spa package. For parties of six or more, the cottage is all yours, but they try to keep it private for smaller groups when they can.

“You can use the cottage for two additional hours, so we will go on a double date with another couple,” Ferranti explains. “There’s a steam shower, TV and kitchen, along with a hot tub and infrared sauna outside. We’ll get massages, have food delivered, play games and hang out.”

Somers also has several special events throughout the year. In May, the Lions Club hosts a spring carnival with rides and entertainment. It typically starts on a Thursday night and goes through Sunday. In September, the Chamber of Commerce puts on a Celebrate Somers Day in the Towne Centre at Somers. The day is filled with activities for the kids, dance performances, food from local restaurants and the opportunity to meet local business owners. But one of the biggest events of the year is Independence Day.

“There’s a celebration in Reis Park,” says McAnaw. “We have food, rides and games for the kids, and there’s typically music as well,” says McAnaw. “Plus, there are always fireworks at night.”

Prime Pub where luxury dining meets a family-friendly touch.

Where to eat

There are several great restaurants in Somers. Some family-friendly places include Prime Pub (see page 61), Il Forno Italian Kitchen & Bar, The Burger Barn, Slice Pizzeria (get the zucchini fries), Barnwood Grill and Bobo’s Café.

“At Il Forno, ask for the kids pizza special,” Ferranti recommends. “They give the kids a platter, dough, sauce and cheese, and the kids can make their own pizzas. When they’re done, they hand it in to be cooked, and then the kids get to eat their own pizza. It’s a nice thing to entertain them while the adults enjoy their dinner.”

“Barnwood Grill is also fantastic,” Ferranti continues. “You can go there for family dinners, and they have a nice nightlife too. Also, they make an incredible old fashioned; they always muddle something in.”

“They also have a good off-menu pork chop,” Morrissey adds. “And it’s the place to go after a Somers football game.”

There’s also Bobo’s Café, which is a popular hangout for Somers teens as well as adults from Somers and neighboring towns. You’ll likely run into people from Katonah or even Pound Ridge when you’re there.

“Bobo’s is a must-stop,” says McAnaw. “It’s just fun.”

Here are a few other places to check out:

• If you’re a trivia buff, head to The Burger Barn on Thursday nights for a really challenging game.
• You can get great barbeque at DeCicco & Sons Wednesday through Sunday.
• Dance the night away at Traditions 118’s disco night on the first Friday of every month.
• Grab a “really good drink” and some delicious tacos at The Tortilla Project.
• Sit outside at King Kone for dinner and ice cream from April through October (see pg. 61).
• Pick up the “best guacamole” from the Mobile station.

People come together for holiday activities, enjoying the beauty of the gentle flurries.

The shopping

When it comes to shopping, there are three main places to go: Somers General Store, Honeybee Grove Flower Farm and Somers Custom Framing & Gift.

The new kid on the block, Somers General Store offers a diverse range of products, including items for the home and pantry, beauty and wellness products, apparel, and items for kids and pets. Opened in 2023, they focus on well-made items from New York-based artists and makers as well as small businesses around the country.

Happy smiles and warm moments at Bobo’s Cafe.

Honeybee Grove Flower Farm began as a cut-your-own flower farm in 2011, and it’s grown into a place that holds floral workshops, dinners in the garden, retail pop-ups and more. The farm is open in April for daffodils and tulips, then again from the end of July to mid-October on Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays. They kick off the season with artisan vendor markets (Daffodil Day in April and Mistletoe Market in December), and from June until mid-October, there’s a weekly farmer’s market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market features local produce, food products and various goods so you can purchase your weekly staples all in one place.

And finally, Somers Custom Framing & Gift is exactly like it sounds. You can purchase art and frame almost anything, and they specialize in photo printing, restoration, printing to canvas and giclee reproductions. When it comes to the gifts, they offer a variety of one-of-a-kind items for all ages.

“They also have a chocolate-drizzled popcorn pizza, which is fantastic,” says Ferranti.

So, if you go to Somers for a day, your itinerary could include a hike in Angle Fly Preserve, followed by a visit to hang with the animals at Muscoot Farm and a spa treatment with some friends or dinner with the kids so they can make their own pizza. Then, on your way home, you can pick up some gas station guacamole.