One of the perks of going to summer camp is that the charming town of Millerton, NY is only 15 minutes away just over the state border. Camp counselors and staff often go on their break time to get coffee, browse the book store, or just chill in the town’s public spaces outdoors. Since I usually lead the videos program at camp it’s harder for me to get away during a break — usually I need to edit footage or take a shower! — but this past summer I was a counselor for a second week, and had the chance to go to Millerton on break. Since it was midweek there weren’t many people around and it was perfect for taking photos.

There are several antique shops in town:

Here are my cohorts for this trip: Bailey, Tyler, and Lulu:

In the past we’ve had lunch here at Oakhurst Diner to unwind together after the kids go home. Here is a photo taken at the end of our first week at camp:

The Moviehouse is playing the National Theater Live’s production of Angels in America on this particular week! I got to see Part 1 the week prior (ha, Prior… an Angels in America pun) but had to skip Part 2 since it conflicted with camp. This production from London will move to Broadway in the spring so perhaps I’ll see it then.

Saperstein’s sells clothes, shoes, etc. … although it looks like they are going out of business?

I have two favorite spots in town: the coffee shop and the bookstore. Let’s start with coffee.

Irving Farm Coffee Roasters is the best spot in town for java. They serve sandwiches, salads, and breakfast too. And they have a location on the Upper West Side in NYC so you don’t have to drive upstate to try this place!

Oblong Books & Music is my other favorite place in Millerton. I could spend hours here.

They have a Blind Date with a Book program — books have been wrapped up (usually Advanced Reading Copies before they’ve been officially published) with brown paper bag material so you can’t see the title or author. Instead, you pick based on the short description written on the cover. Books are only $1 so you can’t go wrong, and they also have a version with kids / YA books downstairs in that department.

A nice touch:

LOVE this bathroom sign:

And my heart warmed seeing the refugees welcome / we all belong here signs on the front and back doors.

I saw this postcard for the Open Communities Project, a web-based platform designed by the Tenement Museum in New York City.

Showing off some purchased from Oblong bookstore — I got a Blind Date with a Book, and also an old man wig attached to a hat (we have a trove of props and costumes for the kids to use when making videos at camp and I thought this $8 purchase would make a nice addition).

The exterior of the kids / YA section of Oblong:

And here is a new cafe we tried called Hathaway Young — I went with Lulu on the last day of our second week at camp, and they have really delicious food (two thumbs up for the veggie burger). Glad to branch out and try new places here.

Hathaway Young’s outdoor patio:

Harney & Sons is a tea shop in town where I’ve been once on a previous visit:

I love these faces:

View of the river next to the tea shop:

Lulu purchased this Dammit Doll in town as a joke — the idea is you slam it against the counter (as evidenced below) to get out your “dammits!” This was our fun way of processing the occasional irritation from our campers.

Until next year, Millerton!