Top Ten Retreat Centers - New York

Top Ten Retreat Centers in New York

Here is a list of the best Retreat Centers in New York as compiled by our team with a combined 50+ years of experience hosting groups and events of all sizes.

We know that every retreat is different from the rest and so every group has their own unique and individual needs. For this reason, we have picked ten retreat centers here that all offer amazing facilities combined with some of New York’s finest scenery and yet are all completely different from each other in some way.

No matter what type of event or retreat you are planning, we are confident that you will find ideas and inspiration from the venues we have shared below.

Takeover an entire summer camp - Camp Schodack

Our facility consists of over 100-acres with beautifully renovated cabins and private housing, sports fields, outdoor adventure activities, and private woods. We are conveniently located just 2.5 hours from both NYC and Boston and just 15 miles outside of Albany.

The list of activities available is seemingly endless, featuring tennis, go-karts, basketball courts, climbing towers, waterslides, and zip-lines. You will never be short of things to do come rain or shine!

Our cabins all have their own private bathrooms and showers and we can accommodate up to 500 people. Our Kitchen and Dining Hall are fully equipped – we are ready to cater your event or help you bring your own caterer if you prefer.

Find out more: https://www.schodack.com/facility-rentals/

Enjoy a silent escape - Springwater Center

Located an hour south of Rochester, New York, Springwater Center offers silent meditation retreats and year-round guest visits in a beautiful and spacious facility on 212 acres of country land with streams, meadows, forests, a pond, and miles of walking trails.

There are no rituals, required beliefs, or assigned practices.

The essence of retreat at Springwater is being together in the simplicity and openness of silent awareness. Attending moment-to-moment to what is happening within and without, in a spirit of wonder, curiosity, and discovery.

Find out more: https://www.springwatercenter.org/

Be mindful by the lakeside - Ashbury Retreat Center

Located on stunning Silver Lake in Western NY, our retreat center, offering a variety of facilities, is the ideal location for all types and sizes – from small, more intimate gatherings to larger retreats. For decades, Asbury has been a place where lives have been forever impacted.

Asbury operates year-round offering a variety of facilities to accommodate your group, from hotel-like with private bathrooms to seasonal lodges. Asbury Retreat Center is the ideal location to enjoy time with your group, relaxing by the lake, swimming in the heated pool, or gathering by the campfire.

Find out more: https://asburyuny.org/

Enjoy a holiday house for women - Wiawaka Center for Women

Wiawaka Center for Women is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to enriching the lives of women. We do charge for services but much of our programming is funded through donations.   Our season generally runs from mid-June through Labor Day where we offer day visits, overnight accommodations, special events, programs, and workshops. In our “shoulder” season we host weddings, family reunions, and private retreats.

Wiawaka was created by and for women in 1903. It is the oldest and longest continuously operating retreat for women in America. We are proud to honor our tradition and embrace the future as we work to maintain this historic property and fulfill the mission set forth by our founder, Mary Fuller.

Find out more: https://wiawaka.org/

Enjoy a Holistic Spa Retreat - Sanivan

Since 2005, co-owners Saniye and Ivan have welcomed guests to share their authentic wellness lifestyle through delicious organic meals, peaceful accommodations, spa treatments, and facilities in a beautiful Catskills town near forests, lakes, and charming shops. Sanivan is a spa retreat close to New York (located just 2 hours from midtown), easily accessible by bus or car from the tri-state area.

You’ll find our retreat rates are quite affordable compared to traditional spa resorts in the Northeast because we see health as a necessity for all, not a luxury for some. We invite you to explore our special offers and events and take advantage of seasonal savings to carve out a little you-time. You can also view our Retreat Packages for extra savings on your next visit.

Find out more: https://sanivan.com/

Peace Village

​Peace Village is a nonprofit, volunteer community created for learning and contemplation.  For more than 20 years we’ve been helping people understand spiritual principles, experience inner peace, and build spiritual capacity.
 
Sitting on Hunter Mountain in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley, Peace Village welcomes thousands annually who come for silence, learning or a chance to serve – sometimes on the 300-acre grounds, sometimes in the 6 lodges where we accommodate guests or sometimes in the greenhouse or Peace Park. 
 
Peace Village is one location in a global network of over 15 retreat centers worldwide owned and maintained by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University.  The Brahma Kumaris is based in India with a global community of over a million members in 8000 centers in 120 countries – all with the same aim of understanding the self and serving the world. 

Find out more: https://www.peacevillageretreat.org/

Help clear your mind in the mountains - Nine Mountain

We know how many choices and decisions there are in organizing a group retreat. We delight in working out all of these logistics with you to help you create the most successful event possible – a retreat that flows easily, with clarity, focus, ease, and grace – and create an environment that supports both teachers and participants in sharing a meaningful transformational experience.

Group retreats always have exclusive use of the Nine Mountain. This means that the only people on site are your participants and Nine Mountain’s staff – our Resident Caretakers, and kitchen staff – who organize behind the scenes to create beautiful and nourishing meals, answer questions, fix what breaks and support you.

Find out more: https://ninemountain.com/

Be part of a multi-faith community - Stony Point

Stony Point Center is a conference and retreat center nestled in the scenic Lower Hudson Valley of New York.  A brave and open space committed to radical hospitality and radical humility, welcoming guests from all walks of life into our beloved community.

Our campus rests on 30 acres of nature, gardens and farmland. Our meditation space, labyrinth and art space help guests explore faith, creativity, community and leadership building. Stony Point Center is located in the scenic Hudson River Valley, northwest of Manhattan in beautiful upstate New York.

Stony Point Center is located about a mile from the Hudson River in a small community. It is not really a "camp in the woods." Instead, picture beautiful lawns, vegetable gardens and a tranquil setting that has both woods and other houses located immediately around us, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect.

Find out more: https://stonypointcenter.org/

Escape to an ashram - Sivananda Yoga Ranch

The Yoga Ranch was founded in 1974 by Swami Vishnudevananda to provide a peaceful retreat structured around a full immersion into Yogic living and nurtured with the natural beauty of the lush mountains.

The simple living close to nature quiets the mind and prepares it for meditation and the high thinking of the Vedanta philosophy. Asanas (yoga postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), vegetarian meals, chanting, and working together in Karma Yoga help complete the Yoga experience.

Our ashram is a sacred space that encourages you to awaken to life and to awaken to grace. It is an adventure in self-discovery of your own True Nature.

Find out more: https://sivanandayogaranch.org/

Feed you soul in the city - Sanctuary NYC Retreats

We welcome you to the serene spiritual atmosphere Sanctuary provides, as well as varied programs on bhakti (yoga of devotion) which we offer as part of our membership program. These include sacred meditation in the yoga studio/temple room, workshops on Vinyasa infused bhakti-yoga, kirtan (devotional chant/prayer), history and philosophy of yoga, Ayurveda (science of life and healing), as well as varied workshops/events on related subject matters (nurturing body, mind & soul).  

Each room is equipped with a mini-library of books on the science of the soul as delineated in the ancient classic Bhagavad Gita, the text that inspired Gandhi, Emerson, Thoreau, and Einstein who wrote; "I bathe my intellect daily in the cosmological wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita."  Weekly classes are included in the Sanctuary membership program @ our affiliate The Bhakti Center.

During their stay, our guests volunteer in the Sanctuary NYC sponsored Food For Life program to feed the homeless in nearby Tompkins Square Park. Please see the glowing reviews on our Media Page from 'Our Town Downtown" magazine about this heartwarming, rewarding experience. 

Find out more: http://www.sanctuarynycretreats.com/

Amazing Retreat Locations

5 Amazing Retreat Locations in New York

Finding the right location for your event can be a challenging task, especially when there are so many options to choose from. Having been providing amazing experiences for over 60 years, we know that choosing the right Retreat Center is important, so here we have taken a look at 5 totally different Retreat centers in and around New York State to give you and your guests inspiration for next getaway.

The Summer Camp - Camp Schodack

With overnight accommodation for up to 500 guests at any one time, Camp Schodack is a truly unique location in the foothills of the Berkshires. Spread over a 100-acres, this privately owned venue operates as a Summer Camp from mid-June to mid-August. One of the benefits to a venue such as this is that any rental group has the bonus of taking advantage of all of the activities that are part of the property during their stay. These include go-karts, archery, a climbing tower, 7 tennis courts, 2 heated outdoor swimming pools as well as a range of indoor and outdoor areas and meeting spaces to take full advantage of the beauty of the capital region.

Find out more here: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

The Learning Center - Peace Village

There are spaces that touch the heart and soul in ways that you will not find anywhere else. Peace Village is a learning and retreat center that offers weekend retreats on a variety of topics where you can learn to meditate and study spiritual knowledge. The silence and tranquility of the Village provides the atmosphere for self-exploration and spiritual practice. Practicing yogis volunteer and teach at Peace Village. Their hospitality and warmth while hosting you during your retreat will be one of the memorable aspects of your stay. Peace Village opened in 1999  and is a retreat center of the Brahman Kumaris .

Find out more here: https://peacevillageretreat.org/

The Meditation Center - Kadampa Center

In 1994 Kadampa Buddhist teacher Geshe Kelsang Gyatso established Chakrasambara Center in New York City and requested one of his senior students, Kadam Morten, to become the principal teacher. The Center started off in a small graffiti covered dance studio near the Bowery, and by 2001 classes were being held in a rented commercial space in Chelsea. With an unprecedented volume of people seeking these teachings and meditations each week, we faced an immediate need to expand. In late 2011 we located and were able to purchase a street front space only two blocks away from our longtime location. After an extensive build-out and the installation of  numerous newly cast Buddha statues, in October 2012 we opened the doors to the future of Kadampa Buddhism in New York City.

Find out more here: https://meditationinnewyork.org/

The Farm - Bailey Farm

Bailey Farms was settled by John Young in the early 1800s, and the original farmhouse still survives. The property was acquired in that century by “Old Ira” Bailey, from whom the Farm gets its name. In the early 1900s, the property was purchased by a Broadway actress. Next, legend has it that a wealthy New York gentleman took ownership of the Farm and in 1937 built a replica of a Georgian estate house for his wife, who had admired a picture of a similar structure in a British magazine. Twenty years ago, Bailey Farms became the retreat and conference center it is today, dedicated to serving the larger community. We regularly welcome schools and colleges; professional and business associations; churches, synagogues, and other religious / spiritually oriented groups; community, civic, and cultural groups.

Find out more here: http://www.baileyfarms.org/

The Mountain Spa - Menla

Set in a secluded valley beside an enchanting stream in the heart of the Catskill mountains, Menla is a hidden oasis, featuring spiritual and wellness retreats as well as exclusive getaways and the world-class Dewa Spa. A truly unique venue, Menla is the Dalai Lama’s cultural center in North America—a modern retreat and destination spa inspired by the ancient Buddhist kingdom of Tibet. Immerse yourself in the magic of our pristine mountain forests, explore hiking trails, encounter wildlife, and discover a rich tapestry of wellness experiences and activities, including workshops with renowned teachers, yoga and meditation, Tibetan healing therapies, massage and other bodywork, and so much more.

Find out more here: https://menla.us/

5 Unique Conference Centers in New York

Check out our list of 5 of the most unique conference centers in New York and the North East

If you are looking for a conference center to hold your next event, then take a look through our 5 incredible options for locations to hire in New York and the North East of the US. We have varied our range to include Conference and Retreat Centers in a number of locations with offerings near lakes, in the woods, cities, farms and more.

Whatever the aim of your event, we think that you’ll find a location here that will suit your needs or at the very least, inspire you.

The one in the countryside…Camp Schodack

Why get a hotel or a conference center for three hours when you could book your own private resort for the whole weekend? Bring the family, friends, colleagues and whoever else wants to enjoy an unforgettable experience! Schodack is the ultimate corporate get away accommodating up to 500 guests. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing with colleagues by the pool, using our extensive indoor spaces for planning and discussions or perhaps you are looking to challenge your group to get the most from themselves through our adventure course, go-kart track or any of the amazing activities we have available.

Find out more here: https://berkshireretreatcenter.com/

The one in the city…Convene at One boston place

Convene at One Boston Place is the newest on-demand meeting, event, and conference space in the heart of Boston's Financial District. This state-of-the-art venue has a capacity for up to 175 guests, including a private outdoor terrace and six meeting rooms - perfect for hosting board meeting, town halls, team offsites, trainings, and corporate receptions. Convene provides a dedicated meeting planning team, an on-site Executive Chef who prepares seasonal menus for your attendees, and unlimited access to Nourish, which is our fully-stocked snack and refreshment stations.

Find out more here: https://convene.com/location/one-boston-place/

The one by a lake...Fort william henry

The Fort William Henry offers upscale lodging accommodations with the perfect mix of historical elegance and today’s conveniences. From the traditional grace of the Grand Hotel to the comfort of the Premium East and Standard West rooms, all of our accommodations enjoy access to our extensive amenities, including an indoor pool with sauna and Jacuzzi, Olympic-size outdoor pool,  and three restaurants all on resort grounds.

Find out more here: https://www.fortwilliamhenry.com/

The one on a farm…Eddy farm

We are committed to excellence in providing programs and facilities for worship, teaching, counseling, banquets, conferences, retreats, and physical activities–all with a focus on the Bible as our standard of living.

Find out more here: http://eddyfarm.sandbox.nikijones.com/

The one in with a water park…Hope lake lodge

We look forward to welcoming you on your next vacation to Hope Lake Lodge Resort and Conference Center in Upstate New York, a first class destination situated on more than 1,600 acres of forests and hills in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York state. Getting to Hope Lake Lodge is easier than you think. Convenient to Interstate-81, Hope Lake Lodge is located halfway between Binghamton and Syracuse near Ithaca, New York. Our central location is just a short drive from many metro areas like NYC, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Toronto, Rochester and Buffalo.

Find out more here: https://hopelakelodge.com/

5 Reasons To Hire Berkshire Retreat Center

1. Amazing New York Location

Being located so close to both Boston and Manhattan means that we are in an excellent location for groups in either of those cities. It also means that in the rare case that you may think about venturing beyond our borders for a visit to a nearby State Park, a museum or maybe a concert in Albany, we’ve got you covered. But we promise that there is so much happening on the property that you won’t want to leave.

2. Incredible Capital Region Facilities

We have a number of large indoor and outdoor meeting areas and spaces for activities including our 500 seater playhouse, our Recreation Hall, large outdoor amphitheater and quaint Gazebo for smaller group gatherings. Our site can house up to 500 people in our beautifully renovated cabins. Each comes with high ceilings and fan units which keeps them cool during the hot summer days and warm in the cooler evenings. Each of our cabins comes with its own large porch area complete with outdoor seating for you and your guests to take advantage of.

3. 100 Acres of Private Fields and Woodlands

We are truly hidden away from the outside world and yet still easily accessible for you and your guests. Pull into the parking lot, leave your keys in your cabin and you can spend the rest of your time with us blissfully unaware of the anything else going on. Our guests really get the chance to reconnect with nature and each other. Spend time exploring the 60 acres of woodlands trails around us or ditch the shoes and wander barefoot across our 40 acres of green lawns whilst you enjoy the surroundings.

4. More Activities Than You Could Ask For

As we operate as a summer camp from Mid-June to Mid-August our facility is equipped with all of the activities you would associate with a traditional summer camp in the 21st Century. These include popular sports like soccer, lacrosse, basketball and hockey in addition to individual activities like golf and tennis. We have more adventurous activities such as our 40 ft. climbing tower, zip-line, high ropes adventure course and purpose built go-kart track not to mention 2 heated outdoor swimming pools.

5. Make Your Money Go Further

Choosing to plan your next event with us won’t break the bank. Our dedicated team will be on had with you to help you as much or as little as you want. Want to bring in your own catering? No problem. Thinking of planning your own entertainment? Fine with us. You can create your own DIY package to suit your needs or ask our team to help you do it all and let us take the reins.