Overview
New Lebanon is in Columbia County, New York, on the border with the Berkshire County, Massachusetts. New Lebanon was the main spiritual home of the Shakers, a Christian sect who practice a celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, uniform charismatic worship, and equality of the sexes. They are also known for their simple living, architecture, technological innovation, and furniture.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about New Lebanon
The Darrow School
Many of the historic buildings of the Mount Lebanon Shaker community now belong to Darrow School, including the iconic 1824 Meeting House. Tours can be arranged through phone call.
Cemetery of the Evergreens
Cemetery grounds which includes a funerary monument to Gov. Samuel J. Tilden, a New York governor and US Presidential candidate in the 1876 election. The monument is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Church of Our Saviour
A historic Episcopalian church built between 1872 and 1881. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Elisha Gilbert House
Private residence. The massive, two-story home was built in 1794 and features Federal style architecture.
Lebanon Springs Union Free School
Built in 1913, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Shaker Museum Mount Lebanon
A museum at the historic site of the North Family of the New Lebanon Shakers. The Shaker society based in New Lebanon served as the headquarters for all Shakers in the entire country, which included some 19 major communi…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Albany)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 51 mi away (major hub). Directions
The major roads through New Lebanon are US Route 20, County Routes 5, 9, and 34, and New York Route 22. Other than motor vehicle travel in, bus tickets can be purchased at reasonable prices.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Darrow School, Shaker Museum Mount Lebanon, The Abode of the Message
- Lunch Blueberry Hill Market & Cafe
- Afternoon Lebanon Springs Union Free School, Church of Our Saviour
- Dinner Jimmy D's Pizza Royal and Restaurant
- Evening M and M's Tap and Tavern
Day 2
- Morning Elisha Gilbert House
- Lunch Smitty's Pizza and Subs
- Afternoon Lebanon Valley Speedway
- Evening Roaring 20s Brewery and Taphouse
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
New Lebanon is in Upstate New York. It began as a community in Canaan, from which it split of from in 1818. Canaan is now a separate town to the south. To the east of New Lebanon is Hancock, Massachusetts, to the north is Stephentown, and to the west is Chatham. The hamlet of West Lebanon borders the northwest portion of the town, and the hamlet of East Chatham - which is part of Canaan and Chatham - lies to the southwest. To the northwest is Nassau, including the village of East Nassau. The town has several historic sites, the most notable being the remnants of Mount Lebanon Shaker Village. The town was also the birthplace of New York governor and US presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden.
Get in
The major roads through New Lebanon are US Route 20, County Routes 5, 9, and 34, and New York Route 22. Other than motor vehicle travel in, bus tickets can be purchased at reasonable prices.
Route 20 is the primary street by which to enter West Lebanon. County Route 9, coming from East Chatham, merges into Route 20 in West Lebanon.
Get around
Motor vehicle is the easiest means of travel, and cycling is also possible.
West Lebanon is situated on US Route 20, so taking this highway will get you through the town.
See
See Cemetery of the Evergreens
Cemetery grounds which includes a funerary monument to Gov. Samuel J. Tilden, a New York governor and US Presidential candidate in the 1876 election. The monument is on the National Register of Historic Places.
See Elisha Gilbert House
Private residence. The massive, two-story home was built in 1794 and features Federal style architecture.
See Lebanon Springs Union Free School
Built in 1913, listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Do
Do Shaker Museum Mount Lebanon (Mount Lebanon Shaker Village)
A museum at the historic site of the North Family of the New Lebanon Shakers. The Shaker society based in New Lebanon served as the headquarters for all Shakers in the entire country, which included some 19 major communities from stretching from Indiana to Kentucky to Maine. Residents of New Lebanon and Caanan, New York, and Hancock, Massachusetts, converted to the Shaker faith in 1780, and in 1787 the new leader of the Shakers, Joseph Meacham, organized a headquarters in New Lebanon. He appointed Lucy Wright, from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to co-equally share in the leadership responsibilities. The Shaker society at New Lebanon persisted until 1947, when the Shakers dissolved the settlement. The historic site was labeled a National Historic Landmark in 1965, and in 2004 and 2006 was listed by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100 most endangered historic sites in the world. The museum today includes 10 original buildings, the most notable of which is the famous 1859 Great Stone Barn, which was heavily damaged in a fire in 1972 and is now undergoing a long-term restoration. The museum also hosts the most comprehensive Shaker collection in existence, having absorbed the collection of the former Shaker Museum in nearby Old Chatham. See other Shaker villages in the northeast United States, including the neighboring Hancock Shaker Village, through the itinerary Touring Shaker country.
Do The Abode of the Message
A Universal Sufi community founded in 1975 by Vilayat Inayat Khan. Most of the buildings on the property were built by the New Lebanon Shakers, and tours can be arranged. Spiritual retreats of various lengths can be scheduled, and spaces for conferences are offered.
Buy
Eat
Eat Jimmy D's Pizza Royal and Restaurant
Eat Blueberry Hill Market & Cafe
Carryout only.
Drink
Drink Roaring 20s Brewery and Taphouse
Drink M and M's Tap and Tavern
Sleep
Stay Hitchcock House B and B
The house is a restored Shaker-built house from 1797. Energy is produced through solar power, and Wi-Fi is offered. Situated in 123 acres with ponds, meadows, mountain trails, and gardens.
Go next
Visit the nearby New York towns of Canaan, Chatham, Nassau, and Stephentown. Further west are Rensselaer and Albany in the Capital District. Hancock, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires is on the eastern border.
Nearby
Hancock
City / town · 25 listings · 7 mi away
Pittsfield
City / town · 39 listings · 8 mi away
Lanesborough
City / town · 30 listings · 9 mi away
Lenox
City / town · 53 listings · 9 mi away
Dalton
City / town · 51 listings · 12 mi away
New Ashford
City / town · 11 listings · 13 mi away
Stockbridge
City / town · 5 listings · 13 mi away
Lee
City / town · 3 listings · 13 mi away
My experience
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