tegather: Secret Garden in the Moonlight
On a moonlit evening, teagather invites you into a rare after-hours experience at Untermyer Gardens, when the gates have closed to the public and one of New York's most extraordinary landscapes becomes ours alone.
This gathering also falls during Chǔshǔ (处暑)—the traditional Chinese solar term known as End of Heat—a turning point between the fullness of summer and the first whispers of autumn. As the evenings begin to cool, it invites us to slow down, gather, and notice the subtle shift of the season.
Our journey begins at the Temple of Love, tucked at the edge of the forest, where we'll welcome you with refreshing sparkling tea. From there, Siomara Yogini will gently guide us through the trees into an immersive forest bathing, inviting us to slow down, awaken our senses, and cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and the living world around us as we walk beneath the canopy of ancient trees.
As we emerge at the Vista, overlooking the Hudson River and the Palisades, we'll pause to take in the last moments of daylight. At 7:00 PM, the gates close to the public, and Untermyer Gardens becomes ours alone. Together, we'll ascend the grand staircase in silence, making our way to the Temple of the Sky.
As the sky shifts from gold to indigo, we'll move together from light into darkness, from summer into autumn, and from one lunar cycle into the next. There, surrounded by one of the garden's most breathtaking settings, we'll gather for an intimate sunset tea ceremony, with Siomara weaving a live sound journey throughout the experience.
It is an invitation to experience Untermyer as few ever do. Thanks to our friends at Untermyer Gardens, we're honored to return for a second year to host this once-a-year after-hours gathering.
Make a day of it.
If your schedule allows, we recommend arriving early and spending the day at Untermyer Gardens. Bring a picnic, wander the gardens in the daylight, and experience how the landscape transforms as evening falls. When the gates close to the public, you'll remain as our guest for a rare after-hours journey through the gardens. If you have extra time, the nearby village of Hastings-on-Hudson also makes for a lovely afternoon, with charming cafés, bookstores, and riverside views.
Getting there
Untermyer Gardens is located in Yonkers, just north of Manhattan at 945 North Broadway. The easiest way from the city is to take the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central to Yonkers Station, then catch the Bee-Line #6 bus or take a short taxi or rideshare directly to the gardens.
This collaboration is made possible by our friends at In Pursuit of Tea, who consistently source some of the most beautiful single-origin teas we have the pleasure of working with.