An Intergenerational Sanctuary for Decompressing
Just one hour from New York City, tucked away on four acres of woodlands, streams, and spring-fed ponds, Calico Lane is a retreat for adults and families where rest is prioritized over performance. Dedicated to nature, rest, personal sovereignty and community living.
Say goodbye to dysregulation. A little rest and retreat goes a long way.
A place to simply be. Come for a walk in the old-growth woods, take a seat by the bonfire, stargaze in the meadow, laugh at comedy by the hearth in the common room, or enjoy farm-to-table treats.
First gatherings begin Winter 2026.
Our Philosophy
Calico Lane promotes personal sovereignty and deep connection between people, communities, and nature through gentle education, supported rest, and creative expression.
Structure & Flow: We emphasize that mind, body, and spirit can learn, relax, and play on your own terms. Calico Lane operates with an opt-in daily rhythm, allowing you to tailor your time to be as full or as restful as you prefer. There is no pressure to perform.
Community Life: Our days are anchored by the simple joy of shared meals, informal discussions, and casual workshops that bring diverse ages and backgrounds together. Whether you are exploring our walking trails, melting into a hammock, soaking and splashing in the spring-fed ponds, or cooking fresh food over an open fire, you are invited to move at the pace of the land.
Meet Tabitha
Calico Lane is founded by Tabitha Silver, L.Ac. — acupuncturist, somatic guide, and founder of Body Mechanics NYC. Years of untying knots in a Morningside Heights treatment room taught her a hard truth: healing doesn't hold when people walk right back into the same over-performing lives. Calico Lane is what she built outside the clinic walls — a place where the nervous system gets to actually put the weight down, not just talk about it.
As a Black, queer woman who's done her own bracing, Tabitha built this land to center the people who carry the most vigilance, and to hold the door open, with real welcome, to everyone willing to honor that.
The Setting
Nestled on four acres of woodlands and ponds just an hour from NYC, the space is designed for intentional gatherings, quiet retreats, creative exploration and seasonal ritual.
Walking trails through 4 acres of old growth forest.
Fire circles, gathering spaces and rest areas.
A main house with 2 bedrooms, and a common room, with a fire place, that functions as an indoor sanctuary for gatherings.
Two spring-fed swimming ponds (upper + lower)
Seamless NYC Transit Accessibility
Escaping the city is effortless: Calico Lane is located in Highland Mills, NY—just a 5-minute rideshare from the NJ Transit Harriman Station, and easily accessible via the ShortLine/Coach USA bus directly from Port Authority. You can step off the pavement and into sanctuary in an hour from NYC.
Calico Lane is Black, queer, woman-owned — and built to center BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks. It's open to anyone ready to respect and honor that.
This space is especially for people who rarely get to fully exhale — women, neurodivergent folks, caregivers, and anyone who's used to staying braced.
Come rest. Reclaim wonder. Deepen bonds. Remember what it feels like to simply be.
Connect with Us!
We offer a small number of private rentals and full-property buyouts for intentional gatherings and aligned groups.
Get in touch!
FAQs
Are the ponds chlorinated pools?
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No—these are spring-fed, natural swimming ponds.
When is swimming available?
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Swimming is seasonal and weather-dependent, and offered during hosted blocks and programmed experiences.
Is this a skill-building retreat center?
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Not primarily. This is a sanctuary for rest and nervous system restoration.
Some programming includes cultural or wellness workshops, but the point isn’t achievement or transformation-as-performance. It’s a protected pace, clear agreements, and real downshift.
Is there a cold plunge?
Yes—our spring-fed ponds support sauna + cold plunge experiences during hosted programming.
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Is open public swimming available?
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We don’t offer open public swim hours. Access is through hosted grounds blocks, ticketed experiences, and overnight stays (as available).