Take a walk on the wild side at Lenoir Nature Preserve in the heart of Yonkers on this week’s Road Trip: Close to Home. 

The preserve is a sanctuary for many living creatures, and offers a free experience with nature from dawn to dusk. "We're a 40-acre nature preserve in the Westchester County Parks system. We have just over two miles worth of trails...There's something for everybody no matter what you're looking for, whether if you're just looking for a quiet walk, you can use our paved path; if you're looking for more of an adventure, you can go into our wooded trails," says curator Sara Cavanaugh.

While you explore, detour through the meandering trails of the Beverley East Smith butterfly garden.  Vibrant flowers pop alongside brush where buzzing bees and butterflies feed off of.

Then, stop inside the nature center where you can learn more about the wildlife around you.  "Come in, stop by, pick up a map -- or come to one of our public programs -- we're always doing some sort of programming. We usually have two to three programs a month," says Cavanaugh.

You can even bird watch from the comfort of the nature center. Just grab a pair of binoculars. Then sit back, relax, and watch nature fly right before your eyes! 

In fact,  the preserve is a popular hub to bird watch.  "This is a big birdwatching park, we have ruby-throated hummingbirds here and we see them quite often. We have a ton of woodpeckers that we see, so there's always a different kind of bird that you can learn about here at Lenoir."

It’s a serene and scenic gem in Southern Westchester that’s certainly worth a visit.