five of the best fall day trips in the hudson valley
by kamden bushka
The Hudson Valley is a hidden gem that many New Yorkers use as an escape from city life. Going to school in Poughkeepsie means that students are in a prime location to enjoy what the Hudson Valley has to offer– especially during the fall.
Beacon
Begin your day in Beacon at Big Mouth Coffee Roasters, Glazed Over Donuts where you can customize your own donut or The Mud Club for wood-fired bagels. Walk along main street and browse cool vintage shops, art galleries and stores like Hudson Beach Glass (a glass gallery and glass blowing studio), Hudson Valley Vinyl, Binnacle Books, Psychedelic Sunset Vintage, and Beacon Bath and Bubbles (50s themed soda and soap shop). Be sure to check out Dia Art Foundation where you will find unique, modern art. End your trip by grabbing dinner at Dogwood for pub food and live music.
Travel Time: Beacon is about a 30 minute drive from Poughkeepsie or a 17 minute train ride from Poughkeepsie to Beacon Station. You can walk from Beacon Station into town.
Kingston
Kick off the day at a unique book shop and cafe called Rough Draft Books & Bar. Enjoy the colorful buildings and unique architecture that Uptown Kingston has to offer. Then, head over to Downtown Kingston, also known as the Rondout or the waterfront district. This part of Kingston is filled with many charming shops and restaurants. Walk along the Rondout Creek for views of the water and even take a boat tour. Have lunch at Rosie General and then hop on Catskill Mountain Railroad’s fall adventure trains to get the best view of the fall foliage. Kingston is home to several unique museums including the Senate House State Historic Site, the Trolley Museum of New York and the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Finish off the day with dinner at Savona’s Trattoria & Bar, Sorry, Charlie or Eliza Bistro.
Travel Time: Kingston is approximately a 30 minute drive from Poughkeepsie.
Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown
Head over to Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown to get into the Halloween spirit. Sleepy Hollow is the home of Washington Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Headless Horseman. Start your day off by grabbing coffee from Coffee Lab Roasters in Tarrytown and exploring the shops and restaurants on main street. Next, tour Washington Irving’s home, Sunnyside, located on the Hudson River that he designed himself. Then, take a tour of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to see the final resting place of the famous author. The Old Dutch Church is also a must-see during your trip as it inspired Irving’s stories. The town of Sleepy Hollow hosts many fall themed events throughout the season. Visit http:// visitsleepyhollow.com/events/ to schedule a ghost tour that will teach you all about the spooky history of Sleepy Hollow. End your visit with dinner at Goosefeather where you can enjoy Cantonese cuisine located in an 1840s mansion
Travel Time: Tarrytown is a little over an hour’s drive from Poughkeepsie, or an hour and 12 minute train ride from Poughkeepsie Station to Tarrytown Station followed by a 15 minute walk to Sleepy Hollow.
Cold Spring
First, stop for coffee and a pastry at Cold Spring Coffee House. For a bit of history, visit the West Point Foundry Reserve, an outdoor museum of trails going through the remains of the foundry buildings that contributed to the Industrial Revolution and Civil War. The Foundry Reserve offers audio-visual tours. Next, go antiquing and shopping on Main Street at shops like The Cold Spring Antique Center and Once Upon a Time Antiques. Grab brunch or lunch at the Hudson House River Inn. Then, enjoy a scenic walk with stunning views of the fall foliage at Little Stony Point in the Hudson Highlands State Park. You can also check out the Magazzino Italian Art Museum to learn about post-war Italian art. Finally, wrap up your visit with dinner at some of Cold Spring’s most iconic spots like Riverview, Cold Spring Depot or Doug’s Pretty Good Pub.
Travel Time: Cold Spring is about a 40 minute drive from Poughkeepsie or a 30 minute train ride from Poughkeepsie Station to Cold Spring Station.
Rhinebeck
Start your day in Rhinebeck by visiting the beautiful Wilderstein Historic Site; the former home of Franklin Roosevelt’s cousin. Take a tour of the mansion and enjoy the beautiful architecture or explore the walking trails. Next, head to Rhinebeck’s main street to meander through shops such as Winter Sun & Summer Moon, Rhinebeck Mercantile, Land of Oz Toys and many more. Stop by Samuel’s Sweet Shop for chocolates, candies, baked goods and coffee. Rhinebeck is also home to many great antique and vintage shops like Beekman Arms Antique Market and Gallery. There are many great dinner spots in Rhinebeck including Le Petit Bistro, Market St., Cinnamon Indian Cuisine, The Tavern at the Beekman Arms and The Amsterdam. End your night by catching a movie at Starr Cinema which is a nonprofit arts organization that shows independent, foreign, and classic films.
Travel Time: Rhinebeck is about a 25 minute car ride from Poughkeepsie or a 13 minute train ride from Poughkeepsie to Rhinecliff Station. From Rhinecliff Station you will have a 6 minute uber or taxi ride to Rhinebeck.