Best of Hudson Valley: Fun and Leisure in 2024

-Editor Pick-

Fire Tower Hike

Overlook Mountain, Woodstock

The Hudson Valley has more than a dozen fire towers—but how many have hotel ruins and pretty panoramas from rockfaces? Overlook Mountain is perfect from spring to fall (emphasis on the latter, since it boasts some of the best leaf-peeping in the Valley) and can double as a starting point for a Woodstock day trip.

-Reader Picks-

Annual Festival

NYS Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck

Arcade

District Social, Beacon

Arts and Crafts Fair

Rhinebeck Crafts Festival, Rhinebeck

Bed & Breakfast

Watergrasshill Bed & Breakfast, New Paltz

Bike Trail

William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail

Boutique Hotel

Hudson Whaler, Hudson

Bowling Alley

Spins Bowl, multiple locations

Campground

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Gardiner

 

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Christmas Attraction

ERDAJT Christmas Light Display, Lagrangeville

Comedy Club

Laugh it Up Comedy Club at Mahoney’s Irish Pub, Poughkeepsie

County Fair

Dutchess County Fair, Rhinebeck

Dance Club

Silk Factory, Newburgh

Drag Show

Yas Diva @ The Roosevelt Bar, Beacon

Drive-In Theater

Overlook Drive-In Theatre, Poughkeepsie

Food Festival

Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, Saugerties

Golf Course
(Private)

The Links at Union Vale, Lagrangeville

Golf Course
(Public)

Beekman Golf Course, Hopewell Junction

Halloween Attraction

Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions, Ulster Park

Historic Site

Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park

Horseback Riding Stable/Ranch

Rocking Horse Ranch, Highland

Hotel

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz

Hudson River Cruise

Hudson River Cruises, Kingston

Ice Skating Rink

Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Tomkins Cove

Indoor Music Venue

The Bardavon, Poughkeepsie

Jazz Club

The Falcon, Marlboro

Karaoke

The Karaoke Boys, Beacon

Kayak or Paddlesport Rental

Hudson River Expeditions, multiple locations

Landmark

Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie

Mini Golf

Kelly’s Creamery Mini Golf, Dover Plains

Movie Theater

Roosevelt Theatre, Hyde Park

Museum

Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum, Hyde Park

Music Festival

Hudson Valley Jazz Festival, multiple locations

Neighborhood/City to Explore

Beacon

Outdoor Music Venue

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel

Pick-Your-Own Farm

Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction

Picnic Spot

Bear Mountain State Park, Tomkins Cove

Place to Go Apple Picking

Dubois Farms, Highland

 

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Place to Take Out-of-Towners/Visitors

Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie

Pumpkin Patch

Dykeman Farm, Pawling

Resort

Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz

Rollerskating Rink

Hyde Park Roller Magic, Hyde Park

Sculpture Garden

Storm King Art Center, New Windsor

Sip and Paint

Board and Brush, Wappingers Falls

Ski Resort

Hunter Mountain, Hunter

Trivia Night

Publick House 23, Pleasant Valley

Walking/Hiking Trails

William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, Dutchess County

Waterpark

SplashDown Beach Water Park, Fishkill

 

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Ziplining

Catamount Zip Tour, Hillsdale

Related: Here’s What to Do in the Hudson Valley This Week