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Adobe Stock | Photo by Konstantin Yuganov
Hudson River tourism directors share their top picks for places to go, sights to see, and things to do throughout the month of March.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are a ton of things to do in the Hudson Valley each month. Even in the face of the coronavirus, there exist dozens upon dozens of ways to experience the best of what the region has to offer. While they might not be traditional per se (virtual St. Patrick’s Day parades, anyone?), they are engaging, entertaining, and 100-percent #flattenthecurve-approved.
To help scout out the best events in the Valley, we reached out to local tourism directors from Albany to Westchester for their top picks for things to do. Check out their selections, then get planning!
Albany County
Discover Albany President and CEO Jill Delaney shares her top recommendations for the month.
Virtual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Online, Albany
March 13
For anyone who’s never been to one of Albany’s over-the-top parades before, prepare to catch a glimpse of the annual festivities from afar. The virtual slate will include a host of fun activities and streamed performances that will be accessible all day.
Adobe Stock | Photo by Sonia
Irish 5k Sweat-er Run
Online
March 8 – 14
Join runners across the Hudson Valley in celebrating St. Patty’s Day with a 5k or 10k run. This year’s virtual version allows participants to complete the race whenever and wherever they choose. After registering, digital bibs can be made and customized. Once the race is completed, upload a photo to the expansive gallery of runners finishing their March races.
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A Sense of Time: the Historical Art of L. F. Tantillo
Albany Institute of History and Art, Albany
All month long
The latest exhibit from the Albany Institute of History and Art has something for every history buff and art lover. “A Sense of Time” brings the Hudson Valley’s rich history to life through the artwork of the times. Over 90 pieces display places, people, and moments in time that shaped the destiny of New York State. The Dutch settling Fort Orange, the ice industry on the Hudson, Kingston in the 1800s, and more grant a unique look at the region.
Columbia County
Read up on Columbia County Tourism’s highlights for things to do in the Hudson Valley this month.
Photo courtesy of Columbia County Tourism
Guided Nature Hikes
Catamount Mountain Resort, Hillsdale
Weekends throughout March
Explore Columbia County’s scenic Catamount Mountain all month long. Two types of guided hikes are available to accommodate visitors of all hiking levels. The first is 90 minutes, and is designed with beginners in mind. For avid hikers used to cold-weather conditions, a 150-minute hike is also available.
Dutchess County
Take a peek at Dutchess Tourism, Inc.’s top picks for things to do in Dutchess County this month.
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Revel in the Magic
Revel 32°, Poughkeepsie
March 5, 8 p.m.
Everyone could use an escape from reality. Revel 32° is back with a host of events for the month of March. Things kick off with “Revel in the Magic,” a 21+ magic show with a cash bar and small plates. Illusionist Ryan Dutcher gives audiences a bit of insight into the art of magic with his entertaining performance.
Photo courtesy of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
Bardavon Presents: “Live from Ireland”
Online, Bardavon Presents
March 13, 5 p.m.
An epic virtual concert experience awaits at the Bardavon this month when We Banjo 3 (WB3) performs live from Ireland. The WB3 band members come together on stage for the first time since the pandemic started. The show streams live from the stunning Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin to showcase the incredible talents of the Galway and Nashville-based quartet. WB3 pushes musical boundaries while maintaining a top-tier audience experience.
Photo courtesy of Dutchess Tourism, Inc.
Suffrage in the Hudson Valley
Facebook Live, Friends of Clermont
March 13, 2 p.m.
Huge strides in the fight for women’s rights in the United States were taken right here in the Hudson Valley. This presentation from Friends of Clermont offers a look at the New York women who worked hard to accomplish the passage of women’s suffrage in 1917 within the state, and in 1920 nationally. Stories and artifacts from the region are the focus in this talk given by Ashley Hopkins Benton, a historian and curator of social history at the New York State Museum.
Greene County
Look no further for the coolest attractions and activities in Greene County during the month.
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Tick Awareness Workshop
Virtual via Mountain Top Arboretum
March 6, 10 a.m.
Before exploring the Hudson Valley this spring, prepare yourself for nature. With this virtual workshop held by Mountain Top Arboretum, learn how to avoid ticks and tick-borne illnesses. The webinar teaches how to prevent infection, identify symptoms, and treat diseases. While hiking local peaks and trails, working in home gardens, and walking through the woods, be sure to stay as safe as possible.
Orange County
Check out Orange County Tourism Director Amanda Dana’s selections for the best things to do this month.
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Beez Crash Course: Beekeeping 101
Beez’ Shop by the Jenny B Project, Washingtonville
March 6, 6 p.m.
Have you always wanted to get into beekeeping? It’s not too late to start. This two-hour seminar can get even the most novice beginners on the road to becoming full-fledged beekeepers. Crash-course topics include hive placement, ordering bees, installing a hive, the basics of equipment, pest control, and much more. Classes are kept small, so be sure to register in advance.
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Maple Sugar Tours
Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Cornwall
Saturdays and Sundays through March 14
The end of the winter season brings up a ton of sappy feelings. It’s maple sugaring time in the Hudson Valley! Visit the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum and learn how to identify sugar maple trees and tap them, then discover techniques used by Native Americans and some of the region’s earliest pioneers. Seeing an evaporator in action is a special treat. Register for a spot on these tours online, for only $10 per non-museum member.
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Winter Weekends at Storm King Art Center
Storm King Art Center, New Windsor
Saturdays and Sundays through March 21
Storm King Art Center is a unique outdoor experience in the Hudson Valley during any season, but especially in the winter time. Covered in a blanket of snow, the grounds transform completely. Whether you are a photographer searching local inspiration, or an avid hiker looking for unique scenery, Storm King offers a special time. Register online for advanced tickets, and snack on delicious, warm eats from a food truck 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
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Hudson Valley Farm and Flea Market
Motorcyclepedia Museum, Newburgh
March 20, 10 a.m.
Discover the very best of Orange County’s farm-fresh foods, home and garden services, mixologists, jewelry, art, bath and body, vintage collectors, and more at the eclectic Hudson Valley Farm and Flea Market. Housed in Newburgh’s Motorcyclepedia Museum, the market invites locals to shop vintage and hand-crafted good while listening to the sweet sounds of local musicians. If you want to check out the unique venue and bikes as old as 1897 ahead of time, the Motorcyclepedia Museum is having late-night hours on Thursdays throughout the month.
Putnam County
Read up on Putnam County Tourism Director Tracey L. Walsh’s picks for things to do this month.
“Driven to Abstraction” Online Art Exhibit
Tompkins Corners Cultural Center, Putnam Valley
Opens March 1
Abstract art can be one of the most intriguing and controversial developments in the art world. This invitational exhibit at the Tompkins Corners Cultural Center celebrates the unique challenges presented to artists tackling the abstract. Many professional creatives from the Hudson Valley are featured in this online scrollable gallery. Viewers can vote on their favorite, and the winner will receive a “People’s Choice” award.
Photo courtesy of Putnam County Tourism
Traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage
Throughout Putnam County
March 17
You can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the Hudson Valley properly without the delicious Irish staple of corned beef and cabbage. Putnam County classics offering the iconic meal include Fiddlers Green Pub in Carmel, Riverview in Cold Spring, Kelly’s Corner in Brewster, The Carriage House with locations in both Mahopac and Patterson, and McCarthy’s Grill House in Lake Carmel.
Photo courtesy of Putnam County Tourism
Virtual Trivia Night With the Putnam History Museum
Online, Putnam History Museum
March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Calling all local history buffs! How much do you know about the Hudson Valley’s storied past? This virtual trivia night covers the entire region, as well as topics hyper-specific to Putnam County and general areas encompassing all of New York State and beyond. Register online to test your knowledge and compete against others.
Rockland County
Take a browse through Director of Economic Development and Tourism Jeremy Schulman’s picks of the hottest things to do in Rockland County throughout the month.
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Skate at the Bear Mountain Rink
Bear Mountain State Park, Tomkins Cove
All month long
Looking for more family fun outdoors? Skate at the Hudson Valley’s largest open-air rink, weather permitting, on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and weekends (see website for schedule). Pricing is affordable: adults pay $5 to skate, parking is $10 on weekends and holidays, and skate rental is $5 per pair. The rink operates at 50-percent capacity. Masks are required, and skaters must keep six feet of distance between others at all times.
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Seven Lakes Station Beer Gardens
Seven Lakes Station, Sloatsburg
All month long
Ever wanted to have a refreshing draft inside a snow globe? Enjoy craft beer and food in your own heated beer garden bubble at Seven Lakes Station. These outdoor dining bubbles can be reserved for up to eight people for a truly unique beer garden experience. Seven Lakes Station pours local coffee stouts, blonde ales, trappists, and more.
Indoor Fun at Palisades Center
Palisades Center, West Nyack
All month long
For those seeking warm indoor fun, the Palisades Center offers many activities with enhanced safety protocols. Space Adventure miniature golf, Palisades Climb Adventure, Autobahn Indoor Speedway, and, of course, a ton of shopping awaits just inside the Hudson Valley center’s doors.
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Suffern Restaurant Week
Suffern restaurants
Sundays – Thursdays, March 14 — 25
Celebrate the many culinary offerings from the Village of Suffern with 2021’s Restaurant Week. Traditional hearty Italian food, savory Indian fare, down-home BBQ, Southern-inspired soul food, and much more is available at the diverse eateries of Rockland County. Make reservations today and take advantage of free parking in the village.
Ulster County
Read up on Ulster County Tourism’s event highlights for March.
Women’s History Month Kingston
Kingston
Throughout March
With a full month of programming, Kingston’s Women’s History Month festivities extend through the city and feature everything from panels and readings to receptions and talks. Visit the program’s Facebook page for the full rundown of happenings, which include a talk titled “Women & Earth” with Sarah Elisabeth and Sally Bermanzohn. Bermanzohn speaks on the Wise Woman Tradition, followed by a cooking demonstration of Root Stew, while Elisabeth discusses Native American Women as Farmers and Leaders in the Eastern Woodlands and demonstrates how to make Three Sisters Stew.
Photo courtesy of Ulster County Tourism
Maple Moon Weekend Activities
Seed Song Farm and Center, Kingston
Saturdays and Sundays
Rekindle your relationship with the land this winter by tapping a maple tree and collecting sap in the Hudson Valley. This educational and cultural experience for all ages runs throughout the month. Live music from the Seed Song Farm-ily Band fuels every weekend. The Atharhacton Maple Project honors the Lenape name for the Kingston area and celebrates the region’s first people and one of their many gifts to future generations: maple sugar.
Virtual Shamrock Run
Throughout Ulster County
March 5 – 17
Join Ulster’s running community online and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a two-mile course. The first 100 runners registered are guaranteed a decorative gaiter shipped to them. Complete your Shamrock Run Race Day on any day between March 5 and St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.
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Sirens and Superstars
Online, Kingston Library
March 20
Sirens and Superstars is a “herstory” showcase that celebrates 70 years of women’s contributions to the American music landscape. Join Rhonda Denét, a vocalist, songwriter and bandleader as she presents her unique interpretations of classic songs from the “Queen of Swing” Mildred Bailey and the Boswell Sisters to ’90s powerhouse hitmakers Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
Westchester County
Discover the hottest happenings according to Westchester County Tourism this month.
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“Dine On Westchester”
Throughout Westchester County
All month long
Due to its proximity to one of the culinary epicenter of the world (New York City) and a region chock-full of diverse farm-fresh ingredients (the Hudson Valley), Westchester turns dining into a top-tier experience. “Dine On Westchester” provides local residents and visitors with a simple way to search the county’s varied eateries by geography and service options. Utilize this new resource to find your next Michelin-level meal.
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“With Every Fiber” at the Pelham Art Center
Pelham Art Center, Pelham
All month long
With Every Fiber presents the work of several artists curated by Anki King. These talented artisans manipulate fibers to communicate emotions and meaning. Eclectic clothing, embroidery, and color patterns run across the walls.
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Celebrate Women’s History Month with Amanda Foreman and the Ascent of Woman
Online, Jay Heritage Center
March 8, 6 p.m.
Join Dr. Amanda Foreman, an award-winning historian and columnist for the Wall Street Journal, as she discusses her documentary The Ascent of Woman as a part of Women’s History Month in the Hudson Valley.