Taconic

Driving Time from Poughkeepsie: 2 hours 20 minutes
Weekend Rates: from $399 per night
www.taconichotel.com  

You know that a hotel takes fall foliage more seriously than it does itself when its Do Not Disturb signs advise would-be knockers to “Leaf Me Alone.” A contemporary take on New England’s grand historic inns, Taconic, a new boutique property from the Kimpton collection, boasts friendly, laid-back charm along with views of the Green and Taconic Mountain ranges. And its location in one of our favorite little Rockwellian towns couldn’t be more perfect for a fall getaway. 

Situated on picturesque Main Street, close to boutiques, eateries, golf, and even outlet shopping (if you can tear yourself away from the dazzling scenery), the Federal-style inn, with its inviting wraparound porch, is perfectly situated to experience a variety of seasonal outdoor activities, including leaf peeping. And a stay here includes curated hiking itineraries, bicycles for loan, and hand-carved walking sticks in each room. 

Taconic also enthusiastically welcomes pets (who stay at no additional charge) because what’s a ramble through the technicolor countryside without one’s furry family member? Your four-legged friends are even welcome on the porch at Copper Grouse, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, which delights with a regionally inspired menu featuring the bounty of local farms and orchards and authentic Vermont maple syrup.

Scenic Spots 

	The Equinox Preserve offers trails for all levels. Only have an hour? Hike the Pond Loop. All day? Head up the Blue Summit Trail to the top.
	Revel in the scenery along Route 30 to the stunning Dorset Quarry, where fall colors are breathtakingly reflected in the water.
	Seriously, the town is one big photo op. But Robert Todd Lincoln’s nearby estate, the 412-acre Hildene, offers astonishing vistas of the foliage-covered countryside.

Must Do 

Guests who book an excursion with photographer Les Jorgensen are treated to the best under-the-radar photo-op spots, plus tips on capturing the season in all its glory. Or, simply relax on the old-fashioned porch and create your own masterpieces in the coloring books of iconic local spots, provided by the local arts center.