Fast getaways close to home... Pack up the car and head out for the weekend - we've done the planning for you!

You're invited...to the heart of the historic Hudson Valley. And fortunately, you don't have to spend a fortune getting here. Summer's here and its time for that fun, affordable vacation you deserve. You can spend less time planning and more time having fun. We've put together our Top Ten Travel Ideas. You'll find there are activities and attractions for every interest and budget.

To find accommodations, click on Lodging and put our new central reservation and availability service to work! Click on Restaurants to search by town or cuisine.

If you need more information, go to the Visitor Center, and click on Request Publications: Ask for a Travel Guide, Bike Tours, Arts Trail, and the "Happenings" calendar of events.

Having a great time...wish you were here!

Family Fun

Day One
If you think Dutchess County is for the birds, you're right! Each summer weekend, see flying demos by winged wonders at the Hudson Valley Raptor Center-Stanfordville. And, for a birds-eye view of the Hudson Valley, let Blue Sky Balloons-Beacon take you up, up and away on a hot air balloon ride at sunrise or sunset. Visit the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum-Rhinebeck for an open cockpit bi-plane ride before or after weekend airshows. Relax on a blanket and listen to a free concert to end a perfect day. Check out the many Summer Concert Series, from Music in the Parks at the Vanderbilt & Staatsburgh Mansions-Hyde Park, to various municipal parks all summer.

Day Two
At the riverfront Mid-Hudson Children's Museum-Poughkeepsie the exhibits are so much fun, kids won't know they're learning. Get close to nature at the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center-Wappingers Falls, with a working farm, extensive hiking trails and educational programs for families. And what better way to relax after a busy day than with hot dogs and peanuts at the ball game? Take the family to Dutchess Stadium-Fishkill to cheer the Hudson Valley Renegades, our Class-A minor-league team. Catch plenty of promotional nights and enjoy the Friday fireworks!

From the Links to the Footlights

Day One
Golf Dutchess County's sixteen championship golf courses. Whether it's the scenic Silo Ridge Golf Course-Amenia or a links-style course, The Links at Union Vale-Union Vale, there's one to challenge your skills. The fun's not over when the sun goes down. Applaud a play at the Center for Performing Arts-Rhinebeck, The Powerhouse Summer Theater-Vassar College-Poughkeepsie, hear music at the Richard B. Fisher Center for Performing Arts at Bard College-Annandale, or laugh out loud at the Bananas Comedy Club-Poughkeepsie.

Day Two
See how the other half lived at Staatsburgh State Historic Site-Staatsburg, an opulent example of America's great country estates. Their Scarborough Faire Herb Festival is in June, and our online calendar lists hundreds of other fairs and festivals and events this summer. Go north a few miles to Wilderstein-Rhinebeck, the 1888 Queen Anne home of FDR's distant cousin but close companion Daisy Suckley, who gave him his Scottie dog, Fala. The estate overlooks the Hudson River on grounds Calvert Vaux designed in the American Romantic Landscape style, with interiors and windows by J.B. Tiffany. This afternoon enjoy a cruise on the Hudson River aboard the Rip Van Winkle-Kingston.

Our Heritage in Action

Mount Gulian Historic Site

Day One
Explore American history along the Revolutionary War trail. Mount Gulian Historic Site -Fishkill was home to the Verplanck family for many generations and it's the birthplace of our first veterans' organization, the Order of the Cincinnati. Nearby is Van Wyck Homestead Museum-Fishkill, an important Continental Army headquarters. Other museums focus on particular areas such as the Hyde Park Historical Society Museum and Museum of Rhinebeck History. The Clinton Exhibit Center at the Creek Meeting House has changing art exhibits in a former Quaker meetinghouse. One day won't do; you'll need to stay the weekend.

Day Two
Visit the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome-Rhinebeck, to experience antique aircraft and automobiles on display and in action. Weekend air shows are from mid-June to mid-October. From unique collectibles to precious antiques, you'll find everything on your shopping list in Dutchess County. Whether at antique centers, auction houses, huge antique shows, flea markets or specialty shops, bargains are just a tank full of gas away.

Stroll the Museums And Enjoy the Arts

Day One
Expand your mind at Dia: Beacon, the new contemporary art museum. Stroll through 300,000 sq. ft. of exhibits and head to Main St. Beacon. Shop for a one-of-a-kind souvenir at RiverWinds Hudson Valley artisans' co-op. Each Saturday a different Hudson River City hosts a mini arts festival, with galleries, restaurants and shops staying open late. Beacon hosts "Second Saturdays" and Poughkeepsie's third Saturdays are ArtHops. Can't do it all in a day? Stay at a cozy bed and breakfast and finish your trip tomorrow.

Day Two
Begin your day with a visit to the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Vassar College-Poughkeepsie featuring changing exhibits in addition to the permanent collection. Wander through the shops in the Arlington area of Poughkeepsie and eat lunch in nearby bistro. Our Arts Trail brochure lets you plan your own tour of studios, shops and art galleries. See artisans at work and open the door to a rich variety of treasures, from simple gifts to precious keepsakes. View glass being mouth/hand blown at Arnold Larson, Inc.-Poughquag or Gilmor Glassworks-Millerton.

Do Not Disturb

Day One
If your idea of fun is getting away from it all, grab your fishing pole and head to the Hudson River or the many creeks and brooks traversing the county. We have miles of streams, much ideal for fly-fishing, with trout, bass, pickerel and perch. Climb the 90-foot Stissing Mountain Fire Tower-Pine Plains (elevation 1492 feet) to see the far reaches of New York, from Albany to Bear Mountain and the Catskills to Connecticut. Or visit the country's oldest shooting grounds, Orvis Sandanona-Millbrook.

Day Two
Hike our scenic trails, whether it's an overnight trip on the Appalachian Trail, watching birds along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail-Amenia/Millerton or combining poetry and scenic beauty by hiking Poet's Walk Romantic Landscape Park-Red Hook. The Historic Hyde Park Trail links the FDR Home and Museum to the Vanderbilt Mansion. Hiking trails are far from the beaten path, so wear your walking shoes!

Past and Present

Samuel F.B. Morse

Day One
Walk the grounds that kings and commoners have tread for more than three hundred years! All six of our "great estates" have extensive grounds and miles of hiking trails. Discover that Samuel Morse did indeed invent the telegraph, but he was also a painter, photographer and landscaper at Locust Grove, Morse Historic Site-Poughkeepsie. Breathe the delightful scent of flowers from the extensive gardens and learn about the immigrants to our area in the heirloom vegetable garden. Picnic, fly a kite and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Hudson River from Staatsburgh State Historic Site-Staatsburg or Montgomery Place-Annandale. For a hilltop vista of woodlands and church spires, sit on the porch of FDR's private retreat, Top Cottage-Hyde Park.

Day Two
Practice your driving at the Midway Go-Carts-Pine Plains, or Overlook Golf & Recreation Center-Poughkeepsie. Tee off a round of miniature golf and cool off at the waterslide at Splash Down Park-Fishkill. Continue the fun at Fun Central-Wappingers Falls indoor and outdoor recreational facility with miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages arcade, and virtual reality roller coaster. There's plenty of room to play in Dutchess County!

A Bouquet of Bike Tours

Day One
Load up your car and bike your way through Dutchess following one of the six itineraries in our Bike Tour Guide. Wind through the countryside in the heart of the Hudson Valley National Heritage Area. Routes are easy to difficult, with some hills, past wineries and horse farms. Pass through charming villages such as Tivoli, Rhinebeck and Red Hook. See the gilded age mansions of the Vanderbilts-Hyde Park and FDR-Hyde Park, and Montgomery Place-Annandale and Wilderstein-Rhinebeck. All homes are open for tours, and many have panoramic views of the Hudson River. Want to really save gas? Stow your bike on a Shortline/Coach USA motorcoach or a Metro-North bike train and make it a day trip.

Day Two
Explore the botanical gardens and greenhouses of the Institute of Ecosystem Studies (Cary Arboretum) and Innisfree Gardens-Millbrook. Add a little shopping to your experience; visit Webatuck Craft Village-Webatuck with buildings dating back to the 18th century. Shops include artisans creating stained glass, pottery and country furniture. Stop at Millbrook Vineyard and Winery for an afternoon wine tasting and dine in one of Millbrook's fine village eateries.

Family Discovery Days

Western Riding Stables

Day One
Start your adventure with a unique horseback riding experience at Western Riding Stables-Millerton. Then see what a vivid imagination can conjure up at the unique Wing's Castle-Millbrook. An artist built his own stone castle using salvaged materials from demolished buildings and decorated with wood carvings and antiques. At the Millbrook School-Millbrook, the students care for 100 exotic and indigenous animals at the Trevor Zoo, open 365 days a year.

Day Two
The future is now at the Spaceship Discovery Science and Technology Center-Hyde Park. Interactive exhibits teach about science and space. Then see the invention that really started the current information age - the telegraph - at Locust Grove-Poughkeepsie, home of Samuel Morse, as in Morse code. Head south to learn about ponds and plants and the fascinating habits of native creatures at the Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center -Wappingers Falls.

Fresh from the Farm to the Table

Day One
Just a tank full of gas finds you following the signs along the Dutchess Wine Trail. Enjoy tours and tastings of award-winning wines at Clinton Vineyards-Clinton Corners, Millbrook Vineyard and Winery-Millbrook, and Alison Winery-Red Hook. Indulge your appetite and savor fine dining at one of the five restaurants at The Culinary Institute of America-Hyde Park. Reservations are a must; closed 3 weeks in July.

Day Two
From apples to zucchini and anemones to zinnias, Dutchess County farms grow the best Mother Nature offers. Visit Clinton Hollow Herb Farm-Clinton Corners and choose from the many different herbs. Pick-your-own berries and produce in season at Barton Orchards-Poughquag, Keepsake Farm or Kohlmaier Farm Markets-Hopewell Junction. Stop by a farm market at Piggott's Farm or Red Oaks Mill Farm Market-Poughkeepsie or one of the multiple farmers markets in five towns. Plan to return for the apples, pumpkins and harvest festivals. Stop in Adams Fairacre Farm - Poughkeepsie to buy other gourmet foods made in the Hudson Valley, such as pancake mix & syrup, artisan cheeses, salsa, jams and teas.

Where Women Made History - and Holidays!

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Val-Kill

Day One
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Val-Kill-Hyde Park. View the restored home (1945-62) of Eleanor Roosevelt at the only National Historic Site in America dedicated to a First Lady. Her favorite holiday was Christmas. Stop in at Forever Christmas-Hyde Park and shop for unique tree trimmings, perfect gifts and souvenirs of your trip. Head north to Wilderstein-Rhinebeck, an 1888 Queen Anne Victorian, home to three generations of the Suckley family, Roosevelt cousins. Walk through Rhinebeck and browse for antiques and apparel. Have dinner in one of the fine restaurants.

Day Two
It's south to Vassar College-Poughkeepsie, the nation's first college for women, opened in 1861. The campus's grounds are perfect for picnicking, and include a Shakespeare Garden, golf course, and new plays at the Powerhouse Theater in the summer. Stop in at the Smith Metropolitan AME Zion Church-Poughkeepsie. In addition to the historic stained glass windows, this is the site of the first woman ordained a Methodist deacon in America. The oldest building in Dutchess County is circa 1709. Home to a remarkable woman, Madam Brett's Homestead-Beacon recalls her as a successful businesswoman, operating a 28,000-acre mill and farm. Visit Kringle's Christmas House-Beacon for another holiday collectible to remind you of your travels. Browse in the antique stores and art galleries on Main St. Go east to Peale Center for Christian Living-Pawling weekdays. See the exhibit on the life and ministry of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of the ageless "Power of Positive Thinking." Mrs. Peale's influence and work figure prominently in the exhibit.