Recreation

There’s something to excite every family member. Return to simpler times at a farm, visit a zoo, thrill to air shows at an antique plane museum or take in a minor league baseball game. Ride a real horse, learn about wildlife or attend a festival - all will become great memories for the kids.

Link to Biking Information, Tours, and Resources

Blue Sky Balloons
Description: Hot air balloon rides. $225 per person.
Location: 99 Teller Ave., Beacon.
Hours: Apr.-Oct., sunrise-sunset.
Contact: 888/999-2461
URL: BlueSkyBalloons.com
Codes: R required

Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary
Description: 640 acres of diverse habitats with rolling and open grasslands. Six miles of trails, over 80 species of birds have been observed on a “birdy” May day including Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, Bobolinks, Golden-winged and Lawrence’s Warblers.
Location: Rt. 82, Stanfordville.
Hours: Dawn-dusk.
Contact: 518/325-5203
URL: NYAudubon.org
Codes: D, G

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Description: A not-for-profit scientific research center offering Thursday science seminars (Sept.-May), public education programs and lectures, nature trails, fern glen, and a children's summer ecology camp.
Location: 2801 Sharon Turnpike, Rt 44, Millbrook.
Hours: Apr.-Oct. Trails open sunrise to sunset, internal roadway gates open at 8:30 am. Gates close at 7 pm
Contact: 845/677-5343
URL: CaryInstitute.org
Codes: F, G, H

Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Description: Hosts agricultural exhibits, carnivals, commercial exhibits, expos and sales, food concessions, entertainment, craft fairs, flea market, Sheep & wool family festival.
Location: Rt. 9, Rhinebeck.
Contact: 845/876-4000
URL: DutchessFair.com
Codes: A, G, H

Dutchess Stadium
Description: Home of the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Class A minor league baseball club affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. 38 home games a season, special promotional days, amazing fireworks shows, discounted group rates (15+).
Location: Rt. 9D, Fishkill.
Hours: June-Sept.
Contact: 845/838-0094
URL: HVRenegades.com or twitter.com/hvrenegades
Codes: A, G, H

Mid-Hudson Civic Center-McCann Ice Arena
Description: Multi-purpose recreation, entertainment, convention center with programs ranging from concerts to trade shows. NHL quality ice arena, private rentals, programs and leagues.
Location: 14 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie.
Contact: 845/454-5800
URL: MidHudsonCivicCenter.com
Codes: A, H

Midway Go-Carts & Driving Range
Description: Go-carts, miniature golf, 250-yd. driving range, batting cages. $5.
Location: 21 Finkle Rd., Pine Plains.
Hours: May-Oct., 11am-7pm.
Contact: 518/789-3176

Overlook Golf & Recreation Center
Description: Golf driving range, 18-hole miniature golf course, 10 lighted baseball/softball batting cages, and go-cart track..
Location: 39 DeGarmo Rd., Poughkeepsie.
Hours: Mid-Mar.-Nov., 9am-9pm.
Contact: 845/471-8515
Codes: A, G
URL: OverlookGolfCenter.com

Ralph T. Waterman Bird Club
Description: Join neighbors who share a passion for wild birds! Field trips to local birding hot spots, evening nature programs, and all day bird counts.
Location: Dutchess County
Contact: 845/462-5105 or e-mail on website.
URL: WatermanBirdClub.org
Codes: D

Rhinebeck Tennis Club
Description: Play tennis year-round on five Har-Tru outdoor clay courts or the indoor Claytech tennis court. The soft surface court is the first of its kind indoors in the US. Personalized tennis programs. Pro Shop with on-site stringing and demo rackets.
Location: 2 Salisbury Court, Rhinebeck
Contact: 845-876-8008
URL: www.RhinebeckTennis.com
Hours: Daily 9am - 9pm
Codes: A, H, R

Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
Description: 1000+-acre center and working farm with natural history, ecology and farming programs for teachers, youth and conservation groups year round. Programs for individuals and families, seasonal festivals. Trails and grounds sunrise to sunset for hiking, fishing, birding and snowshoeing.
Location: Rt. 9D, Wappingers Falls.
Hours: Weekdays, 8:45am-4:30pm; Sat., 9:30am-4:30pm; Sun., (April-June, Sept.- Oct) 1-4:30pm.
Contact: 845/831-8780
URL: www.DEC.ny.gov/education/1833.html
Codes: D, G, H

Taconic Tennis
Description: Full featured tennis club offering year round play on 4 indoor and 7 outdoor courts; instruction, league play, social mixers, clinics and private lessons; there is something for everyone at all abilities.
Location:190 Old Sylvan Lake Rd., Hopewell Junction
Hours: Weekdays 7am-10pm; Weekends 7am-8pm
Contact: 845-226-8485
URL: www.TaconicTennis.com
Codes: A, R

Wing's Castle
Description: A Hudson River stone castle constructed by artist/owners Peter and Toni Wing, using salvaged materials from antique buildings.
Hours: May 31-Sept. 1, Wed.-Sun.; Sept.-Dec.20, weekends only.
Location: 717 Bangall Rd., Millbrook.
Contact: 845/677-9085
URL: DupontCastle.com/Castles
Codes: A, G, T