Fall Harvest Wine, Cheese & Apple Picking Weekends
Jump start the fall season with a day filled with wine, cheese and apple picking aboard the Dutchess County Farm Fresh Tour! During one of the first three weekends in October, you can spend the day exploring Millbrook’s Farmer’s Market, tasting fine wines at Millbrook’s Vineyard and Winery, pick the area’s best apples at Terhune Orchards in Salt Point and make your last stop at Sprout Creek Farm.
From the Poughkeepsie Train Station, a Dutchess County Farm Fresh link shuttle will be your guide for the day, picking you up and taking you to all destinations! After getting on board, the first stop will be to explore the village known for its rolling hills and horse farms, Millbrook! With many gift shops, antique stores and great places to eat, it is sure to have something for everyone. With the tours on Saturday, you will be able to walk around the Millbrook Farmer’s Market which features 20 vendors and all locally-grown products!
Next stop on the tour brings you to one of the Hudson Valley’s best known wineries, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. While on this 130 acre estate, wines are produced with both French and Italian flair! You are welcome to have a picnic lunch on the grounds or take a guided tour and enjoy a tasting at this award-winning winery. (Tasting fee is $6 per person and is in addition to the package price.)
More fall fun follows at Terhune Orchards, in Salt Point, is the next destination, a 70 year old family owned and operated farm! Activities on the grounds include hayrides, pick your own apples or shopping in the farmer’s market. The market serves daily fresh preserves, butters, spreads, pies, donuts, breads and more!
The last stop is at Sprout Creek Farm, best known for its artisanal cheeses, this land provides a model of sustainable agriculture run by a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America. While there you are able to sample the creamery’s creations, all made from the milk heard of grass-fed Jersey, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn and Brown Swiss cows! The shuttle will then bring you back to Poughkeepsie Station, where you can reboard the train back to your return trip home!
For information, including prices, reservations and full schedule, visit
http://farmfresh.dutchesstourism.com
"Walkway Over the Hudson" Bridge On Track
The Walkway Over the Hudson project will transform the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge into the world’s longest elevated pedestrian park. Restoring and transforming the 120-year old national historic treasure has been in the works since 1992. Construction has begun and is slated for completion in September 2009. The projected opening serves as the main attraction of the Quadricentennial., New York State’s 400th Anniversary Celebration of Henry Hudson’s initial voyage up the his river.
When built in 1888, it stood alone as the longest bridge in the world, at 6,767 feet. It was a feat unrivalled in its day, providing, at the height of the Industrial Revolution, a connection between western coal and wheat supplies and eastern markets. During World War II, 3,500 rail cars passed over the structure daily, moving wartime personnel and materials to eastern ports. In 1974, the railroad’s usage was unexpectedly shortened when a fire destroyed 700 feet of rail. The steel structure sat unused for more than a decade, until potential to give new life to this old bridge came about with the plans of a walkway.
The finished Walkway will feature a 1.25 mile long path, with separate sections for walkers, joggers and cyclists. Plans call for light fixtures, benches and shaded areas. Sightseers can enjoy a panoramic view of the Catskill Mountains, while standing 212 feet over the Hudson River. Yes, you'll be looking down onto the nearby Mid-Hudson Bridge! The Walkway is projected to draw 267,000 visitors to the area annually.
Fred Schaeffer, Walkway Over the Hudson president, recently commented on current progress.
“Three weeks ago, the firm removing the old deck completed their work. They were two weeks ahead of schedule. Right after that Harrison & Burrows Bridge Construction, our general contractor, took over the site and prepared it for the next phase—installing the new deck", stated Schaeffer.” See
www.walkway.org
Big Attractions Bring Big Press to Dutchess County
Dutchess County was highlighted in two feature articles this month in well-known, reputable magazines. Town and Country Travel and Small Market Meetings both included articles on what to do, where to stay and where to eat in throughout the county.
Town and Country Travel’s article, "A River Runs Through It', paints a picturesque landscape of the Hudson Valley in the fall months. Bryan Miller, the author, reminisces of his time spent living the in area and his longing to return. The article brings readers on a driving tour of the region, stopping at well known attractions including Blue Sky Balloons in Beacon, the antiques center, Vanderbilt Mansion, and Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, and the shops of downtown Rhinebeck.
The magazine is designed for the sophisticated, well-traveled person who has a strong interest in leisure activities, with a circulation of 987,513. The full article can be found at
www.townandcountrytravelmag.com
Small Market Meetings’ article, City on the Edge: Discover delights in the valley in New York’s Dutchess County, features highlights of why this region is a perfect place to hold regional meetings and small retreats with an outdoor aspect. The new and upcoming parts of Dutchess County are emphasized including the reconfiguring of the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, the construction of the Walkway Over the Hudson, and the continuous waterfront development in Poughkeepsie. As far as sightseeing, the article put into the spotlight the homes of Samuel F.B. Morse and Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, the well known art museum Dia: Beacon and finally, The Culinary Institute of America. The full article is at
smallmarketmeetings.epubxpress.com
Dutchess County was also featured in prominent travel features in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Both large-city, daily newspapers focused on attending classes at The Culinary Institute of America and all of the opportunities to tour and taste at local farms and wineries!
Halloween Attractions
The haunting season starts to count down to Halloween! As families start decorating their homes for Halloween, shop for costumes, and set out to find the perfect pumpkin to crave, for many the expedition is not complete til they check out live Halloween happenings.
Thousands of faithful fright seekers from the tri-state region have made The Haunted Mansion a Halloween season tradition. In its second year is Skull Island Scream Park, and the kids in Stanfordville are once again bringing their creativity to the forefront as they create their own Frankenstein's Fortress!
September 19-November 1
31st Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion
With 31 years of fears and one of the most innovative haunted houses in the country, Broadway designer Kevin McCurdy continues his Halloween tradition of screams and fright! All-new attractions include The Haunted Mansion, Horrorwood Studios, Castle Nocturne, and Nightmare: The Illusion Show. Bowdoin Park, Sheafe Road, Wappingers Falls. Fri.-Sat. 7pm-midnight, $22, Sun. 6pm-9pm, Family Day. $10 kids 11 and under. Columbus Day, Kid’s Day 1pm-4pm, $12/adults $10/kids. Combo ticket Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion and Skull Island $35. Coupon available online. 845/297-BATT.
www.thehauntedmansion.com
September 26-November 1
Skull Island Scream Park
Four haunted attractions guaranteed to make you scream! Themes include the Killer Clown Carnival, Ship Wrecked: a haunted pirate ship, Davey Jones’ Locker 3-D: an underwater adventure, and Zombie Underground: a tour through underground caverns. Fri.-Sat. 7:30pm-11:30pm, Sun 6:30-9:30. $20. Combo ticket to Skull Island and Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion: $35. 10/13 and 10/26: Kid’s Day 12pm-5pm. $10, under 2 Free. Splashdown Beach, 16 Old Rt. 9 West, Fishkill. 845/897-9600.
www.skullislandscreampark.com
September 26-October 31
Frankenstein’s Fortress
Creator Peter Wing of Wing’s Castle, partners with the children of Stanfordville to create this well known Halloween attraction. Discover Frankenstein’s laboratory and trail through an abandoned Victorian mansion, a shipwreck and much more! Fri.-Sat. 6pm-9:30pm, Sun. 6pm-8:30pm. $10, $5 under 10. Creamery Rd., Stanfordville. 845/868-7782.
www.haunteddutchess.org
Whether you are frightened by vengeful grave diggers, ghouls, superstitions, clowns or simply afraid of the dark, these haunted places promises a bloodcurdling surprise for everyone!
Bardavon Season Announced in Poughkeepsie
Throughout the fall and holiday season, come out and enjoy exceptional plays and performances presented at the historic Bardavon Opera 1869 House. This season’s highlights include award-winning artists, inspiring speakers and performers that will have you up and dancing in the aisles!
Autumn’s concert series is highlighted with performances by two great blues women: Grammy nominee Susan Tedeschi (10/11), plus an acoustic evening with Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt (10/12). October also brings gifted trumpeter, Chris Botti (10/18), and Hudson Valley native, the folksinger Ani DiFranco (11/19). The stage comes to life November 16, as "Tango Fire!" journeys through the history of the world’s most alluring and exciting dance. Speaking of hot, best selling author David Sedaris takes to the stage to promote his most recent collection of essays, "When You are Engulfed in Flames" on December 12.
One of the greatest places to celebrate the holiday season this year is at the Bardavon Theatre! The kick-off starts on December 5, with the Celebration of Lights, which features a lively parade down Main Street, the lighting of Poughkeepsie’s Christmas trees, and culminates in a spectacular fireworks display. The classic film "It’s a Wonderful Life" will also be shown in the Theatre during the celebration. The festivities continue December 7, with the performance of the classic, "A Christmas Carol". Finally, The New Paltz Ballet presents an awe-inspiring rendition of a family favorite, The Nutcracker, on December 13th and 14th.
For more Bardavon events and ticket information visit
www.Bardavon.org
or call 845-473-4259, or any TicketMaster outlet.
Millbrook Winery Harvest Season
Millbrook Winery offers a number of exciting events throughout the fall season. They present a great way to explore the beautiful vineyards, enjoy fantastic wine and see the leaves changing.
October brings world renowned chef Peter X. Kelly of Xaviars Restaurant Group to the winery, as the featured chef for the 18th Annual Harvest Party. Kelly operates many of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in New York State, including Xaviars, Restaurant X and Bully Boy Bar. His newest undertaking is X20 Xaviars on the Hudson, in Yonkers. A four-course meal, paired with fine wine is served; call 845/677-8383 for reservations soon.
The month of October also wraps up the great One Day Getaways to Dutchess County, in partnership with Metro-North. The weekends of October 4 & 5 and 18 & 19 are “Fall Harvest: Wine, Cheese & Apple Picking Weekends”. This is a perfect chance for those without transportation to visit the winery; train and bus transportation now make it possible for all. Visit farmfresh.dutchesstourism.com for information.
Finally, the always popular "Art in the Loft" series features two outstanding artists, mixed media painter, Jose Acosta and inspiring photographer, Molly Ahearn. Their works are on display in the winery’s loft until November 16. Visit
MillbrookWine.com
Touring By Car or Bike
Almost 400 years after Henry Hudson first made his way into the valley that bears his name and the area now known as Dutchess County, much still waits to be discovered by modern-day explorers traveling by car or bike . Whether visitors are seeking autumn’s brilliant foliage or opportunities to travel back in time to turning points in American history, Dutchess County offers countless riches that have for centuries inspired artists and writers.
Nearly all of the area’s 800 square miles have been mapped and outlined in user-friendly, self-guided tours that offer something for everyone. The guides can be downloaded or are available from Dutchess County Tourism as one brochure. They clearly indicate all routes and offer corresponding mileage references. Directional signs are posted along roads and trails at key locations.
Scenic and Historic Driving Tours:
http://www.dutchesstourism.com/dtours.asp
While motorists can meander for miles along Dutchess County’s back roads and main thoroughfares, sections of the historic and scenic driving tours also are excellent routes for cycling. Published guides from the Dutchess County Tourism provide detailed maps, describe sightseeing highlights and offer difficulty ratings as well as shorter alternative routes.
Bike Tours can also be downloaded at
http://www.dutchesstourism.com/btours.asp
View or print all of our brochures and travel guides. In some cases two options are available; A PDF version for online viewing, download, and print. A Flash document version is available which is the faster and best choice for online viewing and print.
http://dutchesstourism.com/brochurerack.asp |
