4TH OF JULY IN DUTCHESS
The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, celebrates our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. The Fourth of July is a true American holiday. It kicks off the summer season with the weather turning hot, sizzling barbecues and fireworks. Everyone has their own celebration, and so do we! Join us at Waryas Park, 1 Main Street in Poughkeepsie, as the Quadricentennial festivities continue. Watch the red, white, and blue fireworks bursting in the late night sky over Poughkeepsie, while the J.J. Harvey fireboat keeps watch in the Hudson River beyond. Quadricentennial events are at
www.Dutchess400.com
…the journey continues!
Or, pack the car and head to Rhinebeck, to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds! Celebrate Independence Day at a Demolition Derby on Friday, July 3rd or pack a picnic and enjoy a Hudson Valley Philharmonic concert under the stars on Saturday night, July 4th. Both events are followed by fireworks. Call 845/876-4000 or visit
www.DutchessFair.com
PASSPORT FOR DINING DISCOUNTS
Poughkeepsie offers many fine dining establishments, both overlooking the Hudson River and further up its banks! This summer, enjoy lunch for only $16.09 in honor of the year of Henry Hudson's voyage of discovery. Send for your free "Half Moon Passport to the Quadricentennial". The card lists twenty participating restaurants, all in Poughkeepsie, that are ready to welcome you and a guest for lunch at that special price of $16.09. The offer is good through July 1. This is a joint gift from Dutchess County Tourism and the DC Regional Chamber of Commerce. Discover the Savings! Call 845/463-4000 or download a pdf online here in the
brochure rack
WILDERSTEIN’S “1909” EXHIBIT
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson. Wilderstein in Rhinebeck highlights the1909 Terecentennial celebration.
The “1909” exhibit allows you to step back in time and experience what life was like in the Hudson Valley in the early 1900s. Through photos and mementos, learn about the clothing, decorative arts, books, magazines, household gadgets, and overall lifestyle that connected the residents of Wilderstein to the Hudson River 100 years ago. Many of the featured pieces are on display for the first time ever.
The 1909 Terecentennial was just as large a celebration as this year's Quadricentennial. 1909 was a time of embracing new immigrants, new technologies, and the importance of the scenic and natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley. A major highlight of the 1909 extravaganza was a fleet of ships that sailed up the Hudson River, bringing the celebration to communities between New York City and Cohoes. In towns where they docked, there were parades, speeches by politicians, appearances by actors playing Hudson and Fulton, fireworks displays, and similar festivities. The River Days Flotilla this year runs from June 5-13.
"1909" is on view Thursdays through Sundays, from noon to 4pm until the end of October. Call 845/876-4818 or visit
www.wilderstein.org
FREE FARM FRESH GUIDE LISTS FARMS AND MARKETS AROUND COUNTY
Dutchess County offers plenty of opportunities to feed your body, as well as nurture your mind and soul. Our Farm Fresh Guide directs you to small, individual- and family-owned farms and vineyards. Breathe clean, country air and let the fresh produce and locally made gourmet foods inspire your next menu! Besides, you'll enjoy the drive past rolling hills and horse farms, taking in scenic river views and wondering what's behind that fence or around the next bend.
Visit a Dutchess County farm and see the goats and cows whose milk is made into cheese. Pick seasonal fruits, berries, vegetables and other seasonal produce. Sample the best of nature’s bounty at one of our many farm stands. Take part in a wine tasting and tour. And don’t forget to enjoy mouth-watering culinary creations at our restaurants that incorporate fresh, local ingredients into their dishes. Dutchess County has more than 650 farms encompassing about 20 percent of the county’s total acreage.
Many towns have multi-vendor Farmers' Markets, too. Take a taste of what Dutchess County offers; call 800/443-3131 to request the guide, or download it here. You can also download Scenic & Historic Drive Tours (for cars) &
Bike Tour Guide pdfs from our website on the
Brochure Rack
.
LATIN AMERICAN FESTIVAL
Music fills the air at the Latin American Festival, held on Saturday, July 12, This year, move to the sounds of Conjunto Imagen, Toby Rivera Y Orq, and Soñando. Can't you almost smell the aroma of great food already? It all takes place on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River, at Riverfront Park, near the train station. You can easily walk to the festival if you take the Metro-North train to Beacon! You can view upcoming Latino and community happenings at
www.RMPromotions.net
.
BARD SUMMERSCAPE UNVEILS SPIEGELTENT
Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson provides Dutchess County with high quality unique entertainment this summer, under The Spiegeltent. The what? Well, it’s a glittering, mirrored tent. Upon seeing it for the first time, it immediately signals your brain Circus! Festival! Fun! Performances take place in this pavilion, with a large cabaret and dining area, under beveled mirrors and decorative elements. Coming from Belgium, it's not only a rare experience for the Hudson Valley, but an exceptional one in the United States as a whole!
From Thursday-Sunday for five weekends, July10 -August 23, the Spiegeltent offers a wide variety of entertainment, food, drink and merriment. By day, the Spiegeltent is dedicated to families with circus and magic performances. By night, the tent turns into a hip, hot spot, offering Magic Hat beer and Millbrook wines. Thursday Night Live showcases area talent, and weekends are for the evening cabaret, colorful entertainment with a down town edge. The Wau Wau sisters are back by popular demand on July 17!
For the complete list of events, see
www.bard.edu/fishercenter
or call 845/758-7900. Bard College is located on River Road, off Route 9G. The tent is right across from the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, but trust me, you can't miss it!
SUNSET SENSATIONS AT LOCUST GROVE
Discover the gardens and enjoy the landscaped grounds of Poughkeepsie's Locust Grove Estate when you go to “Sunset Sensations” sampling series, held the second Thursday of each month through November, from 5:30 to 7:30pm.
“Sunset Sensations” provides a chance to enjoy fine wines paired with delicious culinary creations in a historic setting, as the home was once owned by Samuel Morse (yes, the telegraph inventor). Hors d’oeuvres often utilize vegetables picked from their heritage gardens, which were the inspiration for the series. You'll learn a little, too, by watching the cooking demos by the featured chef. Arlington Wines & Liquors' manager Bob Brink hits the right note with informal wine pairing presentations. Take the tour of the impressive heirloom vegetable garden before taking a seat behind the Italianate mansion, as the sun sets over the Hudson River behind you. Then take pleasure in one final sampling and smile with satisfaction!
Tickets are $24 in advance and $26 at the door. For reservations, call 845/845-5400, ext. 17. Locust Grove is a 180-acre National Historic Landmark, museum and nature preserve located at 2683 Route 9 in Poughkeepsie Guided mansion tours are offered 10am to 3pm through December 31 (fee); visit
www.lgny.org
DUTCHESS COUNTY FAIR
Over half a million visitors are expected to make their way to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds this August for the 164th Annual Dutchess County Fair. The second largest county fair in New York State, the 160-acre fairgrounds plays host to thousands of farm animals, agriculture exhibits, and horticulture displays. Starting Tuesday, August 25 and lasting until Sunday, August 30, fair-goers can enjoy entertainment, the Midway rides and games, commercial exhibits, century museum village, a huge food court, plus a wide variety of acts in the Talent Tent, canine tent and grandstand entertainment, fit for the whole family, from 10am-10pm each day.
Also at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds this summer is the Rhinebeck Grand National Super Meet, which features antique motorcycles and machinery, and freestyle motorcycle thrill shows such as the Globe of Death, and an old fashioned carnival motordrome, June 12-14. The Good Guys Rod & Custom Car show moves from its usual September berth to June 26-28. The juried Crafts at Rhinebeck returns June 20 & 21. Don't forget the Demolition Derby July 3 or the Hudson Valley Philharmonic concert, both with fireworks, on July 4; call 845/876-4000 or see
www.DutchessFair.com
SPLASHDOWN BEACH
You don’t have to hibernate in your house this summer to beat the heat. Come take a splash at America’s biggest little water park, Splashdown Beach in Fishkill! The water park is a real refresher during those hot summer days. Drench yourself in the excitement at Splashdown Beach while enjoying water rides, swimming pools, arcades, miniature golf, and bumper cars. All of these attractions at the water park make this a must stop when touring the Hudson River Valley.
Splashdown Beach is designed specifically for families with little children. Have the kids cool off while having fun running from slide to slide, exploring the water maze, swimming in the wave pool, and relaxing in the lazy river. And when you’ve worked up an appetite and a thirst from all this activity, you can enjoy a delicious meal from Splashdown’s full food service and Tiki Bar.
Daily rates from 10am-close are $22.50 for children and seniors, $27.50 for adults. Visit this watery wonderland at 16 Old Route 9 West, Fishkill; visit
www.SplashdownBeach.com
GOLF DUTCHESS!
Enthusiasts are always looking for new tests of their skills, and Dutchess County is just the place. Dutchess golf venues offer a variety of courses with options to suit everyone from the seasoned pro to the enthusiastic beginner. A golf course reminiscent of the Scotland, a links-style course evoking the Emerald Isle, and another that was the exclusive domain of millionaires are just two of the fifteen golf venues that put the unique spin on the sport in Dutchess County. Play a different course each day over an extended week!
The waiting time is shorter here than many courses to the south of us, so you'll spend more time on the greens! Fees are surprisingly moderate and special mid-week rates, junior and senior citizen discounts are most always available. Dutchess County golf venues offer a variety of public courses with options to suit everyone from the seasoned pro to the enthusiastic beginner. See a round up of our many courses on this site's
Golf Page.
TRANSPORTATION LINKS AND PACKAGES
We're trying to make it easier for you to get here, move around Dutchess County and see what all that we have to offer!
The National Park Service and Metro-North offer a free Roosevelt Ride shuttle from the train station in Poughkeepsie, so you can visit the FDR Home, Presidential Library and Museum, and the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Val-Kill; see
www.HistoricHydePark.org
Metro-North One Day Getaways include packages to Segway of the Hudson Valley tours,
Dia: Beacon and the Mid Hudson Children's Museum. There's also a shuttle from Poughkeepsie to the Dutchess County Fair,
www.mta.info
Hungry for farm-fresh experiences and agri-tainment? Family Fun Farm Days discount packages run selected weekends from August 15 through October18. Find out about these one-day getaways, with shuttle transportation included, at
www.DutchessTourism.com
or
http://www.mta.info
The brand new Dutchess County Travel Guide is your best source for historic sites, accommodations, parks, hiking trails, golf courses and more. Call 800/445-3131 for your free “Happenings” summer events calendar, with more than 150 events from now through August 31.
Download pdfs of our publications
Created in 1984, Dutchess County Tourism is a division of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, and both are funded by the County of Dutchess. |
