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Head Up the Hudson: 15 Top Things to Do in Hyde Park New York

Vanderbilt Mansion Top Things to do in Hyde Park New York
Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park. credit: Catherine Parker

Located about two hours north of New York City, Hyde Park provides the ideal recipe for the perfect getaway. Starting with a serving of culinary richness, visitors can add a heavy helping of National Park Service sites to explore. Then visitors can add equal parts year-round outdoor recreation and historic home tours. From Spring to Fall, visitors will find a wealth of top things to do in Hyde Park, New York. It is no wonder why the elite made this area their home for generations.

Top Things to Do in Hyde Park New York

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site 

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Olana State Historic Site

Staatsburgh State Historic Site

Clermont State Historic Site

Innisfree Gardens

Walkway Over the Hudson

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum

Richard B. Fisher Center at Bard College

Culinary Institute of America

Stroll Through Rhinebeck

Montgomery Place Market

Eat in Hyde Park

Is Hyde Park Worth Visiting 

I first stumbled into Hyde Park and nearby Rhinebeck nearly 25 years ago, visiting the Culinary Institute of America. I don’t remember what I ate, but I remember I wanted to return. When one of my kids decided to go to the same culinary school, it was an easy yes. On my first visit in years, I wanted to see the most that I could. I did, and I’m here to share.

If you’re looking for a getaway, Hyde Park and the surrounding towns are ripe for the picking. Your kid might have moved to one of the area’s many colleges, like Vassar College, Marist College or Bard College, along with the Culinary Institute of America. If so, you’ll be spending a few weekends in the area during their college years.

As a mom of college kids, I realized they don’t want you hanging around too much after the car is unloaded. So, I find fun stuff to do in between.

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park. credit: Catherine Parker

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

With views of the Hudson River, the Roosevelt estate consists of 1,000 acres, 50 historic buildings, gardens and 34 miles of trails. This is the home of the 32nd and longest-serving president, Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. It also includes the first presidential library. It is one of the top things to do in Hyde Park, New York. 

From the depths of the Great Depression to the New Deal to WWII, Roosevelt was elected president for an unprecedented four terms. The Roosevelts returned to this home often during their tenure in the White House and the home offers an in-depth look at the man before the presidency. 

The estate was originally purchased by James Roosevelt and his first wife. After her death, James Roosevelt remarried Sara Ann Delano, and FDR was born at this home two years later.

During James Roosevelt’s tenure, the estate was expanded by purchasing the adjoining properties and renaming the place Springwood. After graduating from Harvard, FDR married Eleanor Roosevelt, a cousin, and they moved into Springwood with his mother Sara. They had six children.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt is buried in a garden on the property. This is the only property in which a president was born, continued a lifelong relationship and finally buried on-site. 

Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center 

This is the first stop at most National Park Service sites. Named after the Secretary of Agriculture and the Vice President during FDR’s third term, this modern building offers an interpretive film. 

The Home of FDR Tour 

The home known as Springwood was built in 1793 and then renovated in 1850 to add Italianate design elements to its exterior. The Roosevelts expanded the home and added Colonial Revival elements in 1916 to accommodate their growing family. 

To enter the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt House, one must be on a guided tour. Each tour visits 15 rooms in the house across two floors.

The home is large but homey and filled with personal effects from the Roosevelt family. Visitors enter the house via the entrance hall and pass to the largest room, the library. 

The music room was redecorated for the King and Queen of England’s visit in 1939. The monarchs were in the U.S. looking for support in WWII. 

On the second floor, the tour goes through the bedrooms, including FDR’s and Eleanor’s, along with numerous guest rooms. In addition to the King and Queen of England’s overnight stay, other notable guests included Winston Churchill.

Home Tours are $10 per person for those 16 and older and free for those 15 and younger. They are offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and seasonally from May 1 until mid-October.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's office at the FDR Library Top Things to do in Hyde Park New York
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s office in his library. credit: Catherine Parker

The FDR Presidential Library and Museum

The National Archives and Records Administration manages the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, which is located on the same property. In addition to housing documents from the Roosevelt presidency, the FDR Presidential Library includes interpretive displays explaining the turbulent times of his presidency. 

A separate ticket is required to visit the FDR Presidential Library. Tickets are $10 per person for those 16 and older and free for those 15 and younger.

The FDR site is part of the Hyde Park, it connects with the Hyde Park Trails. This system includes 34 miles of trails that connect the three NPS units along with a state park along with city parks.

The Grounds are open seasonally from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. for April 1- August 31. and earlier for the rest of the year. The Visitor Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Located at 114 Estates Lane, Hyde Park, NY. This property adjoins the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site and both can be toured in one day.

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Vanderbilt Mansion
The library in the Vanderbilt Mansion. credit: Catherine Parker

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

The venerable Vanderbilt Family also had a house in Hyde Park. Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt were actually neighbors of FDR, so it is easy to see both homes. It is one of the top things to do in Hyde Park, New York.

This residence was a seasonal home and designed by McKim, Mead, & White. The Vanderbilt’s purchased the property in 1895. George Washington’s physician Dr. Samuel Bard, horticulturist David Hosack and descendants of John Jacob Astor all had owned the property previously.

Originally over 600 acres, now the site is 211 acres and includes frontage along the Hudson River. This Vanderbilt Mansion focused on enjoying the outdoors, especially outdoor games. As opulent as it is, it is still much smaller than other Vanderbilt-built homes like The Biltmore Estate and those in Newport, Rhode Island.

The exterior is an example of Beaux Arts classism, featuring Corinthian columns and three stories. The 54-room mansion has formal rooms on the main floor and includes European furnishings sourced for the house. The property features gardens for fruits and vegetables, along with flowers and areas for growing meat, poultry and dairy.

After Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt’s deaths, the heir donated the mansion to the National Park Service since no buyer could be found. The Vanderbilt Mansion was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1940. 

Things to Do at the Vanderbilt Mansion

The Pavilion Visitor Center 

Originally built for the Vanderbilt’s while the main home was being constructed. After they moved into the mansion, it housed the visiting bachelors. 

This is where most tours start, and it offers an interpretive area. Especially helpful, I found a chart with the extended Vanderbilt Family and the home each constructed. 

Restrooms are located at the Visitor Center. Visitors purchase tour tickets inside. 

Vanderbilt Mansion Tours

The top activity at the Vanderbilt Mansion is touring the private home. The guided tours take visitors through the front door as they enter like a guest to the Vanderbilt home. 

Depending on the ranger, each tour is different, though visitors will learn about the Vanderbilt Family. Details about the home’s construction, along with design features, are also discussed. 

The Vanderbilts took great care in furnishing the home. Many of the priceless antiques were sourced in Europe, and the home includes several throne chairs. 

The tour usually covers about 18 rooms across three floors of the house. This includes taking the servants’ stairs and exploring the working level of the Vanderbilt Mansion. 

Explore the Vanderbilt Gardens

During your visit, tour the formal gardens, known for their Italianate design elements, popular in the Gilded Age. A previous owner, William Bard, originally developed the gardens in 1799. 

The grounds offer extensive trees like oak, maple, beech, hickory and chestnut. However, it offers some specimen trees like ginkgo. The trees are showy during the fall color season.

The gardens are located about 700 feet from the Vanderbilt Mansion. 

Hiking and Walking at Vanderbilt Mansion

Since the Vanderbilt Mansion is part of Hyde Park, it connects with the Hyde Park Trails. This system includes 34 miles of trails that connect the three NPS units along with a state park along with city parks. 

Kids and Pets at Vanderbilt Mansion 

The Junior Ranger program guides families through the park. It’s free and takes about two hours to complete. My kids love the patches the Park Rangers present after completing their booklets. Head to a visitor center for more information and a booklet. 

The Junior Ranger program features two different booklets the Vanderbilt Mansion. The Railroad Explorer and its Vanderbilt Mansion Junior Ranger booklet.

BARK program

The Vanderbilt Mansion welcomes pets as long as they practice the principles of the BARK program.

B–Bag waste and dispose of it in the trash

A–Always leash your dog for their safety and others

R–Respect wildlife

K–Know where you can go

Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds and the trails. Only service animals are allowed in the mansion itself. 

Mansion tours are $10 per person for those 16 and older and free for those 15 and younger. They are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and seasonally from May 1 until mid-October and first-come, first-served.

The Grounds are open seasonally from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Pavilion Visitor Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

81 Vanderbilt Park Rd, Hyde Park, NY. This property adjoins the FDR National Historic Site, which can be toured in one day. 

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 Val Kill Cottage at the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site.
The Val Kill Cottage at the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. credit: Catherine Parker

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site 

As FDR’s First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt was influential in the 20th century. She wrote a syndicated column and traveled extensively promoting human rights.

This property is located close to the main FDR site but is a separate property, and Eleanor owned it. Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site is the only National Park Service site dedicated to a U.S. First Lady.

The property includes extensive grounds with a creek, a cutting garden, an original inground pool and outbuildings used by Eleanor Roosevelt. The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site features a small theater with an interpretive film.

Park Rangers offers tours of the first floor of her house, Val Kill, which includes many personal photos. To tour the house, you must get a ticket, which is first come, first served at the visitor center. On my recent visit, I toured the house and saw her personal effects, like Franciscan china on the table.

Located at 106 Valkill Park Rd, Hyde Park. The Visitor Center is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The grounds are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer season. The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site is open from mid-May until October.

Minnewaska Lake Top Things to do in Hyde Park New York
Minnewaska State Park Preserve features a lake, hiking and waterfalls. credit: Catherine Parker

Minnewaska State Park Preserve 

The 22,275-acre Minnewaska State Park Preserve is home to Lake Minnewaska. It is on the Shawangunk Ridge, or the Gunks, 2,000 feet above sea level and part of the Appalachian Mountains.   

During the summer, Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting offer guarded swimming beaches surrounded by forests. During the fall, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is the place for fall colors. 

In addition to enjoying Lake Minnewaska, visitors often take the .2-mile Awosting Falls Connector Trail to the 60-foot Awosting Falls. Additional Bogerman Falls, Rainbow Falls and Stony Kill Falls are located in the Minnewaska State Park. 

Minnewaska State Park features 35 miles of carriage roads used for biking and hiking trails and 50 miles of hiking trails. Rock climbing is popular in the park as well. 

Camping is available at the tent-only Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground. 

Located at 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY Opens at 9:00 a.m. with seasonal closing hours. Parking is $10 per car. It is west of New Paltz in Ulster County so visitors will need to cross the Mid-Hudson Bridge to get there.

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Home of Frederic Edwin Church, part of the Hudson River School credit: Catherine Parker

Olana State Historic Site

Another historic home to explore in the Hudson Valley is the home of Frederic Edwin Church, one of the major figures in the Hudson River School of landscape painting. This was Frederic and his wife Isabel’s primary home, and they raised four kids on the property.

In addition to being an accomplished artist, Church traveled the world as evident in his house. Designed with Calvert Vaux, who worked with Frederic Law Olmstead, Church melded different influences into an Orientalist-style home. Using Victorian, Persian and Moorish elements, the building’s architecture is set off by its warm color palette. 

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965, it is one of the few artist-owned and designed estates that remained intact. The property overlooks the Hudson River and offers views of the Catskill Mountains to the west. 

Located at 5720 NY-9G, Hudson, it is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (or sunset). The grounds are free to enjoy. However, a tour ticket is required to tour the home. Prices start at $12 for adults (kids 16 and younger enter for free), and there are several different tours. Reservations are required. 

Staatsburgh State Historic Site 

This site preserves the house of  Ogden Mills & Ruth Livingston Mills. Old house lovers can tour their Beaux-Arts mansion, designed by McKim, Mead, and White (who designed the Vanderbilt Mansion after this project). Overlooking the Hudson River, this statuesque home is another of the Gilded Age Mansions of the area. 

This home was one of five homes they owned, and they used it primarily in the fall. Ruth Livingston Mills loved to entertain, and this home played heavily into that. 

The interior offers gilded furniture, silks over the windows and oil portraits hanging from the wood paneling, hallmarks of the great homes of the day. The public rooms meld European romanticism, backed by the deep pockets of the American Industrialists. 

Visitors will find tapestries from Europe and cherubs painted on the ceiling. For all the old-world antiques, this home featured the latest in plumbing and electrical.  

Located at 75 Mills Mansion Drive, Road #1, Staatsburg. Open year-round, Thursday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Closed for November 1 until Thanksgiving for holiday decorating. Home tours are by reservation and cost $10 for adults, students are $8 and kids 12 and younger are free. 

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Clermont State Historic Site

As the former estate of the Livingston family, seven generations of the notable family lived on the land. The Georgian home was built in about 1740. 

Robert Livingston was involved in crafting the Declaration of Independence. For that reason, the estate was burned by British forces in 1777.

Rebuilt between 1779 and 1782, the house remained in the family. It was donated to New York State in 1962 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972.

Located at 1 Clermont Ave, Germantown. Gardens are open year-round from 8:30 a.m. to sunset. The visitor center is open year-round from Friday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Thursday through Sunday during the summer). Home tours are offered during the summer Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the hour. Parking fee is $5. Home tours are $7 for adults and kids (12 and younger) enter for free. 

Innisfree Gardens 

Perched around Tyrell Lake, Innisfree Gardens is a 185-acre site that fuses Asian design principles with North American plant selections using stacked stone terraces, steps and water features. It was the country residence of Walter and Marion Beck, and landscape architect Lester Collins, Dean of the Landscape Architecture program at Harvard University, worked on Innisfree Gardens for 55 years. 

Located at 362 Tyrrel Road, Millbrook. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Free to enter. 

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Walkway over the Hudson Top Things to do in Hyde Park New York
The Walkway over the Hudson is a former railroad bridge. credit: Catherine Parker

Walkway Over the Hudson

This steel cantilever bridge, 1.28 miles long, spans the Hudson River and was originally used for trains. Now, it is a pedestrian bridge connecting the towns of Poughkeepsie and Highland. Known as the world’s longest pedestrian bridge, it offers sweeping views of the Hudson Valley. 

During my visit, I walked from the west side of the river. It takes less time to reach the center point of the bridge from this side.

Open from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year. Westside parking lot is at 87 Haviland Road, Highland. Eastside parking lots is at 61 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie. There is an elevator on the east side. It is free to enter. 

1929 biplane at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome offers 1929 biplane rides. credit: Catherine Parker

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum 

Dedicated to aviation of the Pioneer Era, World War I and the Golden Age of Aviation between the World Wars, visitors can tour its aircraft, many still airworthy. However, most visitors come for the popular weekend airshows. The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum also offers biplane rides during the week. 

From mid-June to mid-October, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum showcases 15 to 20 flying antiques. Saturday’s show is dedicated to the History of Flight. Sunday’s air show is the WWI dog fight spectacular. Adult (18+) admission is $35 and kids (6 – 17) get in for $16 with those 5 and younger entering for free. 

Biplane rides are a must for aviation enthusiasts. This is your chance to be a barnstormer. I did it, and it was exhilarating. 

Located at 9 Norton Rd, Red Hook. Reservations are required along with two passengers, and up to 4 can fit into the open-air cockpit. The 15-minute Biplane rides take off during the week and cost $150 per passenger. 

Richard B. Fisher Center at Bard College 

The Richard R. Fisher Center, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, is located at Bard College. In Gehry’s signature titanium sheathing, this intimate performance center resembles Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles. 

The Fisher Center offers a full lineup of performances, from theater and dance productions to opera and orchestra performances. It also hosts engaging speaker series. 

Located on Manor Ave. on the Bard College campus, Annandale-On-Hudson. Admission is required to performances though it is easy to drive by and see the building. 

The Culinary Institute of America Top Things to do in Hyde Park New York
The Culinary Institute of America is located in Hyde Park and features several restaurants. credit: Catherine Parker

Culinary Institute of America

As the premier culinary school in the U.S., one of the best places to eat in Hyde Park is the Culinary Institute of America. It offers several restaurants, each serving a different seasonal menu.

As student-run restaurants, the service is attentive. All the entrees are student-prepared, under the watchful eye of the kitchen’s chef instructor. 

In fact, one of the CIA students might be my son. He is a culinary student. I have eaten at several of the restaurants, and I recommend each. However, reservations are a must, and the school does close for a few weeks in August and December, along with one week in April.

American Bounty Restaurant

The CIA’s farm-to-table restaurant features New American cuisine. Foodies can request a table overlooking the kitchen.

The Parker House rolls are exceptional. The beer is brewed at CIA. And save room for dessert. 

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for lunch and 6 – 8:30 p.m. for dinner.

The Bocuse Restaurant

Named after the culinary legend Paul Bocuse, this restaurant focuses on re-imagined French cuisine. The menu and execution is the most refined at Bocuse. 

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for lunch and 6 – 8:30 p.m. for dinner.  

Ristorante Caterina de Medici

Named after the Florentine noblewoman of the de Medici family, Caterina de Medici features a regional Italian menu. Items include wood-fired pizzas, calzones, and pasta dishes. 

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for lunch and 6 – 8:30 p.m. for dinner.  

Apple Pie Bakery and Cafe

The breakfast and lunch spot on the CIA campus. It offers barista-made coffee drinks and baked goods made in-house by the CIA pastry students. 

Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Lunch is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The CIA offers a one-hour public tour at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. All restaurants are located on the CIA campus at 1946 Campus Dr., Hyde Park. The restaurants follow a student calendar, so they are closed from mid-December to the end of the year and the month of August. 

Rhinebeck

Montgomery Place Orchard Market
Montgomery Place Orchard Market sells local produce and locally made products. credit: Catherine Parker

Montgomery Place Market

This roadside produce stand is a quaint pit stop and stocked with the bounty of the Hudson Valley. It is one of the best places for local foodie gifts and the best place to buy fruit for picnicking and snacking.

Located at 4283 NY-9G, Red Hook. Open seasonally Wednesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Where to Eat in Hyde Park

 

Shadows on the Hudson 

Overlooking the Hudson River, the Shadows on the Hudson offers an expansive outdoor seating area. Forty feet over the river below, Shadows on the Hudson is also a popular happy hour spot, especially with its Wine Spectator award-winning wine list. 

Shadows on the Hudson features a New American menu, with stand-outs like its Burrata with local in-season tomatoes and its clam pot with Littlenecks and garlic roasted mashed potatoes. Its raw bar features many seafood options from New England

Entrees range from its house-made pasta and beef options like the Porterhouse or the NY Strip. For a bit of decadence, the Maine Lobster is the go-to (and pair it with the truffle fries). 

The dessert menu is worth saving a bit of room. Shadows on the Hudson serves artfully created desserts that are both delicious and beautiful. 

The Sunday Brunch Menu is a prix fixe menu and features a carving station. 

Located at 176 Rinaldi Blvd., Poughkeepsie. Open Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sunday 10;30 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

Tivoli Hotel
Burrata on the patio at The Corner at Hotel Tivoli. credit: Catherine Parker

The Corner at Hotel Tivoli 

In a 100-year-old building, diners can enjoy a farm-to-table meal al fresco on its front porch or inside in its art-forward eclectic dining room. Its menu features the bounty of the region with fresh versions of Mediterranean classics, like Burrata or Hummus. 

Its menu changes with the season, and during my visit, I ordered The Corner’s Hanger Steak. It was accompanied by a grilled caesar and boquerones along with shishito peppers. 

For those interested in a drink at its luxurious marble bar, a special bar menu is available. It is the perfect accompaniment to The Corner’s wine-by-the-glass list, local beer and artisan cocktails. 

Located at 53 Broadway, Tivoli. Open Thursday to Monday from 5:30 – 9 p.m. and Sunday Brunch from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 

The Amsterdam

In an old house, The Amsterdam offers a menu of New American classics, starting with house-made charcuterie and a rich selection of cheese, most from New York. 

Entrees range from Roasted Duck Breast or Chicken, both offering crisped skins paired with tender meat. House-made pappardelle, pork tenderloin along with Salmon and a NY Strip round out the options. During my visit, truffle fries were on the menu and delectable.

Located at 6380 Mill St., Rhinebeck. Open nightly from 5 – 9 p.m., brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Terrapin Restaurant

Inside a 200-year-old church, this farm-to-table restaurant offers a farm-to-table experience with indoor or outdoor patio seating. Its Red Bistro offers a lunch menu focused on burgers and sandwiches, including local Hudson Valley Cattle Company Hamburger. 

For my visit, I chose the Terrapin Rueben, one of its specialties, on rye with melted Swiss and Pastrami. It also offers lots of appetizers and tapas. 

For its dinner menu (reservations recommended), Terrapin offers entrees that are free-range and grass or grain-fed. Diners will find pasta on the menu along with soups, salads and fish entrees. 

Located at 6426 Montgomery St., Rhinebeck. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to midnight (11 p.m. on Sunday). 

Main Course Catering and Marketplace

This popular lunch spot is perfect for take-out lunches from trips to Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Its menu offers salads and panini sandwiches as well as barista-made drinks and tea infusions.

Main Course Catering and Marketplace sells wine and craft beer. On Sundays, it offers a Brunch Menu. 

Located at 175 Main St., New Paltz on the west side of the Hudson River. Open Tuesday to Thursday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Closed Monday.

Eveready Diner 

New York City isn’t the only place known for its chrome-plated diners that resemble railroad dining cars from the 1950s, Hyde Park features one. Inside, diners will find booth seating and an extensive menu, including breakfast served all day. 

The Eveready Diner still sports a soda fountain and churns out the ice cream treats. Its pies and cakes are made in-house. During my visit, I sampled its Hudson Salad, with apples from its orchard. Diners will find all the American food classics, from New York deli sandwiches to hamburgers and dinner classics. 

Located at 4184 Albany Post Rd., Hyde Park. Open daily from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. 

Bread Alone Bakery 

Inside this modern bakery, visitors will find a host of breads made with organic flour. In addition, Bread Alone is a popular breakfast spot and serves barista-made coffee drinks along with other pastries. 

Located at 45 E Market St., Rhinebeck. Open daily from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Harney & Sons 

For a tea drinker, Harney & Sons Tea makes me swoon, so I was delighted to hear that it is blended in New York’s Millerton. The factory is not open for tours, though I ventured out to the Harney & Sons Tea Shop and Tasting Room.

It’s a small thorough shop stocked with the majority of the Harney & Sons Teas in their tins. Along with tea, find niceties like tea serve ware. There’s even a cafe in the back of the store with an excellent lunch along with a patio.

Located at 13 Main St., Millerton. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Samuel’s Sweet Shop

This is the destination for old-school candy. As a bonus, it sells barista-made coffee. Owners include Hilarie Burton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Paul Rudd and his wife Julie along with Andy Ostroy. 

Located at 42 E. Market St, Rhinebeck. Open Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. 

Fortune’s Ice Cream 

For a freshly made cup or cone of ice cream, Fortune’s in Tivoli is the answer. During my visit, I mixed its cherry ice cream with chocolate. Divine.

Located at 55 Broadway, Tivoli, NY. Open seasonally from Thursday to Monday from noon to 10 p.m. 

Where to Stay 

Hyatt Place Poughkeepsie

Located along the major thoroughfare Route 9, the Hyatt Place in Poughkeepsie offers suite-style rooms close to attractions along the Hudson River, like the Walkway over the Hudson—the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge—historic homes and several colleges, including Vassar College, Marist College and the Culinary Institute of America. 

The lobby offers an expansive gathering place, a dining and lounging area with light meal options, including cocktails (additional cost) and a complimentary hot breakfast. The Hyatt Place Poughkeepsie also offers an outdoor dining and lounging space.

The Hyatt Place Poughkeepsie offers an indoor pool and a fitness center. The hotel parking lot offers charging for EV owners.

The rooms at the Hyatt Place Poughkeepsie are suite-style and include a mini-fridge and a settee. The furniture allows for in-room dining and remote working.

The comfortable beds are dressed with white linens and include mounted bedside lights. The bathroom includes a glass-enclosed shower with a marble surround, along with a separate vanity area with a stone countertop and lots of light. 

With its convenient location, visitors can enjoy the sites of the Hudson Valley, like the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Franklin D. Roosevelt House, both National Park Service sites. 

Catherine Parker has a passion for travel and seen all 50 U.S. States. As a former flight attendant with one of the largest airlines, there isn't a North American airport that she hasn't landed in at least once. Since clipping her professional wings after 9/11, she combines her love of the open road with visiting architectural and cultural icons. She is based out of Central Texas dividing her time between writing and restoring a pair of 100-year-old houses. She shares her life with her three kids and her husband.

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