Just 90 minutes north of New York City, the heart of the Hudson Valley is the place to be for unforgettable outdoor experiences in Dutchess County. Reconnect as a family through engaging activities along the majestic Hudson River.
Pack into the car and enjoy a double-feature at Four Brothers Drive-In, a retro wonderland. Have delicious fare from “The Grand Shack” delivered right to your vehicle, play a round of mini-golf and explore the delightful playground with the kids. Then, spend a night under the stars in Hotel Caravana, a vintage airstream camper onsite.
Take a leisurely stroll across the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, the world’s longest pedestrian bridge. Discover the routes of famous explorers and catch a glimpse of native wildlife.
Cheer on the Hudson Valley Renegades, the official Minor League affiliate of the New York Yankees, at Dutchess Stadium. Summer nights bring fireworks, live music and plenty of games in between innings. Plus, get a photo with Rascal the raccoon and other characters roaming “The Dutch”. Local beer on tap, burgers and dogs fresh off the grill and other specialties make for an excellent day of baseball.
In addition, Dutchess is the perfect place to connect with nature. Rail trails, national parks and beautiful beginner-friendly hikes provide opportunities to bond as a family in the great outdoors. Kayak or take a ferry to the castle ruins of Bannerman Island in the middle of the Hudson or spend the day picnicking at Long Dock Park in Beacon.
The region is also home to many quaint farms with fun-filled activities, animals and more. Spend time with adorable goats before picking blueberries, blackberries and other seasonal fruits and vegetables by hand at Greig Farm. Hang out with people-loving alpacas and llamas at Clover Brooke Farm or Lilymore Farm. Children adore the aerial obstacle course, corn maze and treetop zip lines at Barton Orchards in Poughquag, and young ones of all abilities and needs will surely have a blast at Julie’s Jungle, an accessible playground in East Fishkill. Of course, no visit is complete without a cone or sundae at Zoe’s Ice Cream Barn, featuring local dairy.
History buffs have so much to discover here. Walk the grounds of Gilded Age mansions belonging to the Vanderbilts and Mills families or visit the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome to watch WWI biplanes soar over Rhinebeck. Developing minds can engage with the sciences through interactive exhibits at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum.
Dutchess County even has its own waterpark, SplashDown Beach. Tackle thrilling slides and rides like the Humunga Half-pipe, Arctic Mammoth and the Bullet Bowl, or relax with kid-friendly lazy rivers, wave pools and pirate ships. There’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
It’s time to have fun again together. Plan your next family outing to Dutchess County, accessible by car, plane or train—with several Metro-North and Amtrak stops throughout the county.
Plan your Hudson Valley getaway at DutchessTourism.com
