Hudson Valley Attractions
Nearby are historical estates along the Hudson River. The charming villages of Red Hook, Rhinebeck and Tivoli offer many choices for restaurants and shopping. The Richard B. Fisher Center on the grounds of Bard College is only a 15 minute drive as are the nearby villages.
- Olana State Historic Site Olana is the Persian-style home and picturesque landscape created by Frederic Edwin Church, (1826-1900) one of the most renowned American artists of the Hudson River School. Begun in 1870, the stone, brick and polychromed stenciled castle-like structure took two years to build and four years to decorate. Church designed his house both as a work of art and as a home for his family. His architectural approach paralleled the way that he planned a work of art: first making pencil sketches followed by more finished color sketches. Finally, instead of painting this work of art, he built it. The interior rooms are intact and are furnished with an eclectic mixture reflecting Church's aesthetic sense, inherited furniture, objects indicative of Church's interest in the history of civilization, and paintings by the artist and his friends.
- Kayak Rentals: Kayaking and sailboat lessons are available on the Hudson River
during the summer months. And there is downhill skiing at Bellayre
and Hunter Mountains during the winter.
- Vanderbilt Mansion, Route 9, Hyde Park, NY 12538, (845)229-9115
- FDR Home and Presidential Library & Museum: Springwood, Route 9, Hyde Park, NY 12538, (845)229-2501
The lifelong home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the estate, called Springwood, was the nucleus of his life and career. During his tenure first as Governor of New York and then as President, FDR traveled over 200 times to Springwood for escape and temporary respite. Springwood was haven and political headquarters and served as host to dignitaries, kings & queens and common folk alike.
- Wilderstein, Morton Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, (845)876-4818
The original Italinate villa, built in the 1850's and designed by John Warren Ritch, was remodeled and enlarged in 1888. Poughkeepsie architect Amout Cannon transformed the two story villa into an elaborate Queen Anne style country house. The home soared upward with the addition of a third floor, multi-gabled attic and a dramatic five story circular tower with a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.
During this transformation, the interiors were designed by the New York City decorator Joseph Burr Tiffany. With the ground floor rooms executed in contrasting historic revival and aesthetic movement styles, the interiors at Wilderstein offer a splendid microcosm of the decorative arts during this period of American Design.
- Montgomery Place, River Road, Annandale, NY 12504, (845)758-5461
Montgomery Place is one of the most significant and meticulously preserved country estates in America. Set amidst 434 acres of rolling lawns, woodlands and glorious gardens, the estate includes the mansion designed by AJ Davis, America's greatest mid-19th century architect.
The estate was originally created by Janet Livingston Montgomery, widow of Revolutionary War hero General Richard Montgomery in 1804 and built in the Federal style. During the next fifty years, her descendants were responsible for the estate's reputation as one of the most beautiful in the nation. They were assisted by two of the most important designers in the country, landscape designer Andrew Jackson Downing and architect Alexander Jackson Davis.
- Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, 42 Stone Church Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, (845)758-8610
For great family fun, there are few places in the Hudson Valley to compare with Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome on a summer weekend afternoon. Grab a snow cone or box of pop corn, elbow you way into the bleachers and sit back and enjoy an antique airplane air show and "Perils of Pauline" ground show. Poor Pauline and Dudley do battle with the Evil Baron as planes zoom and parade overhead.
Besides the abduction of Pauline and her rescue and ultimate demise of the Evil Baron, what you'll be watching is a succession of historic antique airplanes from the early era of aviation. They noisily taxi and take off, swoop overhead in mock dog fights and amaze with feats of gut-wrenching twists and flips. Engines sputter and cut off, then restart and save the pilots from certain crashes. World War One era biplanes play tag with floating targets and groups of single wing planes race around overhead.
- Culinary Institute of America, 433 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538, (845)452-9600
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