Fall Foilage in the Hudson Valley
Restaurants, Wineries, Harvest Festivals and Technicolor Scenery
Sep 5, 2007
Any season is a good time to visit the Hudson Valley, but especially in fall, when the mountains glow with the multi-colored splendor of fall foilage, and the weather is ideal for hiking, biking, bird-watching, sailing and more.
Take a hike in Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New Paltz. There's a waterfall that empties into a deep pool for swimming, and just down the road is an area locals call "The Gunks", short for the Shawangunk Mountain ridge that rises dramatically some 2,000 feet above the Hudson River. This is a favorite hang-out of rock climbers, who, literally, hang off the cliff wall on their way up or down.
Go for a sail on the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, a replica of the Dutch vessels that sailed the Hudson River before the Revolutionary War. The Clearwater is operated by the environmental organization founded by folk singer Pete Seeger, who was instrumental in helping stem the tide of pollution that came close to destroying the mighty river.
Rent a kayak from Hudson Valley Outfitters in Cold Spring, where one end of the main street is right at the river, and go for a sunset paddle. When you're done, walk back up Main Street to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in Revolutionary Era buildings that dot the town.
The Hudson Valley is where a previous generation of millionaires with names like Rockefeller and Vanderbuilt built fabulous homes. Take a tour through the art-filled Rockefeller home, Kykuit., and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where you can prowl for the graves of writer Washington Irving, who wrote the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Rip Van Winkle and other stories. Also buried here are and steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie and auto pioneer Walter Chrysler.
This is where is where George Washington established his military headquarters for much of the Revolutionary War. A small fort used during that war now is called the United States Military Academy, better known as West Point. The museum contains one of the world's largest collections of weapons, flags, uniforms and other military artifacts back to the Romans and Egyptians.
There are culinary adventures here, too. Many Hudson Valley restaurants focus on using the fresh produce and additive-free meats and poultry grown on the family farms that still dot the area.
Each September, the Hudson Valley celebrates its bounty with events that include the Garlic Festival in Saugerties, a Microbrew, Wine and Food Festival at Hunter Mountain, and a Green Corn Festival at 16th Century Philipsburg Manor in Tarrytown, across the road from the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
Watch artisans make goat cheese from the milk of the grass-fed Nubian, Toggenburg and Oberhasli goats at Sprout Creek Farm in Poughkeepsie. This is a not-for-profit farm, which also runs programs for children to learn about farming and saving the environment.
Visit one of the more than 35 wineries in the Hudson Valley, most of which have tours and sampling. The largest is Millbrook Winery in Millbrook, owned by John Dyson, who helped create the slogan "I Love New York" when he was a state commissioner of commerce. For more information about Hudson Valley wineries, contact the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.
The Hudson Valley is a wonderful autumn adventure. A great guidebook to take with you is Great Destinations: The Hudson Valley Book, a Complete Guide, publshed by Countryman Press, written by your Suite 101 Adventure Travel writer Evelyn Kanter.
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