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LIVING IN WESTCHESTER AND THE HUDSON VALLEY | RELOCATION & MOVING GUIDE
HUDSON VALLEY
Dutchess County
You may have visited Dutchess County for its popular county fair, but this diverse area has much more to offer. From the hopping hub of Poughkeepsie to the peace and quiet of Pine Plains, there is never a short- age of things to do. Whether you’re exploring historic sites like Franklin D. Roosevelt’s home or getting in tune with nature at the Trevor Zoo or Bowdoin Park, there is something for everyone here. From sunup to sundown, the rich landscape, stylish shops, and cultural attractions will keep visitors busy.
Known for its world-class museums, Dutchess is home to the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site,
Presidential Library and Museum, as well as the Vanderbilt Mansion, one
of the region’s oldest Hudson River estates. Cultural institutions include art-filled Dia Beacon and favorite
live music venue Revel 32°. Historic sites include the ruined Bannerman Castle, accessible by kayak tour,
while the younger set will enjoy the award-winning Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, with STEM programming just steps from Walkway Over The Hudson — the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge with stunning, panoramic views.
The Hyde Park-based Culinary Institute of America cultivates
talented chefs who often go on to enhance the county’s rich dining culture. Dutchess also pours some
of the Valley’s finest suds at craft breweries such as Plan Bee Farm Brewery, Sloop Brewing Co., and
cultish Hudson Valley Brewery. For an overnight stay, secret hotel The Dutchess is a rustic retreat with a serious, farm- to-table dining program, while much- hyped Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck
offers French-inspired character and a luxurious, 12,000 sq. f t. spa.
Through the year, festivals and seasonal events are a big part of
the county’s charm. The 160-year-old Dutchess County Fairgrounds hosts the Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival and one of the state’s largest county fairs each summer. Family-run farms offer pick-your-own produce from June through November, with harvest celebrations such as the Fall Festival at Barton Orchards in Poughquag.
Come October, things get spooky
at Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion
in Wappingers Falls, one of the most interactive scream parks around, and Clermont State Historic Site, where Candlelight Ghost Tours are sure to leave guests unnerved. In Rhinebeck, the annual Sinterklaas Festival Day ushers in the holiday season with family-friendly entertainment, music, and decorations.
Best of Dutchess County
Get ready to fall in love with the offerings at these hotspots, all deemed Best of 2023 by Hudson Valley Magazine:
Best Bagel: Eastdale Ave Bagels, Poughkeepsie
Best Candy Store: Samuel’s Sweet Shop, Rhinebeck
Best Facial: Skin by Eve, Wappingers Falls
Best Christmas Attraction: ERDAJT’s Christmas Light Display, Lagrangeville
Mirabeau Inn & Spa
HV Balloon Festival
© COURTESY OF MIRABEAU INN & SPA
© COURTESY OF DUTCHESS COUNTY
REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE © ADOBE STOCK
Bannerman Castle