Nina, I think you'd have the best time if you split your Hudson Valley trip into 2 or 3 parts. Kykuit was very worthwhile, as is Lyndhurst (was also used as a stand in for "Wildwind" on "All My Children", more recently than the Dark Shadows use!) Lyndhurst is pretty close and can easily be done on the same day. You could also visit the Union Church of Pocantico Hills which has famous stained glass windows by Chagall and Matisse and do some shopping, strolling, eating in nearby Tarrytown or Irvington. All of these places are close to each other and no more than about 30 miles out of the city so you won't face a long ride home at the end of the day!

I love the Rhinebeck area, but I've always thought it was a little too far (but not totally impossible) for a day trip. You'd really want to be able to drive straight up there and spend the time in Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Annandale etc , places with many historic houses and the requisite good food and shopping.
I think it would be a shame to have to do both areas (and many more beautiful ones like Cold Spring for antique shopping and nearby Garrison for the Boscobel Mansion--still close enough to combine with Kykuit area) in one day, unless of course it's your only trip to the area and don't expect to be back. If you can, pick one or the other and you'll still have a great trip!

Thanks Nina. I thought is was either Frank or Frederick but I was just too lazy to look it up. Bard College is nearby.

There's a National Car Rental in Wappingers that's close to New Hamburg than Fishkill. If you're driving north from Manhattan, stay off the Thruway (unless you're in a hurry to get to Albany) and stay on the right side of the Hudson (the east side): Henry Hudson Parkway to the Sawmill to the Taconic Parkway is a lovely drive north, especially in the fall.

Amtrak stops at Rhinecliff, minutes from Rhinebeck. On MetroNorth, Cold Spring is a nice stop for antiquing and lunch and Beacon is starting to develop an antiquing section on eastern Main Street (take a cab from the train station). Poughkeepsie is, well, Poughkeepsie. But Hyde Park has the Culinary Institute of America! And we have lots of great restaurants scattered around the area.

Thanks for visiting!

Decisions, decisions, decisions .. now comes the hard part. If we don't do an over-nighter at The Beekman Inn, then we will decide on either the Hyde Park/Rhinebeck areas or Kykuit area, but definitely not both in the same day.

Thanks so much for all the help.

I promise (you are all witnesses) to post a trip report in June.