Hudson Valley Drive Suggestions
Sep 2nd, 2015, 07:18 AM
#62
I agree that Val Kil, Eleanor's cottage, is interesting if you are into US history and the life of Eleanor.
My preference is to limit one night stays, so that influences how I would do my time. Driving is fun and easy in HV, so we have stayed in one place and explored all over from our 1 location in all our visits.
I think Great Barrington is a cute little town, but not much to explore really. Its got a cute Main St with a bunch of stores. I would prefer to do a long day drive than make 1 overnight along the way and another in GB area. There's a great donut shop right outside the main part of GB. I'd make the first night in GB or Stockbridge. Have a nice dinner and spend the next day visiting the sites. Spend the 2nd night there and then go to Olana on the 3rd day. Havent spent enough time in Hudson itself to comment on it, but from what Philly says I'd move on.
Stay in Rhinebeck or Hyde Park rather than Poughkeepsie because there are more choices of places to see and eat there. Visit FDR sites, CIA (which is between Hyde Park & Poughkeepsie) and do the Walk over the Hudson. We've eaten at Lola's and its right at the start of the Walk over the Hudson so conveneient to combine the 2. Food was good. I thought the restaurants in Rhinebeck better than Lola's.
Can't comment on the rest of your int as I havent stayed down in that area or on the other side of the Hudson, have only visited. I agree to go to Storm King and the Innisfree Gardens.
My preference is to limit one night stays, so that influences how I would do my time. Driving is fun and easy in HV, so we have stayed in one place and explored all over from our 1 location in all our visits.
I think Great Barrington is a cute little town, but not much to explore really. Its got a cute Main St with a bunch of stores. I would prefer to do a long day drive than make 1 overnight along the way and another in GB area. There's a great donut shop right outside the main part of GB. I'd make the first night in GB or Stockbridge. Have a nice dinner and spend the next day visiting the sites. Spend the 2nd night there and then go to Olana on the 3rd day. Havent spent enough time in Hudson itself to comment on it, but from what Philly says I'd move on.
Stay in Rhinebeck or Hyde Park rather than Poughkeepsie because there are more choices of places to see and eat there. Visit FDR sites, CIA (which is between Hyde Park & Poughkeepsie) and do the Walk over the Hudson. We've eaten at Lola's and its right at the start of the Walk over the Hudson so conveneient to combine the 2. Food was good. I thought the restaurants in Rhinebeck better than Lola's.
Can't comment on the rest of your int as I havent stayed down in that area or on the other side of the Hudson, have only visited. I agree to go to Storm King and the Innisfree Gardens.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 08:35 AM
#63
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If you make it to Tarrytown and like Greek, check our one of our favorites on the Main drag around the corner from the Music Hall.
http://www.lefterisgyro.com/Default.aspx?location=LF1
We usually have a standard order of sharing a platter that comes with fantastic solid quality feta ladened greek salad, warm fresh pita and killer tatziki. And we usually leave with a small jar of their house greek dressing. It's a busy place that runs well with kind and gracious service in a hustle and bustle atmosphere.
http://www.lefterisgyro.com/Default.aspx?location=LF1
We usually have a standard order of sharing a platter that comes with fantastic solid quality feta ladened greek salad, warm fresh pita and killer tatziki. And we usually leave with a small jar of their house greek dressing. It's a busy place that runs well with kind and gracious service in a hustle and bustle atmosphere.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 08:54 AM
#64
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Definitely going to Tarrytown. Definitely like Greek. Will definitely keep it in mind, Ina!
OK, given all your comments, I'm going to revise the plan and will post Tentative Plan Two for you further consideration. Thanks, everyone.
OK, given all your comments, I'm going to revise the plan and will post Tentative Plan Two for you further consideration. Thanks, everyone.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 09:43 AM
#65
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No reservations at the Apple Pie Café. You order at the counter (expect a line), grab a table, and they bring your food to you. Others here haven't been as pleased - we thought the food was fabulous (although the service not so much)
Sep 2nd, 2015, 10:02 AM
#66
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Well, we're pretty flexible. Lunch isn't going to make or break the trip (or even the day) -- if a restaurant meal is less than perfect I always remember that I didn't have to make it or clean up after it, right? I'm pretty willing to like it and I think that goes a long way.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 12:04 PM
#68
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Hi y'all.
This is draft 2, with questions:
It seems to me that most of the interesting stuff starts in the Rhinebeck/Hyde Park area so I’ve revised the plan with us able to spend two nights there and drive around using that as our base. Here’s draft 2. Don’t pay much attention to the driving times; they’re just there for my benefit and I realize they may not be accurate, depending on traffic, etc.
So, here goes:
1. We start off from Toronto and drive Ithaca. There’s no real reason to stop here except that it’s about halfway (about a 3.5 hour drive), ElizabethS liked it, and we like college towns. We could get here by midday, explore the town and campus and stay overnight. Leaving early the next morning we would…
2. Drive about another 3.5 hours to Rhinebeck/Hyde Park. I think we should stay here two nights and during the two days here we could explore the FDR House/Library, Vanderbilt Mansion, have a meal at the CIA, visit Innisfree Gardens, and do the Hudson River Bridge walk. We might try to fit in Wing’s Castle.
Questions:
- Is this too much for two and a half days?
- Should we stay in Rhinebeck or Hyde Park?
- And can you recommend any hotels, inns or B&Bs?
3. Leave this area and drive to Tarrytown (a little over an hour). Stay overnight in Tarrytown and visit Kykuit, possibly Sunnyside, go to the Tarrytown theatre if we can get tickets. With any luck, our NYC friends will drive up and meet us for part of the day.
Questions:
- Any hotel recs in Tarrytown?
- Our next stop will likely be Storm King. Am I missing anything good by not stopping in Nyack? Should we just stop and walk around a bit? Have brunch or lunch?
4. Leave Tarrytown and drive to Storm King (about an hour). Spend most of the day at Storm King. This is where my blank space is now.
Questions:
- This would be our fifth and last overnight. I’d prefer to drive north a bit to get a jump on the next day’s long drive home. We’ll likely be leaving Storm King in the afternoon. Where do you recommend we spend our last night? What about New Paltz? Or should we make a bigger cut in our drive home and maybe stay overnight in a city like Rochester (where we were planning to visit earlier this summer anyway).
I know I’m missing things like Olana and the Berkshires but I’m trying to maximize the sights while still leaving us meandering time (and sleeping in time). Also, my SO will be very good about going on the house tours with me, so if we can fit in a time for him to play a game of golf, that will be my gift to him.
So, what do you think?
This is draft 2, with questions:
It seems to me that most of the interesting stuff starts in the Rhinebeck/Hyde Park area so I’ve revised the plan with us able to spend two nights there and drive around using that as our base. Here’s draft 2. Don’t pay much attention to the driving times; they’re just there for my benefit and I realize they may not be accurate, depending on traffic, etc.
So, here goes:
1. We start off from Toronto and drive Ithaca. There’s no real reason to stop here except that it’s about halfway (about a 3.5 hour drive), ElizabethS liked it, and we like college towns. We could get here by midday, explore the town and campus and stay overnight. Leaving early the next morning we would…
2. Drive about another 3.5 hours to Rhinebeck/Hyde Park. I think we should stay here two nights and during the two days here we could explore the FDR House/Library, Vanderbilt Mansion, have a meal at the CIA, visit Innisfree Gardens, and do the Hudson River Bridge walk. We might try to fit in Wing’s Castle.
Questions:
- Is this too much for two and a half days?
- Should we stay in Rhinebeck or Hyde Park?
- And can you recommend any hotels, inns or B&Bs?
3. Leave this area and drive to Tarrytown (a little over an hour). Stay overnight in Tarrytown and visit Kykuit, possibly Sunnyside, go to the Tarrytown theatre if we can get tickets. With any luck, our NYC friends will drive up and meet us for part of the day.
Questions:
- Any hotel recs in Tarrytown?
- Our next stop will likely be Storm King. Am I missing anything good by not stopping in Nyack? Should we just stop and walk around a bit? Have brunch or lunch?
4. Leave Tarrytown and drive to Storm King (about an hour). Spend most of the day at Storm King. This is where my blank space is now.
Questions:
- This would be our fifth and last overnight. I’d prefer to drive north a bit to get a jump on the next day’s long drive home. We’ll likely be leaving Storm King in the afternoon. Where do you recommend we spend our last night? What about New Paltz? Or should we make a bigger cut in our drive home and maybe stay overnight in a city like Rochester (where we were planning to visit earlier this summer anyway).
I know I’m missing things like Olana and the Berkshires but I’m trying to maximize the sights while still leaving us meandering time (and sleeping in time). Also, my SO will be very good about going on the house tours with me, so if we can fit in a time for him to play a game of golf, that will be my gift to him.
So, what do you think?
Sep 2nd, 2015, 02:28 PM
#71
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Tarrytown and Greenburgh all have all of the regular chains.
For a bit of luxe:
http://www.castlehotelandspa.com/
you SO deserve it!
For a bit of luxe:
http://www.castlehotelandspa.com/
you SO deserve it!
Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:26 PM
#72
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Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:42 PM
#73
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Excellent responses, thank you. As soon as I get this all pinned down, I'll make as many reservations as I can, both hotels and tours.
yestravel, I looked at the Journey Inn right away and it looks lovely but it's booked up for all of October. I might call them anyway and ask them to put me on a cancellation list.
yestravel, I looked at the Journey Inn right away and it looks lovely but it's booked up for all of October. I might call them anyway and ask them to put me on a cancellation list.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:07 PM
#74
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I've only toured the Castle property and it is lovely, especially in autumnal months.
I have stayed at the Doubletree in Tarrytown - I got a good deal thru priceline for a family holiday. It fit the bill with good service, a bar for a nightcap,and white linens in a faux lodge atmosphere right off the main drag. Convenient
I have stayed at the Doubletree in Tarrytown - I got a good deal thru priceline for a family holiday. It fit the bill with good service, a bar for a nightcap,and white linens in a faux lodge atmosphere right off the main drag. Convenient
Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:21 PM
#75
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The FDR house, museum and Vanderbilt house/ground and CIA are all on Route 9, Valkill is off Route 9 as is the walkway on the Hudson,
there are a number of chain hotels on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, not in the downtown area. also strip malls with the usual assortment of supermarkets and chain stores, gas stations and diners etc.
We stayed at Courtyard by Marriott on Rte 9 in Poughkeepsie.. just a few miles to all the sites. We chose this hotel due to a need for bathroom with a roll in shower, for a less mobile and older person. we found the hotel to be your average courtyard, but it was clean and comfortable and the staff was nice, and the price was right
there are a number of chain hotels on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie, not in the downtown area. also strip malls with the usual assortment of supermarkets and chain stores, gas stations and diners etc.
We stayed at Courtyard by Marriott on Rte 9 in Poughkeepsie.. just a few miles to all the sites. We chose this hotel due to a need for bathroom with a roll in shower, for a less mobile and older person. we found the hotel to be your average courtyard, but it was clean and comfortable and the staff was nice, and the price was right
Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:34 PM
#76
I wonder if a lot of the smaller Inns and BnB's will be booked during October. Definitely get on a list. Valerie, the inkeeper is lovely and very helpful. She may even have suggestions as to other places. Rhinebeck does have a lot of places realtive to Hyde Park.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:54 PM
#77
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I'm fine with the chain hotels -- they're generally clean and comfortable and offer breakfasts, so that's fine.
Yes, I DO deserve the Castle Hotel and Spa. However, considering our puny Canadian dollar it would cost me about eighty bajillion dollars a night. I think Alexander Hamilton House might have rooms, though.
Hoping to pin down exact nights tomorrow and make room reservations!
Yes, I DO deserve the Castle Hotel and Spa. However, considering our puny Canadian dollar it would cost me about eighty bajillion dollars a night. I think Alexander Hamilton House might have rooms, though.
Hoping to pin down exact nights tomorrow and make room reservations!
Sep 3rd, 2015, 05:49 AM
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We also liked Lefteris in Tarrytown very much.
In that area, the Union Church has stained glass windows by Matisse & Chagall.
I can't recall exactly where it is geographically along the Hudson, but Manitoga (the Russell Wright estate) was fascinating. IIRC, advance reservations were required, but easy to get.
We also enjoyed a (I think) 2 hour cruise along the Hudson; the one we took started/ended in Kingston, but I believe there are others. It was fun to see some of the mansions we had toured from the back and the commentary was interesting.
In that area, the Union Church has stained glass windows by Matisse & Chagall.
I can't recall exactly where it is geographically along the Hudson, but Manitoga (the Russell Wright estate) was fascinating. IIRC, advance reservations were required, but easy to get.
We also enjoyed a (I think) 2 hour cruise along the Hudson; the one we took started/ended in Kingston, but I believe there are others. It was fun to see some of the mansions we had toured from the back and the commentary was interesting.
