Married, young couple looking to escape the concrete of Manhattan for labor day in Hudson Valley per recom. of co-worker. Need suggestions of where to pass by and where not to miss. Looking for the best scenic drive up there and most fabulous restaurant. Other than those two "requirements" we are flexible. This week is also our 3 year anniversay, so we may just do the whole celebration thing on Monday as well.

A couple of Qs to help give you a better answer.

Are you talking a 1 day trip, or do you plan on an overnight? If overnight, check out Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck. There are several good restaurants in Rhinebeck - one is called Terrapin.

There are also good restaurants in Cold Spring (Cathryns Tuscan Grill and Hudson House), several good places on the waterfront in Newburgh, the Culinary Institute of America CIA in Hyde Park (I like the Caterina de Medici the best of the restaurants there - reservations needed, and may not be avail).

Are you interested in some hiking (Monday weather is supposed to be great)? If so, a gentle stroll, or a vigorous hike up w/ views? Numerous options on East or West side of Hudson.

Do you want to tour one or several of the historic Mansions? (FDR, Vanderbilt) (Hyde Park)

Perhaps a winery tour & tasting (Millbrook)?

Art? Storm King mtn sculpture garden near West Point or Dia Beacon modern art museum in Beacon.

Do you want to go apple picking & fresh donuts? Numerous places - Barton Orchards is not far from Taconic about 10min north of I-84.

As for routes, you can head out of Manhattan on I87 then cut over to the Saw Mill pkwy to Taconic pky then head north, or cross over the Tappan Zee bridge and get on the Palisades pky that'll take you towards Bear Mtn park and West point.

The best scenic drive this weekend will be to park on one of the overpasses over the Thruway and watch all the lemmings fleeing the city for the last weekend.

The most fabulous restaurant is New World Home Cooking, at least in the mind of the owner.

Thanks J62. It will be an early afternoon to late evening day trip.

I looked into Hyde Park a little bit and liked the idea of CIA, however it looks like the restaurants are closed mondays. Whether that means labor day too or they're making an exception, not sure? Wine tasting would be fun. Where would you suggest? How far is millbrook from, say, hyde park?

Is there going to be apple picking this early in september?? That would also be a nice little stop.

A leisurely hike would also be ideal.

I've been hearing more and more, taking the Tucanic route is really nice.

This all sounds great. Thanks

Check back here Saturday am & I'll fill in some details and options for you.

j62

Here's one option for a route. A GPS will help, but it's also OK with map and directions from maps.google.com

Take the Taconic north from NYC.

Stop 1. Apple picking. Barton Orchards is close to the Taconic. www.bartonorchards.com in Beekman. Their corn maze is open and early varieties of apples are ready for picking (nice, crispy, tart eating apples like Paula Reds). They may still have some peaches and garden veggies for picking. (eggplant, zucchini, peppers)

Stop 2. Visit Millbrook winery www.millbrookwine.com. About 30min further. You can also stop in the town of Millbrook for shopping/browsing.

Stop 3. Head due West to Staatsburg. It's home of the Mills Mansion. http://nysparks.state.ny.us/sites/info.asp?siteID=2

You can take an easy stroll along the banks of the Hudson River, or just hang out at the top of the hill near the mansion and enjoy the view. Bring a blanket to sit on the lawn. I don't think it's worth it to go in the Mills mansion. Trails along the Hudson go a couple of miles, connecting to Mills-Norie state park. You can also bike ride on the trails (relatively easy mtn bike ride).

Stop 4. Head 10min south to Hyde Park and check out the Vanderbilt Mansion - amazing what a LOT of money would buy 100yrs ago.

Stop 5. Head north to Rhinebeck. (about 10min past Staatsburg) Stroll the shops, or stop for dinner. I like Terrapin, but there are other good restaurants as well.

Drive home. Cross the Hudson on the Kingston-Rhinebeck bridge to pick up the NYS Thruway / I87 at Kingston. (~2 - 2 1/4 hrs)

Just remember that getting back to the city on Monday will be CRAZY with loads of traffic. The Taconic is pretty but very twisty. If you haven't already gone, you might look at Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate. Blue Hill at Stone Barns is a terrific restaurant.