On our way to NH and Boston, we are planning to spend 2 days (2 nights, plus... as needed) in the Hudson Valley expressly to see Storm King, Vanderbilt Mansion, and Hyde Park. Would also like to see Kykuit but not sure we'll have enough time.

Wondering what the distances are here - esp. given that you can only cross the river itself in a couple of places -- and what would make the most sense re: base of operations. Should we try to find one central place to stay and make everything a day trip; or are the sights on the east side of the river too far removed from Storm King and we should consider splitting our stay between the two sides of the river?

What routing would you suggest and what would you recommend for moderately - priced lodging (ca. $150)? We will be traveling late Sept./early Oct.

Thanks

(btw, have already benefitted from searching on "Storm King" and "Hudson" here, but still having trouble figuring out the logistics.)

From where are you coming? I'm going to assume from the south, so you'd be traveling north on the NYS Thruway.

If you're not visiting Kykuit, I'd go to Storm King 1st. Storm King is on the West side of the Hudson, near West point. To get there you'd take NYS Thruway / I87 exit 17 (or maybe 16 is possible too).

If visiting Kykuit, then I'd go there 1st. It's not far from the Tappan Zee bridge. From there go back across the TZB, then north to Storm King, about 1hr drive.

After Storm King, you'll cross the Hudson at either I-84 ($1 toll), to exit 13, then take Rt 9 north to Hyde Park, or go up the west side of the river on 9W & cross at the Mid-Hudson bridge. 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other. It'll be about an hr from Storm King to Hye park.

As for hotel, the Beekman Arms in Rhinebeck gets frequently recommended here on Fodors - never stayed there so I can't comment. Your chain hotel options are Marriott courtyard, residence inn, or Hampton inn type hotels in the Poughkeepsie area along Rt. 9. You may get a better deal at one of the chains vs the Beekman Arms. Rt 9 /Poughkeepsie area is a generic suburban commercial strip - nothing remarkable, so any of the hotels around there are close enough to Hyde Park, dining, etc.

Or, if day is full, you can stay closer to Storm King. Same generic chain hotels near Stewart Newburgh airport. I don't like to change hotels, so I'd just drive to Poughkeepsie/Hyde Park/RHinebeck area myself & stay put for 2 nights.

Sorry, one more thought. Multitasking here. I would NOT stay 2 nights west of the river/near Storm King. It out of your way to backtrack there after visiting Vanderbilt, etc., and not on your way to NH/Boston. One night maybe.

Day 1.
a) Kykuit + b) Storm King. Stay near Stewart airport or drive to POK/HP or Rhinebeck hotel

Day 2. Hyde Park/Rhinebeck, Vanderbilt/FDR, etc, stay in same POK/HP/Rhinebeck area hotel

Day 3. drive to Boston.

You haven't said where you'll be coming from and what time you'd arrive in the lower Hudson Valley. Assuming you'd arrive in the morning, then Kykuit and Storm King would be an excellent tandem for one day.
I would recommend a more scenic route rather than the major highways. From Kykuit, get on Route 9 north (you're actually on Route 9 when you park for Kykuit). Follow Route 9 north to Route 6 west to the Bear Mountain Bridge. Once over the bridge, follow Route 9W north to Storm King. That trip is about 30-35 miles from Kykuit. It's really a beautiful ride to Storm King.
I believe it's about another 40 miles to Hyde Park. The combination of the Vanderbilt Mansion and the FDR home and museum are another good day's tandem activity.
As for places to stay, there is a wide choice of very decent chain motels in the greater Poughkeepsie area south of Hyde Park.

HKP, I hope you won't mind me piggybacking a question here:

We are thinking of taking a day trip to Hyde Park area. We'll be coming from the NW corner of CT, and per Google, it's about 1 hour by car.

Is it realistic to tour:
Vanderbilt Mansion
FDR Home
Val-Kill
FDR Museum & Library
all in 1 day?

We stayed at the Beekman Arms and thought it was fine.
Check out Terrapin in Rhinebeck for dinner.

YK,
IMO that's too much for one day. I like my history & mansions, but in moderation - all that in one day is overload for me. Your tolerance level may be greater than mine.

Mix in some nice outside time to relax & explore the grounds is what I would do.

with enough advance notice there may be a way to mix in some hot choc. chip cookies though

Wow THANK you all, esp. J62. Enormously helpful.

Sorry I wasn't more specific re: where we're coming from -- yes, the South (NC), so far south that I'm guessing we'll have to overnight somewhere in between, but we MIGHT make it all the way if we start earlier than Mr. HKP can usually manage, which would get us in quite late, but then we can get started early the next morning.

If we do stop along the way, it would probably be in Balt. or Phila. area (depending on some family issues), which means we'd have a shot getting to Storm King (or Kykuit) by early afternoon. Will let you know - seems to make a lot of sense NOT to stay on west/Storm King side, in any case.

Another wrinkle is that Storm King isn't open on Mon. or Tues., which is exactly when we would have come through to make it to Boston by Wed. So now we're thinking of doing the area on the way back home..... which means turning the logistics upside-down and backwards, but it's all fun.

Thank you again!

If you're doing it in the opposite way, here's what you could do.

Last day.
Check out of hotel in POK area.
- Visit Storm King
- Head to Kykuit via the route Howard suggested - across the Bear Mtn Bridge.
- Visit Kykuit, dine in & stay in/around Tarrytown. Several Marriott chain properties there & some others. Numerous v. good restaurants - others can advise on specifics.

If you want to get a leg up on your return south you could always just hit the road & stay further along the way in NJ.

Either way, again I urge you to take the scenic route that I previously detailed and that J62 endorsed.
There is indeed a wide selection of hotels and motels in the Tarrytown area, along with several excellent dining choices.

Again, thank you - (HowardR included this time).

OK, so coming from Boston area: Day 1, I think you can do the Vanderbilt and Roosevelt things in one day. There's a nice walking trail that connects the FDR home with ValKill so you can get some fall foliage peeping in, too, although it may be bit early for the full effect ... don't miss the Vanderbilt gardens on the southern side of the house.

Head a little south of Roosevelt on Route 9 and you'll get to the Culinary Insitute of America; dinner reservations can sometimes be tough for each of the specialty restaurants (check online) but there's an excellent walk-in cafe for lunch, The Apple Pie Cafe (actually open until 6 or so), and you'll be in the main building which is gorgeous.

Rhinebeck is a beautiful little town with wonderful shops and restaurants, but it's north of Hyde Park and may be too much to pack in to such a short stay. You'd probably be better off in the Route 9/Poughkeepsie set of chain hotels than heading up there to stay, although there's no contest when it comes to ambience - Rhinebeck, hands down. There is, however, a small b&b at Vassar, the Alumnae House, that is supposed to be marvelous. There's a great cafe a very short walk away, Babycakes Cafe, open for all three meals.

Whoa, just thought of something. Check that it is not Parent's Weekend at either Marist College or Vassar College. Bard College is also pretty nearby. That can fill up all available rooms in the area!

Day 2, perhaps back up a short way to the mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, and the weekend of October 3 (just in time to celebrate the Quadricentennial of Hudson's voyage), a new Walkway over the Hudson is opening on an old railroad bridge right nearby, 212 feet above the water, with exquisite views. The weekend of October 3 could be very very crazy around here, many dignitaries etc. expected for this opening.

If you want try the Walkway, you can park more easily on the Highland (western) side, and there is also a little side road there with a riverside restaurant, Mariner's Harbor. Cross the mid-Hudson Bridge, then make the first 2 right turns (9W north, then Haviland Road) and follow the signs. Worth a short detour. Since you'll already be on the western side if you do this, you can then drive down Route 9w past Newburgh to get to Storm King.

If you skip the Walkway, you can continue down the eastern side of the Hudson on Route 9 and get on the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

At Storm King, hop on the tram to make sure you get across the fields to see Andy Goldsworthy's wall and Maya Lin's new piece.

I also agree with Howard's Storm King/Kykuit route. If I remember correctly, there's a pulloff on the eastern section between the Bear Mountain Bridge and Route 9 (it's a winding hilly road), that is worth a photo op.

Right by Kykuit, try to peek at the Matisse and Chagall windows in Pocantico's Union church. When you're done, you can catch the Tappan Zee Bridge to go west again toward home. It will help you avoid NYC area traffic.

Enjoy!