http://www.nydailynews.com/travel/2009/09/13/2009-09-13_fall_is_peak_season_for_colorful_scenery_and_.html
Never mind the slightly cooler weather, the subtle changes in the foliage or the dearth of kids playing outside. For New Yorkers, the first hint that autumn is in the air are all the festivals, fairs and other fun upstate activities that are harbingers of fall’s arrival.
This year the change of season comes with a bonus — the year-long festivities for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Hudson River are still going on.
For day-trippers and weekend travelers alike, here’s a guide to enjoying autumn in New York.
TAKE A HIKE
CHECK OUT: The Hudson River Valley Ramble, which takes place along the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area each weekend throughout September.
This year’s Ramble features nearly 300 individual events dotting the riverbanks, from Saratoga down to New York City. They highlight such themes as the Revolutionary War, great estates, Hudson River School artists and the Hudson River estuary.
Whether you are up for a challenging guided hike, bike or paddle, an inspiring walk through the grounds and homes of notable artists and authors, or a family-fun festival or river exploration event, the Ramble has it.
While most events are free, there is a nominal fee for guided hikes and bikes (hudsonrivervalleyramble.com).
And after burning off all those calories, indulge in a proper Dutch tea lunch at the historic Joseph Horton House inWappingers Falls. First tour the Colonial homestead with a costumed guide, then cozy up to the fire for tea, scones, soup, gourmet sandwiches and a Dutch Colonial dessert. There’s even live music from operatic tenor John Vergilii. The suggested donation per person is $25 and reservations are required (HortonHouseFamilyCenter.com).
CHECK IN : Keep in the Colonial mood by spending the night at the Copper Penny Inn in Poughkeepsie, an 1860s farmhouse that’s been converted into a bed-and-break-fast. Room rates start at $139 per night (copperpennyinn.com).
ARTS AND CRAFTS (AND GARLIC)
CHECK OUT: Sixteen Hudson Valley architects are designing and constructing “memorials” to Henry Hudson — who never received a proper burial because his body was lost at sea after his crew mutinied — at Byrdcliffe Arts Colony in Woodstock, one of the oldest artist colonies in America. The free outdoor art installation is on view through Oct. 10 (woodstockguild.org).
Time your visit right and you can add in the 21st Annual Garlic Festival in neighboring Saugerties, Sept. 26 and 27. Get bulbs, braids, food and souvenirs, as well as tips and info on growing and cooking what garlic aficionados lovingly refer to as the “stinking rose” (hvgf.org). CHECK IN: Stay in one of the private apartments at the historic Rondout Inn in nearby Kingston and take advantage of a promotional rate of just $160.90 per room per night. Use code “Quad2009” at rondoutinn.com.
THE HIGHEST HIGH LINE CHECK OUT: Be on hand Oct. 3 for the weekend-long celebration of the Poughkeepsie-Highland railroad bridge’s transformation into the highest of high lines. The 1¼ -mile-long bridge is 212 feet above the river and officially the longest pedestrian bridge in the world. The abandoned railway has been artful-ly turned into a sky-high park and trail-way with access to the Hudson’s scenic landscape for pedestrians, hikers, joggers and bikers (walkway.org). After braving the heights, join in the One River, Many Streams Folk Festival.Dutchess County’s annual celebration of folk art, dance and music fills Poughkeepsie’s Waryas Park all day long (artsmidhudson.org). CHECK IN: Colonial Experience Getaways begin at $119 per night atHampton Inn & Suites in Poughkeepsie. Use promo code “L-PHK” at hamptoninn1.hilton.com and receive a free gift basket with local treats, or call (845) 463-7500. SHIP AHOY! CHECK OUT: Henry Hudson’s original Half Moon, or Halve Maen, was commissioned in 1609 for the Dutch East India Company in hopes of finding a trade route to the Orient. Captain William Reynolds re-creates Hudson’s exploratory voyage in an exact replica of the ship, journeying upriver with a crew of local high school students and barrels of groats (grain) and pickled herring (halfmoon.mus.ny.us). You can tour the ship or volunteer to join the crew when it opens to the public in Albany on Sept. 26, then take part in the Harvest Festival at Lindewald, home of Martin Van Buren, the first President born of Dutch descendants (nps.gov/mava). CHECK IN: If you’re not picked to crew, stay ashore for two nights at theDesmond Hotel and get the third night free on Friday and Saturday stays. Use promo code ILOVENYFALL at desmondhotelsalbany.com or call 1-800-448-3500. FAMILY FUN DAYS CHECK OUT: The Children’s Museum of Science and Technology in Troyexplores the importance of the Hudson River and looks at the development of the Hudson Valley and the country as a whole, from the 19th century to the present. Photographs, historical objects and video displays engage children and adults in a journey through history, culture and technology. Follow up with an afternoon visit to the Fall Festival at Schodack Island State Park on Oct. 3 for games, giveaways, hay rides and pumpkin painting (nysparks.state.ny.us/parks). CHECK IN: Spend the night at the Victorian Olde Judge Mansion B &B in Troy, with rates starting at $70 per night. Mention “400 reasons to love NY State” and save 20% off a second night (oldejudgemansion.com). There’s live music from tenor John Vergilii. The suggested donation per person is $25 and reservations are required (HortonHouseFamilyCenter.co
Comments