The Hudson Valley has a lot of crazy scrambly and steep mountain hikes. Sometimes you just want a relaxing stroll. Little Stony Point [intersection Route 9D and Fair St, Cold Spring, NY] is a one mile loop that does not lack natural beauty, but is family friendly and super scenic […]
hudson valley
15 posts
The Hudson Valley is filled with outstanding hikes. A lot of them are so awesome they attract crowds. This past spring I was happy to take a quiet hike on Bull Hill [Parking lot at intersection of 9D and Fair St, Cold Spring NY ], also known as Mount Taurus. […]
Homespun Foods, 232 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508 A wholesome breakfast or lunch spot with a lovely little garden patio, what a great warm weather hang out. Grab a soup and a sandwich combo and enjoy the day! The Pandorica, 165 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508 If you are a […]
A sensational hike filled with natural beauty, history, ruins, and a fire tower! The 4.4 mile round trip Mount Beacon [640 Wolcott Ave Beacon, NY] should be at the top of your Hudson Valley hiking list this summer. Start your way down the gravel path, pass by the old railway […]
History…nature…ruins…THREE state parks in FOUR miles, do I have your attention yet? Let’s begin down in the Hudson Valley at Staatsburgh State Historic Site [75 Mills Mansion 6 Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580]. So you’ve entered through the fancy gate and parked in the lot. You’ll find some historical information and […]
The drive down into the Hudson Valley was quick and before I knew it I was crossing the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. While driving I saw a fire tower peeking out from above the treeline. Yup, that’s where we’re headed, to Ferncliff Forest [68 Mt Rutsen Rd, Rhinebeck, NY 12572] for a […]
Pinball seems to be a relic of the past, though there is a cult following of those who love the game. You can’t find many arcades that have pinball north of NYC these days, except a novelty machine or two in the corner of a dusty bar. I’ve found places […]
The Storm King: Darkening skies and raging seas. Perhaps you’re envisioning Zeus with a thunderbolt or Poseidon with a tsunami, or maybe some other deity who is having a bad day and fiercely brooding. This particular king takes shape in a mountain, and invites you to come and conquer, stomping […]
Whether you’re a new hiker looking to challenge yourself with a starter mountain, an experienced hiker looking to take a quick jaunt up, or just plain fire tower crazy – Stissing Mountain [Route 82 and Lake Road, Pine Plains – take Lake road down two miles to park] should be […]
Start your trek relaxed, nestled between a scenic meadow and the woods. Enjoy it while you can, because before you know it you’ll start ascending up woodsy hills, scrambling up rocks, and sweating your socks off until you reach the summit. The hike up Brace Mountain [Intersection of Quarry Hill Road […]
The anthropology minor in me has always been fascinated with other cultures. When I heard that the largest indoor statue of Buddha in the Western Hemisphere was just a day trip away, I was in. The grounds of the Chuang Yen Monastery [2020 NY-301, Carmel, NY 10512] are mystical. As […]
Sometimes you’re not looking to climb mountains, run marathons, or swim the English Channel. Sometimes you just want to take a gorgeous walk through the woods and then stroll on a boardwalk over a marsh surrounded by mountains. If that’s all you want to do, go to Constitution Marsh [127 […]
Intense rock scrambling, killer views, and a foreboding name: Breakneck Ridge [Intersection of Fair St & Route 9D, Cold Spring, NY – follow 9D and parking will be after the tunnel]. This is a mighty popular trail, and for good reason. Yep, you’ll be climbing up that rock wall, and […]
Did you know New York has little lizards with electric blue tails? I surely didn’t until I hiked Anthony’s Nose [Intersection of Route 9D & Route 6/Route 202, Cortlandt Manor, NY – Parking on Route 6]. This is a popular trail. The tiny lot was packed so we parked up […]
Tell your friends you have business to attend to at the CIA, it’s important…and delicious. The CIA, or Culinary Institute of America, is one of the world’s best culinary colleges and has a location in Hyde Park – about an hour and a half drive from both NYC and Albany […]