Dutchess County

Dutchess County, located in the heart of the Hudson River Valley 90 minutes from New York City, offers exciting history, attractions and year-round events. Pack a picnic lunch and experience the beauty of the region at one of its many parks and historic sites. Cruise up the Hudson River and explore the mansions along the shores owned by the Vanderbilts, Roosevelts and Livingstons. The Hudson River is surrounded by mountains and rolling hills offers breathtaking views. It is home to many beautiful wineries, offering award-winning wines, and restaurants that offer unique dining featuring many of the Valley's local bounty. The area is filled with specialty shops with unique gifts, clothing and antiques created in the Hudson Valley by local artisans. Parks and lakes offer sightseeing, fishing, cross-country skiing, golfing, boating, sailing, kayaking, camping, cycling and hiking. After the sun sets, enjoy the nightlife, theater, comedy, dancing and concert events.

Attractions & History in Dutchess County
The Major attractions in Dutchess County are: The Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Library and Museum, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, the Culinary Institute of America, Dutchess County Stadium, home of the Hudson Valley Renegades baseball team, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center and McCann Ice Arena and the Young-Morse Historic Site - Locust Grove. Explore the area’s award-winning wineries, public gardens, arboretums, a zoo, 8 public golf courses, 5 yacht clubs, pick-your-own farms and an extensive network of parks (3,329 acres) and recreation centers with facilities for boating, swimming, walking, picnicking, biking, fishing, golfing, bird watching, camping, skiing, skating, ice sailing, equestrian events and hiking along the Appalachian Trail. Dutchess County has a total of 180 National Register of Historic Places listings from 25 municipalities, including 19 historic districts.

Hyde Park History
Explore the history and beauty of Hyde Park, New York. The Vanderbilt Estate in Hyde Park is perhaps the, most intact example of the types of estates constructed by wealthy industrialists in the 19th century. The fully furnished, 54-room mansion is placed in a wondrous landscape with breathtaking views of the Hudson River and distant Catskill Mountains. If offers a glimpse into a past world known by only an elite few. Take a guided tour of the Vanderbilt Mansion, browse the exhibits, or explore the exquisite gardens and grounds. One of ten presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum contains extensive displays on the lives and careers of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and exciting interactive exhibits. Experience the impressive sight of West Point and breathtaking views of the Hudson River Valley. Founded in 1778 on the western banks of the Hudson River, the United States Military Academy at West Point is the most preeminent military academy in the country and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world.

Entertainment in Poughkeepsie, New York
Located on the banks of the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center McCann Ice Arena is a multi-purpose recreation, entertainment, convention center and recreational ice-skating facility, and the site of performances by international and world famous artists. The Center is composed of Mair Hall - a 3,000 capacity venue for concerts, trade shows, banquets, and assemblies - and the McCann Ice Arena – an NHL-size rink with programming that includes public skating, private rental, leagues, and is home to the McCann Academy of Skating. Overlooking the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, the 150-acre estate of Samuel F.B. Morse includes an Italianate villa designed by Alexander Jackson Davis containing extensive collections of American and European decorative and fine arts. Three miles of carriage roads wind through landscaped grounds, romantic gardens and shady groves.

Locust Grove – The Samuel F.B. Morse Home
Nearly 100 acres of land, Locust Grove was acquired in 1847 by Samuel F.B. Morse, the 19th century painter and inventor of the telegraph and Morse code. Over decades of his residency, he shaped this home into a graceful country manor. The unique combination of landscaped lawns, vistas, and architecture make Locust Grove one of the most handsome Hudson River estates. The Morse House contains original family pieces exhibited in period-room settings with diverse collections of 18th and 19th century furniture and decorative arts acquired over generations. The main house is surrounded by extensive gardens containing shrubbery, trees and flowers. Scenic vistas reveal the spectacular terraced setting, as the Hudson River glints through the trees on lower tiers. The grounds reflect Morse's knowledge of painting and landscape architecture in the sweeping river views and geometric flowerbeds. Locust Grove, with its 150 acres of trees and gardens, is the largest nature preserve between Cold Spring and Hyde Park. The small lake, coves, and wooded areas are home to many kinds of fish and wetland creatures, and attract thousands of migrating birds. Over 3 miles of walking trails lead to sunny coves along the river, a cool waterfall, and stands of oak, tulip, and locust trees. In 1961, it became the first in the Hudson Valley to be designated a National Historic Landmark.

Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Sponsored by the Dutchess County Agricultural Society of Rhinebeck, New York, Dutchess County Fairgrounds is host to the second largest agricultural fair in New York State and a variety of events from April to November. The Fairgrounds is situated on 140 acres, just four blocks north of the center of Rhinebeck, and is beautifully landscaped with permanent exhibit halls, horticulture and antiques buildings, pole barns, a sit-down restaurant and several other facilities that are used to full capacity during the annual Dutchess County Fair. The Fair opens August 19, 2008 and runs until August 24th 2008. The nationally renowned juried Crafts At Rhinebeck is held the last weekend in June and its counterpart, Craft At Rhinebeck Fall Festival and NYS Wine Tasting, is slated for the first weekend in October. The calendar year of events also includes Antiques Shows, a Sheep and Wool Festival, an Antique Car Show, the Iroquois Indian Festival and the Northern Dutchess Hospital Mother’s Club events. The Fairgrounds have survived for over 150 years as an institution serving the local and regional community with a one-of-a-kind, old fashioned family experience.

Hotels in Central Dutchess County
Just minutes from Locust Grove, the historic Hyde Park Vanderbilt Mansion and FDR Library and Museum, the Dutchess County Fair, the Mid-Hudson Civic Center McCann Ice Arena and Vassar and Marist colleges, the Holiday Inn Express of Poughkeepsie offers comfortable, contemporary, convenient accommodations and impeccable service. Guests enjoy renovated guestrooms and suites, cheerful ambiance, high-speed Internet and deluxe complimentary breakfast. Find out more about their Specials & Packages.