Fall in the Hudson Valley
Five Awesomely Fun Things to Do
The leaves are changing, the air is getting brisk, and people are starting to break out their warmer clothes. Fall has arrived in the beautiful Hudson Valley, and here are five great ways CIA students can enjoy this amazing time of year:
1. Take Your Pick
The region has a great selection of “pick-your-own” farms, whether you’re looking for fresh apples to bake with or that perfect decorative pumpkin for carving. Many even have festivals or other special events going on. Some popular local options include Wrights Farm, Minard Farms, and Dubois Farms.
So grab your jacket, and a large bag for your fresh pickin’s. Then all you have to do is pick your destination.
2. Scare Up Some Fun
Halloween is coming, and there are scares a’plenty to be found. Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion in Poughkeepsie and Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses in Ulster Park are both nationally renowned attractions that provide all the frights you need. But if you can’t get enough of the spooky stuff, there are lots of other choices as well.
3. Leaf the Campus Behind
Want to see some of the area’s famous fall foliage? Take a walk…or a ride, even! There are some spectacular opportunities to become one with nature, whether on foot or riding a bike.
One of the best ways to catch the splendor of our riverside community is the Walkway Over the Hudson, a state park open year-round that spans the Hudson River. At 212 feet tall and 1.28 miles long, it’s the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. You can also enjoy the changing of the seasons on the Dutchess Rail Trail or at some of the region’s beautiful state parks.
4. Market Down on Your Calendar
There are dozens of Farmers’ Markets in the area, many running through the end of October or even into November—including one right up the road in Hyde Park. Plus there are many more food-related events to savor, such as Oktoberfest Weekend at Hunter Mountain and the Red Hook Chocolate Festival (yum!). Let the good (tasting) times roll!
5. Have a Vine Time in the Valley
We have our very own Wine Country right here in the Hudson Valley; in fact, it’s America’s oldest wine-making and grape-growing region. And it’s right in our own backyard!
Choose from more than 25 area wineries to tour, customize your own wine trail throughout the Valley, or enjoy some of the many “Fall in Love with Hudson Valley Wine” events held through November. It’s quite the “wine list” of things to do.
So what have we learned today? Just because the leaves are starting to fall doesn’t mean CIA students have to fall back inside when summer’s done. It’s a great time to get outdoors, and there’s plenty of fun to be had in the Hudson Valley.