Hudson Valley Archives - NY Foodie Family

2023 Halloween Fun in the Hudson Valley

Posted on October 10, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Although October has just begun, it’s never too early to start planning your Halloween fun! Get your costume on and spend a fun fall day out with family and friends. Whether you want to get scared or have more low-key fun, there is Halloween fun for everyone. Check out our 2023 Halloween fun in the Hudson Valley guide.

*As always, please check directly with the attraction for the most up-to-date information.

Bethel Woods Peace Love & Pumpkins (Bethel, NY)
Wind through our garden trails marvel at thousands of unique hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and glowing pumpkin art. Delight in displays featuring Woodstock festival icons, dinosaurs, mermaids, witches, and much more! Halfway thru the walk, take a break to enjoy a drink, get a snack, warm up by the fire, and on select nights, hear live music!

Location: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
200 Hurd Road
Bethel, NY 12720

Dates: October 13-29, 6:30 PM – 10 PM
October 20 and 27 are Friday Night Frights at Peace, Love, & Pumpkins. This event is not recommended for children.
The walk-thru experience gets a spooky makeover as the ghosts and ghouls come out to roam the grounds. A dark, terrifying experience that will leave you trembling as you exit – If you can make it out alive, that is!

Tickets: $25/adults 18+, $15/youth (age 3-17), Free/kids 2 and under
*Price increases day of, pre-purchasing tickets recommended

Boo at the Zoo (Bronx, NY)
The Bronx Zoo is continuing its annual Halloween celebration. Children can come in costume and enjoy pumpkin carving demonstrations, the candy trail, a costume parade, Halloween crafts and more. New this year is “Spooky Stories to Tickle Your Spine” and “Bones Tell a Story: Animal Skeletons.”

Location: Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10460

Dates: Saturdays & Sundays, September 30 – October 29, and Monday, October 9
10 AM – 5:30 PM (weekends and holidays)

Tickets: Starting at $33.95/adults (13+), $28.95/seniors (65+), $23.95/children (3-12), Free/children 2 & under
*Advanced ticket purchases are required. Please see the site for their new flex pricing info.

Pumpkin Nights Tickets: The walk-thru experience gets a spooky makeover as the ghosts and ghouls come out to roam the grounds. A dark, terrifying experience that will leave you trembling as you exit – If you can make it out alive, that is! Tickets: $34.95/adults, $24.95/children (3-12)

Parking: $20

Boundless Adventures Halloween Glow Nights (Purchase, NY)
There is no better way to celebrate Halloween than ziplining in costumes. We will have spooky music and candy.

Location: Boundless Adventures
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577

Dates: Saturday, October 7
Price: $55 for a 2 hour climb

Goosefeather Halloween Party (Tarrytown, NY)
Goosefeather’s annual Halloween party is back! Bring the whole family (even well-behaved pets are welcome!) for a fun-filled day of spook-tacular activities including a candy hunt (which begins promptly at 12:00PM), bounce houses, face painting, balloon artist, pumpkin decorating, and coloring station. There will also be lawn games, costume contests, raffles, and live music from Goosefeather’s resident DJ. Food and drink will be available for purchase. The event will take place on the Front Lawn; please note, in the case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled with no rain date and tickets will be refunded.

Food Menu (beverages will be available for purchase as well):

Burgers ($10)
Hot Dogs ($5)
Beef, Chicken, Pork Skewers ($14/4 pc)
Wings ($8)
Corn ($5)
Hummus w/ Carrots ($12)

Location: Goosefeather
The Tarrytown House Estate
49 East Sunnyside Lane
Tarrytown, NY 10591

Date: Sunday October 29^th,12 PM-3 PM (weather permitting)
Entry: $15/person (ages 10+)

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (Croton-on-Hudson, NY)
This is the Hudson Valley’s most famous fall event. Enjoy seeing thousands of hand-carved, illuminated jack O’lanterns in amazing displays of artistry. Tickets are very limited for this attraction!

Location: Van Cortlandt Manor
525 South Riverside
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

Dates:
Select Dates September 15-November 19

Tickets: Start at $24, depending on date and time
*Advance reservations required, no tickets are sold onsite
*Free Parking

Headless Horseman Drive-Thru Haunted Experience & Haunted House (Ulster Park, NY)
The hayride is back! Plus enjoy the Haunted Walking Trail plus 9 additional attractions. The event experience will take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to complete.

Location: Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses
778 Broadway, Route 9W
Ulster Park, NY 12487

Dates: Opening Night September 23, 2023.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October, 7 PM – 9 PM timed entry, every 15 minutes

Tickets:
$64.95/person plus service charge and tax) in advance: General Admission on Sept. 30, Oct. 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30
$78.90/person + tax onsite

*This event is not recommended for children under the age of 13
*Children 8 or younger will not be admitted
*Children 15 or younger must be accompanied by an adult
*No refunds

Special Children’s Days: “On Children’s Day, the park tones down its scare level. You will enjoy a hayride and visit friendly characters along the way. In addition, you will experience our Magic Moon Maze, Haunted Gardens, Witch Hazel’s Halloween House, Dino Zone, enjoy music, and other surprises making this the perfect outing for families with young children.”

Dates: Saturday October 7th and Saturday October 21st

11:30 AM – 4:00 PM

$21.95/person plus service charge and tax in advance
$29.95/person + tax onsite

Hotel Nyack Halloween Party (Nyack, NY)
Come have a night of fright in your Halloween costume and dance the night away in Hotel Nyack’s private ballroom featuring DJ Super Kiss. The party starts sharply at 8:00pm until 12:00am. Admission price includes a four-hour open bar and passed hors d’ oeuvres! We will be offering a special discounted price of $80.00+ for tickets purchased before Friday, October 13th. Tickets purchased after that date will be priced at $100.00+ Ages 21 and over only, IDs will be checked at the door. All tickets will have 8.375% New York state sales tax and 20% service charge added on at the time of checkout.

Location: Hotel Nyack
400 High Avenue
Nyack, NY 10960

Date: October 28, 2023 8 PM – 12 AM
Tickets: $102.70 (advance price, includes fees). $128.38 (after October 13th)

Irving’s Legend (Irvington, NY)
Irving’s ‘Legend’ returns reimagined this fall. Performed outdoors under the stars at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, master storyteller Jonathan Kruk will cast a spell with dramatic performances of the classic tale. Live music and an appearance from the Headless Horseman himself make this a spooky spectacular experience for all ages. This experience is outdoors and requires walking.

Location:
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside
3 W. Sunnyside Lane
Irvington, NY 10533

Dates: September 29 – October 31- Friday-Sunday only + Columbus Day, October 30th and Halloween, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:30 PM

Tickets: Prices vary depending on date/time of show. Advance tickets required.

Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion (Wappingers Fall, NY)
This year, Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion presents: “Asylum” and “The Wicked Woods.” Guests will walk an almost one mile trail of Halloween horrors.

Location: 38 Sheafe Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Dates: September 30 – October 31:
Fridays: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturdays: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sundays: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday, October 30th – 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Halloween: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets: Begin at $30 plus online ticketing fee and sales tax (dependent on day and date that you attend)
*reservations are required
*No refunds
*Free parking
*This event is not recommended for young children

Kid’s Day: October 9th. 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM. A special show for the young ones that won’t give them nightmares. Kids day entertainment includes magic shows, and activities including trick or treating with friendly monsters. General Admission: $17.50

Lake Compounce Phantom Fall Fest (Southington, CT)
Phantom Fall Fest returns to Lake Compounce. Thrill all day on your favorite rides, then fright all night with even more horror around every corner. Hang on to your friends through more fog, more freaks, more FX- like the new, next-level mayhem of mAlice in Wonderland. Now, your trip down the rabbit hole is included with park admission. Plus, escape the zombie madness in new scare zones like Deadsville. This year, the scare is everywhere. Don’t miss the return of Phantom Fall Fest, with more of things that make you scream. Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday through October 29. Phantom Fall Fest at Lake Compounce 185 Enterprise Drive Bristol, CT 06010 USA – you gotta scream it to believe it.

Location: Lake Compounce Family Theme Park
185 Enterprise Drive
Bristol, CT 06010

Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays – through October 29th

Tickets: $59.99, Current online price: $29.99 (limited time offer)

LEGOLAND New York Resort Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party (Goshen, NY)
“Our signature Halloween event is better than ever! Brick-or-Treat will bewitch LEGOLAND® New York Resort with tons of candy, an all-new show line up, never-before-seen exclusive LEGO® characters, and more!”

Location: LEGOLAND New York Resort
1 LEGOLAND Way
Goshen, NY 10924

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 16 – October 29

Tickets: $47/one day theme park + Brick-or-Treat ticket, $94/at the gate
Ticket + hotel packages available

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Brick-or-Treat Monster Party (Yonkers, NY)
There’s an awesome LEGO® Brick-or-Treat Monster Party happening this Halloween and you’re on the guest list! Join the Monsters as they take over LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester and watch the spook-tastic Halloween 4D Movie, ‘The Great Monster Chase! It’s non-stop Halloween party fun, with spooky Halloween decorations, amazing LEGO® activities, and a screening of the LEGO® 4D Halloween Movie. You won’t want to miss THE LEGO® party of the season! Come along and bring your best Monster moves with you.

Location: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
Ridge Hill Shopping Center
39 Fitzgerald Street
Yonkers, NY 10710

Dates: September 25 – November 1

Weekdays: 10 AM – 5:00 PM
Weekends: 10 AM – 7:00 PM

Tickets: Prices start at $19.99

Myths and Mysteries Tour at Armour-Stiner Octagon House (Irvington, NY)
“During the month of October, tours at The Armour-Stiner Octagon House transform into a more spirited experience with its ‘Myths and Mysteries’ tour. For years, local rumors have swirled around The Octagon House, implying its connection to the spirit world. Join us as we delve into the myths and mysteries of the house — from its unique dome shape resembling an ancient Roman temple, to its octagonal floor plan rooted in 19th century Phrenology, to speculations of a resident ghost, we’ll share stories from the current owners who have described their experiences of the house as something otherworldly. Come hear tales of the unexplained and uncanny events that have occurred in this magical house while experiencing the delight of this meticulously restored architectural wonder.”

Location: The Armour-Stiner House
45 West Clinton Avenue
Irvington, NY 10533

Dates: Thursdays through Sundays, tours are offered multiple times throughout each day

Tickets: $29/person

Nightmare Circus (Mahopac, NY)
Nightmare Circus is a family operated haunted house. “Step right up! Come inside our circus tent and enter the world of an eye-corrupting, mind-distorting funhouse, where the clowns and carnies have their own definition of fun. Nothing is what it seems in this mind-boggling maze of optical delusions, death-defying acts and remorseless maniacal clowns that will have you running for the exit. Too bad there isn’t one.”

Location: 24 Sycamore Road
Mahopac, NY 10541

Dates: October 30th – Sundown – 9:30 PM
October 31st – Sundown – 9:30 PM

Admission: Free
*Recommended for teens and adults only.

Pumpkin Jubilee Weekend at Barton Orchards (Poughquag, NY)
Celebrate everything fall at our Pumpkin Jubilee weekend!! We’ll have plenty of pumpkins for picking. Enjoy the taste of fall with our signature apple cider donuts, food trucks and Tap Room with twenty on tap! The orchard will be fully open with many apple varieties to choose from! Admission includes live music, entertainment by Magician Zach Alexander (Saturday), Reptile Encounters (Sunday), Pig Races, the Fun Park featuring our new MEGA SLIDE, Rock & Roll themed Corn Maze, unlimited Hayrides, Petting Zoo, Wooden Ship Playground, and Dog Park too!

Location: Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Lane
Poughquag, NY 12570

Dates: October 15 & 16 – 10 AM – 6 PM

Tickets: $29.95/ ages 13+, $15/ children (ages 4 to 12) Free/Children three and under (tax included)

Pure Terror Scream Park (Monroe, NY)
Pure Terror Scream Park is the Guinness World Record holder for “longest haunted house scream park in the world.” Guests walk through 13 different haunted attractions filled with characters and special effects. Pure Terror introduces 3 all-new attractions for the 2023 season! Including Jungle Rot, Pumpkin Alley, and the Monster Midway where you can get one-of-a-kind pictures with our monsters!

Location: 299 Museum Village Road
Monroe, NY 10950

Dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays September 23 – October 29:
Fridays – 7 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturdays – 7 PM – 11:00 PM
Sundays – 7 PM – 10:30 PM

Tickets: – Limited online timed tickets
General Admission – $59.99 + online service fee + NY sales tax

General Admission onsite – $64.74+tax – cash only
*VIP upgrades available
*No refunds – all sales are final

Scared by the Sound Haunted House (Yorktown Heights)
“Scared by the Sound will return for the 2023 Halloween season in our brand new location! The cleanup in aisle 13 at this abandoned food market won’t be at all what you expected to find now that it’s the new home of Scared by the Sound Haunted House! We’ve relocated from last years’ Kmart building to the old Uncle G’s Market across the street. This year’s new indoor haunt location is again going to be occupied by the undead who previously called Playland Amusement Park their home for over 20 years. Those along with creatures from the Crypt, Asylum, Cemetery plus more NEW scenes eagerly await your arrival this Halloween season. With the convenience of General Admittance timed tickets that are purchased exclusively in advance and on-line, or the now available Speed Pass tickets, this year’s return of the Scared by the Sound haunted house experience will be like no other! Open rain or shine starting September 30th plus all weekends in October. Purchase your preferred night *tickets early as prime time slots will sell out fast!“

Location: 380 Downing Drive
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays October 6 – October 29:
Fridays – 8 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturdays – 7 PM – 11:00 PM
Sundays – 7 PM – 10:00 PM

Tickets: – $29/person, Speed pass: $40/person
*Open rain or shine
*Not recommended for children under 10
*No refunds

Tract or Treat Weekend at Barton Orchards (Poughquag, NY)
Celebrate fall with costumes and candy during our Tract-Or-Treat weekend at the farm! In addition to apples and pumpkins to pick, we’ll have a costume contest for kids, adults and dogs too starting at 2:30 PM at the Main Stage! After that, kids can have fun getting candy at our Tract-Or-Treat starting at 3:00 PM! Enjoy the taste of fall with our signature apple cider donuts and food trucks too! Admission includes live music, trick-or-treat candy (while supplies last), Pig Races, the Fun Park featuring our new MEGA SLIDE, Rock & Roll themed Corn Maze, unlimited Hayrides, Petting Zoo, Wooden Ship Playground, and Dog Park too!

Location: Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Lane
Poughquag, NY 12570

Dates: October 28 & 29 – 11 AM – 6 PM (open until 9 PM Saturday)

Westchester County Parks Spooktacular Oktoberfest (Cross River, NY)
“From 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. kids of all ages will get to trick-or-treat, visit the Haunted Sugar Shack, pet animals, go on pony rides, have snacks and more! Bring cash for pony rides and pictures with animals. The Oktoberfest area will be open from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. where there will be live music, Captain Lawrence beer/food truck, Bona Bona and more.“

Location: Trailside Nature Museum at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Date: October 28th, 1 PM

Tickets: $25/person, Free/Children 3 and under

Innisfree Garden {Millbrook, NY}

Posted on June 14, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Nestled in the backroads of a suburban neighborhood in Millbrook, New York is the Innisfree Garden. As you drive through the black wrought-iron gate, you continue your journey down a one lane dirt road. Eventually, you descend upon the parking area. A small gazebo is the welcoming center for guests and where you pay the modest admission fee to enter the garden.

The Innisfree Garden comprises 185 acres of sprawling beauty. The gardens originated as the personal gardens of William Beck and his wife Marion Burt Beck. As a fan of Asian art, the Becks designed the Innisfree Garden, using the influence of Wang Wei, an 8th Century Chinese artist and garden designer.

The garden is characterized by a “cup garden” design, dubbed by Walter Beck to describe the place-making technique that Wei used in his garden design. With the help of landscape architect Lester Collins, they collaborated on the creation of this serene garden.

Tyrrel Lake is the focal point as you descend down the hill to the gardens. A 1.3 mile loop trail surrounds the lake. However, the gardens and all of its delights are predominantly scattered along the right side of the lake. The cup garden design has smaller defined gardens within the larger landscape.

There is no “right” way to visit the garden. Go wherever something captivates the eyes. You may be drawn to one of the several waterfalls or water features. Children were having fun running through the sprays of the Water Sculpture to cool off on the day of my visit. The water used in these features is collected rainwater.

You may want to take a closer look at the various flowers growing throughout the gardens. There are also a variety of trees and plants throughout the property.

One of the standouts of the garden is the Brick Terrace. Audible expressions of surprise and awe were heard as visitors came upon this structure.

The Terrace has multiple levels with several different areas to peruse. The Asian influence is most noticeable here with images of dragons and elephants etched in the walkways and stone wall panels.

The Channel Crossing Bridge enables guests to complete a loop walk around Tyrrel Lake. Keep your eyes open for fish and turtles that inhabit the lake.

Peppered throughout the gardens you will find Innisfree Chairs. These chairs are adaptations of Gerrit Rietveld’s Red Blue Chair. Furniture maker Dan Benarcik hand builds these chairs from cedar planks. Visitors can purchase a kit or a fully assembled chair that they can enjoy using in their own backyards or gardens.

The Innisfree Garden is a picturesque outdoor oasis. It’s a perfect place for a quiet and peaceful outing in the Hudson Valley.

The Details:
Innisfree Garden
362 Tyrrel Road
Millbrook, NY 12545
Website

Admission: $10/adult, $5/seniors (65+) and children (ages 5-15), Free/children 4 and under

Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10 AM – 5 PM and select holidays

Plan approximately 90 minutes to wander the garden.

The garden consists of uneven, rocky terrain, so sneakers are highly recommended. It is not wheelchair accessible.

The only restrooms available are a few port-a-potties adjacent to the parking lot.

Pack water/beverages and snacks. There is no food or drinks available for purchase. There are picnic tables to sit and enjoy any refreshments that you bring with you.

Restaurants nearby:
La Puerta Azul (2.1 miles) If you are looking for Mexican food, this is the place. The restaurant has been a Best of the Hudson Valley nominee and/or winner for multiple years.

Salt Point Market and Cafe (2.0 miles) If you are looking for a quick bite, stop here to grab a sandwich or slice of pizza.

Short Hills Restaurant & Diner (2.0 miles) Enjoy breakfast, burgers, pasta and more at this diner.

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery (7.5 miles) Spend the day in the area. After a visit to the garden, stop at Millbrook Vineyards for a wine tasting and jazz concert. Read our post about the winery.

2023 Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass

Posted on May 9, 2023 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

From museums and art galleries to film, live music and performances, the Hudson Valley is rich with local arts. The long, light-filled, relaxing days of summer are the perfect time to immerse yourself in outdoor concerts and theatre and to explore all that the Hudson Valley has to offer. For a limited time, five local organizations have partnered together to offer a Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass for only $185, which covers a ton of summer fun for two people! This pass has a value of over $400, if all of the tickets were purchased separately. This includes experiences at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Historic Hudson Valley, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, the Jacob Burns Film Center and Storm King Art Center.

I just bought my Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass and I’m looking forward to visiting several new-to-me venues. It’s very easy to purchase. Simply visit any of organization websites (or click here) and use the link. Once purchased, you will receive an email from each organization with information on obtaining/booking tickets. The Jacob Burns Film Center mailed the tickets and snack vouchers to my house.

This pass is available only until May 31, 2023 so purchase your pass while you can! Your Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass includes:

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts (Katonah, New York)
The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts is an estate that was once owned by Walter and Lucie Rosen. Today, visitors can tour the mansion, enjoy an afternoon tea service, or enjoy one of the many musical concerts performed in the Music Room or, during the warmer months, one of the outdoor venues.

The pass includes two tickets to a concert of your choice (an $80+ value) in one of Caramoor’s open-air venues. Tickets will be emailed to you within one week of your performance.
Promotion expires 8/18/23. Only valid for events in Caramoor’s summer season. Some exclusions apply.

Historic Hudson Valley (Sleepy Hollow, New York)
Historic Hudson Valley is a not-for-profit education organization, comprised of five historic sites: Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Union Church of Pocantico Hills, Philipsburg Manor, Van Cortlandt Manor and Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate.

The pass includes two tickets for three historic site tours (Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Union Church of Pocantico Hills and Philipsburg Manor). Tours can be reserved online 48 hours after purchase of your pass. An email with instructions will be sent after purchase.
Promotion expires 9/10/23. Not valid for tours of Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate or any special events.

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (Garrison, New York)
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival is a professional, non-profit theater company that has been performing since 1987. Performances take place in an outdoor, open-air Theater Tent, with views of the Hudson River. This season’s productions include Henry V, Love’s Labor’s Lost and Penelope.

The pass includes two tickets to a weekday performance of your choice. Tickets will be emailed within one week of your performance.
Promotion expires 9/17/23. Some exclusions apply.

Jacob Burns Film Center (Pleasantville, New York)
The Jacob Burns Film Center houses five movie screens and welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year. This non-profit is located in Pleasantville, New York and hosts films, special events, visiting artists and more.

The pass includes four tickets to any regular screening and two coupons for free popcorn and soda. Your tickets and coupons will be mailed within 10 days of purchase.
Promotion expires 8/31/23. Special events are not included in the offer.

Storm King Art Center (New Windsor, New York)
The pass includes admission for two on the day of your choice. Tickets may be redeemed as a two-person vehicle with parking or a pair of Storm King Shuttle tickets from Beacon Metro-North station (Sat-Sun visits only). You will receive an email from Storm King with a link to request your tickets.

Promotion expires 8/31/23. Some exclusions apply.

The Hudson Valley Summer Arts Pass is an amazing deal and a great way to enjoy some art, history and culture throughout the region this summer!

You may also enjoy checking out:

May Events in Westchester County

13 Things to do at Bear Mountain State Park

Two Way Brewing Company {Beacon}

Posted on July 21, 2022 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Beacon has always been one of my favorite Hudson Valley towns. This small city is filled with lots of restaurants, shops and hiking trails. It also boasts three breweries and a distillery. On a recent visit, my husband and I explored a new-to-us brewery: Two Way Brewing Company. Located at 18 West Main Street, it’s within walking distance of the Beacon train station. We realized that we need to venture off of Main Street more often so we don’t miss hidden gems like this.

THE BREWERY

Two Way Brewing Company was founded in 2014 by Michael O’Herron. According to the brewery’s website, O’Herron named it “after the “two way” Hudson River. The river is technically an estuary, which is a mixture of fresh water and salty seawater. There are about two high tides and two low tides throughout the day.” Their logo is a graphic depiction of this phenomenon.

The brewery has both indoor and outdoor seating. Indoor seating includes stools at the bar and high tables as well as some sofas and a couple of regular tables. The outdoor seating area has several tables and chairs with umbrellas. These tables get filled up quickly on nice days! There is a game room in the back that has a pool table, darts and foosball with plenty of additional seating. There is also a bookcase filled with all kinds of board games that will keep you occupied for hours.

All of the beers served at Two Way Brewing are brewed onsite next to the tap room. They serve a rotating menu of craft beverages, one of which is a cider. They are all made on-site. My husband ordered a beer flight, which includes four, 4.7 oz. Tasters for $11, to be able to sample a variety. He sampled the Climb High P.A.(IPA), Confusion (Saison), Highlands Haze (IPA) and Tooth of The Lion (German Hefeweisen). Although they don’t label each glass in the flight, you can identify them based on their location on the horizontal menu board (left to right).

For those ordering Crowlers (32 oz. cans for $9) to go, the brewery has a very cool canning system, which they use only as needed, for the freshest possible beer. The cans are labeled, filled and sealed in their special machine, all within minutes.

THE FOOD

Since I’m not a big beer drinker, I like to visit breweries for the food. Popcorn is provided to patrons free of charge. It’s freshly popped and perfectly salted. The food for Two Way Brewing Company is provided by The Flying Jib and made onsite. Ordering can easily be done via a QR code. They have a small but interesting menu with a couple of vegetarian options. We enjoyed Korean Fried Broccoli, Patatas Bravas and The Classic sandwich (arugula, sun-dried tomato pesto and fresh mozzarella) that was served with waffle fries. Everything was delicious.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

Two Way Brewing Company has live music on most Friday and Saturday evenings. They also have trivia on Thursday evenings from 7 PM – 9 PM. Check their website to get all the details on their upcoming events.

Enjoy a hot summer day with a pint or a flight from Two Way Brewing Company!

The Details:

Two Way Brewing Company
18 West Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
website

Brewery Hours: Open Monday – Wednesday 4 PM – 9 PM
Thursday 4 PM – 10 PM
Friday and Saturday 12 PM – 11 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM

Kitchen Hours: Closed Monday – Wednesday
Thursday and Friday 4 PM – 10 PM
Saturday 12 PM -10 PM
Sunday 1 PM – 8 PM

Parking: There is free parking in the parking lot adjacent to the brewery or on the street

Price: A flight of four, 4.7 oz. Tasters costs $11
Pints are priced between $6-$8

*The brewery is within walking distance from the Beacon Train Station

2022 Hudson Valley Summer Fun List

Posted on June 2, 2022 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Memorial Day weekend kicked off the unofficial start to summer and we’ve curated a list of fun things to do this season. We love living in the Hudson Valley. There’s so much to see, eat and do and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of it all. What are you looking forward to doing? Is there anything else we should add to our summer fun list?
*As always, please check directly with any businesses listed for the most up-to-date information.

VISIT AN AMUSEMENT PARK OR WATER PARK:

The Hudson Valley is home to a variety of amusement and water parks. For younger kids, a trip to the recently opened LEGOLAND New York is a must. Playland is a Westchester County classic and so close to home. For those looking for a water park, make a visit to SplashDown Beach or the Kartrite.

GET ON THE WATER:

Most of the Hudson Valley is on or near to the Hudson River. There’s no better season than summer to get out on the water and enjoy the beauty of the river.

Boat cruise: Is there a better way to watch the sunset, learn about history, or just see some spectacular scenery than on a boat?

Hudson River Cruises in Kingston, New York Boat Company in Peekskill and Pride of the Hudson
in Newburgh all offer sightseeing cruises on the Hudson River.

Canoe/Kayak/SUP:

Hudson River Expeditions has locations in Beacon, Cold Spring and Peekskill and offer rentals and instruction. Beginning Memorial Day weekend through the beginning of October you can kayak, paddleboard or SUP.

Fishing: Fishing is a relaxing activity that many people enjoy. There are lots of places to fish throughout the Hudson Valley. Just make sure you have the proper license. Important to note, according to the NYS Dept. of Health, women under 50 and children under 15 should not eat any fish caught in the Hudson River.

Paddle Boats: When was the last time you took a leisurely paddle around a lake?

Bear Mountain State Park and Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park offer paddle boat and row boat rentals by the hour.

GET OUTSIDE:

Go on a Bike Ride: There are several bike paths throughout the Hudson Valley that offer flat, scenic bike rides.

Bronx River Parkway Bicycle Sundays – On select Sundays in June, July, September and October, the Bronx River Parkway is closed so bicyclists, in-line skaters, joggers and walkers can safely enjoy the roadway.

Dutchess Rail Trail – This 13.4 mile trail runs from the Walkway Over the Hudson (Poughkeepsie) to Hopewell Junction.

Check out our A Bike Ride on the Dutchess Rail Trail post.

North County Trailway – This trailway runs from the South County Trailway at Old Saw Mill River Road (Elmsford) to the Putnam Trailway at NY 118/Tomahawk St. (Baldwin Place) and spans 20.7 miles.

Take a Hike: There are hundreds of hiking trails in the Hudson Valley so go check out a new-to-you trail. If you are a frequent hiker, we recommend purchasing the NY State Empire Pass, which allows free parking in most state parks. For inspiration, read our 5 Hudson Valley Loop Hikes post.

Go Fruit Picking – Strawberries, blueberries, peaches and more. There’s no shortage of farms to pick your own fruit. Check out our pick-your-own fruit guide for more info.

Go Mini-Golfing: The Hudson Valley has several outdoor mini golf courses. This is a great idea for a birthday party, family outing or date night. Check out our mini golf guide for more info on the different places to mini golf in Westchester!

Go for a Swim: There are numerous beaches, lakes and pools that are open to the public.

GET CULTURED
The Hudson Valley has no shortage of museums. Visit one on a rainy day or to escape the heat. Here are a few that we have visited and recommend:

DIA Beacon – This contemporary art museum opened in 2003 in Beacon. It features art from the 1960’s to the present. Check out our post.

The Museum at Bethel Woods – Through its exhibits, personal profiles and videos the Museum at Bethel Woods showcases the experience of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Festival. Check out our post.

Magazzino Italian Art – This facility in Cold Spring contains both a museum and research center focused on postwar and contemporary Italian art in the United States. Check out our post.

For those with young kids, check out the Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye.

EAT & DRINK

We love to spend our summer eating and drinking around the Hudson Valley. There are so many restaurants, bars and coffee shops to visit. However, we believe the below options offer some of the best summer experiences.

Breweries: I haven’t counted them all, but I’m guessing there are probably over 100 breweries in the Hudson Valley. You can make a summer goal of visiting a new one every week….but you will won’t get to them all! Many of the breweries offer outdoor seating and often have live music on the weekends.

Wineries: There are many wineries throughout the Hudson Valley that offer wine tastings, outdoor seating with scenic views and live music on weekends.

Farmers Markets: Every weekend (and even some weekdays) there are several local farmers markets that you can visit. Stock up on locally-grown fruits and vegetables, buy some freshly-baked bread, pick up some baked goods and prepared foods. Support local! Check out our Farmers Market guide for more details.

Food Trucks: Food trucks have exploded in popularity. There are trucks for almost any type of cuisine you may be craving. Make sure to check some out this summer! Use our food truck guide to help you decide which ones to try!

Ice Cream: A fun family summer goal is try to hit as many Hudson Valley ice cream spots as possible. There are lots of delicious options spanning the different counties!

OTHER FUN:

Baseball Game – The Hudson Valley is home to two minor league baseball teams, the Hudson Valley Renegades and the NY Boulders. This is an affordable and fun family outing, close to home.

Rail Explorers – Enjoy a unique experience in the Catskills pedaling an explorer alongside the Esopus Creek. Check out our post.

A Visit to Beans Cat Cafe {Beacon}

Posted on August 9, 2021 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

A café where you can drink your coffee and interact with a room full of felines. Does a place like this even exist?! Yes, it does and it’s not far from home. Beans Cat Cafe opened November 14, 2020. It is owned and operated by Jessica and Justin Strika who have partnered with Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. Their goal is to have 300 cats adopted their first year. As of this past Friday, they have currently found homes for 169 felines! If you are looking to adopt a cat or kitten, please think about visiting Beans Cat Cafe!

Where is Beans Cat Cafe?

Beans Cat Café is located on 325 Main Street in Beacon. As if I didn’t love Beacon already, it’s given me another reason to visit again and again! Beans Cat Café is a coffee shop and cat lounge, They serve both hot and iced coffee and tea beverages and sell baked goods from Frida’s Bakery in Milton and Newburgh Flour Shop.

I enjoyed an iced chai latte and my son had a strawberry green tea. Even the drink cups are cute! The coffee shop is a very small, narrow space, with one table that seats two. You are able to bring your drinks into the cat lounge with you.

What is a Cat Lounge?

The Beans Cat Café lounge is a large room filled with all kinds of cat trees, beds and toys. The day of our visit there were 9 cats in the lounge. This is their room, where they are free to roam, play and sleep. As a guest, you can pet, play and take photos of the adorable cats and kittens. However, you are not allowed to pick up the cats.

The Experience

At your appointed time you are brought into the cat lounge. All guests must first wash their hands and read the rules. You are introduced to all of the cats in the lounge, and there’s also a board that lists the name, age and identifying info for each cat. Then you are free to interact!

The Cats

The cats and kittens are all adoptable, so you won’t see the same ones if you visit at different times. We had a 12:30 PM reservation and during our visit, many of the cats were sleeping.

I thought the cutest was 3 month old Daisy and her sister Rosey, who slept in the window our entire visit!

My son loved Itty Bitty, this shaved tabby.

Vlad reminded us of our own black cat at home.

I mean, this cuteness!

If you are an animal lover, a visit to Beans Cat Cafe is a must! Especially, if you are interested in adopting a cat or kitten! You will fall in love with the cats and the town of Beacon!

The Details:

Beans Cat Café
325 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 440-8243
website

Hours: Wednesday – Friday, 9 AM – 6 PM
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Parking: Street parking

Cost: $7/person for 30 minutes or $12.50/person for 60 minutes.
The room can be rented for $40 for 30 minutes or $70 for 60 minutes for a group of up to 8 people.

*Walk-ins are welcome, but if you have a specific time that you’d like to visit, I highly recommend reserving online in advance.

The Museum At Bethel Woods

Posted on July 20, 2021 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Everyone knows about the famous Woodstock festival of 1969. But did you know that the concert didn’t actually take place in Woodstock? You can visit the site in Bethel, NY and walk the grounds where the concert actually took place. Plus, the Museum at Bethel Woods is located there and is dedicated to everything Woodstock.

Where is the Museum at Bethel Woods?

The Museum at Bethel Woods is located in Bethel, NY at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Bethel is a small town in Sullivan County, a little over a 2 hour drive from New York City. Not only does this site host the museum, but they also have music concerts, workshops, outdoor movie screenings, farmers markets and other fun experiences throughout the year.

What Will I Find at the Museum?

The Museum at Bethel Woods takes you back in time. The exhibit opens by setting the scene of the 1960’s. It showcases the political and cultural events taking place that led up to famous music festival. You learn about the planning of the concert, see actual artifacts and read and hear actual accounts from attendees.

There is even a giant bus on display, where in non-COVID times you can sit and watch a video.

There are many videos throughout the exhibit and several interactive experiences that were turned off, due to COVID, during our visit.

You could spend hours just reading about all of the artists who performed and seeing their set list from the Woodstock concert.

The museum is two floors with the bottom gallery reserved for special exhibits. Currently on display is Lights, Color, Fashion: Psychedelic Posters and Patterns of 1960’s San Francisco. The exhibit includes displays of clothing, posters and more.

The museum also has an outdoor Woodstock Festival Augmented Reality Tour Experience for an additional $5 with a museum ticket or $8 as a standalone experience. It was pretty chilly the day of our visit and we weren’t dressed to spend a lengthy amount of time outside, so we did not do the AR experience or hike on the trails.

Is the museum kid-friendly?

The museum has a scavenger hunt booklet for children to help keep their interest. Kids will likely enjoy the the bright colors of the exhibits and the music from the videos.

How Long Should I Plan My Visit?

If you are bringing children, your visit will likely be shorter than if you are visiting without. Timing really depends on whether you watch all of the videos playing, including the 21 minute Woodstock: The Music in the theater. You may also want to make more of a day by walking the outdoor Bindy Bazaar Trails. I’d recommend planning a minimum of 1.5 hours for a visit.

Is there food available?

Yasgur’s Farm Cafe is located in the building and serves a limited menu of prepackaged soup, sandwiches and salads, 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM daily.

The Details:

The Museum At Bethel Woods
200 Hurd Road
Bethel, NY 12720
(845) 583-2000
website

Hours: Open 7 days a week 10 AM – 5 PM, April 3 through December 31

Parking: Free parking

Admission: Tickets purchased in advance online are cheaper than purchasing at the door.
Online: $17/adult, $15/senior, $8/youth (6 -17), $5/special exhibit only
In-Person: $19.69/adult, $17/senior, $10/youth (6-17), $5/special exhibit only
*Guided docent tours are available Friday – Sunday for an additional $5/ticket

*There is a gift shop where you can buy apparel, memorabilia and other gifts

*Masks are required during your visit

*Most of the interactive displays are currently turned off

*While you are there, be sure to take a picture with the Peace Dove, one of the 50 painted doves located throughout Sullivan County!

6 Scenic Hudson Parks to Visit

Posted on April 28, 2021 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Over the past year our family has become familiar with Scenic Hudson Parks. Founded in 1963, this environmental group works to conserve, protect, advocate and educate. There are currently 45 Scenic Hudson Parks located throughout the Hudson Valley in 8 different counties. With the arrival of warmer weather, now is a great time to get outside and visit some of these parks. Below are 6 Scenic Hudson Parks that we think are worth visiting. We hope to visit many more parks this year! Have you been to any Scenic Hudson Parks? Which one is your favorite?!

Dutchess County:

Madam Brett Park (Beacon) – Visit this park if you love waterfalls and don’t want a strenuous hike. Read our full blog post for additional information.

Mount Beacon Park (Beacon) – Visit Mount Beacon if you want a more strenuous hike with amazing views.

Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park (Poughkeepsie) – Enjoy the walkway if you want beautiful views and an easy, flat path. Read our full blog post for more information.

Putnam County:

West Point Foundry Preserve (Cold Spring) – Visit the West Point Foundry Preserve if you want an easy hike mixed with history and some pretty views. Read our full blog post for additional information.

Ulster County:

Black Creek Preserve (Esopus) – Visit Black Creek Preserve if you want to cross a cool suspension bridge and get some up close views of the Hudson River.

Falling Waters Preserve (Glasco) – Visit Falling Waters Preserve for up close views of the Hudson River and a couple of small waterfalls.

Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park (Highland) – You can also access the Walkway over the Hudson across the river in Highland. Scenic Hudson Park at Peekskill Landing (Peekskill) – Visit Peekskill Landing if you want up close views of the Hudson River with easy paved walkways and restaurants within walking distance.

Snow Tubing in the Hudson Valley

Posted on December 28, 2020 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Winter has arrived in the Hudson Valley. The temps are cold and we did have some snow at one point! Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, you can still enjoy some outdoor winter fun. Snow tubing is a fun activity that requires no special equipment or skills, just warm clothes!

We were planning on going snow tubing this past weekend, but the Christmas storm melted all the snow! We are going to hold off on going until we get more snow. However, most of these places make their own snow and are operating. As always, check directly with the location for up-to-date information. Here are some of the places we found where you can go snow tubing in the Hudson Valley.

Holiday Mountain (Monticello)
99 Holiday Mountain Road
Monticello, NY 12701
(845) 796-3161

Holiday Mountain snow tubing sessions sell out quickly. Be sure to call (845) 796-3161 to book your session. Snow tubers must be 44″ tall.

Cost: $20 for a 2 hour session. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (845) 796-3161.

Sessions: 2 hour sessions on Friday, Saturday, Sundays and holidays

Hunter Mountain (Hunter)
64 Klein Avenue
Hunter, NY 12442

Hunter Mountain has tubing lanes that are almost 1,000 feet long, the longest of any of the destinations listed. Children have to be at least 36″ to snow tube. Tickets have to be purchased 48 hours in advance of your intended date.

Cost: $25 for a single tube, available for any rider over 44″
$35 for a double tube, for an adult and child between 36″ and 44″

Sessions: 2 hour sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Mount Peter (Warwick)
51 Old Mount Peter Road
Warwick, NY
(845) 986-4940

Mount Peter has a multi-lane 600 foot snow tubing run with a carpet lift to get you to the top of the mountain. Riders must be at least 42″ tall to ride in a single tube. They have tandem tubes for those riders 36″ – 48″ that can ride with an adult. Online reservations/ticket purchasing is highly recommended. For children under 42″ tall, Mount Peter has a Little Tikes tubing hill.

We went snow tubing here several years ago and had a blast! You can read more about our experience.

Cost:
$35 for a 1.5 hour session weekends & holidays, $25 for the Little Tikes hill
$30 for a 1.5 hour session weekdays, $20 for the Little Tikes hill

Sessions: 1.5 hour sessions, Thursday – Sunday (check the website for sessions times)

Plattekill Mountain (Roxbury)
469 Plattekill Road
Roxbury, NY 12474
(607) 326-3500

Plattekill has two tubing lanes that are 500 feet long. A conveyor carpet lift to get you to the top of the mountain. Children have to be at least 3 feet tall to snow tube. Plattekill only has single tubes, but related parties can go tubing with the tubes together as conditions warrant.

Cost: $27 for a 2 hour session, $79 for a season snow tubing pass
Tickets must be purchased in advance online

Sessions: 2 hour sessions Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM – 5 PM

Windham Mountain (Windham)
360 County Route 12
Windham, NY 12496
(518) 734-4300

Windham Mountain has six, 650 foot snow tube lanes in their Adventure Park. Enjoy a conveyor ride up the mountain.

Cost: $25/person. At this time, reservations and pre purchasing tickets is not available. It is recommended that you call ahead to check availability.

Sessions: 3 hour sessions, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays

West Point Foundry Preserve {Cold Spring}

Posted on October 6, 2020 by nyfoodiefamily@gmail.com

Don’t let the name of the West Point Foundry Preserve fool you. It’s across the Hudson River from West Point, and it’s one of Scenic Hudson’s parks located in Cold Spring. This 90 acre preserve is an outdoor museum, showcasing the remnants of the ironworks and machine shop that operated from 1818 to approximately 1911.

Don’t expect a strenuous hike when you visit the West Point Foundry Preserve. There are several historical exhibits that you can view while enjoying more of a leisurely stroll. You can listen to an audiovisual tour of the Foundry as you walk to learn more about the sites.

The yellow-marked “Foundry Trail” is approximately one mile in length. The first stop on the trail is a recreation of the Foundry’s gun platform. This is the site where each cannon was tested prior to delivery to the military. The target was Storm King Mountain across the other side of the river. Unexploded ordinance was still being cleared off the mountain as recently as 1999.

There is a metal pathway for smooth, flat walking. We were fairly surprised to find this path right in the woods

The next point of interest on the path is the 1865 Office Building. The Civil War was the busiest time for the West Point Foundry, as it produced thousands of cannons and millions of shells for the military. It used to be a massive complex including railways, shops and offices. However, the only structure remaining is this office building. Work has been done to preserve this building, but it is not open to the public. It’s believed that the building is in fairly good shape since it was built just prior to the sharp decline in foundry business following the Civil War. It didn’t get a lot of heavy use.

West Point Foundry Boring Mill Water Wheel

The Boring Mill Water Wheel onsite is a partial replica, to scale, of the original wheel that helped power some of the machinery that produced various products the Foundry made.

As you pass the Boring Mill overlook, you take the staircase up to the hiking path. From here, the trail splits and you can go left to finish the yellow trail or go right to link up to the red trail.

We opted to continue on the yellow trail which then brings you back to the parking lot. We highly recommend continuing past the parking lot to the blue “Cold Spring and Foundry Cove” trail. This trail will take you into the town of Cold Spring.

However, we walked this trail just to the overlook. The staircase leads up to a viewing platform of Foundry Cove. There are several benches available to sit and enjoy the views. Unfortunately, we visited on a pretty cloudy day. I can see myself coming here in the future with a book and some snacks to enjoy some time in nature and to soak up the scenery. With some sun and some more fall foliage and this view will be spectacular!

The Details:
West Point Foundry Preserve
68 Kemble Ave.
Cold Spring, NY 10516

Parking: Free in parking lot

Admission: Free

Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk

*There is a restroom onsite

You may also enjoy:

Madam Brett Park and Tioronda Falls