hudson valley

Halloween Fun in the Hudson Valley {Updated 2021}

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Fall has officially begun and that means Halloween will be here before we know it. Even with COVID, there is still a lot of Halloween fun in the Hudson Valley to be had. Here are some of the Halloween events taking place to help you plan your October Halloween fun. Please note, I did not add Trunk or Treat events, as there are so many taking place throughout Westchester County.

Barley on the Hudson Haunting on the Hudson season finale party – Although currently closed for the season, Barley on the Hudson is reopening on October 30th only for the season finale Hudson Haunting party. Wear you costume for the competition, dance to the live DJ, participate in the Cornhole Tournament and more. Open bar 7-8 PM, free appetizers. 21+

Location: 236 Green Street
Tarrytown, NY 10591

Date: October 30, 7 PM – 12 AM

Tickets: $25/person


Boo & Brew – Enjoy food trucks, live music, a haunted hay ride, arts & crafts, face painting, bouncy houses and more.

Location: Jefferson Valley Mall (in front of PB Pizza & Beer)
650 Lee Boulevard
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Date: October 29, 5 PM – 10 PM

Tickets: Free admission, food and activities have costs

Photo Credit: Bronx Zoo

Boo at the Zoo – The Bronx Zoo is continuing its annual Halloween celebration. Children can come in costume and enjoy pumpkin carving demonstrations, the candy trail, the pumpkin trail, a scavenger hunt and more.

Location: Bronx Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard
Bronx, NY 10460

Dates: Saturdays & Sundays
October 2 – October 31, and October 11
10 AM – 5:30 PM (weekends and holidays)

Tickets: $39.95/adults (13+)
$34.95/seniors (65+)
$29.95/children (3-12)
*Advanced ticket purchases are required

Parking: $17

Photo Credit: White Plains Performing Arts Center

Broadway Fright Night (White Plains) October 30: The White Plains Performing Arts Center will showcase a celebration of songs from Broadway and off-Broadway musicals with supernatural, horror and sci-fi themes.

Location: White Plains Performing Arts Center
11 City Place, 3rd Floor
White Plains, NY 10601

Dates: October 30 at 8 PM

Tickets: $35-$55

Claude’s Halloween – This is a free, small neighborhood Halloween display at a house in Newburgh. You can park your car and take pictures of your children with the decorations. Or, you can just drive by in your car to admire the festive display.

Location: 206 Coldenhill Road
Newburgh, NY

Dates: Fridays, Saturdays in October: 5:30 PM – 10 PM
Sundays in October: 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

The Dark House – This is an immersive sensory experience. “As the story goes, you and a team of your “friends” aim to disprove emphatically that there is no such thing as ghosts by spending the night in a long rumoured haunted house.  The story is told to you through your audio headset as you navigate the space by following the “umbillicals.” You will hear, taste, smell and touch the world around you as your “guides” activate tactile elements at key inflection points in the audio to make it all come to horrifying life.” Ages 14+ For technical reasons, this experience is completed as a group of 4.

Location: Philipstown Depot Theatre
10 Garrisons Landing
Garrison, NY 10524

Dates: Wednesday – Sunday, October 7- 31
October 7 – 21, and October 24, 27, 28: 6 PM – 9 PM – $30/ticket
October 22-23, 29-31: 5 PM – 9 PM – $35/ticket
*Advanced tickets only

Photo Credit: Teatown

Enchanted Forest at Teatown – Enjoy a guided adventure walk, “featuring a cast of whimsical characters and familiar forest friends.” Tickets include a 30-minute guided walk, parking, a treat for children and a visit with the Teatown animal ambassadors. For families. Costumes encouraged, but optional.

Location: Teatown
1600 Spring Valley Road
Ossining, NY 10562

Dates: October 23, 24, 30, 31
11 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM

Tickets: Members: $13/child, $8/adult, Non-members: $16/child, $10/adult

Ghost Tours of the Music Hall – Enjoy a special 45 minute “balcony to backstage” guided ghost tour to learn more about the secrets of the Tarrytown Music Hall theater, it’s intriguing history and the ghostly guests. Flashlights will be provided for all attendees compliments of sponsor Key Bank.

Location: Tarrytown Music Hall
13 Main Street
Tarrytown, NY 10591

Dates & Times: October 24: 11 AM, 12:30 PM, 2 PM, 3:30 PM, 5 PM
October 27 & 28: 4 PM, 5:30 PM, 7 PM, 8:30 PM, 10 PM

Tickets: $25/ticket
Please arrive 15 before scheduled tour time – No late entry will be permitted. 

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – 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 and are almost sold out!

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

Dates:
Select Dates September 17-November 21

Tickets: $48/adults
$40/children 3-17
*Advance reservations required, no tickets are sold onsite

*Free Parking

Shout_Display

The Greekish Nyack’s Halloween Party – Party with the Greekish Nyack. Festivities include a costume party, food and drink specials and a DJ.

Location: 8 North Broadway
Nyack, NY 10960

Date: October 28 – 8:00 PM

Dare to Ride the Horseman's Trail
Photo Credit: Headless Horseman

Headless Horseman Drive-Thru Haunted Experience & Haunted House – This year, the Headless Horseman award winning attraction is replacing its Haunted Hayride with a Haunted Walking Trail plus 9 additional attractions. T

Location: 778 Broadway, Route 9W
Ulster Park, NY 12487

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

Tickets:
$47.95/person plus service charge and tax) in advance: General Admission on October 1-2, 9, 15, 17, 24, 28
$57.95/person + tax onsite


$57.95/person plus service charge and tax) in advance: High Demand Nights on October 8,9,10, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31
$67.95/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: Younger guests get to experience a daytime I Spy Drive Thru game experience and then get to walk through the Magic Moon Maze Haunted Gardens, Witch Hazel’s Halloween House and more.
Saturday October 9th and Saturday October 23rd
11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
$14.95/person plus service charge and tax in advance
$19.95/person + tax onsite

Hudson Grille Halloween Party: Put your costume on and enjoy a night of dancing at the Hudson Grille. Prizes for best costume and giveaways all night.

Location: 165 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601

Date: October 30 – starting at 9 PM

Tickets: $15 includes 1 drink (select beer, wine or well cocktail)

Irving’s Legend (Irvington) Performed under the stars at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, enjoy seeing the classical tale performed by master storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Tickets:

Location: 3 W. Sunnyside Lane
Irvington, NY 10533

Dates: October 1 – 31- Friday-Sunday only, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:30 PM

Tickets: $40/adult, $34/children (3-17)
Advance tickets required

Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion – This is the 45th year of the Haunted Mansion. This year, they are presenting a double feature: “The Procedure” and “The Wicked Woods.” Guests will walk an almost one mile trail of Halloween horrors.

Location: 38 Sheafe Road
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

Dates: October 1 -31:
Fridays: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturdays: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sundays: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Tickets: Fridays and Sundays $25/person
Saturdays: $28/person
Plus online ticketing fee and sales tax
*reservations are required
*No refunds

*Free parking
*This event is not recommended for young children

May be an image of 5 people, people standing and text that says 'BUILDER EAT'
Photo Credit: Legoland Discovery Center (Westchester)

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Brick-or-Treat  October 1 – November 7: Get into the Halloween spirt with fun activities including brick-or-treating around the attraction, a MINILAND scavenger hunt, character meet and greets, monster training and more.

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

Dates: October 1 – November 7
Weekdays: 12 PM – 5:30 PM
Weekends: 10 AM – 5:30 PM

Tickets: $19.99/one day, $23.99/admission plus collectible

Monster Cookie Decorating Workshop – Enjoy some sweet treats by decorating cookies to look like monsters!

Location: Auntie Liana’s at the Jefferson Valley Mall
650 Lee Boulevard
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Date: October 30 – 3 sessions starting at 1 PM

Tickets: $10/child


Nightmare Circus -Nightmare Circus is a family operated haunted house.

Location: 24 Sycamore Road
Mahopac, NY 10541

Dates: October 30th 7 PM – 10 PM
October 31st, 7 PM – 9 PM

Admission: Free

*Recommended for teens and adults only.

Pure Terror Scream Park – Pure Terror Scream Park is the Guinness World Record holder for “longest haunted house scream park in the world.” Guests walk through 10 different themed haunted houses filled with characters and special effects.

Location: 1010 State Route 17M
Monroe, NY 10950

Dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in October:
Fridays – 7 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturdays – 7 PM – 10:30 PM
Sundays – 7 PM – 9:30 PM, except Halloween 7 PM – 10 PM

Tickets: – Limited online timed tickets
General Admission – $57.95 + online service fee + NY sales tax
$65 onsite – cash only

*No refunds – all sales are final.

River Outpost Brewing Halloween Party – Put on your costume and enjoy a Halloween DJ dance party. There’s a costume contest and drink specials.

Location: 5 John Walsh Boulevard
Peekskill, NY 10566

Date: October 30

Spooky Sweets and Succulents – Auntie Liana’s Kitchen and Vintage & Vine are hosting a Witchy Tea Party. Plant a succulent, enjoy a tea party. Costumes are encouraged. 4 sessions starting at 12 PM.

Location: Jefferson Valley Mall
650 Lee Boulevard
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

Date: October 23

Tickets: $20/child



5 Family-Friendly Hudson Valley Loop Hikes

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The weather is cooler and it will soon be prime leaf-peeping time! There’s no better time to get outside for a family hike! While I do love a hike with scenic river views or waterfalls, not all of these types of hikes are kid-friendly. They can often be steep and lengthy to get to those scenic views. Below are five Hudson Valley family-friendly loop hikes. Each of these hikes is around a pond or lake and also 1.5 miles or less . You will enjoy scenic water views and colorful fall foliage! Since all of these hikes are near bodies of water, you may want to pack bug spray. Please note, these are popular family hiking destinations. If you want to avoid the crowds, arrive early!

Little Stony Point (Putnam County) Little Stony Point is part of Hudson Highlands State Park in Cold Spring. This park has over 70 miles of trails. However, Little Stony Point is an easy one-mile loop trail. While it doesn’t entirely loop around a body of water, it hugs the Hudson River for 2/3 of the trail. If up for it, hike up to the cliffs for some spectacular scenic views! Free parking.

Pelton Pond – (Putnam County) Pelton Pond is part of Fahnestock State Park. This trail is conveniently located off the Taconic Parkway in Putnam Valley. While Fahnestock State Park consists of over 14,000 acres, Pelton Pond is a short, family-friendly hike. The 1.5 mile Yellow trail loops around Pelton Pond. The pond is home to beavers, which you may see on your hike. There are picnic tables near the pavilion if you want to bring lunch or a snack.  Free parking. 

Rockefeller State Park – (Westchester County) Rockefeller State Park is home to over 20 hiking trails.  Brothers’ Path is the 1.1 mile loop that takes you around the 22-acre Swan Lake.  Stop in the Preserve Gallery to view rotating art exhibits. There is a $6 parking fee. 

Teatown Lake Reservation – (Westchester County) Teatown is a 1,000-acre nature preserve located in Ossining.  Teatown maintains 14 hiking trails.  The 1.5 mile Lakeside Loop takes you around Teatown Lake. There is a $5 non-member parking fee. 

Bear Mountain State Park – (Rockland County/Orange County) There are over 10 hiking trails at Bear Mountain State Park. Hessian Lake is a 1.4 mile paved loop. While visiting the park you can visit the Trailside Museum and Zoo and take a ride on the Merry-Go-Round. There is a $10 parking fee. Parking is free for Empire (New York State Parks) Pass holders. 

Snow Tubing at Windham Adventure Park

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Snow tubing is a fun, family-friendly winter activity. There are a limited number of places in the Hudson Valley where you can enjoy this activity (check out my post for a listing of them all). Over the recent holiday break, our family traveled to Windham Adventure Park in Windham, NY to go snow tubing.

Travel

Windham Adventure Park is located in Windham, NY. This is part of the Catskill Park in Greene County. The Adventure Park is .25 miles west of the Windham Mountain skiing resort. Living in northern Westchester County, Windham Adventure Park is a two hour drive. It is one of the farther snow tubing locations in the Hudson Valley, but is a doable day trip.

Tickets

When you arrive at the park you go to the lodge to purchase your tickets. Tickets for snow tubing cost $25 per person for a 3 hour tubing session. Windham Adventure Park is the only snow tubing park that does not take reservations or allow you to pre-purchase tickets. Their website states that they, “will not sell out of tickets….purchasing tickets is based on a rolling basis so your 3-hour time block starts upon your arrival time.”

You are given a printed ticket that must be affixed to your jacket, which has the date and time of your ticket purchase. Your tubing session ends three hours after the time printed.

The Experience

Windham Adventure Park Snow tube lanes

Windham Adventure Park has 5, 650-foot long snow tubing lanes. However, during our visit, they were only using 3 of the lanes due to social distancing. There were also only 2 employees at a time launching the tube riders on the 3 lanes, which slowed down the process. More staff were posted at the bottom of the run, the conveyor belt, and stacking tubes at the top. When you arrive at the parking lot, you’re already right near the lodge and ticket window. You are also at the top of the hill and can start snow tubing right away.

There are no height restrictions as long as a rider can sit in the tube by himself/herself. Windham Adventure Park only has single tubes. However, the employee will attach the tube straps together so you can ride with two, three and even four connected.

Before the employees give you a push down the hill, you will be asked if you want to go straight or spin. Depending on the employee, your spin may be more energetic than others.

After you tube down the hill, there is a conveyor belt “magic carpet” that brings you back up the mountain.

We recommend arriving for the 11 AM opening. We noticed that as the day went it got more crowded and the lines got longer. At 1:40 PM, the lines were the longest of our visit (pictured above). On average, it was almost a 30 minute wait per run.

We stayed for almost the entire three hours. We had a snack break (in our car) to warm up and a bathroom break. Our visit started at 11:20 AM and we got 5 runs in.

The Lodge

There are restrooms inside the Lodge. There is also food available inside at “The Drop Zone” for purchase. They sell pizza by the slice or you can order a whole pie. They also sell chicken noodle soup, beef chili, nachos chips with cheese, chicken tenders and fries and more.

At this time, they are only accepting credit cards for payment. There is also no indoor seating available, so be prepared to eat out in the cold or in your car.

Overall

We had a fun time at Windham Adventure Park. This is great option for a last-minute snow tubing excursion since they don’t pre-sell or sell out tickets. However, be prepared for crowds and long lines.

The Details:
Windham Adventure Park
360 County Route 12
Windham, NY 12496

*Call (518) 734-4300 for more information

Price: $25/person for a 3 hour tubing session

Dates/Hours: Open weekends now through February 21st and holidays. Fridays: 5 PM – 8 PM
Saturdays: 11 AM – 8 PM
Sundays: 11 AM – 4 PM

Tips:

*Dress warmly. One of the biggest complaints the kids had was that they were cold. We packed snow pants, but didn’t end up wearing them – which we should have. The tubes were snowy and wet.

*Try to arrive for the opening. They don’t start selling tickets until the opening time. As it gets later, it gets more crowded.

*Bring snacks/food if you don’t want to buy food from The Drop Zone. There are very few food choices in the vicinity.

The kids snowmobile track is currently closed. When available, children 6 and older and weigh less than 120 pounds, can ride Arctic Cat snowmobiles around an oval track for an additional cost.

Hudson Valley Holiday Gift Guide {2020 Edition}

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If you haven’t started your holiday shopping yet….it’s time. Living in the Hudson Valley, there are some unique gifts that you can give and receive. Our Hudson Valley Holiday Gift Guide will help you find something for everyone on your list!

Magazine Subscriptions: If you want to give a gift that will last all year, give a magazine subscription to either Hudson Valley Magazine or Westchester Magazine. Both, owned by Today Media, highlight the best of the Hudson Valley and Westchester County, respectively. At just $18.97, this is an affordable gift that the recipient will enjoy all year long.

Park Passes:

On my list this year again, is a New York State Empire Pass. This pass costs $80 for the year and enables unlimited day-use vehicle entry into most of the NYS parks. Some favorite area state parks include Bear Mountain, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Minnewaska State Park. However, I see some New York state exploring in our future and think we’ll get a lot of use out of this pass in the upcoming year.

You can also gift/receive a Westchester County Park pass. If you enjoy staying closer to home, but enjoy the great outdoors, then the Westchester Park pass is a great gift option. For $180, the Family Park Pass is valid for three years from the date of issuance. The pass gives discounted admission to all pools, beaches and parking. The pass allows access to the boat launch at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle and the tennis courts at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers. Plus, you get discounts for camping, golf and more.

Restaurant Gift Certificates – Now more than ever, restaurants need our business. Even though many of us may not feel comfortable dining inside, many restaurants offer takeout. Gift or ask for a certificate to your favorite restaurant.

Memberships: For another gift that recipients can enjoy all year, think about gifting a membership to one of their favorite attractions. In past years we’ve asked for and received family memberships to the Bronx Zoo, the NYBG and the Historic Hudson Valley.

Individuals and/or couples may enjoy a membership to their favorite museum or art or music institution. Memberships are available at the Hudson River Museum, Caramoor, Katonah Museum of Art and more.

Experience Gifts: If you know the interests and hobbies of your gift recipient, give them an experience gift. Because most of these experiences now require a reserved time, you may opt to give a gift card or get input from the gift receiver prior to purchasing. Below are just a few examples of experiences that can be gifted.

Boundless Adventures – For adventure seekers, give the gift of an aerial park experience. This was a fun family experience (read more here)! They sell Gift Tickets.

Thunder Ridge Ski Area – Have skiers or snow boarders on your list? They may enjoy a season pass or gift card to Thunder Ridge Ski Area.

Grand Prix New York – This attraction in Mount Kisco has go-karts, bowling, a GPX ninja course and an arcade. Gift cards are available so receivers can enjoy a visit whenever they feel comfortable going.

Homemade Gift Baskets – The Hudson Valley is filled with tons of small businesses that make everything from sweets, sauces, coffee and soaps to jewelry and tie-dyed or handknit goods. Purchase some of your favorites and create your own custom gift basket to give.

You may also enjoy:

Hudson Valley Holiday Events Guide

7 Fall Weekend Getaways

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Now that school has started, it’s not as easy to go away with the kids. Plus, COVID is making travel even more difficult. Fortunately, there are many fall weekend getaways close to Westchester County that are perfect for both families or couples looking to rest, recharge and have some fun! I am sharing 7 weekend getaways that we think families will enjoy.

Corning – This is the furthest destination that we are sharing, but it’s definitely doable for a weekend visit. There are some unique experiences to enjoy in the area including the Corning Museum of Glass, Watkins Glen State Park and more.

Crystal Spring Resort – This is the only New Jersey weekend destination that we have traveled to so far, but it’s a good one! Your family may never want to leave the biosphere pool. They offer both complimentary activities and those that have an additional cost. There are several onsite restaurants to choose from.

Emerson Resort – The Emerson Resort is located in the Catskills and is perfectly situated for some fall foliage viewing. This resort is also dog friendly if you want to bring your pet with you. Here you can find the world’s largest kaleidoscope. They offer several onsite activities and also have a spa. The Catskill Rail Explorers and plenty of fall hikes will keep you busy when you’re not enjoying the resort.

Kalahari Resort – If you don’t want to have to worry about the weather, take a visit to Kalahari. You can enjoy the indoor water park, arcade, mini golf and more. With several onsite restaurants, you won’t have to leave the resort. And if the weather is nice, they also have an outdoor treetop adventure course.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania – Only three hours from most of Westchester County, Lancaster, Pennsylvania is a great weekend getaway. Experience “Pennsylvania Dutch Country” for an educational and fun experience.

Pine Ridge Dude Ranch – Pine Ridge Dude Ranch is great if your family enjoys horseback riding. This is an all-inclusive dude ranch experience with both outdoor and indoor activities to keep the family occupied.

Villa Roma Resort – Villa Roma Resort offers a variety of activities for families with kids of all ages including go karts, a bowling alley, a zip line and more. Dinner and breakfast are included in the price of your stay.

Hudson Valley Pick-Your-Own Fruit Guide

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Although we may be social distancing this summer, there is still a lot of outdoor fun to be had. I know many of us go apple picking in the fall. But did you know that there are many other pick-your-own fruit opportunities in the area, especially during the summer?! Use our Pick-Your-Own Fruit Guide to help you know what fruit is available to pick when in the Hudson Valley. Please note that some farms require reservations for picking and all farms are requiring face masks and social distancing. Different varieties of fruit are available at different times of the picking season. The farms offer fruit picking at different times during the growing season. So please check directly with the farm to find out what fruit varieties are available for picking and when.

Strawberries (Mid-Late June)
DuBois Farms (Highland)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Greig Farm (Red Hook)
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards (New Paltz)
Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Mead Orchards (Tivoli)
Ochs Orchard (Warwick)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)
Saunderskill Farm (Accord)
Thompson-Finch Farm (Ancram)

Cherries (Late June – Early July)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Prospect Hill Orchards (Milton)
Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)

Apricots (Mid-Late July)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook)

Nectarines (Early July – Late September)
DuBois Farms (Highland)

Peaches (Mid-Late July – Mid-Late August)
DuBois Farms (Highland)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)
Wilken’s Fruit & Fir Farm (Yorktown Heights)

Plums (Mid-Late July – Early August)
DuBois Farms (Highland)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)

Currants (Mid-Late July)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)

Gooseberries (Mid-Late July)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)

Blueberries (July – August)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Greig Farm (Red Hook)
Halfway Acres (Campbell Hall)
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards (New Paltz)
Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson)
Mead Orchards (Tivoli)
Ochs Orchard (Warwick)
Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)
Saunderskill Farm (Accord)
Thompson-Finch Farm (Ancram)

Blackberries (August – September)
Greig Farm (Red Hook)
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards (New Paltz)
Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson)

Raspberries (Mid-Late July – Early October)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards (New Paltz)
Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)

We enjoyed apple picking at Wilkens Farm. It was a hot day but we picked apples and enjoyed cider dougnuts!

Apples (Mid-Late August – Early November)
Barton Orchards (Poughquag)
DuBois Farms (Highland)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Greig Farm (Red Hook)
Jenkins-Lueken Orchards (New Paltz)
Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Mead Orchards (Tivoli)
Ochs Orchard (Warwick)
Rose Hill Farm (Red Hook)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)
Saunderskill Farm (Accord)
Thompson-Finch Farm (Ancram)
Wilken’s Fruit & Fir Farm (Yorktown Heights)

Grapes (Mid-Late August – October)
DuBois Farms (Highland)
Kelder’s Farm (Kerhonkson)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)

Pears (Mid-Late August – Mid-Late September)
Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction)
Lawrence Farms Orchards (Newburgh)
Samascott Orchards (Kinderhook)

Snow Much Fun in the Hudson Valley!

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New York has finally had its first snowstorm of 2020. Once it snows, there’s a very high chance that more snow will make an appearance……still waiting on that though! However, I am not a winter person. As beautiful as snow falls are, I honestly hate winter and the cold! I do like the family to participate in seasonable activities though – since we get to experience all four seasons, we might as well make the most of them! We will hopefully get to enjoy some of these ways to have “Snow Much Fun” in the Hudson Valley this winter!

Quick and Easy Ideas that you can do at your house or nearby:

1.Build a snowman – Buy a snowman making kit to have on hand for the next snow fall. Or collect and set aside a spare hat, scarf and gloves so you are all ready to decorate your snowman when the time comes.

2. Make snow angels – Don’t forget to take a pic of your creations!

3. Have a snowball fight – Make sure everyone has waterproof gloves for this activity! If you want to make perfectly sized snowballs super quickly, you can get a snowball maker kit.

4. Go sleigh riding – We have a big hill at our elementary school that kids love to sleigh ride down. My son has a new sled and can’t wait to try it out!

5. Build a snow fort – I’m not sure that my kids have ever made a snow fort! This Sno-Brick Maker can help construct snow forts!

6. Snow art – The snow is their canvas with these sno markers.

7. Make maple syrup candy – We tried making this many years ago and I burnt the syrup. We are due for another attempt and this recipe looks easy enough.

8. Make frozen bubbles – Take your bottles of bubbles outside and blow them to enjoy some bubble fun. The temperature has to be below freezing for the bubbles to freeze. If you don’t

Ideas that require a little planning and/or travel:

9. Skiing and/or snowboarding – There are many mountains within driving distance to enjoy skiing or snowboarding. Thunder Ridge Ski Area is located in Patterson, nearby in Putnam County.

10. Ice Skating – there are plenty of places in the Hudson Valley to ice skate – both indoors or outside. Check out our ice skating guide.

11. Snow Shoeing – This activity is on my winter bucket list! I’ve never snow shoed before, but it looks like a good winter workout!

12. Tubing – Tubing is a fun activity for the entire family! We enjoyed tubing at Mount Peter, but several ski mountains offer tubing. Most places require you to reserve a time slot, so be sure to plan accordingly.

Activities that require more planning and require travel outside the Hudson Valley:

13. Ice Fishing – Ice fishing is a winter activity that requires a lot more planning and preparation. First, the ice needs to be four inches thick. Second, you need to get a fishing license. Then besides fishing poles, there is also special equipment like ice safety picks, ice cleats, a chisel, rescue rope and more. To find out more information and locations where ice fishing is allowed, check out the NYS DEC site.

14. Snowmobiling – Snowmobiling trails abound in upstate New York. The Adirondacks have several different companies that rent snowmobiles and give tours.

15. Ride a bob sled – In Lake Placid, NY you can enjoy a bobsled experience. At the Olympic Sports Complex, a professional driver helps guide riders down the track at exhilarating speeds of up to 50-55 miles per hour. The ride is only about 40 seconds down 800 meters of the 1,500 meter track. Reservations are highly recommended.

16. Take a dog sled ride – Lake Placid also seems to be the only place in NY state where you can enjoy a dog sled ride. Weather permitting, Adirondack Wilderness Adventures and Thunder Mountain Dogsleds operate dog sled rides on Mirror Lake.

17. Horse drawn sleigh ride – The Adirondacks is the place for winter fun! Country Dreams Farm operates its sleigh rides in Lake Placid. Belgian Draft horses pull you in a sleigh through the woods and fields.

Cardoso Cookies {Made in New York}

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Cardoso Cookies are made locally in the Hudson Valley. Anthony Cardoso is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and makes his cookies with all natural ingredients.

I recently attended the Fall Hudson Valley Restaurant Week kick-off event at the Culinary Institute of America.  By now, you know I’m attracted to all things sweet and I was compelled to stop by the Cardoso Cookies table.  There, I had the pleasure of meeting founder Anthony Cardoso.  He graduated from the Culinary Institute in 2002 so you can bet he’s qualified to make a good cookie!

Anthony Cardoso is the founder of cookie company Cardoso Cookies. A graduate of the Culinary Institute he uses fresh ingredients with no preservatives.

 What was his motivation for starting Cardoso Cookies?

Anthony wanted to start a food business where the primary focus was on producing a consistent, high quality, and fresh (made to order & from scratch) product. He didn’t want a brick and mortar storefront or a food truck (at the time it was too big of an investment). While visiting the Rhinebeck Farmers Market, he realized that there was a lack of sweet options.  This helped him narrow his focus down to cookies.  The following months included lots of recipe development, package testing, and test shipments all over the nation to friends and family. Cardoso Cookies was launched on August 1, 2015.

Based out of Hopewell Junction, Cardoso Cookies are primarily available for purchase online. Orders can be placed through the company website and  shipped anywhere in the United States.  Once an order is placed, the cookies are baked to order and usually shipped or delivered the next day. He even offers free local delivery if you happen to live near Hopewell Junction! Additionally, Anthony sells his products at local events and markets to grow a following.  Past events have included the Hudson Valley Wine and Chocolate Festival, the Stormville Flea Market and the Fishkill Farmer’s Market.  You can also purchase his cookies at Crown Maple, in Dover Plains or North River Roasters in Poughkeepsie.

I asked Anthony which was his most popular selling cookie.  He said it’s the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie. That’s not terribly surprising but it also happens to be his favorite, too!  What sets their chocolate chip cookie apart from a classic chocolate chip is the inclusion of 4 different types of chocolate chips (milk, semisweet, bittersweet, and white).  As a bittersweet chocolate lover,  Anthony also really enjoys the Bittersweet Brownie cookie. The bittersweet chocolate batter and semisweet chocolate chips make it a rich and delicious cookie.

But how do they taste?!

Anthony was offering samples of many of the different cookies he makes and sells.  I took him up on his offer to bring a selection of cookies home to share with the family.  As a family lifestyle blogger, I seek to highlight family-friendly products in my “Made in New York” feature.  I try to have everyone in the family sample and give opinions on the products.  Cookies definitely qualify as family-friendly in my house and my kids were super excited to be cookie taste testers.

Of course, I had to try the famous Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie although I was a bit more intrigued by some of the other variety of cookies that we sampled.

Birthday  Sugar Cookie – This is a sugar cookie filled with sprinkles.  I liked the soft chewiness the most.

Hot Cocoa Cookie –  This is a dark chocolate cookie with milk chocolate chips and marshmallows.  This was a soft cookie and one of the more fragile ones.

“New”Tella Cookie – This is a thick sandwich cookie filled with Callebaut chocolate ganache and chocolate hazelnut spread filling.  I wasn’t expecting the cookies to have a cinnamon flavor and, although they were tasty, I think I’d prefer them with a plain butter cookie.

Red Velvet Cookie – This is a classic red velvet cookie with white chocolate chips.

Salted Caramel Chocolate – This is another delicious sandwich cookie.  A thick chocolate filling and local Hudson Valley-made Cara-Sel Salted Caramel are sandwiched between two chocolate cookies.

Thick Mints Cookie – This is a super thick, chocolate and mint flavored cookie, covered in a chocolate coating.

All of the cookies were delicious.  However, the unanimous family favorite was the Hot Cocoa Cookie.  Although I didn’t try them myself,  Anthony had other varieties available to sample including the Brookie (1/2 chocolate chip, 1/2 brownie), Bittersweet Brownie, and Apple Oatmeal.  He also sells Maple Doodles, Peanut Butter cookies, Peanut Butter Cup cookies, Oatmeal Raisin, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, and a S’mores cookie.  He even sells a vegan chocolate chip cookie.

As you can see from the labels, these cookies are made with all natural ingredients.  Because there are no preservatives, these cookie are best eaten with a week. You probably won’t have to worry about that because there’s no way they’ll be sitting around uneaten! If you’re planning to save some cookies for a future date, though, they can be frozen for up to three months.

Besides cookies, Cardoso Cookies also sells edible cookie dough. The dough contains no eggs or egg products and is ready to eat.  The 3-pack sampler contains 10 oz. jars of Classic Chocolate Chip, Birthday Cake and Brownie Batter.

The cookies and cookie dough make great gifts and party favors.  Gift tins and boxes are available and would make great holiday gifts or a tasty treat for a dinner party.  His prices are quite reasonable too.  Small gift tins of 6-8 cookies start at $12.99.  A (21-24 count) sampler pack of 3 different cookies of your choice is $36.99.

Be sure to follow Cardoso Cookies on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on where they are selling.  They will also soon be offering special deals for social media fans.

Smorgasburg Upstate

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For those of you without NYC foodie friends, Smorgasburg is, “the largest weekly open-air food market in America.” Thousands of people visit each weekend and my Instagram feed has me drooling at all the deliciousness that one can find to eat there. However, living in the suburbs of New York City, trekking down to Brooklyn, even for some amazing eats, does not appeal to me.  Fortunately, for us suburban folks there is Smorgasburg Upstate.

Located at the Hutton Brickyards in Kingston, NY, this is the second season of Smorgasburg Upstate.  While last year, it took place once a week, this year it is scheduled for only one weekend a month.  My family and I visited this past Sunday for opening weekend.  From northern Westchester County, it is approximately a 90 minute drive. Both parking and admission are free.  The location is very photogenic with Hudson River views and vestiges of the old brickyard including a Lidgerwood crane and frames of the steel kiln sheds.

Smorgasburg is located under a giant pavilion.  Savory food vendors include Itsa Pizza Truck, Pakt, Hookline Fish Co, Santa Fe Tacos, Ramen Burger, Kovo Rotisserie, Gomen-Kudasai Noodle Escape, Nacho Nirvana and The Grille Wagon. Bakery and sweet food vendors include Bread Alone, Cafe Warshafsky, Seraphine Bakery, Jane’s Ice Cream and Fruition Chocolate.

While we were there we sampled the mac and cheese donut with bacon jam and “The Big Daddy” (pulled pork, cheddar cheese, bacon, sauteed onions, jalapenos, and BBQ sauce on a roll, pressed on the flattop) from The Grille Wagon.  Both of these were delicious!  The Grille Wagon was smart with their advertising  and had samples of some of their more popular menu items on display.  They were even roasting a whole pig and serving it later in the afternoon!

We also shared BBQ Duck Nachos with Fontina & Mango-Avocado Salsa from Nacho Nirvana.  They were a good dish to share.  However, I found them to be just okay.  There was a lot of cheese and it became cold and congealed very quickly.  The mango-avocado salsa (pretty much guacamole) was delicious though!

We finished up with some ice cream from Jane’s Ice Cream.  I loved the Apricot Orange Blossom and Kahlua Calypso Crunch flavors!

The Ramen Burger from Ramen Burger and the Fried Avocado Sandwich from PAKT looked tasty as well and if I wasn’t stuffed, I’d give them a try!

You won’t go thirsty at Smorgasburg Upstate.  Besides water and soda that vendors sell, Maya’s Lemonade (from Maya’s Jams) and STAND coffee provide non-alcoholic beverages.  There’s a bar serving local craft beer and hard cider on tap along with wine and cocktails.

For those wishing to shop, some of the flea market vendors include Mezzanine Vintage, Hazel and Hudson, So Mid-Century, Bohemian Farmgirl and NorthCountryClassics.  There are also food vendors selling honey, hot sauce, olive oil, brittle and more.

Once you’ve gotten some food, you can choose from several seating options.  The Adirondack chairs with Hudson River views are very popular and are the first seats to be taken.

There are also several picnic tables both under the pavilion and out on the grass where you can sit and eat.  For the younger visitors, there are a couple toddler-sized dining tables and chairs as well.

Sit, relax, and bask in the sunshine while you enjoy your good eats.  You can be entertained by the live music, or, like my children did, engage in some fun dog watching.  Smorgasburg Upstate is very dog-friendly!  We couldn’t believe the number and different types of dogs we saw while we were there.

If you’re up to it, you can even play a game of cornhole out on the lawn.

Although I’ve never been to Smorgasburg in the city, the number of vendors and the uniqueness of foods sold at the Upstate location is a bit lacking (and disappointing) in comparison.  Compared to the 100 vendors at the Brooklyn location, Smorgasburg Upstate had a lot less food vendors.  The Ramen Burger (Ramen Burger), Smoky Tails (Hookline) and Mac and Cheese Donut (The Grille Wagon) were probably the most unique food items available.  If you go to Brooklyn, you can expect to find Ube Ice Cream served in a dragon fruit bowl, Spaghetti Donuts, Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches, Raclette Sandwiches and more!

For reference, most main dishes (sandwiches, pizzas, etc.) are priced between $10-$15 and and are cash only.  There is an ATM onsite if needed as well as restrooms with flushable toilets and sinks.

The Details:

Smorgasburg Upstate
200 North Street
Kingston, NY

11 AM- 6 PM

Dates:
June 17 & 18
July 15 & 16
August 19 & 20
September 16 & 17
October 21 & 22

June 23 & 24 there is a Bob Dylan concert at the Hutton Brickyards.  Visit Ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets.

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

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Beautiful, scenic river views, exercise, and outdoor family fun.  A visit to Poughkeepsie, New York, isn’t complete without a trip to the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park where you can experience it all!  Spanning 1.28 miles long, the Walkway is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.  Walkway Over the Hudson opened in October 2009 and is a New York State park.

The bridge sits 212 feet above the Hudson River and offers spectacular scenic views.  Bike riding, roller blading and skateboarding are all permitted on the bridge. Dogs on a six foot lead are also welcome.  With the beautiful spring weather we’ve been experiencing, there’s no better time to visit the Walkway!

Our family has visited the Walkway twice now.  Our first visit was in the summer and it was hot!  So hot, that there was a warning posted that dogs should not walk on the bridge, as the temperature was over 100 degrees! That first visit our daughter rode her bike while we walked.  However, we didn’t even make it across the entire bridge as we were so hot and hungry!

Our second visit was on a breezy, sunny, spring day.  It was a perfect day for walking across the bridge and taking in the views.  We walked the entire bridge and back, with a few photo stops in between.  For our family 2.56 miles was plenty of walking!  If you prefer a longer walk or run there’s a 4.4 mile loop trail that crosses the Mid-Hudson Bridge.

There are picnic tables at both entrances of the walkway if you want to bring lunch or snacks and make a longer day out of your visit.  During our summer visit there was a hot dog truck at the Poughkeepsie entrance.  On our spring visit, there was a snack stand open at the Highland entrance selling kettle corn, beverages and other snacks. There are beverage vending machines as well.

On the walkway closer to the Poughkeepsie entrance there’s a glass-enclosed 21-story elevator operated by a NYS park employee which leads down to the waterfront.

Within walking distance is the Poughkeepsie train station, the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum,the Poughkeepsie Ice House on the Hudson restaurant and more.

Other important things to note is that there are bathrooms at both entrances that house self-composting toilets with hand sanitizer only, no sinks or running water.  There were no changing tables for babies and toddlers.

Although the bridge isn’t that long, if walking it with kids be ready to take frequent breaks! Strollers and wagons are allowed on the walkway.  There are benches in a couple of spots along the bridge that are great photo spots as well as a place to rest tired feet for a few minutes.  Bring quarters and your kids can enjoy using the coin operated binoculars.  I also recommend bringing water or beverages (or be prepared to purchase them!), as from personal experience, your kids will get thirsty, especially if it’s hot!

Spend an hour or a day visiting the Walkway Over the Hudson!  As you can see in the picture below, there is lots to do in the area.  Regardless, the walkway is a Hudson Valley experience you should not miss!

The Details:

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

Poughkeepsie Entrance:
61 Parker Avenue
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Highland Entrance:
87 Haviland Road
Highland, NY 12528

Hours:  6:30 AM to sunset (varies depending on the month – check here for the schedule)
Elevator operates from 9 AM to one hour before park closing

Parking:  $5 (for four hours) to park in the New York State parking lot
Empire passes are accepted
There is a free parking lot on Parker Avenue, before the state parking lot entrance

The bridge is 1.28 miles long and is 212 feet above the Hudson River.