summer 2016 | spontaneous picnicking

From the location to the food

by David DeWitt photos by Matt Petricone

June 02, 2016

G oing for a picnic is a quintessential summer pastime, and it does not have to be complicated. All you need is a good spot with a nice view, a comfy blanket, and a basket full of food and drinks.

The Hudson Valley has more picnicking spots than you can count, so we have scouted a few of our favorites to make the choice easier. Instead of stopping at the grocery store and picking up some boring deli meats and juice boxes, head to one of these local towns to find your picnic supplies and the perfect picnic spot.

FROM NEW PALTZ

New Paltz is the bohemian hub of Ulster County. A stop along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail at the Water Street Market will present you with several eateries, but the best place to start is at The Cheese Plate.

THE CHEESE PLATE

Water Street Market: 10 Main St., 845-255-2444, cheeseplatenewpaltz.com

With over 60 cheeses, a large selection of local and imported meats, pâté, jams, chutney, bread, and more, this may be the only stop you need to make. Owners/cheesemongers Theresa and Jeff Logan are known for their expertise and customer service. “When people come in, I feel like I’m opening my home to them,” Theresa says. “I want every experience to be a positive one.”

Cheese and meat is sliced to order, and they offer an array of creative sandwiches, both cold and grilled. The Ploughman’s Lunch, which features a hearty portion of cheese, an accompaniment, and a baguette, is a customer favorite. It’s all packaged in an attractive cardboard carry-out box.

If you really want to picnic in style, The Cheese Plate sells backpacks for two or four people, complete with plates, glasses, cutlery, and even a cutting board and corkscrew. The packs also feature a large cooler section and detachable insulated wine pouch.

Plus, The Cheese Plate also sells large table cloths, making it an all-in-one shop for picnics.

MORE YUMMY FOOD
MAIN COURSE
175 Main Street, New Paltz
845-255-2600, maincoursecatering.com
Main Course has been a trailblazer for sustainable

food, using small Hudson Valley purveyors to provide the freshest local organic produce. Some say they have the best chopped salad in the valley, and their grab-and-go case is perfect for the spontaneous picnicker. The grilled potato salad is a favorite, but they also have a create-your-own-salad option. If you need accessories, Main Course sells picnic baskets, backpacks, and water bottles as well.

JENKINS-LEUKEN ORCHARDS
69 Yankee Folly Road, New Paltz
845-255-0999, jlorchards.com

Family-owned for 50 years, just about everything in this friendly country store could be part of a picnic—especially the freshly baked pies, brownies, cheeses, and other tasty treats.

MOXIE CUP
6184 Main Street, New Paltz, 845-255-2253, moxiecup.com

Moxie is known for their gourmet cupcakes, but they also have savory selections with gluten-free and vegan options.Moxie also offers a variety of specialty coffee drinks and teas.

WALLKILL VIEW FARM
15 Route 299 West, New Paltz
845-255-8050,
wallkillviewfarmmarket.com

This farm bakes over 50 different kinds of muffins, breads, pies, and scones. Lunch favorites include the ham-and-cheese and spinach-feta croissants. They also sell coffee, soda, and plenty of local produce.

CANDY CANDY
Water Street Market: 10 Main Street, New Paltz
845-255-6506, candycandyny.com

Looking for a nostalgic sweet fix? Candy Candy has all your favorite childhood candy bars and more.

DRINKS

IN GOOD TASTE WINE AND SPIRITS
27 Main Street, New Paltz
845-255-0110, ingoodtastewine.com

This shop is just a short walk from the Water Street Market, across Main Street and behind the Wells Fargo Bank. Their walls are lined with 140 wine selections under $15, including New York State and organic wines.

FOX AND HOUND WINE & SPIRITS
20 New Paltz Plaza, New Paltz
845-255-7475

Fox and Hound is located right off the Thruway in the same plaza as Stop and Shop. They stock a wide range of hand-selected boutique wines at competitive prices.

PICNIC LOCATIONS NEAR NEW PALTZ

MINNEWASKA STATE PARK (pictured)
5281 Route 44-55, New Paltz
lakeminnewaska.org

Besides offering numerous hiking trails, Minnewaska’s lakeside banks offer sweeping views of the Shawangunk Mountains. No glass or alcohol is allowed in the park, so pack some plastic cups and juice for this picnic spot.

THE WALLKILL VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
Entrance at Water Street Market
10 Main Street, New Paltz, wvrta.org

Whether biking or walking, you will find secluded picnic spots tucked away along this trail. If you want to bike, Bicycle Depot, located at 15 Main Street, rents bikes for the afternoon or the whole day.

HISTORIC HUGUENOT STREET
Visitor center: 81 Huguenot Street, New Paltz
845-255-1660, huguenotstreet.org

The grassy lawns and shaded picnic tables on historic Huguenot Street are a favorite for spontaneous picnickers. You may feel a suspension of time as you break bread surrounded by beautiful stone houses that date back to the early 1700s

MOHONK PRESERVE
Spring Farm Trailhead: Upper 27 Knolls Road 845-255-0919, mohonkpreserve.org

Just a short walk up the hill from the parking area, you will find the perfect picnic spot with a million-dollar view of the Catskills. If you are hiking-inclined, you can also hike the three-mile round-trip trail to Bonticou Crag, with an optional challenging rock scramble.

FROM PHOENICIA

Surrounded by high Catskill Mountain peaks, anywhere in Phoenicia would be a beautiful spot to spread your blanket and eat some delicious local food. There is no cellphone service there, so it’s a perfect place to disconnect for a few hours. Plus, Phoenicia hosts the International Festival of the Voice every August!

YUMMY FOOD
BRIO’S PIZZERIA
68 Main Street, Phoenicia
845-688-5370, brios.net

This pizza place is known for its wood-fired, thin-crust pizza but also has an extensive and eclectic menu with a number of picnic-friendly sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Don’t forget the dessert! Their tarts, pies, cupcakes, and brownies will make any picnic extra special, and they are all made in-house.

PHOENICIA DELICATESSEN

46 Main Street, Phoenicia
845-688-5125, phoeniciany.com/venue/phoenicia-market-and-delicatessen/

In this full-service deli and German specialty market, you’ll find items you would not find in a typical deli. Pick up a gelbwurst sandwich, a jar of the homemade calamondin marmalade, or lingonberry preserves—and don’t forget the landjäeger.

THE ICE CREAM STATION
76 Main Street, Phoenicia, 845-688-7705, phoeniciany.com/venue/the-ice-cream-station

Stop here for hard or soft ice cream in a cone, a milkshake, a sundae, or whatever other frozen desert strikes your fancy. Just remember to bring a cooler so your treat stays in-tact while you head to your picnic location.

ACCESSORIES

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN STOREHOUSE
60 Main Street, Phoenicia, on the boardwalk
845-688-3143, storehouseny.com

Ramp up your picnic with the Storehouse’s water bottles, camping cutlery, or folding chairs. If you want your day trip to turn into a camping weekend, this is the place to go. With plenty of rental camping gear, an optional campsite concierge to set up your tent, and guided hike service, these guys have you covered.

NEST EGG
84 Main Street, Phoenicia 845-688-5851, nesteggshop.com

An old-fashioned, packed-to-the-rafters country store, Nest Egg carries a little bit of everything—and then some. Grab a Mexican blanket and some homemade fudge for your picnic, and stop back in for some local maple syrup and honey before you head home.

TENDER LAND HOME
64 Main Street, Phoenicia
845-688-7213, tenderlandhome.com

This beautiful, sophisticated country shop is full of carefully selected home accessories. You will want to spend the day there, but they have some fabric and canvas totes and fleece micro blankets to help you get your picnic on—if you can pull yourself away from the store.

PICNIC LOCATIONS

PHOENICIA PARISH FIELD
A short walk down Main Street, this field is where the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice is held. Year-round, it is the perfect spot to dine al fresco with a splendid mountain view.

STONY CLOVE AND ESOPUS CREEKS
There are several creek-side public access points to these two creeks along Route 28 and Route 214. Just look for a strip of grass and plop down with your picnic accessories.

BLACK BEAR CAMPGROUND (pictured)
17 Bridge Street, Phoenicia, 845-688-7405 phoeniciablackbearcampground.com

A short walk from Main Street, this campground has daily-use picnic sites along the Esopus Creek.

OTHER THINGS TO DO

GEOCACHING, geocaching.com
Try your hand at this real-world outdoor treasure hunt using your phone or other GPS-enabled device. Participants navigate to a specific set of coordinates and attempt to find the geocache container hidden at that location. With over 130 Geocaches in the Phoenicia area code, you might find a treasure or a treasured picnic spot along the way.

TOWN TINKER TUBE RENTAL
10 Bridge Street
845-688-5553, towntinker.com

It is hard to go anywhere in Phoenicia during the summer without seeing a teenager drenched in water. Town Tinker Tube Rental has been a mainstay for over 35 years, supplying fun on the white water of Esopus Creek.

CATSKILL MOUNTAIN RAILROAD
Mount Tremper Station: 5401 Route 28
845-688-7400, catskillmtrailroad.com

Phoenicia was one of the first towns to have a railroad, and the CMR offers rides on a section of the historic route. Roundtrips for the 45-minute excursion depart from Mount Temper Station and stop in Phoenicia, where the restored station houses the Empire State Railway Museum.

FROM RHINEBECK

History surrounds you when you explore the streets of this town that dates back further than the 1700s. With so much history, it’s probably where George Washington picnicked. If there is a place worthy of spreading grandma’s hand-stitched quilt, this is it.

YUMMY FOOD
RHINEBECK BAGELS
31 West Market Street, Rhinebeck 845-876-8025, rhinebeckbagels.com Grab one of their signature sandwiches on bagels or tasty bread. Try “The Gobbler,” a turkey-bacon-mozzarella sandwich, or try “The Slammer,” with pastrami, bacon, and Swiss. There is also “The Lowner,” with chicken salad, cheddar, and onion, amongst other creative bites. Their seasonal summer salads are customer favorites as well.

OSAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
22 Garden Street, Rhinebeck 845-876-7338, osakasushi.net This popular sushi go-to has scored consistently high ratings over their 20-year history. With a reputation for fresh, delicious rolls, you will want to try more than just a few. Don’t forget the dumplings though!

RHINEBECK FARMERS MARKET
61 East Market Street, Rhinebeck rhinebeckfarmersmarket.com Operating every Sunday from 10am to 2pm in Rhinebeck’s municipal parking lot, this market includes 40+ local vendors. Breads, cheese, meats, pickles, and veggies will overflow your picnic basket.

DRINKS
GRAND CRU BEER & CHEESE MARKET
6384 Mill Street, Rhinebeck 845-876-6992, grandcrurhinebeck.com Grand Cru has an impressive selection of craft beers, artisan cheeses, and other snacks. There is also a tap room if you need to sit for a spell.

OLDE MILL WINE & SPIRITS
6390 Mill Street, Rhinebeck
845-876-5343
Almost next door to Grand Cru, the staff at Old Mill are friendly and helpful in every way. They even post maps showing where they get their wines as well as recipe suggestions.

ACCESSORIES
SPRUCE DESIGN & DECOR
20 West Market Street, Rhinebeck
845-876-5864, sprucedesigndecor.com
You might find a votive or antique dishes to add ambiance to your outdoor meal in this eclectic blend of 20th century furnishings and home accessories. You may also find something to enhance your home too.

PICNIC LOCATIONS:
THE TOWER IN FERNCLIFF FOREST
ferncliffforest.org
Work up your appetite by climbing 109 steps to experience the magnificent view at the top of the fire tower, or choose one of the many picnic sites in the beautiful 200-acre preserve.

VANDERBILT MANSION
119 Vanderbilt Park Road, Hyde Park
High on the east bank of the Hudson River, this beautiful mansion remnant of the Gilded Age has seemingly endless lawns on which you can spread your blanket. Take a stroll in the meticulously restored formal gardens while your imaginary butler sets out your cheese and caviar.

POET’S WALK
776 River Road, Red Hook, 845-473-4440, scenichudson.org/parks/poetswalk
This historic 120-acre park inspired Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle. It may take your breath away, but it will leave your appetite perfectly intact. Choose an awe-inspiring view before filling your belly and dozing off to sleep.

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