Summer is the time to get out and make those lifelong memories, and the possibilities for adventure around the Hudson Valley are many and varied: glide, freefall, wander, splash, dance, and get you some summertime fun. Here are nine of our favorites to get you started.
take a hike
One could easily spend a summer’s worth of weekends exploring the miles of trails and carriage roads maintained by Mohonk Preserve. Four trailheads unlock epic views, historic ruins, and crystal creeks. There’s a smart, fascinating welcome center, and hikes for everyone from the stroller set to the mountain goats. Hiking maps and trail info for the Catskill Park can be found at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center on Route 28.
mohonkpreserve.org | catskillinterpretivecenter.org
say cheers
Before there was a craft beverage revolution, there was a historic and growing culture of award-winning Hudson Valley wineries, and they’ve only gotten better with age. The Shawangunk Wine Trail strings together fifteen exceptional small-to-medium wineries along the glorious blue highways and backroads. Book your ride with one of their arsenal of car companies and taste to your heart’s content.
shawangunkwinetrail.com
see a show
When it comes to performances, there’s something for everyone in the Hudson Valley. Check out the eclectic Music on Market series in Ellenville, presented by the Music Institute of Sullivan and Ulster Counties. Also in Ellenville is Shadowland Stages, where you can see great live professional theatre. Or take in a concert at Bethel Woods in the natural amphitheatre on the grounds of the original Woodstock Music & Art Fair. This year they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic 1969 festival with perfomances by several big-name artists.
Misucatskills.org | shadowlandstages.org| bethelwoodscenter.org
fair play
The Dutchess County Fair (August 20–25) is vast, with 1,000 exhibitors, 12 acres of livestock, a living history section, and a SporkRun app game in which food vendors vie for your People’s Choice vote. The Ulster County Fair (July 30–August 4) is a classic community party with great pay-one-price and carload deals. The Woodstock–New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair, held every Memorial and Labor Day weekend, is a juried gathering of hundreds of fine makers of every sort of wonderful thing.
dutchessfair.com | ulstercountyfair.com | quailhollow.com
get wet
Town Tinker Tubing in Phoenicia has everything you need for a two-hour Class II whitewater ride. It’s an adventure; you need to be over 12, able to swim, and physically capable of maneuvering and regaining your tube, should you flip. It’s that kind of exhilarating.
towntinker.com
get out on the hudson
Enjoy sailing on the Hudson River aboard the Black Swan, a 36’ Catalina sailboat. The charters include a 2-1/2 hour cruise, a day cruise, or a two-day getaway. Hudson River Cruises offers narrated sightseeing tours along Millionaire’s Row. Bring your friends, have a drink, and marvel at the march of time; or join the crew on a Friday night music cruise and dance in the sweet river breeze
blackswansailing.com | hudsonrivercruises.com
ride the rails
The newest way to see the Cats? Pedal power. Head up to Phoenicia (stop and grab a picnic on your way) to Rail Explorers: Catskills Division. They’ve got sleek, comfy, hands-free rail bikes for two or four to take on an eight-mile roundtrip glide along the banks of the Esopus Creek. Bring the camera.
railexplorers.net
jump
At Skydive the Ranch in Gardiner, they’ll teach you all you need to know to free fall beside the magnificence of the Shawangunk Ridge. They’ve been helping beginners out of planes and maintaining mecca for those adrenaline junkies known as licensed skydivers for 40 years.They hold Night Jumps and Wingsuit Weekends. They will give you the thrill of a lifetime.
skydivetheranch.com
