by Rochelle Riservato
You know the old saying: “We have joy, we have fun; we have seasons in the sun.” Well that’s what we had in mind for couples, singles and the entire family. From drive-in movies (remember them?) to splashin’ good water fun, there are perfect places for those lazy, crazy days of summer. These amusements will make those dog days of summer into the hottest, most exciting times you’ll ever have in the Hudson Valley. So when you’re not enjoying the relaxing times with the crickets chirping and the fireflies glowing—check these summertime spots so your kids can have lots to write for their fall assignment, “How I spent my summer.”
Hyde Park Drive-In
Opened in 1950. Two movies for one admission: $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-11. Children under 5 are free. Tuesday night is bargain night, $5 adults. Discount Books: 10 tickets for only $60. Food/snack shack has everything from candy and popcorn to pizza, nachos/cheese, and dinners. One screen with sound on FM 87.9 and AM 530. Accommodates 650 cars. 4114 Albany Post Road (Route 9 opposite FDR Estate), Hyde Park. 845-229-4738; hydeparkdrivein.com
Fair Oaks Drive-In
A two- screen outdoor theater with a capacity for 800 cars. Open April to October. Sound at FM 88.1 & 89.5. 365 Bloomingburg Road, Middletown. 845-361-5774; thefairoaksdrivein.com
Hi-Way Drive In
A three-screen theater located between Catskill and Coxsackie. $8 for ages 12 and up; $3 for ages 3 to 11; Under 3 years admitted free. Gate and snack bar opens 90 minutes before first show time. Seven miles north of Catskill on the west side of Route 9W. 10769 Route 9W, Coxsackie. 518-731-8672. driveinmovie.com/NY/Hi-way/schedule
Hollywood Drive-In
Built in 1952 with updated digital projection and sound. Newly renovated snack bar with great fare from popcorn to meals. Weekends only; show times 6:30pm. Adults $8; ages 5-11 $4. Route 66 eight miles outside of Troy. Directions and schedules: 518-283-4425; hollywooddrivein.com
Warwick Drive-In
Originally built in 1952, this updated drive-in is now on an 11-acre, park-like, grassy setting of farmland. First-run movies, home-cooked food and three screens. Adults $9; kids 4-11 $5; seniors $5. No credit cards. The latest in FM radio sound. 5 Warwick Turnpike (Route 21) just off Route 94 (behind Shop-Rite), Warwick. 845-986-4440; warwickdrivein.com
Overlook Drive-In
Two movies for the price of one! Adults $8; ages 5-11 $4. Cash only at ticket booth, however credit cards are accepted at the concession stand that serves a fantastic array of foods.126 DeGarmo Road (between Routes 44 & 55), Poughkeepsie. 845-452-3445; overlookdrivein.com
Fun Central
The family entertainment headquarters for laughs and fun from miniature golf and bumper boats to arcades and even a virtual reality roller coaster. Family packs are designed for a family or group of four people and ranges from pizza, beverages and tokens all the way to complete packages for many of the park’s games and facilities. Visit the snack bar too! 1630 Route 9, Wappingers Falls. 845-297-1010; fun-central.com
Kelders Homegrown Mini-Golf
Chomsky, once the world’s tallest gnome, welcomes you to play miniature golf on the only farm-themed course, surrounded by edible landscaping featuring real vegetables, fruits, grains and herbs. $3.25 a game with a chance to win a free game on the last hole. 10am to 6pm daily (closed Tuesday). Kelder's Farm, 5755 Route 209 between Accord and Kerhonkson. 845-626-7137; homegrownminigolf.com
Monster Glow-in-the-dark Mini-Golf
Experience an exciting indoor monster-themed challenging, yet kid-friendly 18-hole mini-golf for all ages. Monstrously unique animated props with a DJ providing hauntingly great music. Also state-of-the-art arcade! Season and annual passes available. 88-30 Dunning Farms Plaza, Middletown. 845-342-4653; monsterminigolf.com/fran-ny-middletown
Jerry’s Mini Golf Café
Newly renovated with upstairs lounge, coffee bar, pastries and bagels. A challenging 18-hole putt-putt course featuring multiple water hazards, a 10-foot waterfall, and a jump hole. The bonus? Homemade ice cream, famous hamburgers, and a new menu. Seven days 11am-9pm. 288 Route 299, Highland. 845-691-7080
Overlook Mini-Golf and Recreation Center
A fully lit facility featuring a driving range, miniature golf course, batting cages, and state-of-the-art Naskart track (weather permitting)—the longest (1000-ft) asphalt go-kart track in New York State. 7 days from 9am-9pm. 39 DeGarmo Road, Poughkeepsie. Golf Center, 845-471-8515; Naskart, 845-454-6006; overlookgolfcenter.com
Castle Fun Center
A king’s ransom of fun including roller skating, laser tag, mini-golf, mini-bowling, batting cage, and so much more. Seven days a week, hours subject to change. 109 Brookside Avenue, Chester. 845- 469-2116; thecastlefuncenter.com. Adults only: Saturday night comedy at Jesters Restaurant, Comedy Club and Pub located at the Center. Doors open 8pm, shows start at 9pm. Two-drink minimum for shows. 845-345-1039 or 845-469-2116. jesterscomedyclubny.com
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Take a stroll over the famous Hudson River on the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world—212-feet tall and 1.28 miles long. Picnic areas on both bridge approaches—plus bike riding, bird watching, dog walking, jogging, in-line and roller skating, and more. Open year-round, weather conditions permitting (closed in the event of lightning or ice). Open 7am to sunset. 845-454-9649; walkway.org
Catamount Adventure Park
An exciting aerial forest adventure providing a variety of courses for all ability levels. Ages 7 up to seniors find their own comfort zone for exhilarating challenges. Over 170 platforms installed in trees are connected by cable, wood, rope and zip lines to form bridges. New this year—Green Rapids— a level course open to all age groups! Open daily from June 16 to September 3, 9am-5:30pm, weather permitting. 2962 Route 23, Hillsdale. 518-325-3200; catamounttrees.com
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp and Resort
A prime campground and cabin resort destination along the wooded shores of the peaceful Wallkill River that’s pure summer excitement. The entire family plus the family dog is welcome to all the incredible amenities—from swimming, arcade, playgrounds, Yogi's Indoor Theater to much more! Campsites for tents and RVs, plus various size rental cabins. April to October. 50 Bevier Road, Gardiner. 845-255-5193; lazyriverny.com
Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum
Rainy day fun in a museum perfect for boring days when the kids can’t go outdoors. This hands-on activity museum has it all from a rock-climbing wall, planetarium, and hands-on scientific activities to a Gravity Roll and a fully re-constructed skeleton of a huge, twelve-foot tall mastodon that lived during the Ice Age. Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 11am-5pm. Admission for all ages $7.50. 75 N. Water Street, Poughkeepsie. 845-471-0589; mhcm.org
Trolley Museum of New York
Founded in 1955, this museum offers the rich history of rail transportation from 1907 to 1952. In addition to displays of trolley, subway and rapid transit cars, you can also take an excursion ride for 1.5 miles to picnic grounds at T.R. Gallo Park on the shores of the Hudson River. The museum is on the original site of the historic Ulster and Delaware Railroad yards. The upper level’s visitor center includes seasonal and permanent displays and video-viewing areas. 89 East Strand, Kingston. 845-331-3399; tmny.org
Jumpin Jakes Discovery
Indoor playtime for children 7 and under. Bounce houses, pretend play village, discovery center, giant building blocks, interactive games, puzzles and more. Open Jump $9.50 per child—all day—all activities. Sunday-Thursday 10am-6pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-8pm. 2600 South Road, Poughkeepsie. 845-849-1075; jumpinjakes.net
Wood N Wheel Family Fun Center
Indoor skating rink with skate/blade rentals—plus arcade, laser tag, arcade, rock wall, gyroscope, bumper cars and more. Saturday morning “Tyke Time” with special activities for ages 6 and under. Action Paintball located behind center. 365 Route 9W, Ulster Park. 845-331-9680; woodnwheel.com
MAC Park
The largest indoor park in the Mid-Hudson Valley! All possible activities—plus summer camp for ages 5-12 and many summer instructional programs. Plus—Parent’s Night Out for some “alone-time” from 6:30-9:30pm. Kids ages 4-14 enjoy giant inflatables, movies, field games, sports and run-around time. 743 East Chester Street, Kingston in the MAC Fitness complex. 845-388-2837 x35; mac-park.com
Kids Kingdom Play Center Inc.
Indoor play center for children ages 1 to 9. Large two-level play structure, sandbox, ball pits, video games, air hockey and more. Seven days. $9.25 per child. 36 Firemens Way, Poughkeepsie. 845-471-7529; kidskingdompc.com
Zoom Flume Water Park
New York’s #1 family water park offers safe water fun, excitement and relaxation for all ages in a beautiful natural setting. New this year—Riptide Cove Wave Pool. Day rates $25.99; children under 7, $19.99; 2 and under are free. Shady Glen Road, East Durham. 800-888-3586; zoomflume.com
Town Tinker Tubing
The whole family can experience whitewater tubing on the Esopus River. Rent inner tubes with seats, lifejackets and more. No children under age 12 or non-swimmers. Memorial Day-September. Weekends only after Labor Day—reservations only. 9am-6pm daily; last rental 4pm. 10 Bridge Street, Phoenicia. 845-688-5553; towntinker.com
North and South Lakes
1,100-acres in the Catskill Forest Preserve offers just about every summertime activity—swimming in two lakes, 219 tent and camper camp sites, easy and challenging hikes, birding, fishing and also a panoramic view of the Hudson Valley from the location of the once-famed Catskill Mountain House. Also canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals. Many amenities are handicap accessible. Route 18, Haines Falls. 518-589-5058; dec.ny.gov/outdoor
July is National Ice Cream Month –
Celebrate Everyone’s Favorite Summertime Indulgence
Cherries Ice Cream & Deli
Great for summertime ice cream treats! Hard and soft varieties, custom ice cream cakes, full-service deli and burgers, wings and fries. Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm; Sunday, 12-8pm. 4166 Route 209, Stone Ridge. 845-687-9121.
The Ice Cream Emporium
Homemade ice creams, plus “Only 8” frozen yogurt, the Weight Watcher’s 1-point treat with 32 calories and 8 healthy ingredients in a 6.5-oz. serving. Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm or later. 1128 Morton Boulevard, Kingston. 845-336-4449; homeplatedeli.com/ICE
Tom's Soft Serve and More
30 flavors of the best handmade ice cream and a specially blended custard soft-serve available in 48 flavors. Plus a unique crunch cream “flurry on a cone” in eight flavors including Oreo, cotton candy and Butterfinger. Also decadent hot fudge brownie sundaes, upside down banana split, and strawberry shortcake sundae. Open year-round; seven-days a week, 12-9pm. 11051 Route 9W, Coxsackie. 518-291-4061; tomssoftserveandmore.com
Rita's Water Ice
Enjoy Rita’s signature Italian Ice made daily from fresh fruit. Also classic old-fashioned custards and cream ice, gelati, sugar-free Italian ice, and many more combinations. Monday-Sunday 12-10pm. 846 Route 376, Wappingers Falls. 845-849-3737; ritasfranchises.com
Jane's Ice Cream
Creamy homemade and irresistible flavors for ice cream aficionados. Drool over coconut Almond Joy, vanilla maltball, and pralines & cream—all made on Kingston premises. Cravings for sorbets are also satiated. Available at many VISITvortex advertising eateries. 845-338-1801; janesicecream.com
