Dutchess County Drive and Stay Itinerary
Looking for a weekend getaway that won’t take you too far from home? Dutchess County is the place to go if you love great food and wine. And now it is easier than ever to spend a weekend enjoying the splendor of Dutchess County; Enterprise is offering car rentals at Metro North train stations. So go ahead, hop on the train and drive to one of our charming bed and breakfasts, then enjoy all Dutchess County has to offer.
We combed through our vast resources and came up with three exciting itineraries for a drive and stay getaway. They all feature farm markets, vineyards, and what we think is the best Dutchess County has to offer.
Itinerary One:
Day One
Our first itinerary is based in historic Hyde Park. Once home to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Hyde Park has a plethora of historic sites and gardens. You could stay at the Journey Inn Bed & Breakfast. This lovely inn is right across from the Vanderbilt Mansion and offers four rooms and two suites with different themes inspired by the owners’ travels, complete with wireless Internet access and a butler’s pantry full of goodies. A gourmet breakfast, featuring local eggs, is served family style every morning at 8:30 am, giving you a great start to a busy day.
Another option is The Willows (willowsbnb.com). A restored 1765 Colonial farmhouse, this bed and breakfast boasts a Culinary Institute of America graduate as your chef. You will love the spread of homemade jam, bread, sausage, and honey Lee Fraitag sets before you each morning. Also nestled right outside of the center of Hyde Park is Inn the Woods (innthewoods.com). This sprawling contemporary home is run by Culinary Institute of America trained Harrison and Valarie Losey, who also make their own jam and sausage. Don’t forget to ask for their blue ribbon winning muffins as well!
After settling in, go explore the Vanderbilt Mansion. There is no charge for wandering through the exquisite Italian gardens and admiring the view of the majestic Hudson River. Only a few minutes away are the Beatrix Farrand Gardens at Bellefield. Beatrix Farrand, the first female architect, designed these gardens in 1812. Thanks to the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association, the garden has been restored to its original beauty and prestige and is open to the public.
Day Two
On your second day, take a drive over to Clinton Corners to tour the Clinton Vineyards & Winery, only 15 to 30 minutes from the Journey Inn. Be sure to taste their Cassis, the only black currant wine made in the United States to win multiple gold medals and “Best of Class” at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. With 100 acres of scenic grounds, complete with a pond and gardens, Clinton Vineyards is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Afterwards, stop by Gigi’s Market and Greig Farm in Red Hook. A 30-minute drive from Clinton Vineyards, you can pick your own fruit and grab something delicious and nutritious to eat at the market. During weekends over the summer, the market is offering a reasonably priced spread of delicious barbequed entrees as well. Lose yourself in the 500 acres this working farm uses, an experience that will be sure to dazzle your senses.
Itinerary Two:
Day One
Our next option is set in the Village of Millerton, just a train ride away via the Harlem Line from Grand Central Terminal. Located on the New York/Connecticut border, this area has been dominated by farmland and is now a very arts-oriented village center. Here, you could stay at the Simmons’ Way Village Inn & Restaurant.
With nine adorable rooms to choose from, this beautiful Victorian home offers both comfy sleeping arrangements and delicious dining. The executive chef is a graduate of the prestigious Dutchess County Culinary Institute of America, and combines classic French cuisine with contemporary flare.
After checking in, you can walk into town and explore the village shops and farmer’s market. Afterwards, take a short drive to McEnroe Organic Farm Market. Featuring organically grown produce, and organic meats, this farm is a fascinating display of how organic farming is worth the effort. With a single bite of one of their fresh delicacies, we recommend the tomato pie, we are sure you will agree.
Day Two
After a good nights sleep, take a trip to Harney & Sons Fine Teas. Based in Connecticut, they have a Tea Shop and Tasting Room in Millerton. A family run business, Harney & Sons features delicious loose teas and delicate sachets and also sells a variety of beautiful teapots.
With your new purchases in tow, take a short drive to Amenia to visit Cascade Winery & Restaurant. This extensive winery offers tastings of their delicious table wines, complete with hors d’oeuvres and a newly added tapas bar. Or you can stay for dinner and dine at their “Bounty of the Hudson” buffet. This unbelievable spread features local Hudson Valley produce and gourmet products.
Itinerary Three:
Day One
Our third itinerary is based in the Fishkill/Poughkeepsie area. You can stay at a Courtyard Marriott in either town; both are located right off of Route 9, which provides easy transportation to Interstate 84 and the Taconic Parkway.
In the morning, hop into your car and take a trip to Fishkill Farms. This historic farm has been owned by the Morgenthau family since the early 1900’s and boasts an extensive orchard along with a farm market. Robert Morgenthau, the District Attorney of New York County, now runs the farm along with his son Joshua. Greatness seems to run in the family, considering Josh’s grandfather was the Secretary of the Treasury for FDR, who was also a close family friend, and even brought Winston Churchill to the farm. They also feature farm fresh eggs from organic-fed chickens and have pick-your-own blueberries and peaches. Grab some freshly baked goods (made by a Culinary Institute of America graduate), sit out on the deck, and enjoy the view of this working farm.
Afterwards, you can go to Sprout Creek Farms in Lagrange and check out the dairy farm and buy some of their fresh handmade cheese in their market. Their variety of cheeses, including a buttery Toussaint and young Barat, are made from the milk of their herds of grass fed Jersey, Guernsey, Milking Shorthorn, and Brown Swiss cows.
Day Two
Rest up that night, because the following afternoon you will be at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. Their extensive tours provide an informative tasting, which highlights six of their current vintage wines and a sampling of their Villa Pillo Estate Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You will be sure to enjoy their critically acclaimed wines; Millbrook Vineyards has been noted in both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.
Next, take a drive to Salt Point and pick your own fruit at Terhune Orchards. You can browse through their farm market, and pick up some specialty items, or wander around the 70 acres of scenic farmland.
Finally, head to the Village of Millbrook to stroll through the streets. Lined with tubs of assorted flowers, end your exciting weekend by visiting the charming shops along Main Street. Known as “horse country,” the rolling hills and scenic views will be sure to delight you.
