Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge Opens
The Walkway Over the Hudson has transformed the 120-year old former Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge into the world’s longest, elevated pedestrian park. This historic treasure has been renovated and the span is now the region's newest New York State Park, open dawn to dusk.
Spectacular views of the fall foliage from the Walkway Over the Hudson surround you as you stroll over rooftops, treetops and then the river. The Walkway is 1.25 miles long, and rises 212 feet above the Hudson. You'll never forget the stunning panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to put yourself in the center of this picturesque setting at the peak of fall foliage. The Walkway is a legacy project of the Quadricentennial, New York State’s celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage up the river.
Walkway Over the Hudson offers shuttle bus service from the Poughkeepsie Train Station to their Parker Avenue entrance the weekend of October 24 and October 25, from 10am-6pm every half hour. They also stop on Market Street just north of Main Street in front of the Financial Plaza Parking Deck. Visitors may park free there while visiting the Walkway. There is an 80-car parking lot at 61 Parker Avenue, which often fills up early. And the best part is - its all free! See www.walkway.org
Discover Our True Colors at ILoveNY.com
It’s that colorful time of year for which we're famous! New York State's tourism website is tracking another spectacular foliage season. Leaf peepers are reporting peak foliage conditions in the Hudson Valley. You can follow the changing of the seasons on www.iloveny.com/foliage
Halloween Attractions
This Halloween, enjoy haunting events counting down to Halloween! Thousands of faithful fright seekers have visited Dutchess County's three great Halloween attractions.
The Haunted Mansion their neighborhood haunt for 33 years! In its third year is Skull Island Scream Park, and Stanfordville kids have joined with Peter Wing of Wing's Castle to create their own Frankenstein's Fortress!
Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls. With a distinctive blend of story-telling, interaction, innovative special effects, and creepy yet realistic atmosphere, it's been the neighborhood haunt for 33 years! 845/297-BATT (2288) or www.TheHauntedMansion.com
Kevin McCurdy's Skull Island takes over Splashdown Beach in Fishkill. Professional theme park & Broadway set designer McCurdy designed and created the all-new attractions at the waterpark too. You'll be haunted by Dr. Oddley's Sinister Freakshow, Zombie Island, and Ghost Ship. See the brand new stage shows! Buy a combo ticket to both and save $9. 845/897-9600. www.SkullIslandScreamPark.com
Frankenstein’s Fortress at Stanford Recreation Park in Stanfordville is on a haunted, twisted trail, with imaginative scenarios and improvisational theatre. This fun, frightening experience will delight and terrify! 845/868-7782. www.FrankensteinsFortress.com
Exciting Autumn Events to Enjoy
Our online calendar is chock full of festivals, concerts, art exhibits, food & wine events, outdoor recreation, and ideas for family fun! Here are some of the highlights, but you can find hundreds more at Fred put calendar link here! You can search by type of event, location or month.
10/24: Hyde Park Fall Festival: Our Dutch Heritage, Hackett Hill Park. Games, rides, Halloween costume contest, Culinary Institute cake-eating contest, entertainment. 2-7pm. Haunted Hayrides 7pm. 845/229-8086; www.HydeParkNY.us
10/24: Skyhunters in Flight with Brian Bradley. Center for Performing Arts, Rhinebeck. Fascinating look at the world of raptors! Saturday Morning Family Series, 11am. 10/ 31: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. 845/876-3080. www.CenterforPerformingArts.org
10/24: Jim West’s Aesop’s Fables. Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie. Jim shares famous fables, with large-scale puppets and classical music.11am. 845/431-8000. www.SunyDutchess.edu
10/24: Gallery Talks at Dia: Beacon, Kenneth Goldsmith on Sol LeWitt, Beacon. One-hour presentation in the museum's galleries. 1pm. 845/440-0100. www.DiaBeacon.org
11/7: HVAG Fall Colors Craft Show. Spackenkill High School, Poughkeepsie. Hudson Valley Artisan’s Guild’s fall craft show. 10am-4pm. 845/473-3016. www.HVAG.org
11/8: 36th Annual Railroad Exposition! Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie. Everything related to model trains; layouts, displays and vendors.10am-3pm. 845/473-1415. www.HydeParkStation.com
11/11: Veterans Day at FDR Home, Library & Museum, Hyde Park. No charge for US veterans to tour our nation's first Presidential Library/Museum and Home of FDR. 9am-5pm. 800-FDR-VISIT. www.FDRLibrary.marist.edu & www.nps/hofr
11/14: Sip & Sign: A Holiday Book Signing with 25 Authors. Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, Millbrook. Rare gathering for book lovers and oenophiles alike! 12-3pm. 845/662-9463 x11. www.MillbrookWine.com
Touring By Car or Bike
Dutchess County's scenic byways can be explored by car or bike. See autumn’s brilliant foliage or explore our American history. Taste locally grown and made foods, produce and wine.
It's easy to explore Dutchess County's 800 square miles when they are mapped out in user-friendly, self-guided tours! Download Scenic and Historic Driving Tours at www.dutchesstourism.com/dtours.asp All routes are clearly indicated and offer corresponding mileage references. Directional signs are posted along roads and trails at key locations.
Excellent routes for cycling have also been identified. You'll find detailed maps, sightseeing highlights and difficulty ratings, plus shorter alternative routes. Bike Tours can be downloaded at www.dutchesstourism.com/btours.asp
View or print all of our brochures and travel guides online. In some cases two options are available; a PDF version and a Flash document version. www.dutchesstourism.com/visitorscenter.htm#btours
Hudson River Valley Review Publishes Eleanor Roosevelt Edition
The fall 2009 Hudson River Valley Review, published by the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist College, is dedicated to Eleanor Roosevelt. This is the 125th anniversary of Mrs. Roosevelt’s birth as well as the 60th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Mrs. Roosevelt was the principal architect.
This comprehensive view of “The First Lady of the World” and her lasting legacy includes articles on “Life with Eleanor at Val-Kill,” Val-Kill Industries, the planned Arthurdale community, impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and a memo to President Barack Obama on its importance.
Also featured is a Val-Kill photo essay, excerpts from the unpublished autobiography of Lorena Hickok, and a Val-Kill forum. Read reviews of books on Eleanor Roosevelt, including one written by her on her own life lessons.
The Hudson River Valley Institute is the academic arm of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. HRVI publishes the Review twice a year. Subscriptions are $20/year and $35/two years. www.HudsonRiverValley.org
Created in 1984, Dutchess County Tourism is a division of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation, and both are funded by the County of Dutchess. |
