Autumn in Dutchess: An LGBTQ-Friendly Getaway

Date Published: October 1, 2024

There is nothing quite like autumn in New York’s picturesque Hudson Valley, and a getaway to Dutchess County at this time of year is guaranteed to make your heart smile and your spirit soar. 

Only 90 minutes north of New York City, Dutchess County is a vibrant, sophisticated vacation destination where everyone is welcome. There is so much to do, see and taste here — and autumn is a particularly wondrous time to visit! 

Gaze at the fall foliage in all its colorful beauty as the Hudson Highlands blaze forth in unparalleled magnificence. The views are particularly stunning from 212 feet above the Hudson River on the Walkway Over the Hudson; reaching 1.26 miles across, the refurbished 19th-century railroad crossing in Poughkeepsie is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge.  

Taste the goodness and purity of our farmland in our world-renowned farm-to-table cuisine. Dutchess is proud to be the home of The Culinary Institute of America, the nation’s foremost culinary college where famous chefs like Anthony Bourdain, Charlie Palmer and Anne Burrell sharpened their skills. Visitors are invited to take tours of the CIA, enroll in their cooking workshops and bootcamps, and dine at their student-led restaurants right on campus in Hyde Park. Fine-dining options abound in Dutchess County, as quite a few CIA graduates have stayed locally and opened a diverse array of restaurants — so bring your appetite and prepare to embark on a mouthwatering gastronomical adventure!  

Feel the crisp, refreshing breeze and hear the soft rustling of fallen leaves as you hike or bike along one of our many scenic trails. A 16-mile stretch of the famous Appalachian Trail passes through Dover and Pawling in southeastern Dutchess and includes 4,000 acres of protected parkland.  

Smell the unmistakable aroma of fresh-baked pies and apple cider donuts as you venture into one of our orchards to pick your own apples. Harvest festivals, complete with hayrides, corn mazes and pumpkin patches, are huge hits every October at places like Barton Orchards in Poughquag, Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction, and Soukup Farms in Dover Plains.  

Halloween is always one of the highlights of autumn in Dutchess, and events this year range from the devilishly delightful to the hauntingly hair-raising. Barton Orchards will be hosting performances of "Time Warp: The Rocky Horror Live Experience" on Oct. 18 and 19 starring Loosey LaDuca of RuPaul's "Drag Race." Get ready to sing along, dress up, and do the Time Warp again! 

Perhaps chamber music is more your speed. If so, then don’t miss the Fall Concert at Edgewater featuring the Hudson River Consort, who will perform a selection of French Baroque music for strings. The concert, titled "Music of Kings: The French Baroque," is set for Oct. 20 in Edgewater’s intimate parlor. A riverfront estate built for the prominent Livingston family in Barrytown in 1824, Edgewater holds a special place in queer history spanning from the 1950s, when writer Gore Vidal owned the home, through its transition as the home of Dick Jenrette and Bill Thompson, who remained lifelong committed partners. 

If you like show tunes — and who doesn’t? — then you’ll absolutely love the monthly “Broadway in Beacon” open-mic nights hosted by Will Reynolds and Jen Malenke featuring Broadway performers and incredible local talent. This wildly popular event is held at different locations in the walkable City of Beacon, which also offers a plenitude of trendy boutiques, restaurants and art galleries. 

Looking for a little gravity-defying adventure? Head to the LGBTQIA+ Climbing Nights at the Gravity Vault indoor rock-climbing facility in Poughkeepsie. All skill levels are welcome at these casual, hangout-style events, which are held on the second Thursday of each month. It’s a great way to meet other queer folks in the climbing community! 

These are just a few of the many unforgettable experiences waiting for you here in Dutchess County.  

Sometimes called “New York City’s Backyard,” Dutchess is easy to get to by car, train or plane — but oh-so-hard to leave!