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Beautiful weather means we can venture outside and enjoy the incredible beauty of Dutchess County! Head out to one of these spectacular spots for a perfect day of picnicking.
(Note: Reservations may be required at some locations. Click the link for each location for details).
Enjoy some fresh air at this 301-acre park in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Bowdoin offers scenic views of the Hudson River, pavilions available for rent, numerous picnic tables and lots of open areas for picnicking. When you're done munching, you can hike more than four miles of well-maintained trails, view the wetland areas from the two built-in boardwalks, observe the wildlife or just sit on a bench and enjoy the beauty of the park. There are also a number of athletic fields, a nationally recognized cross-country race course and an award-winning accessible playground for the kids.
Work up a sweat with a hike to the top of Burger Hill -- it is definitely worth it! Panoramic vistas of the Hudson Valley, including the Shawangunk Ridge, Catskill and Taconic Mountains, Stissing Mountain and the Berkshires, are what you'll get at the top of this 550-foot hill. The 76 acres of this beautiful rural park offer a truly unique place to picnic in Dutchess County.
Enjoy your lunch in the designated picnic area and then take a stroll through this amazing 150-acre public garden where "the ancient art of Chinese landscape design has been reinterpreted, without recourse to imitation, to create a unique American garden." Visitors will be enthralled by the stunning streams, waterfalls, terraces, retaining walls, rocks and plants, as well as the 40-acre glacial lake. Fee applies for entry; reservations required.
Take advantage of the summer weather at this 290-acre park in Pawling that is made for an all-day outing and picnic! There are picnic tables, shelters and pavilions where you can set up your feast. Then, you can play a game at one of the athletic fields, ride on the bike trails or hike the nature trails -- including part of the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the park. Fee applies.
Enjoy a moment of serenity and peace at this 380-acre historic site overlooking the Hudson. Spread out your picnic blanket and enjoy a leisurely lunch on the sprawling lawn while you decide what to do next. Maybe you'll take time to read a good book under the shade of a tree or a nap in the warmth of the sun. You can also take a walk through the lush gardens, visit the arboretum or wind your way along the woodland trails. Laid out over a hundred years ago through a hemlock and mixed hardwood forest, you can follow the trail all the way to the cascading waterfalls of the Saw Kill River. Picturesque orchards border the estate and delicious fruit is available in season at the Montgomery Place Orchards Farm Stand, a five-minute drive from the historic site. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk. Admission to the grounds is free.
A well-stocked picnic basket is all you need to enjoy this inspirational spot in Red Hook. Stroll through the 120 acres of rolling meadows, gardens and forests. Pause at the rustic Overlook Pavilion for breathtaking views of the majestic Hudson River and the green-blue peaks of the Catskill Mountains. Poets and artists alike have been drawn to this spot for years. Washington Irving, who gave the park its name, is said to have come up with the idea here for "Rip Van Winkle" while gazing across the river at the Catskills. Free and open year-round. Gates open at 8:30 a.m.
A great option for a family outing! At the north end of the Beacon Metro-North train station is Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, where you can take advantage of the picnic tables and basketball courts or go fishing. The playground is open for kids to enjoy.
South of the Beacon train station lies Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park, an exciting riverfront destination boasting a kayak pavilion, a beach for launching boats and rehabilitated wetlands and meadows that attract wildlife. Walk by the restored, historic Red Barn which is now Scenic Hudson’s River Center for arts and environmental education activities. This is truly a relaxing spot to enjoy a picnic lunch or admire the sunset with some snacks!
Related: Let the Dutchess Tourism Connection Finder Passport be your Guide to Family Fun
The Rudd Pond Area in the northeastern part of Dutchess County is a rural wonderland. With views of the Taconic, Berkshire and Catskill Mountains, this 225-acre park is made for people who love the great outdoors! In addition to picnicking, there is camping, hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and biking. Parking and camping fees apply.
There is plenty of space for a picnic on the grounds of this Gilded-Age country mansion that was once home to Frederick Vanderbilt! The famous overlook, nicknamed "Millionaire’s View," is a spectacular spot to take in the rolling hills of the grounds that lead down to the Hudson River. A stroll through the gorgeous Italian Gardens is a must, and the three-mile-long riverside hiking trail is yet another great way to enjoy this historic property. The mansion is open for guided tours.
Related: Top 10 Places to Get Ice Cream in Dutchess
This 615-acre gem, formerly the estate and farm of Mrs. Frederick P. Wilcox, still contains many of the 18th-century farm buildings that dot the landscape. This family-friendly park has two lakes at its center where you can relax and enjoy the tremendous beauty of the wildlife. You can fish from shore or enjoy 5-plus miles of hiking trails. A scenic overlook of Stissing Mountain and the Catskills make it a perfect spot year-round.
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