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Springtime Possibilities in Dutchess County
With the change of season, now's your chance to get outside and enjoy the springtime. What better way to enjoy the warming weather than taking a trip to Dutchess County? This region is a terrific place to find adventure for a day or long weekend, with fun activities for everyone.
Enjoy the natural scenic beauty of the Hudson Valley by visiting the many different parks and gardens. Spend a day shopping at the Stormville Airport Flea Market, opening in April, which features more than 600 exhibitors selling antiques, collectibles, new merchandise, arts and crafts. The Flea Market at Rhinebeck at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds also offers great deals for one and all (April 19-20). The Fairgrounds also welcomes the Hudson Valley Green Fair (April 26-27), and the Hudson Valley Youth Festival (May 17). Shop for hand-made crafts and antiques, with a stop for lunch in any of the charming villages you'll pass along the way.
Food enthusiasts look forward to Hudson Valley Restaurant Week (March 9-21), while wine aficionados take pleasure in tours and tastings along the Dutchess Wine Trail. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner at The Culinary Institute of America. Their Winter Dining Series runs until March 30 and the prix fixe special menus until April 30 (845-471-6608).
Enjoy the great tastes of Dutchess County during the annual Maple Festivals. Remsburger Maple Farm & Apiary in Pleasant Valley (RemsburgerMaple.com) offers a weekend full of pancake breakfasts, syrup tasting and fun activities for kids (March 29- 30). The Sugar Maple Celebration (Sharpe.freshair.org) at Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill consists of judging the best syrup in the valley (March 29), followed by live music, a barbeque lunch, and demonstrations.
Dutchess County offers an abundance of springtime fun. The spring Happenings calendar highlights 150 upcoming events. Both indoor and outdoor activities,can be apart of your spring getaway. Call 800- 445-3131 to have a free copy of the "Happenings" calendar sent to you, or log on to DutchessTourism.com and plan your Dutchess County adventure.
Some noteworthy March- May events are listed below.
-Second Saturday Beacon (845-546-6222). Citywide celebration of the arts. Great art, gallery openings, food, antique stores and shopping, historic sites and entertainment. April 12 and May 10.
-Shakespeare Festival, (845- 876-3080). Romeo and Juliet performed on a newly constructed replica of the Globe Theater stage. Center for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck. This first-ever Shakespeare Festival continues from April 4-27.
-"A Good Time for Beer" (800-FDR-VISIT). Celebrate the passing of beer and wine revenue act with a beer tasting festival featuring Hudson Valley breweries. FDR Library and Presidential Museum, Hyde Park. April 6.
-Flea Market at Rhinebeck (845-876-4001). Gigantic indoor flea market and garage sale with more than 350 vendors. Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Rhinebeck. April 19-20.
-Clinton Spring Festival (845-266-3445). ATV mud races, garden tractor pull, displays, kids' activities including hay maze, bounce-house and your chance to see the thousands of daffodils in bloom. Fran Mark Park, April 26.
- Rhinebeck 2008: Antique Car Show (845-876-4001). 38th annual car show is New York's best, with a huge swap meet and car corral. Saturday: 800 hot rods and custom cars; Sunday: 1,000 antique and classic cars. Dutchess County Fairgrounds, May 2-4.
-Hudson River Striped Bass Derby (297-9308). Contest is part of the Triple Crown for Hudson River Striped Bass Fisherman (and woman) of the Year. Hudson River from Albany to NYC May 10-11.
-Fishing-at Norrie-Point Environmental Center-(845- 889-4745 x104). Family fishing event. Mills-Norrie State Park, Staatsburg. May 17.
Exploring Dutchess County's countryside in spring has rarely been so physically rewarding or as much fun, as six bike tours have been charted throughout the region. Navigate the tours with an easy-to-follow Bike Tour Guide. The distances range from 23-39 miles, but can easily be segmented into shorter lengths. Not a cyclist? Follow the Scenic and Historic Drive Tour Guide's seven self-driving routes, traveling past hundreds of years of history, including Gilded Age mansions, Revolutionary War homesteads, farms, and farm markets. For listings of accommodations, area historic sites and museums, restaurants, outdoor recreation sites and other attractions, request a free copy of the Dutchess County Travel Guide.
For tourism inquiries and free publications, contact Dutchess County Tourism at 800-445- 3131. At DutchessTourism.com, you'll find a wealth of visitor information. Dutchess County Tourism was founded in 1984, and is a division of the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation. Both are funded by the County of Dutchess.
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