POINTS OF INTEREST!!!

Hudson Valley Points of Interest (thanks mama hawks!)

Hudson River Cruises
Two hour cruise on the Hudson River. Historic narration, snack bar.
Rondout Landing, Kingston. For information call 800.843.7472.
Depart at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
$20 adult, $12 children 4 – 11, under 4 is free.

The week-end of August 15-16 is Fee-free at the National Park Service properties. These include:
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Presidential Library, Museum, extensive grounds, rose garden and burial site. Also part of the complex are Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt’s cottage and Top Cottage. Café serves breakfast and lunch from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
www.nps.gov/hofr

Vanderbilt Mansion – 19th century estate with extensive grounds and gardens. Views across the Hudson to the wedding site!
www.nps.gov/vama

Beatrix Farrar Garden at Bellefield – recently restored garden of important 19th century landscape architect.
www.beatrixfarrandgarden.org

All are located in Hyde Park, which is about 25 miles and 36 minutes from Kingston. Hours for the houses are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. The grounds are open dawn to dusk.

Other historic sites:
Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate - house, gardens, art collection.
By tour only, fees start at $23 adult, $21 child (under 18).
www.hudsonvalley.org or 914.631.8200.
82 miles and 1 hour 28 minutes from Kingston.

Lots of Art including:
Storm King Art Center - Contemporary art on beautiful grounds. Featured this year is Maya Lin: Bodies of Water. www.stormking.org.
Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
$10 adult, $7 ages K-12, under 5 free.
40 miles and 46 minutes south of Kingston on West side of Hudson

Dia:Beacon – Museum of 1960s– contemporary art located in restored
factory. We visited a few years ago and saw a huge installation of Donald Judd boxes and Richard Serra sculptures. Great spaces for minimalist art. www.diabeacon.org
Open 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
$10 adult, $7 student, under 12 free
40 miles and 46 minutes south of Kingston on East side of Hudson.

Hudson River School of Art Trail
Guide book available from Thomas Cole National Historic Site. I have a guide and can make copies. Sites include:

Olana – home and estate of Frederic Edwin Church, Hudson River School artist. www.olana.org
House open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Grounds open dawn to dusk.
House tours: $9 adults, $8 students, under 12 free.
There is a $5 vehicle fee that can be applied to a house tour.

Cedar Grove – Home and Studio of Thomas C ole, Hudson River School artist. www.thomascole.org
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$8 adult, $6 student. Grounds are free.

Opus 40-outsider art near woodstock. crazy man spent 40 years creating an intricate outdoor mosaic-land. and MercuryRev named a great song after the place.

Several walking trails to sites referenced in paintings, including Kaaterskill Falls and North-South Lake. The trails don’t look very difficult. For more information call the Mountain Top Historical Society 518.589.6657.

Food:
Culinary Institute of America
5 different restaurants from bakery café to very fancy. Call for availability and reservations.
www.ciachef.edu or 845.471.6608.

Kingston restaurants
There are many restaurants in the Rondout area. Many have outdoor seating.

Towns:
Kingston – waterfront, restaurants, shops
Woodstock – not the concert site. Cute little town, lots of shops, great kids toy shop, bakery, coffee shops several great bookstores.