Storm King Art Center in New Windsor
Vacations can be exhausting. By the time you pack up, get
the kids ready, double and triple-check that everyone has their toothbrushes
and bathing suits, and arrive at your destination, you could need a vacation
from your vacation.
Read more: Your complete guide to summer fun!
This summer, skip the hassle without compromising the fun
at our favorite Hudson Valley staycation spots.
The Castle Fun Center
109 Brookside Ave., Chester
845-469-2116
Bring your A game to The Castle. Games you can challenge
your family to include laser tag, go-kart racing, mini golf, rock climbing,
arcade favorites, and more!
Washington’s Headquarters
84 Liberty St., Newburgh
845-562-1195
The nation’s first publicly owned historic site is right
here in the Hudson Valley. Explore the very spot where Washington insisted on
democracy and wrote a letter to state governors that influenced the
Constitution. Afterward, stroll along the Hudson riverfront, just a short walk
away.
Read more: 70 places to visit this summer!
Read more: 2015 best festivals and fairs
Storm King Art Center
1 Museum Rd., New Windsor
845-534-3115
Kids of all ages love this giant outdoor sculpture park,
where its pristine 500-acre landscape of fields, hills, and woodlands provides
the setting for a collection of more than 100 sculptures.
There’s lots of room to run around while getting a dose of culture, and the
outdoor café provides boxed lunches if you want to picnic on the grounds. Check
out this year’s newest installation “Water Source” by artist Linda Benglis,
which includes large-scale water sculptures and fountains.
Bannerman Castle
Pollepel Island, Hudson River
845-831-6346
Check out the remains of the Hudson River’s own historic
castle, a staple of the region since the American Revolution. Just like back
then, the castle is only accessible by boat. You can work your muscles and
kayak there yourself, or settle in for a passenger ride. Tours leave from
Newburgh or Beacon.
Ulster County
Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa
220 North Rd., Milton
845-795-1310
If you need a getaway that will have you home before lunch
tomorrow, sneak over to Milton’s very own bed & breakfast and spa for
beautiful views, world-class spa treatment, and delicious meals cooked from
locally grown ingredients. Families can troll through the orchards, visit the
livestock barn and their herd of rescued alpacas, and check out their honey bee
apiary.
Lake Minnewaska
5281 Route 44-55 Kerhonkson
845-255-0752
Lace up your hiking boots and fill up your water bottles
for a day at Minnewaska. Located on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, the park
offers 25 miles of hiking trails with waterfalls and scenic views all along the
way. You can also bring your bike, and if you get hot, take a dip in the water
at Swimmer’s Beach.
Pinegrove Dude Ranch
30 Cherrytown Rd., Kerhonkson
845-626-7345
It’s impossible to be bored at the ranch. Whether your
thing is horseback riding or horseshoes, rock climbing or hot stone massages,
or swimming by day and enjoying a campfire at night, Pinegrove’s got it all. A
day pass includes lunch, the pool, petting zoo, horse back riding for a nominal
fee, and children 7 and under get free pony rides. They also have a jump pad,
playground and daily children’s activities.
The Saugerties Lighthouse
168 Lighthouse Dr., Saugerties
845-247-0656
Soak up the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley at this
1869 landmark. The lighthouse makes a perfect backdrop for a romantic overnight
getaway or a peaceful family day in nature. Enjoy a nature walk and a picnic
lunch by the shore next to the lighthouse.
Emerson Resort & Spa
5340 Route 28, Mt. Tremper
845-688-2828,
Take some time to unwind at the spa after you get hyped up
at America’s largest kaleidoscope, a 56-foot- tall kaleidoscope that features a
vibrant multimedia presentation sure to wow every member of the family.
Catskills Animal Sanctuary
316 Old Stage Rd., Saugerties
845-336-8447
Show some love to horses and farm animals that have been
rescued from neglect. Take a group tour or a vegan cooking class to learn all
about the different ways to be compassionate toward animals — while enjoying
delicious food.
Dutchess County
Locust Grove
2683 South Road, Poughkeepsie
845-454-4500,
Jet off to Italy without ever boarding a plane! This
elegant mansion inspired by the Italian countryside of the 1850s is as
beautiful as it is serene. Call ahead to request an educational program for the
kids during your visit.
Vanderbilt Mansion
119 Vanderbilt Park Rd., Hyde Park
845-229-7770
Take a trip to one of the oldest estates in the region and
get a glimpse of how the historic elite used to live. Even if you’re not a
millionaire, the Vanderbilt family’s old stomping grounds will sure make you
feel like one.
Dia:Beacon
3 Beacon St., Beacon
845-440-0100
With 240,000 square
feet of exhibition space inside a converted Nabisco box-printing facility, the
museum owns 31 acres along the banks of the Hudson River, and is adjacent to 90 acres of riverfront parkland. It
is a 5-minute walk from the Metro-North train
station in
Beacon, and this summer’s Community Free Day, held July 11, includes engaging
interactive workshops for kids.
Sullivan County
Lake Superior State Park
342 Dr Duggan Rd., Bethel
845-794-3000, ext. 5002
Spend a day at this 1,409-acre state park, which features
a sandy beach with a swimming area as well as areas for picnics. There’s also a
volleyball court, a playground and barbecue grills, and you can rent a rowboat
or a paddle boat. Fishing is allowed for those with a fishing license.
Columbia County
Olana
5720 State Route 9G, Hudson
518-828-6742
Art and history come to life on the 250-acre estate of
Olana. The former home of famed Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin
Church offers stunning views across the landscape he himself spent 40 years
designing. The family’s home looks almost exactly the same as it did 100 years,
and paintings from Church’s personal collection still grace the walls today.
Check their website for special family-friendly weekend events, like building
your own terrarium, garden picnics, or a lesson in catching dragonflies.
Elora Tocci is a freelance writer
born and raised in the Hudson Valley. She currently works as a communications
assistant at Teach For America in New York City.