Travel questions for New York natives.......

[Guest Ruben]

I'm planning a ten day trip to the Hudson River Valley in September

or October. I will use Poughkeepsie as a home base, at least part of the time, rent a car and drive the Valley. I have a particular interest in historic architecture/mansions like the FDR Estate. However, I want to try to time my stay in NY with the fall colors.

 

Am I right to assume that fall colors are likely to be better in October than in September? If so, how far into October should I begin my stay: early October, the middle of the month or even later?

I know hitting peak color will be difficult, but at least I want to try.

 

Ruben

[Damascene]

You want Columbus Day to mid October for Poughkeepsie. I haven't lived there for fifteen years, so there may have been viridian drift.

[Barry]

This site should give you some idea.

 

http://nylovesu.co.uk/index.cfm?PID=154136

 

Barry

[Guest Raffy]

mmm, my old stompin' ground...

 

http://www.hudsonriver.com/estates.htm

 

for art exhibits, you might want to check out:

 

http://fllac.vassar.edu/upcoming.html#utopian

 

stormking.org

 

and if you get as far north as rhinebeck, this is fun:

http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/

 

great place to eat:

http://www.mohonk.com/

 

And don't forget to help out a horny, needy Vassar or SUNY New Paltz boy while you're there!

 

bob

[CT Dick]

I have three recommendations for you: Don't miss Boscobel, Val-Kill or Kykuit.

 

Eleanor Roosevelt's cottage at Val-Kill is a perfect complement to Franklin's (really, Anna's) house, Springwood.

 

At Kykuit, take the grand tour; the place is well worth the three hours. Nelson Rockefeller's art collection is stunning.

 

Dick

[Guest Ruben]

My thanks to Dick, Raffy, Barry and Damascene for the Hudson River Valley information. The links are especially useful and have the information I was looking for and more. If October 2008 is anything like a normal year for tree color, I ought to have a good chance of being in the Valley during the most colorful days.

 

I did not know of the Rhinebeck Aerodrome. I've always wanted to take a bi-plane ride and will contact the Aerodrome to see if this is possible--though I'm not too sure about flying up side down in an open air plane.

 

I'm also planning to stay in NYC for a few days before going on to Poughkeepsee. I want to see Central Park in full color and hopefully during the glories of Indian Summer. NYC hotel prices, however, might make me say the heck with it. I can pay the prices asked, but I feel like a fool paying hundreds of dollars per day for what is often a modest room in a modest hotel. I spent two full weeks at the Club Quarters Hotel just off Wall Street in February, 2007 for $170 a day, tax and fee included. This was a good room and much better deal than I'll likely be able to get in October this year. My guide book says October is the City's most expensive month for hotels.

 

Again, thanks for the Hudson Valley information.

[Damascene]

Go see the Aerodrome - I enjoyed as a teen.

 

You are there during late wine season so hit the Wine Trail - http://www.shawangunkwinetrail.com/ - The Hudson Valley has some charming wines that it is hard to find outside of NY.

 

Also there is also the Culinary Institure of America, http://www.ciachef.edu/, which has some good restaurants.