Marissa’s Guidebook to Poughkeepsie
Sightseeing
Convenient parking lot on Parker Avenue. Stop by Lolita's Pizza after your walk for a bite to eat or drink. Refill your carbs by ordering a local favorite, "Matt's Mac-n-Cheese."
329 locals recommend
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
61 Parker AveConvenient parking lot on Parker Avenue. Stop by Lolita's Pizza after your walk for a bite to eat or drink. Refill your carbs by ordering a local favorite, "Matt's Mac-n-Cheese."
Stroll the grounds of the beautiful & historic Vassar College, located just 2 miles from our home. If your stay is over the summer, be sure to also check out one of Vassar's "Powerhouse Theater" productions, free to the public (powerhouse.vassar.edu).
58 locals recommend
Vassar College
124 Raymond AveStroll the grounds of the beautiful & historic Vassar College, located just 2 miles from our home. If your stay is over the summer, be sure to also check out one of Vassar's "Powerhouse Theater" productions, free to the public (powerhouse.vassar.edu).
The 200-acre nature preserve and museum is a 5-minute drive from our house and a great location for a leisurely stroll and picnic, or a tour of the unique 1851 Italianate villa (lgny.org).
49 locals recommend
Locust Grove Estate
2683 South RdThe 200-acre nature preserve and museum is a 5-minute drive from our house and a great location for a leisurely stroll and picnic, or a tour of the unique 1851 Italianate villa (lgny.org).
Absolutely beautiful mansion & drivethrough area with picnic benches, parking, and a breathtaking view of the Hudson.
227 locals recommend
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
119 Vanderbilt Park RdAbsolutely beautiful mansion & drivethrough area with picnic benches, parking, and a breathtaking view of the Hudson.
Local park that runs parallel to the Hudson, with close access to downtown Poughkeepsie's local shops and restaurants. A local farmer's market is hosted here on Mondays, June through September from 3-6:30pm. There is also a waterfront elevator brings visitors up to the Walkway over the Hudson.
6 locals recommend
Upper Landing Park
83 N Water StLocal park that runs parallel to the Hudson, with close access to downtown Poughkeepsie's local shops and restaurants. A local farmer's market is hosted here on Mondays, June through September from 3-6:30pm. There is also a waterfront elevator brings visitors up to the Walkway over the Hudson.
Serene environment and great wine for those in search of a restful afternoon.
147 locals recommend
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
26 Wing RdSerene environment and great wine for those in search of a restful afternoon.
The Arts & Entertainment
The Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center (fllac.vassar.edu), features ancient collections along with more contemporary pieces.
27 locals recommend
Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College
124 Raymond AveThe Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center (fllac.vassar.edu), features ancient collections along with more contemporary pieces.
The Dia:Beacon Museum, about 30 minutes away, is another great museum for those interested in art. Dia features collections from the 1960's to modern day.
468 locals recommend
Dia:Beacon
3 Beekman StThe Dia:Beacon Museum, about 30 minutes away, is another great museum for those interested in art. Dia features collections from the 1960's to modern day.
Historic 1869 Opera House in downtown Poughkeepsie currently hosting music, theater, and arts events.
(bardavon.org/upcoming-shows)
41 locals recommend
Bardavon
35 Market StHistoric 1869 Opera House in downtown Poughkeepsie currently hosting music, theater, and arts events.
(bardavon.org/upcoming-shows)
Local venue hosting concerts and events (midhudsonciviccenter.org)
15 locals recommend
Mid Hudson Civic Center
14 Civic Center PlazaLocal venue hosting concerts and events (midhudsonciviccenter.org)
Unique art museum on SUNY New Paltz's campus across the river. For further information and hours head to: https://newpaltz.edu/museum/.
23 locals recommend
Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art
1 Hawk DrUnique art museum on SUNY New Paltz's campus across the river. For further information and hours head to: https://newpaltz.edu/museum/.
Barrett Art Center
55 Noxon StA free and globally curated art gallery.
Getting Outdoors
Bannerman Castle is located on Pollepel Island, and offers kayaking tours from Beacon (30 mins) and Cold Spring (40 mins)(bannermancastle.org/kayak-tours). They also host movie nights and theatrical events through the fall (https://bannermancastle.org/tours-and-events/).
53 locals recommend
Bannerman Castle
Bannerman Castle is located on Pollepel Island, and offers kayaking tours from Beacon (30 mins) and Cold Spring (40 mins)(bannermancastle.org/kayak-tours). They also host movie nights and theatrical events through the fall (https://bannermancastle.org/tours-and-events/).
Thirteen-mile trail ideal for biking, running, or walking. Runs from Hopewell Junction, through Poughkeepsie and the Walkway over the Hudson, all the way to Ulster County across the river where you can access an additional 4-miles of the Ulster Rail Trail.
21 locals recommend
Dutchess Rail Trail
50 Overocker RdThirteen-mile trail ideal for biking, running, or walking. Runs from Hopewell Junction, through Poughkeepsie and the Walkway over the Hudson, all the way to Ulster County across the river where you can access an additional 4-miles of the Ulster Rail Trail.
Enjoy the sights of this beautiful waterfall, with only a one-mile hike! Visitors can park at the state park lot across the street for $10.
33 locals recommend
Awosting Falls
Enjoy the sights of this beautiful waterfall, with only a one-mile hike! Visitors can park at the state park lot across the street for $10.
Over 20,000 acres of beauty and home of the famous Shawangunk Ridge, also known as "the Gunks" amongst climbers. This preserve is about a 40-minute drive from our home over the Mid-Hudson Bridge.
504 locals recommend
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
5281 Route 44-55Over 20,000 acres of beauty and home of the famous Shawangunk Ridge, also known as "the Gunks" amongst climbers. This preserve is about a 40-minute drive from our home over the Mid-Hudson Bridge.
Barton Orchards has hayrides, haunted house tours, a corn maze, and of course apple and pumpkin picking from September through November. However, they also have a brand new treetop adventures obstacle course and zipline!
42 locals recommend
Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree LnBarton Orchards has hayrides, haunted house tours, a corn maze, and of course apple and pumpkin picking from September through November. However, they also have a brand new treetop adventures obstacle course and zipline!
Kaaterskill Falls
Innisfree Garden
362 Tyrrel RdFood scene
Tasty café five minutes from our home with great options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Won the "Best Hidden Gem Café last year. Their daily specials are always great, so I usually order one of those or the Chipotle Chicken Wrap.
Sugar & Spice Cafe and Spice Catering
2600 South RdTasty café five minutes from our home with great options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Won the "Best Hidden Gem Café last year. Their daily specials are always great, so I usually order one of those or the Chipotle Chicken Wrap.
This family-run deli that's been around for 36 years is a community staple. You will not regret picking up one of Rossi's house favorite paninis or a loaf of fresh Italian bread for dinner.
29 locals recommend
Rossi Rosticceria Deli
45 S Clover StThis family-run deli that's been around for 36 years is a community staple. You will not regret picking up one of Rossi's house favorite paninis or a loaf of fresh Italian bread for dinner.
Right across the street from Vassar, this local pizzeria offers the best varieties of pizza, including gluten-free crusts and pastas!
Pizzeria Bacio
7 Collegeview AveRight across the street from Vassar, this local pizzeria offers the best varieties of pizza, including gluten-free crusts and pastas!
Mill House Brewing Company
289 Mill St
Essie's Restaurant
14 Mt Carmel Pl
Heritage Food and Drink
1379 U.S. 9The flagship store for Harney and Sons, who produces right here in the Hudson Valley.
49 locals recommend
Harney & Sons
13 Main StThe flagship store for Harney and Sons, who produces right here in the Hudson Valley.
The Best Hudson Valley Downtowns
Poughkeepsie has always been known as the "Queen City of the Hudson River Valley." Along with its incredible history and sites, the downtown area also has some great eats and entertainment. Be sure to check out Pok's own Little Italy, along with the Southside and Union St. Historic Districts.
City of Poughkeepsie
62 Civic Center PlazaPoughkeepsie has always been known as the "Queen City of the Hudson River Valley." Along with its incredible history and sites, the downtown area also has some great eats and entertainment. Be sure to check out Pok's own Little Italy, along with the Southside and Union St. Historic Districts.
Great food and shopping in Beacon's downtown district. For breakfast or lunch, stop by The Beacon Daily for sandwiches, craft beer, coffee and pie. The brand-new "Hudson Valley Food Hall" is also now open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm. They have a little something for everyone with places featuring Tibetan dumplings, a Sweet Greens-style salad bar, southern BBQ, tacos, and indian wraps. Beacon also has some fantastic coffee, donut, and even smore's shops!
159 locals recommend
Beacon
Great food and shopping in Beacon's downtown district. For breakfast or lunch, stop by The Beacon Daily for sandwiches, craft beer, coffee and pie. The brand-new "Hudson Valley Food Hall" is also now open seven days a week from 9am to 6pm. They have a little something for everyone with places featuring Tibetan dumplings, a Sweet Greens-style salad bar, southern BBQ, tacos, and indian wraps. Beacon also has some fantastic coffee, donut, and even smore's shops!
So many beautiful homes and lovely local shops in this little waterfront town. Must stop by the Cold Spring Depot for a bite to eat, a converted 1893 train depot turned eatery.
124 locals recommend
Cold Spring
So many beautiful homes and lovely local shops in this little waterfront town. Must stop by the Cold Spring Depot for a bite to eat, a converted 1893 train depot turned eatery.
Millbrook
Quaint downtown area with parks for children.
Family Fun
Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
75 N Water StSplashDown Beach
16 Old Rte 9 W
Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School
282 Millbrook School RdThe Hudson Valley's minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Yankees.
13 locals recommend
Hudson Valley Renegades
1500 NY-9DThe Hudson Valley's minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Yankees.
Locally-owned, quaint theater with reclining seats and an outdoor drive-in theater next door.
10 locals recommend
Roosevelt Theatre
4060 Albany Post RdLocally-owned, quaint theater with reclining seats and an outdoor drive-in theater next door.
City advice
Don't miss
Rent a Picnic!
Enjoy a beautiful day & rent a picnic with Renta Picnic! They have multiple options on their website @rentapicnichv