While we still want to get every ounce of summertime fun we can, it’s not too early to look ahead to fall, a time of year that really allows the Hudson Valley to shine in all its splendor! If you’re looking for something to do or see this fall, we’ve got five (5) great ideas you may enjoy!

Get out and run or ride!  There’s no better way to enjoy the amazing fall foliage here than taking a bike ride in and around the Hudson Valley!  Check out the Hudson Valley Rail Trail, a 12-foot wide, asphalt rail trail that connects the Highland (Ulster County) side of the Walkway Over the Hudson to the 13-mile Dutchess County Rail Trail, offering a nearly 18-mile cycling/running path!

Go apple or pumpkin picking!  The Hudson Valley is known far and wide for its bountiful apple harvests each fall!  Dutchess County has numerous orchards for you to choose from – can you smell the warm cider donuts and taste those apples already?  If all things pumpkin are more to your liking, enjoy a hay ride at any one of the many local pumpkin farms and pick out your own favorite pumpkin! 

Enjoy some Army West Point football!  If you’re a fan of football (an even if you’re not), there’s nothing like watching the Black Knights of Army West Point take it to the gridiron at Michie Stadium!  Visit their website to learn more about this tradition-rich football program or click here to purchase your tickets for an upcoming home game!

There’s history right in our backyard!  If you are, or know someone who is, a history buff, the fall is a perfect time to enjoy the wealth of historical museums and landmarks that dot the Hudson Valley landscape!  From the Burning of Kingston commemoration to the many great museums in Dutchess County to numerous historic houses that can be found in Orange County, you can enjoy “getting to know” the place we call home!

Get your scream on!  As beautiful as it is here in the Hudson Valley, it can also be very, very scary when it wants to be, especially as Halloween approaches.  If you enjoy getting chills down your spine, we’ve got lots of places here to make that happen.  Here are some creepy spots that may be of interest:

Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted House (Ulster Park – Ulster County)

The Barn of Terror (Lake Katrine – Ulster County)

Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion (Wappingers Falls – Dutchess County)

Pure Terror Scream Park (Monroe – Orange County)

Looking for more?  The Dutchess County, Ulster County and Orange County tourism departments have fantastic websites that can lead you to your next great adventure, meal or more!  Check them out today and enjoy your time here in the Hudson Valley!

Patrick Hickey

Marketing and Communications Coordinator