In & around the Hudson Valley
Our favorite places, close to home
The spots we send our own friends to, from the bistro down the road in Pine Plains to the trails and tasting rooms a short drive away.
Where to eat
Eat & drink
Pine Plains
Champêtre
An intimate Provençal bistro from chef Michel Jean. Dinner only, so book ahead.
2938 Church St
Stissing House
A historic country tavern run by chef Clare de Boer, cooking simple, beautiful food from a wood oven and grill.
stissinghouse.comTower Pizza
Pizza, pasta and burgers, with The Cabin bar and a seasonal beer garden with live music.
2947 Church StStorybook CafeNew
Books, breakfast and good coffee in the heart of town.
2987 Church StMillerton
WillaNew
Farm-to-table dining on Main Street, with a chef who trained at Noma.
52 Main StOakhurst Diner
Diner classics alongside Vietnamese favorites like pho and banh mi, plus Latin specials.
19 Main StAncram & Ancramdale
Doves Diner
The beloved West Taghkanic Diner, reborn under new owners. Breakfast and lunch, Thursday to Sunday.
dovesdiner.comThe Farmer's Wife
A country farm café for breakfast and lunch. Closes for a winter break.
thefarmerswife.bizRhinebeck, Tivoli & Salisbury
Market St.
Contemporary Italian in Rhinebeck, with Neapolitan pizza from a wood-burning oven.
marketstrhinebeck.comThe White Hart
A historic 1806 inn in Salisbury, CT, with a restaurant and the casual White Hart Provisions café.
whitehartinn.comHudson
Suarez Family Brewery
Celebrated mixed-fermentation ales and crisp lagers, with a taproom and yard in Livingston.
suarezfamilybrewery.comKingston
Kingston Bread + Bar
An all-day bakery and café with a full bar, now at 608 Broadway.
kingstonbread.comLola Pizza
Wood-fired pizza, house-made pasta and natural wine, with a covered patio.
243 Fair StRestaurant Kinsley
Southern-influenced cooking at Hotel Kinsley, from chef Spencer Coplan.
hotelkinsley.comTop Taste
Jamaican home cooking: the jerk chicken and oxtail are the move.
446 Hasbrouck AveBeacon
The Roundhouse
Seasonal American cooking with views of the waterfall. Worth pairing with a Mount Beacon hike.
roundhousebeacon.comHike & explore
Trails & outdoors
Photo: Nicole NeroRight outside the door
Stissing Mountain Fire Tower
A steep loop of about 1.9 miles to a fire tower you can climb, with views over the lake. Trails aren't blazed and dogs aren't allowed.
stissingfiretower.orgThompson Pond Preserve
A gentle 2.5-mile loop around the pond, plus a new accessible path to an overlook. Open dawn to dusk; a 1-mile trail links to the fire tower.
The Nature ConservancyA short drive
Harlem Valley Rail Trail
About 25 paved miles from Wassaic to Copake Falls. Great for biking or an easy walk.
hvrt.orgDover Stone Church
An easy 1.2-mile round trip to a cave and waterfall. Park at Dover Elementary, 9 School St.
Dutchess Land ConservancyAppalachian Trail
Hop on the famous trail at the Dover Oak or Pawling trailheads.
appalachiantrail.orgWorth the day trip
Storm King Mountain
Big Hudson River views; loops run from about 2.5 to 6.5 miles. Lots fill on weekends.
NY State ParksCastle Rock
A short trail in Garrison, or a longer loop into Hudson Highlands State Park. The castle itself is private.
NY DEC
Anthony's Nose
A 2.6-mile hike to one of the best views of the Bear Mountain Bridge. About 1.5 hours away.
NY State ParksGertrude's Nose
A 6–7 mile cliff-edge loop at Minnewaska State Park, Kerhonkson. $10 per car; lots fill on busy days.
NY State ParksFarms & local life
Around Pine Plains
Photo: Nicole NeroFarms & markets
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
Tastings with sweeping views, and food trucks on fall weekends.
millbrookwine.comHorses & polo
Circle G Ranch
Riding lessons and trail rides on Route 83 in Pine Plains.
2054 Route 83Arts
The Stissing Center
Live music, theater, film and community events in town. Use street parking while construction is underway.
thestissingcenter.orgRainy days & family fun
Something for everyone
Play
Four Brothers Drive-in
Outdoor movies with food, mini golf and an Airstream hotel, in Amenia. Seasonal, spring through fall.
playeatdrink.comWood'n Wheel
Roller skating, laser tag, bumper cars and an arcade in Ulster Park. Mostly open weekends.
woodnwheel.comAdventure
Catamount
Skiing in winter; a zip tour and aerial adventure park in summer. Hillsdale, on the NY–MA line.
catamountski.comClarke Outdoors
River tubing in West Cornwall, CT. The rafting and canoe base is closed for renovation, so check before you go.
clarkeoutdoors.com