Came for the glow festival. It was a nice time. Parking was handled well. The event itself was…read morewonderful. Concessions however needed some work. It was expensive and the line was in disarray with people jumping in the middle of the line and the lady at the cash register holding her hand out instead of telling you how much it actually cost. Outside of that it was a wonderful well organized event on beautiful grounds.

This is an amazing, unusual venue that more people should know about! An historic farm built in the…read more1700s, with a museum for artifacts, an original home, and a barn used for concerts and other events in warmer weather. I first attended the concert series a few years ago before the pandemic, then occasionally in the last couple years. Concerts are free but donations are encouraged. Some refreshments are sold, but bring a picnic and eat before or during the concert. Last night we went on a "moonlit hike." I heard this was the first one held. It was a 1/4 mile walk through the woods to the river. I'm very glad we went, but would advise anyone going: wear appropriate footwear for winter! Crampons, snow shoes, walking poles and the like would be good advice. The trails were fairly icy because that's the weather we've had this year. Get into the group closest to the leader so you can hear the speaker, or maybe they will have a tour guide near the end so that group can hear, as well. There is a lot of fascinating history here! The original home was heated snd the Information shared inside was amazing: observing the living conditions of these early settlers... did you know the second leading cause of death for women(after childbirth was long skirts catching on FIRE?! Definitely a worthwhile tour. Afterwards, go have delicious pub food down at the River Road House, where there is more history to be learned.

The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area extends from North of New York City (the White…read morePlains, Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow area) to North of Albany (the Saratoga Battlefield). It is filled with historic sites from the Revolutionary War and, indeed, from the colonial period before the war. It is also filled with mansions, most of them built after the Civil War, during America's first gilded age, by the super-rich. All of these attractions are interesting, some are fascinating and a few are stunning. Visit the website, www.hudsonrivervalley.com, for pull-down menus of must-see, recommended and special interest tourist attractions, including most of the historic sites and mansions and, in addition, some museums, art galleries and the like. Clicking on an attraction will lead to a detailed description. Although we often disagree with the website ratings (and you may disagree with the website ratings and our reviews as well), the site is both user-friendly and highly useful. That said, our disagreements with the website sometimes extend beyond its ratings to its selections. As examples, we would throw out Dia Beacon as an appalling waste of time and money and add the Rhinebeck Aerodrome as a fascinating and fun place to visit on weekends from early June through late October, for its airshows of antique aircraft. We'd also add the new walkway over the Hudson River at Poughkeepsie. On a sunny day, it's a great experience, and it's also great because it's free. Most attractions are not free. Indeed, tourism may be the Hudson River Valley's largest industry. Someone has their hand out at almost all these attractions -- and on the toll roads and bridges that connect them. In addition, most of them have museum shops attached. Even where a visit is free, as at the United States Military Academy at West Point and the FDR Library & Museum in Hyde Park, a guided tour will cost you. The only exception we found is the tour of the New York State Capitol: like the walkway, it's free. Nevertheless, most of the attractions are well worth your time and money, with this caveat regarding the old mansions: after you've seen more than three, as we did, you may balk -- again, as we did -- at expending any more time and money to repeat, once again, an experience that may be intellectually interesting but definitely is emotionally similar. The exception is the Rockefeller mansion, which is stunning. Touring it will cost you two to five times as much as other mansions, but if you have time and money for only one rich bastard's home, it's the one to see. See also our reviews of attractions and businesses within the National Heritage Area: Adams Fairacre Farms, Poughkeepsie, NY Albany Institute of History & Art, Albany, NY Arlington Wine & Liquor Store, Poughkeepsie, NY Aroi Thai, Rhinebeck, NY Dia Beacon, Beacon, NY FDR Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, NY General Washington's Headquarters, Newburgh, NY Gino's Pizza & Restaurant, Poughkeepsie, NY Hampton Inn & Suites, Poughkeepsie, NY Huguenot Street, New Paltz, NY Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate, Sleepy Hollow, NY Locust Grove, the Samuel F.B. Morse estate, Poughkeepsie, NY Morton's Steakhouse, White Plains, NY New York Capitol, Albany, NY New York State Museum, Albany, NY Olana, the Frederic Church estate, Hudson, NY Price Chopper, Poughkeepsie, NY Rhinebeck Aerodrome, Rhinebeck, NY Rossi Rosticceria Deli, Poughkeepsie, NY Schade's Deli Restaurant, Highland Falls, NY Terrapin Restaurant, Rhinebeck, NY Union Church of Pocantico Hills, Sleepy Hollow, NY United States Military Academy, West Point, NY Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park, NY Walkway Over The Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY

This little college museum is a great place to check out some small art collections. This place is…read morenot a huge museum, but it is nice for a quick stroll on a Tuesday night! I saw Tuesday because that is the night they are open the latest. I enjoyed my time here, I just wish that they had more to offer.

What better way to spend a rainy afternoon with out-of-town guests then to meander through a vast…read morespace with a very cool lineup of cars on display? I've been living in Saratoga County for so many years, and there are still countless treasures right in my backyard. The automobile Museum is certainly one of those treasures. I happened to visit during the Corvette show....and while I don't know much about cars (beyond basic driving skills), it was extremely cool. The entry fee was $20. I would definitely check it out again in the future.

Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle…read more The Pontiac GTO is currently featured at a local automobile museum in Saratoga, NY. The first new car my husband ever owned was a 1970 GTO, so this exhibit interests us. It runs from November 5 - April 26, 2025, and the museum is open Wednesday to Sunday. Members: FREE Adults: $20.00 Children 11-18: $15.00 Children 10 & Under: FREE Students 17+ (with ID): $15.00 Senior Adults 65+: $15.00 Veterans/Active Military: $15.00 Special Guided Tours are available, and they are free with admission to the Museum on Wednesdays at 2pm. Showcasing 16 landmark Pontiacs, the museum explores the power and style that turned Pontiac into a legend. On exhibit-- * The Original GTO: The 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO that defined the muscle car genre. * The Monkeemobile: A 1966 Pontiac GTO customized for The Monkees TV show, considered one of the most recognizable and beloved custom cars. * Firebirds and Trans Ams * GTO Judges- multiple examples This Museum is well curated and appeals to car lovers of all ages.

You might miss Fort Crailo if you don't know what you're looking for. It sits in the middle of a…read moreresidential neighborhood overlooking the Hudson. It doesn't really look like a fort, more like a very old brick house but if you look carefully at the front you can see the gun ports. The house was built in 1707 with multiple additions over the years, changing a lot of the character of the structure but a walk through the basement lets you see the old beans and stone foundation. It has a variety of exhibits on the Dutch Colonial history of the house and the surrounding area. There's a story that a British physician, staying in the house in 1755 penned Yankee Doodle Dandy to make fun of the Colonial troops in the French and Indian war but it's never been proven.

This is an incredible museum focused on Dutch Colonial life. Just feet from the banks of the…read moreHudson, this amazing collection of original artifacts, art work, and creative displays breathe life into this important time and people. The drafters of our constitution modeled our republic in large part on the Dutch Republic. If you didn't know that, all the more reason to visit!

Sadly, the Park McCullough House (really, it's a mansion) was closed on the 2 days we were in…read moreBennington, but at least we got to walk around the beautifully landscaped and manicured grounds. Because we couldn't go on any tour, I only know this... it was built in 1864-65. It was also home to two Vermont governors, and it was visited by President Benjamin Harrison in 1891 when he was in town to dedicate the Bennington Monument. While the mansion may be closed most of the week, one could arrange to have private events held at this beautiful location... like a wedding, as other Yelpers have attested. If we're ever in Bennington again, I hope we could arrange for it to be over a weekend when the mansion is open to viewing.

My dad and I enjoyed our self guided tour very much. The original woodwork & some intact art and…read morefurnishings are incredible .

The curator of this museum is named Joe now let me tell you something about Joe. His passion about…read morethe history that are stored in these walls is amazing. As an 2nd generation Italian American, I learned so much about not only my culture but other languages and regions in Italy. This museum is covered with pictures and information. All items have been donated from families all over the country this is how they sustain the existence of the museum. In total there are 10 rooms plus an upstairs, that's an event center. Everyone that works here is a volunteer and this includes the thrift shop and bridal boutique that are connected to it financially. Overall my experience was amazing!

Excellent Renoir collection. Enjoyed permanent collection as well as special exhibit…read more Dont skip the smaller paintings; theyre fantastic.

I went to see Corot, but also ended up admiring Renoir and George Inness, a Montclair local. The…read moreClark is situated in a bucolic college town whose scenery made me think of Wuthering Heights. Maybe because we went at a time when spring should have been sprouting out, but winter lingered and light snow even showed up, casting a gloomy atmosphere. Haru, enjoyed exploring its surroundings while I shivered. I noticed though that some patrons were chatting disruptively.