After several months in quarantine, now is the perfect time to do your research and plan a weekend getaway out of New York City. Located less than 1.5 hours of Manhattan and central Jersey, the bucolic Hudson River Valley is the perfect spot whether you are searching for a cozy girl’s getaway, a solo day trip, or a romantic weekend. I especially love the Dutchess county from Beacon to Poughkeepsie. 

This part of the Hudson River Valley offers many options for food-obsessed travelers with a wide variety of restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, wineries, cider mills, and distilleries. This guide includes my personal favorite food and drink locations you will find around Beacon and Poughkeepsie. And do not forget to book a unique tasting experience at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.

Dutchess County is also perfect for nature lovers. Hikers, bikers, kayakers, and leisurely walkers can’t get enough of its natural beauty.

If you travel by car there are locations across the Hudson River that are worth exploring: Newburg and New Paltz. You will find places I recommend in the section called “On the Other Side of the River”

I have put together a guide to my favorite spots around the towns of Beacon and Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County.

Where to Stay 
I share where I have stayed as well as other accommodations I considered from boutique hotels to airbnbs.

Where to Eat
Including breakfast and brunch, lunch, dinner, coffee shops, ice cream shops, breweries, cider mills, wineries, and more.

What to Do
There is plenty to do in Dutchess county, from the natural beauty of the Hudson River with numerous walking and cycling trails to top-notch restaurants and wineries.

2 weekend Itineraries
Two detailed itineraries in Beacon and Poughkeepsie.

Explore the other side of the river
Discover the historical place of Newburgh and the vibrant village of New Paltz