In the scenic Hudson River Valley, Poughkeepsie is set midway between
New York City and
Albany. First settled by the Dutch around 1659, it houses many
historic sites.
Locust Grove was the home of Samuel Morse who invented the telegraph and Morse code. House tours highlight his inventions and paintings, and you can stroll through the estate’s splendid 19th-century gardens to see the restored ice house and a carriage house filled with historic vehicles.
Named for New York’s first governor,
Clinton House is an 18th-century Georgian stone building that served as a meeting place from 1777 to 1783 when Poughkeepsie was the capital of New York. Nearby, the historic
Bardavon 1869 Opera House now presents dance, music and theater productions and serves as home to the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Orchestra.
Poughkeepsie’s many art centers and museums include the
Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, where over 50 hands-on exhibits and play spaces combine science and art for ages 2 to 12, in an environment designed to promote family fun.
The new
Walkway Over the Hudson, the longest walking bridge in the world, crosses over the majestic Hudson River and ends in a lovely State park. Head to the Poughkeepsie Dock to catch a sightseeing tour with
Hudson Cruises, whose special excursions include lighthouse tours onboard the 18-passenger Little Spirit water taxi.
Take home some fresh local produce from Poughkeepsie’s Farmers Market. Or visit the creamery at
Sprout Creek Farm to see artisanal cheeses created using age-old farmstead traditions. You can learn to make your own cheese or buy some at the farmstand, which also sells fresh seasonal vegetables. The café has a big front porch, where you can relax and enjoy some cheese or freshly churned ice cream. For a unique farm experience, rent the
cottage on site or ride over the valley in a hot air balloon with
Blue Sky Balloons.