The Hudson Valley is made for summer weekends, with river views, farm country, and family fun all within reach. Here are three ways to fill a Saturday.
1. Spend the day at a county fair
There's no more Hudson Valley way to spend a summer day than at a county fair, and the season runs well into September. The headliner is the Dutchess County Fair in Rhinebeck (August 25 to 30), the second-largest county fair in the state, where this year's grandstand includes .38 Special and a Queen tribute band, plus racing pigs and dock-diving dogs for the kids. If your weekend comes earlier, the Orange County Fair in Middletown (July 23 to August 2) runs a full 11 days, and the Ulster County Fair in New Paltz (August 4 to 9) sets up against a gorgeous mountain ridge.
Find a fair near you at FindYourFair.com.
2. Walk the Walkway Over the Hudson
For a view you won't forget, take the family across the Walkway Over the Hudson, the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world. It's free, it's flat and stroller-friendly, and the panoramas of the river 200 feet below are worth the trip on their own. Bring water and a camera.
3. Play at the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
When little ones need to burn energy (or the weather turns), the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum on the Poughkeepsie waterfront is a reliable win, with dozens of hands-on exhibits built for climbing, building, and exploring. It's right by the river, so you can pair it with a waterfront stroll.
One great Hudson Valley weekend
Three stops, one unforgettable Saturday. Start with a fair while the season's still on, then take in the river and let the kids play. Find the fair nearest you at FindYourFair.com.