Welcome! Our little nook of the Hudson Valley has so much to offer. It would be impossible for me to list all the great restaurants, things to do and shops to visit. Below you will find plenty of suggestions but if there is something else you are curious about, please reach out. I am available to help you plan your upstate getaway.
High Falls/ Cottekill/ Accord Area:
Food Scene
· Westwind Orchard- Located in Accord. Authentic Italian food and brick oven pizza. The best in the area for sure! Enjoy outdoor seating Spring thru Fall overlooking the apple orchard. You’ll find lawn games, fire pits and a nicely curated farm store. They offer their own hard cider and a small, curated selection of cocktails made with NYS spirits. There is indoor seating best used during cold weather months. Westwind is one of my top picks for lunch or dinner.
· Arrowwood- Just down the road from Westwind. Local beer brewery. Call ahead to see what the food situation is. They often have food pop ups. This is also a great place to go to a music festival or outdoor concert. Be sure to check their events page.
· Inness- Located in Accord. If you want to take in beautiful views of the Catskills this is the place. Inness is small boutique hotel and spa with a restaurant on site. Certainly, the trendiest place around and makes for a great Instagram moment. Go for sunset and sit outside around the firepits before heading to the restaurant for dinner. Reservations recommended.
· Hash- Located in Stone Ridge. Perfect spot for breakfast or lunch. Be sure to check hours of operation.
· Black Dot Coffee- Located on Main Street in Stone Ridge. Perfectly located and convenient if you are looking for an espresso drink or matcha latte.
· Butterfield- Located inside the Hasbrouck House in Stone Ridge. The Hasbrouck House is a historic inn. Cozy up by the fire and enjoy a cocktail or go have dinner in the restaurant
· The Roost- Located in Stone Ridge- simple local restaurant. The only restaurant in the area open all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
· Asia- Located in Stone Ridge. Take out or dine in Chinese and Sushi. Best wonton dumpling soup around!
· Momiji Sushi- Located in Stone Ridge. Easy place to take out or dine in.
· Ollie’s Pizza- Wood oven pizza in the heart High Falls. Full bar and good vibes. This is a local favorite.
· Cherries Roadside- Located in Stone Ridge. Highly recommend for “local” fast food and ice-cream. They have great burgers, wraps and chicken fingers. The soft serve ice cream is a treat and their ice cream sandwiches are delicious!
· The Big Cheese- located on Main Street Rosendale. Delicious Mediterranean food in a simple setting. You’ll also find a good cheese selection, a small produce and dry goods selection as well as some vintage clothing.
· Mill and Main Restaurant and Provisions- Located in Kerhonkson. Nice small shop selling coffee, pastries, local bread and more! Check out their sit-down restaurant next door.
Groceries and Supplies
· If you are coming in via the NYS thruway Exit 18 in New Paltz I recommend stopping at Topps Market or Health and Nutrition
· If you need anything once settled, you have some local choices- MyTown Market in Stone Ridge or the High Falls Food Coop.
· Farm Stands-
o Davenport Farms in Stone Ridge has produce, meats, baked goods and much more.
o Saunderskill Farm in Accord
· Firewood- We do our best to keep firewood at houses that have indoor fireplaces. On occasion supplies run out. Firewood is availabel at most gas stations and grocery stores.
Outdoor Activities
· Rosendale Trestle – leisurely walking/biking trail with beautiful views. Perfect family outing. Dogs must be leashed.
· O&W Rail trail- the area has many rail trails. These trails are mainly flat and perfect for a long run or walk.
· Mohonk Preserve: $15 pp, the preserve has several trailhead parking lots in the area. Spring Farm is the closest, but you can also go over the mountain toward Gardiner to the Coxing Trailhead
o Spring Farm Tailhead/Parking- there are many trails of all levels here. If you are feeling adventurous and want to see one of the best views, take the Bonitcou Crag trail. There is a rock scramble- not for the faint of heart- but totally doable for adults and kids. If you don’t want to do the rock scramble as the gate attendants to show you back way up.
o Coxing Trailhead- The Lost City hike has great views. Visit split rock for a swim
· Minnewaska State Park- $10 per car- there are endless trails here to explore on foot or bicycle. You can visit for a quick walk/hike or spend an entire day doing longer hikes. Lake Minnewaska is open during warm weather months. Bring a picnic and enjoy a swim. Gertrudes Nose is a popular half day excursion takes about 4 hours or make your way out to Lake Awosting for the most incredible lake swim.
· River to Ridge is in New Paltz. Perfect place for a 3-mile loop- run, walk or hike. It is also a good starting point for longer excursion up to Mohonk.
· Skiing
o Hunter Mountain is about 60 minutes away
o Belleayre Mountain also about 60 minutes away- the most family friendly ski center around
For Kiddos
· Forsyth Park Petting Zoo- located in Kingston. This is a great free activity. The petting zoo is open year-round. Bring along some veggies to feed the animals.
· Skate Time- in Accord NY. Check out their website for hours and events (sometimes they have adult only nights). Roller skating, arcade and concession stand.
· Kelder’s farm- closes in winter months. Lot’s of options for family fun. Petting zoo, bouncy jumping pillow, playground, and U-Pick veggies and berries. Be sure to check out their website for pricing and events.
Kingston Area:
Food Scene:
· LOLA- Uptown Kingston- wood fired pizza and pastas. Great cocktails and good vibe.
· Black-Eyed Suzie’s Upstate- Uptown Kingston gourmet take-out food. You can stop in and have a salad or something cold from their food case, but they do not serve hot food other than their daily soup. If you don’t feel like cooking but want quality food this is your place!
· Chleo- Uptown Kingston- amazing wine bar serving some of the most delicious food in the area. Plates are small and meant to share.
· Sweet Maresa’s- Uptown Kingston- vegan bakery (you would never know!). Their coffee crumb cake is incredible.
· Yum Yum Noodle- Uptown Kingston- casual Asian food
· Kyoto Sushi- Uptown Kingston. Solid sushi spot.
· Rough Draft Bar and Books- Uptown Kingston- Stop in for coffee, pastry or a beer. Grab a book and support a local small book seller while there.
· Camp Kingston- Midtown Kingston- Chill spot for breakfast and lunch. Grab a coffee, beer or cocktail and enjoy the good vibes.
· Kingston Bread Bar- Midtown Kingston- great for coffee, fresh baked goods, breakfast and lunch
· Rosie General- Kingston Waterfront- Perfect spot for a casual breakfast or lunch. All baked goods and bread are made in house. Centrally located near boutiques and art galleries.
· The Cornell- Kingston Waterfront- located in an old ice house. The building itself is very cool. They have a great back deck for warmer months.
· Ship to Shore- Kingston Waterfront- brunch, lunch or dinner. Centrally located near boutiques and art galleries.
Kingston Grocery Stores:
· Hannaford Supermarket- there are few locations. If you are getting of the Thruway in Kingston and want to shop before settling in go to the store in Kingston Plaza.
· Mother Earth’s Storehouse – large locally owned health food store
· Adams Fairacre Farms- a local favorite
Woodstock Restaurants:
· Sylvia’s- Woodstock- This is one of my favorite spots. Great food and cocktails. Be sure to make a reservation
· Good Night- Woodstock- Upscale Asian food. Owned by the same people that own Sylvia’s.
· Nirvana- Upscale Indian food. Another one of my favorite places. The food is amazing.
· Cucina- Woodstock- solid Italian food
· Moonrise Bagels- Woodstock and an outpost in Kingston- Home of the stuffed bagel
Rhinebeck Restaurants
· The Little Goat- Brunch, Lunch and dinner
· Cinnamon- Indian food
· Terrapin- New American
· Market Street- Italian
· Gigi Trattoria- Italian
My favorite hikes:
· Mohonk Preserve Spring Farm- Bonticou Crag- Central to High Falls, Accord and Cottekill. About 35 minutes from Kingston. As mentioned above this hike has a tricky rock scramble though many families do it. There is a route where you can bypass the scramble and take a less adventurous trail. The view from the top is breathtaking. Bring a snack and water to enjoy when you get to the rocks at the top. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes.
· Overlook Fire Tower- Woodstock- make a day trip of this. Be sure to go to the lookout which is to the right as you approach the top as well as the fire tower- to the left at the top. Note this is a steep hike be sure to wear appropriate shoes and bring water. At a good pace it takes 45 minutes to get to the top. However it can take an hour and fifteen minutes or so. There are some ruins along the way to explore. My routine is to stop at Bread Alone for a breakfast burrito before heading up.