Dutchess County
The Crown Jewel of the Hudson Valley in New York is Easily Accessed from the Camping at Our Private Beach on Sylvan Lake!
Sylvan Lake Beach Park invites you to explore the wide variety of attractions and activities in our area. Simply follow the links below for more information about each listed attraction.
Dutchess County Colleges
Sylvan Lake Beach Park is within a 30 minute drive to:
Bard College
This liberal arts college, founded in 1860, has a 600-acre campus overlooking the Hudson River. The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, designed by Frank Gehry, presents a variety of opera, music, drama, and dance performances. The Center for Curatorial Studies presents exhibitions of contemporary art. The Levy Economics Institute hosts conferences and lectures on economic and policy issues. Special events include the annual Bard Music Festival, conferences, lectures, and other public presentations.
The Culinary Institute of America
Enjoy five award-winning, restaurants staffed by students earning their bachelor's or associate degree for careers in the culinary arts, baking and pastry arts. The campus also offers continuing education programs for food service professionals all year and adult education courses for food enthusiasts in the spring and fall.
SUNY - Dutchess County Community College
The college features 65 academic programs, an art gallery, a theatre, and numerous cultural activities open to the public presented on campus throughout the year. Main campus is located on 130 acres in the Town of Poughkeepsie with an extension site on Myers Corners Road.
Marist College
Marist Art Gallery showcases Hudson Valley artists. Enjoy musicals, plays and lectures in the Nelly Goletti Theatre. The Lowell Thomas Communications Center exhibits personal effects of the late broadcaster. Watch men's and women's NCAA Division I athletic contests and crew races on the Hudson River.
Vassar College
Explore and experience a beautiful 1000-acre campus with 200 species of trees, two lakes, outdoor amphitheater, ecological preserve, Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, Powerhouse Summer Theater, James W. Palmer Gallery, Skinner Hall of Music, Class of 1951 Observatory and the Alumnae House Inn & Restaurant.
Dutchess County Golf Courses
Beekman Country Club - Highland/Taconic/Valley Course
This club offers three 9-hole golf courses that are played in three 18-hole combinations. Located out in the country, the courses are very scenic. The Highland and Valley Courses were built on rolling terrain and feature open fairways and medium-sized greens. The course also offers a pro shop, a unique lunch menu, and golf cart rentals.
Casperkill Country Club
This course was built on rolling hills, so expect many uneven lies. Water hazards come into play on seven holes, including the first, a 478-yard, par 5, featuring a stream that crosses the fairway in front of the well-bunkered green. The fairways are narrow and sand bunkers protect almost every hole.
Island Green Country Club
Island Green Golf Center offers something for every golfer, from the experienced player to the novice just starting out, including: 76 All Weather Tees, 38 Heated Stalls, Miniature Golf, Full Service Golf Retail Shop, Short Game Practice Area, Premier Club Fitting/Club Repair and much more!
James Baird State Park Golf Course
James Baird State Park is situated on Pleasant Valley farmland once owned by James Baird, a contractor and engineer whose firm constructed the Lincoln Memorial. The golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, was officially opened in 1948. The 18-hole course is relatively flat and the par 5 13th hole is one of the most challenging in the Hudson Valley. In addition to the golf course, the park also boasts a driving range, pro shop, clubhouse, restaurant and snack bars at the 1st and 10th holes.
The Links at Union Vale
Reminiscent of the famous links courses of Ireland and Scotland, this links-style course is less than an hour north of New York City. The championship course, designed by Stephen Kay, is engaging and challenging, yet still enjoyable for all levels of golfers and was twice selected by the USGA to host the US Amateur sectional qualifier. A pub serving breakfast, lunch & dinner, golf shop, lessons & clinics and more round out the offerings of this premier course.
McCann & College Hill Golf Courses
McCann Golf Course was rated 4 Stars in "Places to Play" by Golf Digest and it was awarded "Best Golf Course Hudson Valley 2006" by Hudson Valley Magazine. Enjoy 18 holes, a driving range and more. College Hill Golf Course is 9 holes offering rental carts & clubs plus lessons and more.
Vassar Golf Course
Vassar Golf Course, established in 1930, is a 9-hole, public golf course situated on the campus of Vassar College next to the Walker Field House. This is a scenic 2,500 yard golf course with beautiful, mature trees. Vassar is a very enjoyable course, whether you walk or take a golf cart. The course is a fair challenge for beginner to intermediate players.
Hudson Valley Golf Courses
There are over 100 golf courses to explore in Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.
Dutchess County Historic Sites
Bannerman Castle
The Scottish-style castle on the Hudson River was built in the early 1900's when purchased by David Bannerman. Take a two hour cruise around the island on the "Pride of the Hudson" tour boat. Attend a lecture on the historic legacy of the castle. Enjoy an "on-island" guided tour of Bannerman Island on "The Pollepel."
Clermont
Discover the country estate of seven generations of the prominent Livingston family. Tour the restored mansion, visitor center, exhibit galleries, formal gardens, and carriage trails. Enjoy picnicking on the beautiful grounds and browse the gift shop.
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
The home of Eleanor Roosevelt features the film "Close to Home," plus guided tours of the home, 180 acres of grounds, hiking trails, the Val-Kill picnic spot & Stone Cottage and much more!
Franklin D. Roosevelt Home National Historic Site
Explore the lifelong home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, including the Springwood library, Top Cottage & Henry Wallace Center, the Roosevelt Ride, his gravesite and the Rose Garden.
Hyde Park
Historic Hyde Park, New York welcomes visitors from all over the globe to explore the FDR Presidential Library & Museum, the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, the Vanderbilt Mansion and much more!
Locust Grove - Samuel F.B. Morris Historic Site
Overlooking the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie, New York, the 150 acre estate of Samuel F.B. Morse includes an Italianate Villa designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, which contains collections of American and European decorative and fine arts. Miles of carriage roads wind through the landscaped grounds, romantic gardens and shady groves.
Montgomery Place
Montgomery Place is best known as a landscape influenced by the great Andrew Jackson Downing and an architectural landmark designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. Explore the mansion, gardens, arboretum, woodlands, orchards, hamlet, and natural features to experience a unique American treasure.
Mount Gulian
The Mount Gulian Historic Site is located in the Hudson Valley in Fishkill, New York. Explore a reconstructed 18th century Dutch homestead on 44 acres with a unique 1740's Dutch barn and restored garden. This was Revolutionary War Headquarters of General von Steuben and the birthplace of the Society of the Cincinnati.
St. James Church
This was the church attended by Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and has a congregation dating from 1811.
Staatsburgh State Historical Site
The country home of Ogden and Ruth Livingston Mills, built in 1895-96 and furnished in the styles of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, Staatsburgh is committed to the preservation and interpretation of the mansion; its collections; and its associated landscape, outbuildings, and archaeological resources.
West Point
Since its founding two centuries ago, the Military Academy at West Point has accomplished its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical in a four-year process called the "West Point Experience." Specific developmental goals are addressed through several fully coordinated and integrated programs. Tour the historic sites, buildings, facilities, monuments, statues and more.
Wilderstein
Visit the Queen Anne Victorian mansion of three generations of the Suckley family, descendants of the Beekmans and Livingstons. The grounds were designed in the American Romantic Landscape style by Calvert Vaux. Interiors and windows were designed by J.B. Tiffany. Enjoy walking trails and views of the Hudson River.
Dutchess County Museums
Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries
Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries, is a museum that houses a renowned but rarely seen permanent collection comprised of major works of art from the 1960's to the present. Located on the Hudson River in Beacon, New York, Dia:Beacon occupies a nearly 300,000-square-foot historic printing factory and presents art works from Joseph Beuys, John Chamberlain, Walter De Maria, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Imi Knoebel, Blinky Palermo, Fred Sandback, Cy Twombly, Andy Warhol Robert Whitman and more.
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
The Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome is a genuine "living museum" of antique aviation. Offering one of the largest collections of early aeroplanes in the world, many of the museum planes regularly take to the air in all their glory during our weekend airshows. The Aerodrome features aeroplanes, automobiles, motorcycles, early engines and memorabilia from 1900-1935. In addition to the airshows, there are four museum buildings displaying aircraft from the Pioneer Era, World War I and the Lindbergh/Barnstorming Era.
Peale Center for Christian Living
Dedicated to the study of positive thinking as a way of life, the Positive Thinking Visitors Center is a collection of memorabilia marking the ministry of Norman Vincent Peale. The Isabelle Bacon Holy Land Museum contains hundreds of items, including art, furniture, books, maps, and authentic costumes from the Holy Land.
Dutchess County Antique Shopping
Beekman Arms Antique Market & Gallery
Located behind the Beekman Arms, America's oldest continually operated hotel, is a classic red barn that houses a Rhinebeck-style multi-dealer antique emporium. Enjoy the beautiful setting while browsing high quality antiques.
Cider Mill Antiques
Cider Mill Antiques offers a fine selection of yellow ware, folk art by Darbyhill, Marcia DeCillo quilts, textiles & baskets, crafts and antique furniture & accessories.
Millbrook Antiques Mall
Centrally located in the Mid-Hudson Valley and picturesque Dutchess Hunt Country, Millbrook offers the finest antiques shopping in New York State with over 40 shops located under one roof. The mall has been established for over 20 years and specializes in 18th and 19th century European and American furniture, collectibles and decorating accessories.
Dutchess County Shopping Malls
Poughkeepsie Galleria
The county's largest enclosed mall has 140 stores on two floors, including: Best Buy, DSW Shoes, Dick's Sporting Goods, Macy's, JC Penney's, Target, H&M, Old Navy and Sears. A food court, full service restaurants and 16 cinemas are also available.
Poughkeepsie Plaza
An enclosed, one-level shopping mall featuring locally owned & operated stores plus: Marshalls, Famous Footwear, Joann Fabrics & Crafts, Just-A-Buck, Modells Sporting Goods, UPS Store, Toys "R" Us, restaurants and a bakery.
Dutchess County Specialty Shopping
Adams Fairacre Farms
Adams Fairacre Farms began in the early 1900's as a simple roadside farm stand in Poughkeepsie, New York, and to this day it is a family-owned and operated business. With 3 locations in the Hudson Valley, they offer farm fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli, prepared foods, cheese, bakery, sweet shop, gourmet grocery, gift shop, garden center and nursery. Modern selection and convenience paired with old-fashioned fussiness that is so hard to find in supermarkets these days makes Adams unique.
Alps Sweet Shop
Dutchess County's oldest chocolatier, in operation since 1922, offers a wide variety of indulgent chocolates including their famous chocolate-covered pretzels, holiday specials, and much more!
Arnold Larson Collection
Founded in 1945, this scandinavian importer, glass-maker and gift shop offers the Arnold Larson Collection & other fine crystal & glass products, candles & candleholders, a variety of toys and a collection of charming Christmas gifts.
Arrowsmith Forge
Arrowsmith houses one of the few remaining ornamental iron & architectural steel forges. Their 3,000 square foot showroom displays custom steel furniture and lighting designs along with a unique selection of home furnishings and decorative accessories collected from around the world. From gates to jewelry, Arrowsmith does it all in iron.
Hammertown Barn
Hammertown at Rhinebeck is located a block from the Historic Beekman Arms at Montgomery Row and houses an extensive collection of reproduction lighting, Farrow& Ball paints, bath fixtures, an extensive decorating library, home furnishings and gifts that include Simon Pearce hand blown glassware, Bella Cucina foods, bedding and fine linens.
Harney & Sons Master Tea Blenders
Offering a Tasting Room in Millerton, New York at the Railroad Plaza, explore a wide array of gourmet teas that are a treat for the senses while relaxing in a cozy setting surrounded by teapots, teas, fancy foods, accessories, antique hotel silver, a collection of needlepoint, cottage-themed cozies and garden benches.
Hudson Valley Angler
Located in Red Hook, New York and easily accessible from the Taconic State Parkway and New York State Thruway Hudson Valley Angler, Inc. is owned and operated by Vinny Sherburne, of Saugerties, NY, a fly tying and casting instructor who worked 10 years as a New York State Licensed Guide on the local waters and has been fly fishing for over twenty-five years. The shop carries, Orvis, Cortland Pro, Filson and Patagonia items, plus flies for fresh and salt water, bass, steelhead, salmon and more!
I Dream of Beading
I Dream of Beading is a full-service bead shop in Poughkeepsie, New York. The store offers a wide range of classes and carries a full selection of Delicas and Japanese seed beads, drops, magatamas, bugles, triangles and cubes, plus Swarovski crystals, vintage beads, semi-precious gemstones, freshwater pearls, pressed glass beads from the Czech Republic, pewter charms, books, tools, sterling silver and gold-filled findings and beads in a multitude of shapes and sizes.
Mountain Tops Outdoors
This store offers outdoor apparel, a full line of hiking, trail running & casual shoes, backpacking gear & accessories, organic and all-natural bars & drinks.
Morehouse Farm
Morehouse Farm offer fine Merino wool, yarn, knitting kits & books, and products that include hats, mittens, scarves and sweaters.
Taste Budds Chocolate and Coffee Cafe
Amazing chocolate desserts and other gourmet delights of all flavors are available.
New York City Sports
Sylvan Lake Beach Park offers easy access to mass transit to New York City so you can catch a
New York Mets
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New York Yankees
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Major League Baseball Game
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Hudson Valley Renegades
The Hudson Valley Renegades are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and are a member of the Class A Division New York - Penn League. The team plays at Dutchess Stadium in the Town of Fishkill, New York, and offers a family-oriented minor league baseball experience ombining baseball with entertainment between innings. Public address commentary (on the game, entertainment and anything else going on in the stadium) and sound effects make a Renegades game memorable.
Hudson Valley Wine Trail: Vineyards & Wineries
The Hudson Valley of New York offers many vineyards and wineries that open their grounds for touring as part of the Hudson Valley Wine Trail. These wine makers include:
Adair Vineyards, New Paltz
The winery is located in a 200-year-old traditional Dutch barn and was recently designated a historic landmark. The cellar is on the first floor and the tasting and gift shop on the second. Most Adair wines are made from locally grown grapes, such as Seyval Blanc, Foch, Ravat and Leon Millot. A Chardonnay and Baco Noir are also produced from grapes grown in the Finger Lakes region.
Alison Wines & Vineyards, Red Hook
Alison Wines & Vineyards is among the Hudson Valley's most recent producers of fine red and white wines created from the noble French varieties. Their wines are handcrafted to reflect the special climate and growing conditions found in this region of New York. Current specialties are Chardonnay and an award winning Pinot Noir. All winemaking and barrel aging takes place in a converted dairy barn, the oldest section of which dates to the mid-1800's.
Applewood Winery, Warwick
Competitive with their French counterparts in blind taste tests, Applewood's wines are half the price of its European rivals! The wines include oak-aged reds, barrel-fermented Seyval/Chardonnay's, Hard Apple Cider, and Autumn Mist, a dessert wine that the New York Times said "captures the essence of apple." You'll find over a dozen wine varieties here. Each wine is produced in a limited edition with almost every bottle spoken for as soon as it's made.
Baldwin Vineyards, Pine Bush
Baldwin Vineyards was founded in 1982 on a vineyard site dating back to 1786. The vineyard specializes in Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon but also produces a good Claret and Landot Noir. "The Wine Spectator" gave their Landot Noir a 96, an exceptionally high rating, in their third year of production.
Benmarl Vineyards, Marlboro
This winery is considered one of the country's oldest and was the place that Dutchess grape was developed in 1867. Winemaker, artist and author Mark Miller is highly regarded in both American and French wine circles. An art gallery at Benmarl displays some of his paintings and sells prints. Benmarl's winemaking continues to be influenced by Miller's experiences while living in France's Burgundy Region, aging most of his reds and some whites in small French-oak barrels.
Brimstone Hill Vineyard, Pine Bush
In operation since 1979, Brimstone wines are made from hybrids and European varietals and range from a sparkling Seyval and Vidal to country wine blends. All but one of their wine offerings are dry.
Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville
Brotherhood has the distinction of being America's oldest continuously operating winery. It managed to stay in business during Prohibition by producing government-sanctioned altar and medicinal wines. Visit the winery, cafe and art & antiques gallery. Brotherhood produces a variety of wines, from Chablis, Blush Chablis & Burgundy, to fortified wines, dessert wines and premium varietal wines, like Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon & Pinot Noir.
Cascade Mountain Winery & Restaurant, Amenia
Cascade Mountain maintains an emphasis on reds, but produces a variety of whites with grapes purchased from other local vineyards. A Private Reserve Red is made from Cabernet Sauvignon with Leon Millot and the Dry Red Wine is a combination of Leon Millot and Baco Noir. Cascade's whites include a Seyval Blanc and a Private Reserve White, a blend of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc was selected as the official reception wine for the United States Mission to the United Nations
Clinton Vineyards, Clinton Corners
Seyval Blanc is the primary grape of Clinton Vineyards, which also produces a sparkling wine, Seyval Naturel, and occasionally, when the growing season permits, a German-style Riesling. The winery is housed in a 19th century dairy barn and Clinton has won statewide as well as national awards.
El Paso Winery, Ulster Park
This winery produces clean country wines from a variety of grapes, including Seyval Blanc and Concord, which range from dry to sweet. Established in 1981, a 150-year-old barn houses El Paso production.
Kedem Winery, Milton
Marlborough-on-Hudson is where the grapes are grown and the wine is produced. Royal Kedem's Milton operation is open daily except Saturdays. Here visitors can enjoy the wines in a tasting room and shop inside a 130-year-old train station overlooking the Hudson River. Royal Kedem produces more than 25 kosher wines, made from local hybrid and native American grapes in varieties ranging from dry to sweet.
Magnanini Winery & Restaurant, Wallkill
Begun in 1970 by Richard and Galba Magnanini, a father-son team, the Magnaninis sold their grapes to Brotherhood Winery until 1983, when they decided to open their own winery and restaurant. They produce six country wines including a Seyval Blanc and DeChaunac, and four hybrid blends that range from dry to sweet.
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook
70 acres of vineyards wind their way toward the large barn that houses the operation, which was established in 1981 and grows about 25 varieties of European grapes. The sales and tasting rooms overlook the vineyards and offer a scenic Hudson Valley view. Millbrook produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Hunt Country Red, a blend of several red grape varieties.
Regent Champagne Cellars, Highland
Regent is the Hudson Valley's second oldest winery and is located on a rocky overlook used by the Continental Army as its second line of defense after West Point during the Revolutionary War. Visitors will enjoy beautiful vistas of the river and valley. The original vineyards are now overgrown and the winery's stone buildings, courtyard, clocktower and house are arranged in the style of an Italian manor. Sparkling wines such as Brut Champagne and fruit-flavored Blueberry, Raspberry, Peach, Almond and Strawberry are produced here.
Rivendell Winery, New Paltz
Since 1987, Rivendell Winery has been one of the most popular wineries in the Hudson Valley. Rivendell wines have attracted the attention of wine critics and aficionados alike. Featuring 55 bucolic acres, the winery is a popular destination for wine tourists in the valley and boasts a glass enclosed tasting porch with panoramic views of the valley, a fireplace for indoor tastings, year round picnics, and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff.
West Park Wine Cellars, West Park
What was once a dairy farm operated by the Christian Brothers Order from Ireland has been transformed into a winery producing Chardonnay. Students and faculty from the Culinary Institute of America, just across the river in Hyde Park, put on elaborate dinner parties featuring candlelit tables, classical music and gourmet meals at the winery.
Whitecliff Vineyards, Gardiner
Whitecliff Vineyards sits on 70 acres opposite the Shawangunk Mountain chain. It is one of nine wineries of the famed Shawangunk Wine Trail and is following in the tradition of French Huguenot settlers. Today, they use the latest techniques in vineyard management and enology to bring the best in European wine grape varieties back to this historic area with varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling, and quality hybrids like Seyval Blanc and Vignoles.
Dutchess County U-Pick Farms & Markets
Catskill Mountain Farms
An earth-friendly, family owned and operated farm located in the scenic foothills of the Catskill mountains in Saugerties New York. Browse all natural products made with the finest ingredients available and produced at Catskill Mountain Farms.
Secor Farm
Pick-Your-Own strawberries, peas, blueberries, pumpkins. Farm Stand Strawberries, blueberries, and sweet corn at Secor Farm at in La Grange/Wappingers Falls. Purchase local jams & honey. For more information, contact the farm at [email protected] or 845-452-6883.
Wright's Apple Farm
Buy fresh apples direct from the grower. Choose from homemade jams, pickles, fruit butters and some of the best applesauce in New York. The farm is located in Gardiner, one hour from the George Washington Bridge, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York City, Connecticut, and Albany, New York.
Wonderland Farm
Visit a 100 acre farm located in Rhinebeck that grows produce in season, pumpkins and Christmas trees. Pumpkins are available wholesale or pick your own. Pick your own starts the third week of September through the end of October on the weekends only.
New Attractions
Walkway over the Hudson River Trail
Walkway Over the Hudson, a 501(c) 3 nonprofit group, initially conceived of the idea of turning an old abandoned railroad bridge into a pedestrian park, and with the help of both private and public funding and partnerships, this dream became a reality on October 3, 2009.