HudsonValleyGoodStuff

The Hudson Valley Good Stuff Wish-list for 2012 Or 12 fun things you can do in the Hudson Valley

 

Here is a short list of things to do in the Hudson Valley that I haven't done yet, but would like to do in 2012.  

Monday night buffet at Garden Cafe in Woodstock. You need to make a reservation for this sought-after weekly vegan event. I'm not a vegetarian, but if I could eat here every day, I could be.

Dine at Peek-a-moose Restaurant on Route 28 in Big Indian. I have passed by it many times over the years, and it has always intrigued me. 

Walkway over the Hudson--I'm embarrased to say that I still haven't done this. I'm putting this on the HVGS to-do list for the Spring.

 Check out Chalet Fondue in Windham before the end of winter. It looks like a very cozy spot for German specialties. I only see one fondue dish on their menu though.

Go to a TMI Project at Rosendale. I love the idea of personal monologues detailing embarrasing situations. If I don't have the courage to be on stage, I can at least support these amazing women by buying a ticket to their show.

One of my resolutions is to lose weight this year. Another one is to eat more cupcakes. I definitely want to try one of JJ's Rockin Cupcakes, a new cupcake bar in Kingston. I'd also like to visit Moxie Cupcakes in New Paltz too.

Eat a cheap breakfast special at the revamped Village Diner in Saugerties.

Visit the Zen Monastery in Mt. Tremper. Well, this requires a bit of planning and focus, but it has been on my wish-list for 2 years now. I hope 2012 is the year!

Be a food judge at a local fair. I'm still badgering a few contacts about this.

Take a yoga class or an African dance class at Lalita Healing Collective in Chichester.

Go to the Good Stuff Cafe in West Shokan on one of their Thursday night BBQ nights during the summer if they are having them.

Visit more bakeries.

Go to The Castle Fun Center in Chester. 

Become a volunteer Weather Spotter through my local Skywarn program. (Check out my essay Snow Day in the digital edition of Green Door magazine Winter 2012 to read more about my weather obsession)

Find more Hudson Valley Good Stuff sponsors.

What is on your wish-list?

 

 

 

Saratoga Springs revisited: Hilton Garden Inn vs. Hampton Inn & Suites

My family went on a mini-vacation at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Saratoga Springs recently thanks to a relative's generous Hilton Honors points donation. In the past, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn when we went to Saratoga Springs for an overnight with the kids, but this time we decided to try something new.  

The Hampton Inn won us over. The hotel has a beautiful heated pool, which is much larger than the one at HGI. The breakfast which was included had more to offer than the HGI one, and the location is more convenient. It is close to the center of town. We somehow got upgraded to a suite room. I slept very soundly in the comfortable bed. My husband didn't sleep too well though.

He claims there were a group of middle-aged women having a girls night who had a bit too much to drink and were yelling in the hallway. I heard a little bit of this too, but I was so relaxed from the mineral bath, I guess I just slept through the fun. This aside, I would definitely come back to the Hampton Inn & Suites in Saratoga Springs, NY.

I had a great time at the Gideon Putnam several years ago. The hotel is more formal, and has much more character, and is home to the Roosevelt Baths & Spa.  (I'd recommend the Gideon Putnam if you are looking for a couples getaway without kids or a low-key honeymoon).

Family Fun alert: Hoppin Halloween Party at Fun-E Farm this Friday, October 28th!

Fun-E Farm will be having a Hoppin Halloween party on Friday, Oct. 28th from 5 -8pm with lots of bouncing, snacks, treats, and goodie bags for all kids who attend! They will also be raffling off a birthday party and gift cards too! Admission is $9.99 or only $7.99 if you wear your Fun-E Farm T-Shirt.

Fun-E Farm got a couple new bouncy houses since I last blogged about them. So very happy to have them on as a Hudson Valley Good Stuff sponsor. A bouncy house fun center was very much needed in this area. I have a lot friends who go here. The kids always leave here tired and happy! Happy Halloween!

Day trip: Accord: Family Fun at Kelder's Farm & Organic Pizza at Pizza Barn!

We had a lot of family fun at Kelder's Farm on Route 209 in Kerhonkson today! There are great farm U-pick stands along Route 209, but Kelder's Farm appealed to me because I heard it had a petting zoo and a bouncing area for kids. This "Jumping Pillow" turned out to be such a big hit for my kids that we didn't even get around to the hayride or the milking of the cow for $2. We bounced for an hour!  There is no time limit. You pay $5 per person for a wristband, but you can bounce all day if you like. 

It is a really beautiful place so if you go, don't forget your camera! You can also pick your own fruits and vegetables in season at Kelder's Farm. Due to the flooding from Irene though, there are no raspberries to be picked there now. You can pick apples and flowers though. I would definitely recommend Kelder's Farm for any child who loves to jump and bounce. There is also a small edible mini-golf course. The hardest part will be getting them off the jumping pillow! Also, just FYI, the restrooms are porto-potties so if you have a porto potty phobia, best to go somewhere else before you start the jump-a-thon.

There is also a nice gift shop with locally made goodies and ice pops.  For more info visit Kelder's Farm.  We ended up having slices of yummy organic pizza at Pizza Barn in Accord later. (Blog post to follow).

How could I forget to mention, they also have the world's largest garden gnome at the entrance! Makes for a great Hudson Valley photo opportunity! 

CJ's Italian Restaurant in Rhinebeck: Amazing whole wheat pizza with fancy toppings!

I went to CJ's Italian Restaurant at 353 Old Post Road in Rhinebeck last week, and had really delicious whole wheat crust pizza. It is hard to find a pizza place that makes whole wheat pizza so this was my first tasting of whole pizza in the Hudson Valley. It was delicious! The best part was that I didn't feel guilty eating it! My diabetic-pizza-snob husband was happy too!  

We ordered the CJ special which includes 5 toppings. I picked pesto, spinach, broccoli, black olives, mushrooms. Vegetarian and yummy! For more info visit CJ's Rhinebeck

Trevor Zoo in Millbrook NY: Tranquil Family Fun & Quirky Animals

The Trevor Zoo in Middlebrook has been on my To-Visit list for awhile so yesterday the family and I had took a day trip to Middlebrook. According to the website, Middlebrook School is the only high school that oversees a zoo. At the Trevor Zo, you'll see over 180 exotic and indigenous animals, including 7 animals on the endangered species list like the red panda, and the red wolf.

I liked it because it is small enough to just walk around at your leisure, and you won't get exhausted with kids. It is a beautiful zoo with plenty of shade and lush trees and bushes.  (It's set on 6 acres of land). It's a perfect place to take kids on a damp, over-cast, rainy day as the lush trees protect you from the elements. It is very tranquil, quiet, and didn't seem too busy when I visited We walked around visiting the porcupine, red panda, lama, deer, and the emu. I didn't see the wallaby. Is he still there? Maybe he was busy. 

Afterwards we drove to Millbrook village and had a nice lunch at the Millbrook Deli. The village of Millbrook also has a very beautiful park with a nice playground. If I had more time, I'd check out Slammin Salmon or Charlotte's in Milbrook. I'd also like to go for a tasting at the Milbrook Winery one day soon. My To-Visit List gets longer every week. Hopefully, next time. For more information on the Trevor Zoo visit their website. 

Catskill Animal Sanctuary: Cute farm animals, nice landscape & a friendly human!

I decided to go to a different farm today and visit the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties, New York because we always go to the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary as we are members there. The Catskill Animal Sanctuary is on 100-acres and is a a very peaceful place for families to go. It was Sunday though, and apparently there were no tours going on this day.  The welcome office was closed. On the website it did mention that an event for that day was canceled, but I assumed it was open although I couldn't get anybody live on the phone. (I'm such an optimist!) So we visited the chickens in the parking area, and that was it. 

We did meet a friendly human who told us that there are tours on Saturdays and that we could sign up online for those, or just come back on Saturday.  Since the place was closed we could hang out by the chickens, but we weren't allowed to walk around and explore. She was very sweet and gave the kids a few cookies as a consolation gift. It does look like a nice place though, and I would go back for a tour in the future. Follow them on Facebook or email to make sure they are having a tour. 

KidAround Shop in Saugerties: Clothes, baby gear, toys, classes & personal shopping!

KidAround Shop in Saugerties is a consignment shop that opened up a year ago. They have really expanded since I stopped by in the Spring. They sell used clothes, new and used toys, used strollers, bouncy seats, cribs, the entire line of Melissa & Doug, vintage baby clothes, and handmade bags from local Hudson Valley designers. Owner Claire Raper says, "Grandmas love us!" There is really something for every kid. I was excited to see that they even sell used VHS videos. The only place I find these are at yard sales or eBay.com. In the Fall, KidAround will continue to offer story time, and will be offering Mommy & Me classes as well.

Also, if you are pressed for time, just let Clairel know what you need and she will gather up a few items for you to see (at no obligation).  They also sell cute kids costumes.  The best way to keep up to date with their happenings/events is to follow them on the KidAround Facebook Page. KidAround Shop, 114 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY (845) 247-3342. To learn more about KidAround Shop, including how to become a consignor, visit the KidAround Shop website.

Celebrating Father's Day in the Hudson Valley: Where to take Dad

 Here are a few fun ideas if you are celebrating Father's Day in the Hudson Valley this weekend. 

Skytop Steakhouse & Brewing Company, 237 Forest Hill Drive, Kingston, NY (845) 340-4277 Brunch Buffet- I went here 3 years ago. They always have a great spread with smoked salmon and an omelet station. You can also order off the menu. It's always a good place for beer lovers!

Hickory BBQ Smokehouse--743 Route 28, Kingston, NY (845) 338-2424. If your Dad is more of BBQ ribs kind of guy, take him to Hickory BBQ. Everything is pretty damn good here, even the salads! http://www.hickoryrestaurant.com/index.html

Big Healthy Breakfast--Sweet Sue's Phoenicia, 49 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY (845) 688-7852--It's one of the best breakfast places around.  The only thing you will not like about this place is the line outside to get in on weekends! Over-sized organic pancakes are their specialty.  They have a zillion different pancakes. Try their pancake sundae!

Dad would also like other Restaurants that I Love that I've mentioned in the blog as well.

Starting at 11 am on Sunday, June 19th the Rhinebeck Farmers Market will be offering Dads free strawberry shortcake. Where will you go to celebrate Father's Day?

 

Mama's Boy Cafe in Phoenicia: Mama's comfort food & Catskill gifts!

Mama's Boy Cafe has been open in Phoenicia for about a year now. I checked it out for the first time last week.  It fits right into Phoenicia's quirky, but righteous Main Street. It has a bit of "pot luck" vibe. All the dishes look like Mama just made them.  I only tried the soup and a cupcake this time around. I will be adventurous next time. Anybody have a favorite dish at Mama's Boy? I also love their Catskill-themed souvenirs and locally made preserves and syrups.  

I also noticed that Sweet Sue's is still closed. (This is due to a plumbing/septic issue).  Hopefully Sweet Sue's will be back in business by this Summer. Check out Mama's Boy Cafe! 845-688-3050.