HudsonValleyGoodStuff

Where to watch Superbowl 46 while you eat yummy food in the Hudson Valley!

 

Though I love Superbowl snacks, I've never been interested in the game.  If I did love Superbowl Sunday, I would spend it at one of these Hudson Valley restaurants:

Main Street Restaurant at 244 Main Street in Saugerties has 4 TV's, 2 HDTV's, free snacks at the bar, and half price appetizers during the game, draft specials and more!

Hurley Mountain Inn in Hurley--Besides eating very yummy bar food, one fan will win $10,000.00 just for showing up at the Hurley Mountain Inn according to their Facebook page and website. Read my blog post about this place here.

Hickory BBQ Smokehouse on Route 28 in Kingston has 4 TVs at the bar and there are a few nice wooden booths near it. Read my blog post here to see my favorite foods here.

Superbowl Party at Aroma Thyme will have championship prices for the championship game. There will also be vegan dishes too. Call early and reserve because there are very limited seats at the bar.

 Go Giants! Yes, "Go Giants!"  I love this Suggestion Box clip from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, a native of Saugerties by the way.

Don't forget to tell them you heard it from Hudson Valley Good Stuff!

 

 

Pre-Christmas Family Fun alert: Bounce with Santa at Fun-E Farm on December 23rd!

 On Friday, December 23rd from 5-8pm Fun-E-Farm in the Hudson Valley Mall will be having a holiday pajama party. There will be tons of bouncing, snacks, treats, and Santa Claus! Wear your favorite holiday PJ's and get reduced admission.  Every child who attends will get a special holiday goodie bag.

Where to see holiday light displays in the Hudson Valley? 4 Cool Places for you

The Hudson Valley is getting into the holiday spirit with the dazzling holiday light displays. I got an email from Hudson Valley Tourism reminding me of this:  

"Albany's Holiday Lights in the Park is an annual event that has new themes each year. Drive through Washington Park with your radio specifically programmed to over 125 displays and scenes of Toyland, Santa on Vacation, and Victorian Holiday all lit up. The spectacular continues through January 2nd. In the mid-Hudson, the Festival of Holiday Lights in Ulster Park brightens up the winter skies to amaze children of all ages. Snuggle up on Frosty's Hayride, or drive through the amazing displays in the comfort of your car. Computer animatronics, live actors, and holiday music fill all of your senses with the magic of the holidays on December weekends and the 23rd."

I like Seamon Park for their holiday light display. The park is quiet and it a nice place to take the kids for a walk. I went there the other night. 

Adam's Fairacre Farms locations in Kingston, Wappingers, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie:  Kids love the Christmas decorations at Adams. They usually have the snowy train set out, and Free Photos with Santa on weekends. Call the store for details.

Frost Fest, Ulster Park. 845-339-2666, www.afrostyfest.com

Holiday Lights in the Park, Albany. 518-435-0392

www.albanycapitalholidaylights.com  

Where is your favorite place to see holiday lights in the Hudson Valley? Please post in the comments.

 

Ameribag Sale alert: Hudson Valley shoppers--need a new pocketbook or backpack?

For those who want to get a heads-start on their Christmas shopping or just want to buy a new pocket book or backpack, Ameribag will be having another Warehouse Sale on November 4, 5 and 6. Here is the link for more information: Ameribag Warehouse Sale. Happy shopping!

Halloween Happenings in the Hudson Valley: Join the parades, fun & fright!

I love Halloween season in the Hudson Valley.  

1. Saugerties Halloween Parade: The parade is kicking off at 5:30pm on Friday, October 28th. I have never been to this parade so I may check it out. The town is sure to be festive and fun.  If you are craving really good candy, stop by Lucky Chocolates or Krause's. Kids can get their face painted at KidAroundShop before the parade starts to complete their costume. The store still has costumes left. (Sponsor shout-out: Dine at Fez Cafe for dinner and get a free creme brulee for mentioning Hudson Valley Good Stuff)

2. Rhinebeck: Rhinebeck will hold its Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 30th at 2:00 pm.

3. Kingston: If you are looking for scary fun and don't have small kids, there is always The Headless Horseman in Ulster Park. I have never been here though I know a lot of folks who have. I'm more into the trick or treating.  The mile long hay ride sounds fun though. Reservations are strongly suggested and this is not for kids under 10.  

4. Woodstock:  My favorite parade is the Woodstock one although I usually get there too late and miss the whole parade. It doesn't matter though because the real fun is watching everyone in costume crowding Tinker Street. There is plenty of free candy too!

5. If you enjoy a glass of wine with your chocolate candy, why not go to Baldwin Winery's last Strawberry, Chocolate & Wine Festivals of 2011. The price has been reduced. It is now $12/pp instead of $15/pp , but still FREE with purchase of 6 bottles/pp.  Sat & Sun Oct 29 & 30, live music on Saturday.For details visit Baldwin Vineyards. 

 6.If you are looking for a list of Hudson Valley Halloween Parties for the young single crowd, Metromix, has a great list here.

Will you be in the Hudson Valley this weekend? What is your favorite Halloween event up here? 

 Happy Halloween!

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!

Spirit of Halloween Costume Shop in Kingston: Adult, tween, toddler & baby costumes galore!

I really enjoyed shopping for a Halloween costume at Spirit of Halloween costume store on Ulster Avenue in Kingston. (Just follow the signs to the Walmart entrance. It is where the Boston Market used to be). They have a wide selection of costumes and I was able to find exactly what I was looking for a western cowgirl type costume to go with my husband's outlaw cowboy costume.  The sales associate was very helpful in finding the right accessories for our costume too. They also have plenty of kids costumes, tween costumes, spooky accessories, masks, etc.  

The store is only open during Halloween season, which is now until early November. I have also seen great adult costumes at Hot Topic at the Hudson Valley Mall. There are cute kiddie costumes at KidAroundShop in Saugerties too. Where do you like to get your Halloween costumes in the Hudson Valley?

King's Valley Diner in Kingston: Hearty breakfast, good coffee & always friendly service!

I love the florentine omelet at the Kings Valley Diner on Ulster Avenue. How can you not like a diner that serves their toast already buttered? I don't eat this kind of breakfast everyday, but when you are in the mood for a good diner breakfast, this is a great place to go in Kingston! Their salmon benedict is really good too! Kings Valley Diner, 617 Ulster Avenue, Kingston, NY. (845)  331-3254.

Cool fundraiser: Drum Boogie Festival to Benefit Cancer Treatment on September 17th

The Woodstock Chimes Fund (our non-profit foundation) is fundraiser this weekend. It’s called the Drum Boogie Festival® and it’s a free outdoor world drum celebration to benefit cancer treatment. It will be held Saturday, 9/17 (rain date 18^th) from 9:30 AM – 8 PM at Cornell Park in Kingston. It will feature different genres of music including jazz, rock, ragtime, steel pan, kids, etc. Internationally renowned musicians will be performing, including Jack DeJohnette, Jerry Marotta, NEXUS, Liam Teague with the NYU Steel Band and many more. Additional details and photos from the 2009 festival can be found atwww.drumboogiefestival.com. 

 

We have several corporate sponsors but need the public’s help as well. We set up a Kickstarter page to help collect donations: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2046451129/drum-boogie-festival-benefitting-cancer-treatment . Donors can receive a Woodstock Chimes product depending on the level of their support.

 

Date Night in Uptown Kingston: Boitson's got hearty dishes, romantic back patio & devils on horseback!

 

 

I took my husband out to Boitson's restaurant at 47 North Front Street in Uptown Kingston for his birthday last week.  

The bar was crowded when we arrived around 7:30pm, and I we bumped into an old friend there who suggested we sit outside on the patio. The outdoor patio was candle lit and very warm and inviting. I looked around and saw a mix of friend gatherings and couples on dates. I also spotted a young family with a very well-behaved tot in a high chair.

I started with their Midtown Margarita which was very good! I really liked the salt and chili powder on the rim. Nice touch with the grapefruit juice. (I ended up having 2 which is usually too much for me!) Anyway, on to the delicious appetizers. We shared an order of deviled eggs, devils on horseback, and a charcuterie plate. I've never tried devils on horseback, but they were very tasty. (Dates stuffed with blue-cheese and wrapped in bacon).  

For the main dish, I decided to go light and had the zucchini fritters, which were very good. My husband ordered the pork schnitzel which he heartily enjoyed.  For dessert we had a vanilla pudding dessert. I can't remember what it was called, but it tasted a bit like a light creme caramel. The dessert was small, which was fine with me. Check came out to about $100 for 2, which is a splurge, but pretty good value considering we had 3 appetizers, 2 main dishes, 2 margaritas, a soda, dessert, 2 coffees, and a very good time. The service was super too! For more info on Boitson's check out the Boitson's website.