Spring has sprung here in Dutchess County, the heart of the Hudson Valley, and it’s a perfect time to visit! The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping, and the countryside has awoken from its winter slumber.
Pride Month is right around the corner, and there’s no better way to kick off the festivities than with the third annual “Pride in the Sky” festival on the Walkway Over the Hudson on May 30. Hosted by Big Gay Hudson Valley, the last two years' events each welcomed thousands of participants and hundreds of volunteers for a celebration of the unity, diversity and freedom that make the Hudson Valley such a wonderful place.
A refurbished railroad bridge built in 1889, the Walkway rises 212 feet above the majestic Hudson River. It's the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world and offers breathtaking views of the river and its surrounding highlands.
Other can’t-miss Pride Month events include the Pride Night with the Hudson Valley Renegades minor-league baseball team on June 10, and the Poughkeepsie Pride Parade and Festival at Waryas Park on June 13.
If you like fresh strawberries, be sure to visit Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction this spring when their pick-your-own season opens and you can pluck juicy, ripe berries right off the vines (it doesn’t get any fresher than that!). Their Saturday morning Farm Yoga sessions will be starting back up this spring, too! And head to the Beacon Sloop Club’s annual Strawberry Festival on June 14 at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park in Beacon for all sorts of strawberry treats along with live music, family-friendly activities and dozens of food and craft vendors.
Immerse yourself in peace and tranquility with a stroll through Innisfree Garden in Millbrook. Bring a book and relax under a shady tree. Pack a picnic to enjoy by the secluded Tyrell Lake. The 185-acre garden features the 40-acre glacial lake surrounded by scenic cliffs, hills, waterfalls, streams and all sorts of beautiful flowers, plants and landscape elements. It is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. Landscape artist Lester Collins found inspiration in Chinese cup gardens and Japanese design to create this curated yet naturalist garden.
Beacon LitFest is an annual celebration of the literary arts and brings together a diverse group of award-winning poets, playwrights, fiction writers and nonfiction writers for readings, lively conversation, performances, and connection. This year's festival is planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 12, 13, and 14, and will feature events at several Beacon locations (stay tuned for updates).
Also this spring, guided tours are being offered at Edgewater in Barrytown. Built in 1820, this opulent estate on the Hudson River has been a sanctuary of sorts for several prominent Americans, including Gore Vidal and the "Last Gentleman of Wall Street," Richard Hampton Jenrette.
These are just a few of the many unforgettable experiences waiting for you here in Dutchess County.
Sometimes called “New York City’s Backyard,” Dutchess is easy to get to by car, train or plane — but oh-so-hard to leave!
