Looking for an excursion off the NY thruway

USER876

Going to Albany for the weekend.  Will be driving home Sunday and looking for a short side excursion to do on the way back....but would like it to be close to the thruway (not too far).Any winery's?One thing that crossed my mind was the katerskill falls hike.Thanks!

Laurms15

Check out Sugar Loaf cute little town and there is a winery and apple orchard right around there.

ffbride_0813

There are tons of wineries in New Paltz.  I havent been to any in the times I have been able to drink so I am no help there.  There are also some wonderful apple orchards where you could go apple picking.  Also if you are just looking to take a rest and have some lunch Newburgh has some nice places on the Hudson including Torches (http://www.torchesonthehudson.com/). 

mbcdefg

http://www.newyorkwines.org/There are some in Warwick - we've stayed in B&Bs there before and it's a nice area (we've never been to the wineries).

USER876

torches looks cool....is that an area where you can get out and walk around?  Or is it just the restaurant there?

ffbride_0813

Ditto Sugar Loaf too.  Super cute town.  There is also this winery by the outlets http://palaiavineyards.com/. Usually they have music on the weekend outside.  The wine is pretty good. 

ffbride_0813

You can walk around.  I dont remember there being many shops but there is a entire strip of restaurants and then a little park area with benches.  Its really pretty. 

leah2b

Ive done Katerskill falls and it is nice but not much around there.  I also second the New Paltz idea.  Wineries and the beautiful shawangunk mountains ("the gunks").  It is awesome for a hike, bike ride, etc.  You will see a ton of rock climbers.  http://www.dartmouth.edu/~doc/climbing/shawangunks/

rutgersgirl82

I absolutely LOVE the hudson valley!!! If you want to drop me an email (rachel8212 at gmail) I have a few websites and things bookmarked that I can fill you in on. FI and I go up there every year for apple picking, wine tasting and other fun things!!

USER876

mohonk preserve looks cool, but I don't think we will have enough time to do any of the good hikes.  I think we will save new paltz for another weekend or else just hit up a winery.Newburgh doesn't look like there is that much to do, but if it rains, maybe we can just go to torches to eat and view the lake.

BrideMaidPro

fyi, the katerskill falls hike is nice, but is super short so it won't take very long.  Lots of wineries up there, some nice...some...not so nice.

USER876

Rivendell winery looks nice...been there?

ffbride_0813

It looks like Rivendell might be closed.  http://www.rivendellwine.com/home2.htmlI havent tasted their wines or ever been. 

ffbride_0813

octoberfest is going on at Bear Mountain as well.  They usually have a german band and some beer and schnitzl. (sp)

BrideMaidPro

I have been to Rivendell (because I am a nerd and that is from Lord of the Rings).That, I remember being pretty nice--it was awkward because we were the ONLY people there doing a tasting--I usually prefer at least a few people there.Also, it was still super nice out when I went (weather-wise) so there was a lot of flowers and it was nice to sit outside on their picnic tables.I will ask my FI tonight if he can remember the names of the other ones we have been too---mostly because there were a few that I HIGHLY recommend you DO NOT go to.  Imagine our surprise when we showed up at a 'winery' that was just the back room of someone's house!

BrideMaidPro

and fyi about above post saying it is closed---I think it is still open (call ahead and be sure if you go), but that same "note" on the website was there when I went last year around this time.