offManhattan

From the first whiff of fresh mountain air at the train station in Rhinecliff to the old white churches long since converted into homes that dapple the road to your hotel, there is an absolute release of stress that comes with a sojourn in the Hudson Valley. The gravel parking lot at the Peekamoose tap room is packed and the smoky tendrils from the outdoor fire pit follow our shuttle as it zooms by. The Catskill Mountains sandwich both sides of Route 28 and you’ve forgotten all about skyscrapers and a steel-blocked horizon.

Light years away from Manhattan, the Emerson Resort & Spa is a long, intriguing stretch of property that includes 26 opulent suites, five duplex loft rooms, a family-friendly lodge, two restaurants, an eco-friendly spa, country store, the world’s largest kaleidoscope, and 40 some odd copies of Emerson: Poems by the Everyman’s Library Pocket Poets.

Hello, my name is Lauren, and I’m a Twitterholic.

In March 2009, I started Tweeting. What began as a harmless online activity that all the cool social media kids were doing has now become an energy-zapping, headache-inducing, and quite frankly, lonely little cyber sport that I can’t seem to tear myself away from.

Just now, in the middle of writing this I had to go on Twitter: check new followers, hotel buzz, travel deals, wedding tips, restaurant openings, iTampons?? Must.make.it.stop.

If you want to embrace the most colorful and eerie of all the four seasons, Sleepy Hollow—home to Washington Irving’s horror novel about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horsemen—is a good place to go. 30 minutes after departing from Grand Central Station, your trip begins at the Tarrytown Station. From Depot Plaza, a six-block meander down Main Street leads to the dividing line between North and South Broadway, one of the main vessels of its charming, historic downtown.

The world renowned Dia: Beacon museum is reason enough to follow the train tracks north for a city escape. But the town of Beacon is also an enclave for art lovers looking for a cultural getaway. This weekend, artists around town will once again open their workplace for Beacon Open Studios, a town-wide artwalk, and the old printing factory will participate in the free Smithsonian Museum Day. Beacon’s signature event, the 32nd annual Spirit of Beacon Day, takes over the city on Sunday with a full parade including marching band, floats, and costumes inspired by the quad-centennial honoring Henry Hudson.

“The richness and history of the city itself is alive on Main Street. The community, its residents and the city’s growing success all comprise the spirit and essence of Beacon,” said Ann Meagher, president and CEO of Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce.

When we last visited Beacon for the bi-annual Fall Cavalcade, we wound up exploring old red bricked buildings, the historic railroad at East End, and secret garden cafes, and in the process found nine must-see Main Street stops for artists and foodies alike.

What: Hudson River/Champlain Valley Heritage Weekend

When: September 12-13

Where: From the Bronx to Albany

Why: The Government of The Kingdom of the Netherlands has you covered for all Dutch-discovery related events in Manhattan with the NY400 program, which culminates with the New Island Festival on Governors Island on September 20. But if you’re interested in a more moving celebration of the 400th anniversary since Henry first sailed his namesake river, there is a unique window of opportunity to explore the historically rich banks and valleys, and for free this weekend. Across two days and 19 counties, 100 sites are opening their doors to give visitors an intimate look at well-preserved national landmarks and the homes of presidents, painters, and railroad tycoons.

Here is a list of the top sites near and far worth visiting:

If you like to bike or walk, you are going to like this. A futuristic-looking gizmo, the environmentally-friendly Segway is the most fun you can have on two wheels while standing up without breaking a sweat. And this fall, it’s the coolest way to explore the foliage and historic setting of the Hudson Valley – just a quick Metro-North ride from NYC.

“Seeing the sights on a Segway enables you to become one with your surroundings as it’s more personable than a bus tour and you can cover much more ground than by walking,” said Jason White, vice president of Segway of the Hudson Valley. “It runs entirely off of electricity so there are zero emissions. And a little less than a Kilowatt of electricity enables a rider to travel up to 24 miles—about $0.10 worth of electricity.”

What: 2nd Annual Fall Handmade Cavalcade

When: Sat, Sept 12th, 11:00 a.m.—7:00p.m.

Where: Beacon, New York

Why: If they make it, a group of Etsy-ers believe you will come. That is why the {NewNew} and Hudson Valley Etsy teams have joined forces to convert a local Beacon woodshop into their second annual D.I.Y. event. This Saturday, in conjunction with the town’s second Saturday art walk series, a little more than 20 vendors will take over a section of Main Street with food, silk scarves, funky toys, upcycled handbags, vintage finery, eco-friendly wares, and unique stationary.

Garrison, NY—There are mosquitoes, it’s humid, you’re slouching and buzzed from a glass of white wine, and the seats aren’t the most comfortable in the world. But my God if this isn’t the most spectacular way to watch a Shakespeare play. On the grounds of the Boscobel House and Gardens, you’ve taken a ride on Doc’s Delorean and entered a dreamy historic setting overlooking the Hudson River and grand green vistas; it is the antidote to any long work week and the most divine place to take a date.

In these last remaining spring weeks before international crowds and heat summon the next season, there are few day trips that begin better than a rail ride up the Hudson Line to Beacon. Coasting away from the steel skyline and billboard-blocked horizon, the window quickly fills with greenery, rolling hills, and a river dotted with sailboats and tiny islands—one in particular bears the rusted ruins of a castle. The train continues past beautiful vistas and it’s difficult to pull away from the view, even as you’re close to finishing a good book.

On Sunday mid-morning, after 80 minutes on Metro-North and a quick stroll up a hill, we reached our first destination at Dia: Beacon, where the art institution’s annual spring gala was being held. While touring the permanent exhibits, which include artwork by Richard Serra, Andy Warhol, and Robert Irwin, we stopped guests—and one Merce Cunningham Company dancer—to find out where best to travel by train this summer.