Things To Do in Amenia & Dutchess County
Art Galleries/Museums | Golf | Recreation | Wineries | Other Fun Stuff
Antiques
- Franklin Avenue/Route 44 in Millbrook. Five lovely little antique shops all within a two-block stretch.
- Litchfield, CT. About 20 minutes drive into Connecticut. There are a number of places to browse in.
- Millerton. There are 2 very large antique halls in Millerton. One is located right in the center of town (to the right of route 22) and the other is located just after the center of town (on Route 22).
- Kent, CT. About 15-20 minutes country drive from Amenia, where there are many versatile shops from hand-made crafts to awe-inspiring treasures.
Art Galleries, Museums & Related Attractions
- Norman Rockwell Museum — Stockbridge, MA. Open 7 days. M-F, 10am-4pm. Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Admission is $10 per adult. Children (under the age of 18) accompanied by an adult are free.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Home — Route 9, Hyde Park, NY. Call 229-9115 for hours. You can also visit the Roosevelt Library and Museum at the same location, 7 days a week, from 9am-6pm.
- Vanderbilt Mansion — Beautiful home and grounds overlooking the Hudson River. Located off Route 9 in Hyde Park next to the Roosevelt home. Call 229-9115 for hours.
- Mills Mansion — Staatsburgh, NY. The grounds are often used to host evening concerts. Tours are given by appointment during the winter. Call for schedule of events. 889-8851.
- Sharon Audubon Center — Route 4, Sharon, CT. 860-364-0520. 684 acre wildlife sanctuary with 11 miles of hiking trails, gardens and an exhibit center.
- The Shaker Museum — Old Chatham, NY. View this premier Shaker collection amidst rolling farmlands in Columbia County. Open May 1st- October 31st from 10am to 5pm. 518-794-9100 x100.
- Neuberger Museum of Art — Purchase, NY, www.neuberger.org, 914-251-6100
- Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate — www.hudsonvalley.org, 914-631-0401
- Dia:Beacon — Contemporary Art, www.diabeacon.org, Beacon, NY
- Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center — Vassar College campus, www.vassar.edu, 845-437-5237
- Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art — New Paltz, NY, www.newpaltz.edu/museum, 845-257-3846
- Olana, Frederick Church’s Moorish-style Villa — spectacular views of Hudson River, www.nysparks.com, 518-828-0135
- Amenia Historical Society — 845-373-9376 ( by apt.)
Golf
- Silo Ridge — Route 22, Amenia. 18 hole public course. Call 373-9200 for tee times. www.siloridge.com.
- Stansfield Links — North on Route 22, past Millerton to Route 62 and then Route 63 (about a 25 minute drive from Amenia) Call 518-329-2800 for more information.
- Hotchkiss School Golf Course — Historic Seth Raynor/Charles Banks Course - Route 44, Lakeville, CT (about 20 minutes from Amenia). Call 860-435-9033 for more details and tee times.
- Centennial Golf Club — 185 Simpson Road, Carmel, NY 845-225-5700. www.centennialgolf.com
- The Links at Union Vale — 153 North Parliman Road, LaGrangeville, NY, 845-223-1000. www.thelinksatunionvale.com
Recreation
- Harlem Valley Rail Trail — Former Harlem Valley rail bed converted into a recreational route intended for hiking, jogging, biking, & cross-country skiing. From the traffic light in Amenia, take Route 343 east 1 block to Mechanic Street. Turn right onto Mechanic, go about 1/4 mile to the beginning of the trail in Amenia. The trail is completed north for about 8 miles to Millerton. www.hvrt.org
- The Appalachian Trail — A trail stretching through Dutchess and Putnam Counties, New York. Call 454-4936 for more information.
- Innisfree Garden — Chinese modeled garden surrounding a 40 acre lake in Millbrook. On Route 44A. Call 677-8000 for hours of operation.
- Wethersfield Gardens — Carriage House and Gardens. Located on Bangall-Amenia Road. Open 12-5pm. For further information call 373-8037.
- Bike Rentals: The Cycle Loft — 860-567-1713. Bash Bish Bicycle: 518-329-4962
- Horseback Riding: Western Riding Stables — Millerton, NY. 518-789-4848. Lessons, Trail rides, sleigh/hay rides, pony rides.
- Box Canyon Farm — 845-373-8690. Tail rides, pony parties, English / Western, Cheryl Ellis: instructor / manager.
- Hot Air Balloon Ride: Blue Sky Balloons — Pleasant Valley, NY. 635-2461. In operation from April-October, 7 days a week. Reservations required. Approx. $150 per person.
- Rafting/Kayaking/Canoeing: Clarke Outdoors — West Cornwall, CT. Open Friday-Monday, 10am-5pm. Rentals, Sales & Instruction on the Housatonic River. Call 860-672-6365 for prices and availability.
- Fly Fishing — The Ten-Mile River is just 15 minutes away. The Housatonic is about 25 minutes away. Lessons can be provided by Harold at Housatonic River Outfitters, Inc. in West Cornwall, CT 860-672-1010 or Orvis (see below)
- Hunting/Shooting Clubs: Orvis Sandanona — Millbrook, NY 677-9701 Off Route 44A. Tamarack Preserve - Turkey Hollow Road, off Route 44. Challenging sporting clay course. Call 677-6580 or 677-5159 for more information.
Wineries
- Millbrook Vineyards and Winery — RR #1, Millbrook. Located on Wing and Shunpike Roads (off Route 44). Open 7 days, 12-5pm.
- Cascade Mountain Winery and Restaurant — Flint Hill Road, Amenia (off Route 22) Lunch served daily from April through December. Wine tours available from 10am-6pm, daily.
- Clinton Vineyards — Schultzville Road, Clinton Corners. Champagne and white wine vineyards. Open Sat-Sun, 11am-5pm.
- Allison Wines and Vineyards — 231 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook 845-758-6335
Other Fun Stuff To Do
- Marlene Weber Salon Spa — Millbrook Training Center, 845-677-1772. www.marleneweber.com.
- Culinary Institute of America — Dine in one of three restaurants at the legendary cookery school bordering the Hudson River in Hyde Park, NY. Call 471-6608 for restaurant reservations or 452-9600 for tour information.
- Auto Racing/Group Lessons: Limerock/Skip Barber Racing School — Lakeville, CT, 860-435-0896.
- Theater: Bardavon Theatre — Poughkeepsie, NY. www.bardavon.org or call 473-5288 for a schedule of events. Sharon Playhouse — Sharon, CT. Summer Theater only 10 minutes away! Call 860-364-7469.
- Movies: Millerton Movie Theater — Millerton, NY. 3 movie screens, plays most up-to-date films. See the lobby for show times or www.themoviehouse.net or call 518-789-3408