Last Updated 2/15/19
The historic Poughkeepsie, NY Hudson River waterfront offers beautiful views, entertainment for kids, yummy food options and great places to grab a drink with friends. Our google map below will help you plan your visit. You can easily walk to all the places listed or hop from pace to place in your car.
If you live in New Paltz, NY you are just 30 minutes west of Poughkeepsie by car. If no one in your group wants to drive, you can even take the UCAT (Ulster County Area Transportation) a bus from SUNY New Paltz over the bridge to the waterfront (@ the Poughkeepsie train station). Look for the Saturday & Sunday UPL Route.
Visiting Poughkeepsie from the Big Apple is real easy! From NYC it is under 2 hours by train or car. If you are coming upstate by Metro North Railroad from New York City you can save money purchasing your tickets on the MTA e Tix App. You would be traveling from Grand Central Terminal to Poughkeepsie. Amtrack leaves from Penn Station. It's a bit more expensive and you have to book your specific departure times in advance but has more comfortable accommodations. The Poughkeepsie Train Station is a beautiful historic building worth a walk through even if you come by car.
Kids will LOVE the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum. It is not a huge place, but it is filled with hand on activities for kids under 10. There is a crawling gym for kids under 2 which has a mirror with a ballet bar and lots of other cushioned ramps and crawl throughs. Make sure to check out the scarf suction tunnels downstairs near the reading corner. Upstairs there are fun tunnels for big kids to explore. The oversized light brite will bring a new spin to your childhood memories.
Two nearby restaurants offer views of the Hudson River, Mid-Hudson Bridge and Walkway Over the Hudson with outside seating. River Station has a kids menu, frozen drinks and offers American surf, turf and salads. The Ice House is located in a historic building with fancier food. They only serve wine and beer, but are able to make some great mixed drinks with sake and hard ciders.
There are plenty of other places to eat within walking distance. If you are in the mood for amazing home cooked Italian go to Rossi's. This family run business offers Italain cold cuts on made faccacia. Try their hot breaded chicken cutlet sandwich with some proscutto, yum. They also make daily a changing variety of hot selections like lasagna, stuffed clams, meatballs and broccoli rob. You may not have room for dessert, but you can always take some canolis or lemon cookies with you. Seating is outdoor only and limited FYI, but plenty of places to take your meal on a picnic.
Upper Landing Park has a few picnic tables if the weather is nice. It also is where you can take an elevator up to the Walkway Over the Hudson. You can take your food from Rossi's there or order pizza delivery from Amici's. Amici's also has indoor seating if the weather's bad. If you want a table-less dining experience take your food to the train station and eat it on the antique benches in the gallant waiting area.
There are two great Italian bakeries if you have a sweet tooth or the kids are deserving on a treat. Cafe Aurora has been family owned for 70 years. La Deliziosa is a bit fancier with tasty treats made of fresh natural ingredients.
If you are looking for an amazing culinary experience and craft cocktails head up to Nic L Inn. The bartender and other staff members are really friendly. The food is out of this world including homemade pasta and local farm to table ingredients. And if you have not had adult milk and cookies yet, now is the time.
Poughkeepsie waterfront is a part of the Hudson Valley that you must visit. Bring family, friends and an appetite. Click on our google map below to plan your visit. Share your good times with us right here on our blog or on our facebook.
