The Ultimate Hudson Valley Summer Bucket List

Summer in the Hudson Valley is a short, sweet, jam-packed season meant to be savored. Whether you’re craving a scoop of small-batch ice cream, a scenic paddle on the Hudson River, or a cold craft beer after a good hike, this region delivers. We’ve rounded up a summer bucket list packed with the top Hudson Valley experiences that mark this season in the region. From outdoor adventures to indulgent treats, here’s your guide to making the most of every golden hour. Don’t let the season slip by without checking off at least a few of these essential outings.

Visit an Animal Farm/Petting Zoo

There is no better way to celebrate the start of summer break than by bringing your kids somewhere they can goof around with other kids—the goat kind—but probably also other children. Places like The Catskill Animal Sanctuary or the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary promise a day full of educational fun in support of a good cause, while agritourism destinations like Kelder’s Farm and Barton Orchard’s allow you to get up close and personal, feeding furry friends. Most of these farm destinations also offer a range of other activities from mini golf to corn mazes and a craft cider for the adult chaperones.

Visit a Sculpture Park

For any art lover hoping to find a summer counterpart to the winter gallery outing, the region’s open-air sculpture parks offer a dose of art and fresh air. Take a trip to Opus 40 in Saugerties to get a peek at both Overlook Mountain and artist Harvey Fite’s iconic bluestone artworks, or Storm King Art Center to gallivant over 500 acres of outdoor art exhibits. Go outside and explore art at any of these beautiful locations!

Take a Hike, Drink a Beer

The Hudson Valley is famous for both its mountains and craft beers, and what better way to end a long hike than with a drink from local giants like breweries like Hudson Ale Works in Highland, West Kill Brewing, or Two Way in Beacon? The area offers trails for both experienced hikers and newbies, like the more intense miles-long Mount Beacon trails or the more casual galavants across the Walkway over the Hudson. Whichever you choose, refreshing craft beer from local brewers can often be found nearby to celebrate a job well done.

Get Out on a Rail Trail

The beauty of summer weather shouldn’t be wasted inside! The network of rail trails of the Hudson Valley are perfect places to relish in that beauty while getting some excercise, so hop on a bike, grab the stroller, or simply lace up your sneakers and head out to explore some of the many trails around the area. Tag your friends and family to cycle from Kingston to Gardiner in the 22.5-mile Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, or take on a bigger challenge and explore the 750-mile Empire State Trail—the longest multiuse trail in the US.

Picnic at a Historic Site

A summer bucket list would not be complete without a classic, picturesque picnic. The Hudson Valley offers the perfect backdrop for any of your picnic plans. Explore the lovely Poet’s Walk, offering an inspirational background for your checkered blanket, or Minnewaska State Park Preserve, where you can bike and swim as well as eat, immersed in its gorgeous cliffs, lakes, and waterfalls. History buffs can add a layer of interest to their picnic planning with a trip to a local historic site. Experience Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh and understand what it may have been like to live in the early days of America, or hike through the Locust Grove estate in Poughkeepsie and imagine the life of the historic elite.

Eat an Artisanal Ice Cream Cone

Ice cream is synonymous with summer, and there’s no shortage of artisanal ice cream shops in the Hudson Valley each with its roster of special flavors that are begging to be tried. How could one resist the pull of delicious scoops like lemon ricotta blueberry ice cream from Fortunes Ice Cream in Tivoli, or whiskey caramel banana from the skytop Bellvale Creamery in Warwick. Cooling down from the blistering heat with a tasty treat is one of the best parts of summer.

U-Pick

Many people equate the fall months with the wondrous experience of going out and picking their apples or pumpkins. But the Hudson Valley’s many farms offer family-friendly U-Pick outings in the summer months as well with a much wider array of fruits, vegetables, and even flowers to pick from. Take a trip to Dubois Farms this summer to pick your summer squash, leafy greens, nectarines, peaches, plums, and peppers. For berries, look no further than fruitful destinations like Fishkill Farms, Greig Farm, and Kristy’s Barn. Make sure to check the farms’ websites to stay up to date on what produce is in season.

See an Outdoor Movie

A movie under the stars is a wonderful, nostalgic way to spend a summer night. The Hudson Valley offers many screenings, some of which are free, to do just that. Whether you’re into classic films or newer ones, you can check out events like Bannerman Island movie nights or Kingston Film Foundation’s free screenings at Midtown Linear Park. If you can’t make those dates, try a drive-in theater like Four Brothers Drive-in or the historic Warwick Drive-In. Grab a yummy snack and a friend, or go by yourself, and experience the movie magic under the night sky.

Tour a Garden

Whether you’re a landscaper looking for inspiration, a family looking for a beautiful way to spend a day outside, or a botany enthusiast, the Hudson Valley has plenty of public and private gardens to tour. This summer, explore the beautiful grounds of the Mohonk Mountain House, where you can take a daily garden tour or even stay a whole weekend, or the native plant sanctuary that is the Mountain Top Arboretum. Pack your allergy pills and your camera, and take the most tranquil stroll of your life through any of these iconic gardens.

Attend a Farm Dinner

Gathering around a table with friends and strangers alike to enjoy a multicourse meal right at the source is a perfect way to spend a summer evening. Take a drive to New Paltz’s Taliaferro Farms, or enjoy Sunday dinner at Stonewood Farm in Millbrook. With so much lush land in the Hudson Valley, options are vast. All of these farms accommodate vegetarians and allergies as well, so everyone is welcome to a farm-fresh experience.

Get Out on the Hudson River

The best antidote for any hot, humid summer day is proximity to cool, crystal clear blue water. Throughout the Hudson Valley, the Hudson River and its different tributaries offer the perfect respite to blistering summer heat. Rent a kayak at Hudson Paddles or A Day Away Kayak Rentals for a silent, self-powered tour of the river, or a pontoon boat at the Saugerties Marina to bob at a more leisurely pace. If you feel like learning on the water, take a tour with the Hudson Valley Maritime Museum or Hudson River Sightseeing Cruises.

Go to a County Fair

The almost 200-year tradition of county fairs in the Hudson Valley can’t be missed. Practically every county has a fair full of flamboyant festivities that only comes during the height of summertime. See the circus at the Orange County Fair, or the petting zoo at the Ulster County Fair. Check out the racing pigs across various county fairs, or visit the free Greene County Youth Fair. There’s options for everyone. The irresistible fair food can’t be beat, either, nor can the iconic rides that are worth every penny.

Swim in a Local Lake

Make a splash this summer and go swimming in a local lake. The Hudson Valley is home to some of the most beautiful lakes in all of New York, including Greenwood Lake, the largest lake in the state, and its beautiful beaches and lakeside parks. You can also trek through Minnewaska State Park Preserve to take a dip in Lake Awosting, or drive down to the ski mountain for a swim at Belleayre Beach. Skip the pool this summer, and dip your toe into lake life.

Go To a Food Festival

Strawberries, blueberries, pickles, garlic, tacos—think of just about any food or ingredient, and the Hudson Valley has a festival for it. The summer and fall are the peak seasons for food festivals, with a new event practically every week. August 9 sees the Lobster Fest at Old Klaverack Brewery in Hudson, while on August 15 Ellenville hosts its annual Blueberry Festival, and Saugerties’s Garlic Fest is a September staple. Save plenty of room in your stomach and your calendar for all of these events.