What to do and see in Poughkeepsie, United States: The Best Places and Tips

August 1, 2017 Flossie Demartino

A short ride away from New York City on the Metro North commuter rail, Poughkeepsie sits on the banks of the Hudson River. The close proximity of Vassar College and the Culinary Institute of America guarantees the presence of fun boutiques and fine dining. Main Mall Row, a group of 1870s Renaissance Revival storefronts along Poughkeepsie's Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. The twenty-two surrounding parks provide the opportunity to take a relaxing break from city life.
Restaurants in Poughkeepsie

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538-1917 +1 845-486-7770
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 1 reviews

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

Historic site features the home and estate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Springwood, and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the only Presidential Library used by a sitting president. It was conceived and built under President Roosevelt's direction and opened to the public in 1941.The Library's mission is to foster research and education on the life and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and their continuing impact on contemporary life. Our work is carried out by four major areas: Archives, Museum, Education and Public Programs.

Reviewed By MikeyBoy12804 - Queensbury, New York

FDR looms large in 20th Century history and this is a great place to see how he and his family lived away from Washington DC.

2. Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

61 Parker Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1926 +1 845-834-2867
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park

Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is a 19th century railroad bridge transformed into the world's longest elevated pedestrian park.

Reviewed By Miguelstvz - Weehawken, New Jersey

My Family and I just did the Walkway Over The Hudson River. It was great. A fantastic and relaxing view of the Hudson River. Somehow this beautiful walk gave me some time to meditate and I felt some type of melancholy about life and goals ( achievements that I personally need to adquire ). Kind of strange. Maybe because the cloudy day. Anyways, if you get a chance to visit this place please do it. You won't regret it

3. Walkway State Historic Park

87 Haviland Rd, Highland, NY 12528-1610 +1 845-834-2867
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5 based on 94 reviews

Walkway State Historic Park

Reviewed By Stephenbkk20156 - Okayama Prefecture, Japan

Hadn't planned on stopping here but we saw signs and followed them. They didn't exactly lead us in the right direction, but we found the appropriate parking lot in the end. Walked out pas a cutified former railroad station and found ourself suspended above the Hudson River. Great stuff.

It used o be a railwa bridge linking Highland Poorkeepsie. Now disused, with a lot of flair and marinating, it's been turned into a walkin/cycling route with a view. Nice to stroll out, along with other walkers, bicyclists and babies in their strollers. Pausing yo read informative signs about the history and wildlife if the area. Lots of view of the water and the two banks below.

Made it to the halfwa point from the Highland side. Sat and watched a jade blow bubbles into the wind. Walked back.

Highly recommended.

4. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home

4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538-1917 +1 800-337-8474
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home

Visit FDR's 1826 home that remains almost exactly as it was at the time of the president's death in 1945, including the stables, icehouses, a walking trail, and the graves of Franklin and Eleanor located in the Rose Garden.

Reviewed By kimbadreamer - Nutley, New Jersey

The home is a reminder of the humbleness of a man (and his wife) who would go on to lead America through one of the darkest points in history. There were so many things to see and learn here and the visit was well worth it.

5. DuBois Farms

209 Perkinsville Rd, Highland, NY 12528-2138 +1 845-795-4037
Excellent
65%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 41 reviews

DuBois Farms

DuBois Farms is a picturesque farm with an old New England feel, offering apples, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, tomatoes, pumpkins, and more. We also offer lunch, a bakery, farm animals, pony rides, corn maze, and countless activities for the whole family. Come and visit our expanded farm market with easy checkout. Free admission and free parking.

Reviewed By NYTraveler023 - New York City

The guides couldn't answer the simplest question, like what kind of apples are those (that we pointed to) or which apples are best for cooking?
The pumpkins were $15 vs. $6 at the local grocery store.
The wagon needed to gather stuff cost $5 (three dollars returned, even though it helps them for you to have a wagon for greater collection.
Bags to collect apples are $.50. Boxes for fruit collection are $1.
It's surprising they didn't charge for parking.

6. Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College

124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604-0001 +1 845-437-5237
Excellent
73%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center at Vassar College

Reviewed By RonL40 - Utica, New York

Very enjoyable space is very inviting. The works are displayed in open spaces that invite the attention of groups -- this is a teaching museum and is superbly curated, both in terms of breadth of the collection and the individual works shown. Ideally fits the purpose, teaching both students and visitors. Especially impressive collections of Helen Frankenthaler, Hudson River Valley painters, Dutch Golden Age. But there's also an interesting collection of Greek, Rome, Asia, Mexico. Definitely worth the visit. And a revisit!

7. Val-Kill Cottage

54 Valkill Park Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538-2348 +1 845-229-9422
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 598 reviews

Val-Kill Cottage

The home of Eleanor Roosevelt that is located on the Roosevelt estate and is open to the public.

Reviewed By jared625 - Houston, Texas

Beautiful Site with a well thought out display of the life and accomplishments of Eleanor Roosevelt. The two main buildings and surrounding grounds are quite picturesque. The main building was only accessible by guided tour while there. So arriving early or calling in advance to determine tour slot availability could be useful.

8. Locust Grove Estate

2683 South Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-5275 +1 845-454-4500
Excellent
56%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 202 reviews

Locust Grove Estate

Overlooking the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie New York, the 200-acre Locust Grove Estate is a museum and nature preserve centered on a 45-room Italianate villa built in 1851. Begining in 1895 new owners William and Martha Young redecorated the mansion with their vast collection of art and antiques, and added new gardens. Mr. and Mrs. Young's daughter, Annette, lived at Locust Grove until 1975, preserving the estate essentially as her parents had used it. Inside the historic mansion, step back in time to the early years of the 20th century; the Young family's collection of Hudson River School paintings, early 19th-century American furniture, and personal possessions are still in place after more than a century.

Reviewed By NYnick1

Locust Grove is beautiful to say the least! Go for a tour of the estate! The staff is always very knowledgeable about the estate. There are numerous hiking trails on the grounds, so you can enjoy the scenery. There are flower gardens to explore as well. Check out the art gallery inside and some history about the estate. They also have a lot of special events like car shows etc on the weekends!

9. Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

519 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538-1927 +1 877-444-6777
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 918 reviews

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

This 54-room mansion could be considered modest for a Vanderbilt.

Reviewed By Hatzlacha - Virginia

NPS fans are extraordinarily fortunate that such a building and its grounds can be visited nearly completely intact. The magnificent marble and sitting areas welcome you into the home. Just as it was, you can run your hand over the velvet banisters as you head up to the multiple second floor bedrooms, separated by gender of course. You can imagine how your days would be spent, wasting away in pure luxury and associated significant social obligations. It’s a time that not many can come close to re-living both then and now, but still fun to dream about. They were finishing some construction, so it would be neat to revisit in the summer to see the basement and walk the grounds a bit.

10. Marist College

Route 9 South, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 +1 845-575-3000
Excellent
71%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 82 reviews

Marist College

Reviewed By Noor R - Poughkeepsie, New York

A Jesuit school with high academic standards whose graduates are sought after by many Fortune 500 companies. They are close to many significant tourist attractions. Walkway Over the Hudson, Culinary Institute of America, FDR Home and Library and the Vanderbilt Mansion are just a few of the nearby attractions. Hudson Cruises provides Hudson River tours from nearby ports.

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