Take a scenic drive through the Hudson Valley of New York. Enjoy beautiful lakes, reservoirs, and mountains throughout the Hudson Valley landscape. See the stunning mountains, valleys, and lakes of the Hudson River Valley. Allow your senses to take-in the natural beauty of the rivers and mountain backdrops; photograph the views.

If you're visiting or live in New York City, in approximately one hour you can be in Westchester or Rockland County in the most southern part of the Hudson Valley where you can see dine overlooking the Hudson. Find restaurants with waterfront views in Westchester and restaurants with waterfront views in Rockland County.

Visit the charming shops and villages in the River Towns along the Hudson River. For family fun, visit the playground in Matthiessen Park in Irvington, NY. Young kids and toddlers love the playground and older kids and adults can enjoy the coastline along the Hudson at Matthiessen Park. Picnic tables are available for a wonderful snack or lunch overlooking the Hudson River.

Visit Cross River Reservoir where you can go boating and fishing in the quiet and serene waters of the reservoir. Don't forget fishing gear for a relaxing day of fishing in the Cross River Reservoir.

If you're taking a scenic drive through Westchester and are looking for fun things to do to keep the kids happy, plan a family day-trip to one of the beautiful parks along the Hudson River or the Long Island Sound. Go fishing in Westchester, or boating in Westchester, or just relax and picnic at a Westchester County park. On hot days of summer, cool off in one of many swimming pools and beaches available throughout Westchester County.

Moving up the river, drive along Route 202W/6W and enjoy spectacular views of the Hudson Highlands. Park the car at this scenic view, one mile from the Bear Mountain Bridge, and take in the magnificent views of Bear Mountain.

Continue driving north until you reach the charming Village of Cold Spring. Spend a day in the historic Village of Cold Spring. In 1973, the Village of Cold Spring, New York was designated a Federal Historic District, and tourists have been visiting Cold Spring’s historic sites, shops, restaurants and hiking trails since.

birding in Putnam
boating in Putnam
camping in Putnam
fishing in Putnam

Fun things to do in the winter with the family in Putnam, NY, include visiting Fahnestock Winter Park. Bundle up and go sledding and snowboarding at Fahnestock Winter Park in Putnam and Dutchess counties.

Driving further north in Putnam you'll enter Dutchess County. Dutchess offers many scenic spots, including,

• Beacon Point, the future home of a cutting-edge "Green" hotel/conference center.



• Madam Brett Park.
This 12-acre park in Beacon connects to the "Beacon Shoreline Trail" providing a link between Dennings Point, Long Dock Beacon and the Beacon train station. Madam Brett Park is an urban oasis along the Fishkill Creek in Beacon featuring tranquil trails and a waterfall.


• Shaupeneak Ridge , offering great hiking and mountain biking, is a 570-acre park that can be used by educators as an outdoor classroom.



• Poets' Walk, a 120-acre park nestled in the region's famous National Historic Landmark District. Poets' Walk offers breathtaking views of the Hudson River, Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and Catskill Mountains. A visit to this property by Washington Irving is said to have inspired his classic story "Rip Van Winkle".

In autumn, the backdrop of breathtaking fall colors enhances hiking, biking, and walking in the parks of the Hudson River Valley. Explore scenic parks offering activities and attractions for the whole family. While taking a scenic drive through the Hudson Valley, visit parks, nature preserves, hiking trails, biking trails, and more; all very beautiful and abundant in the Hudson Valley of New York.