HUDSON VALLEY REGION NEW YORK
Simple and Sophisticated. You Deserve Dutchess.
See last page for new contacts for some tours
This brochure made possible by a grant from the
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area
www.dutchesstourism.com/group-tours-experiential
www.dutchesstourism.com/grouptours.asp
Dutchess County Map and Experiential Tour Symbols
Scenic
Historic
Culinary
Cultural
Dutchess County TourismÊÊUÊÊ3 Neptune Road ÊUÊÊPoughkeepsie, NY 12601 ÊUÊ 800-445-3131
Take your afternoon tea, Dutch Colonial style, at 1752
Historic Joseph Horton House. Or, take your place as a
Gilded Age servant in the Vanderbilt Mansion, circa 1896.
You can even take to the skies in a 1929 biplane at the Old
Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
Our experiential group tours put you - and your group - in
the middle of an authentic, memorable experience. You’re not just standing behind
ropes and stanchions; you’re donning white gloves to explore Revolutionary War
artifacts. You’re not eating lunch on-the-go; you’re learning chef’s secrets to a
farm-fresh, gourmet meal, then sipping some of the region’s best vintage wines.
Group leaders have chosen Dutchess County, in the heart of the Hudson Valley, as their
group destination for decades. Now there’s even more to see, do... and experience!
SITE INDEX
1752 Historic Joseph Horton
House
Harney & Sons Fine Teas
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
Antislavery and African
American Heritage Tours
Mount Gulian Historic Site
Bridge Music Tours
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Clermont State Historic Site
Sprout Creek Farm
Crown Maple Syrup
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Dia: Beacon, Riggio Galleries
Vanderbilt Mansion National
Historic Site
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Empire Cruise Lines
Franklin D. Roosevelt Home
& Presidential Library
Walkway Over the Hudson
Historic State Park
Wilderstein Historic Site
Wing’s Castle
Gigi Hudson Valley
Watch VIDEO: dutchesstourism.com/grouptours.asp
Request info and free DVD, contact:
Dawn Hopper, 845-463-5444, [email protected]
The programs provided by this agency are partially funded by monies received from the County of Dutchess.
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Servants to Stewards Tour
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Learn all about your role as a Gilded Age servant of the Vanderbilt household, as you get
a behind-the-scenes tour of the meticulous running of this extraordinary mansion. Tour
includes climbing the 74 step servant staircase.
845-229-9115 ext 25 U [email protected] U Recreation.gov
The Gilded Age Tour
Staatsburgh State Historic Site
“Trusting that we may not be disappointed in
expecting you I am. Very sincerely yours, Tiny“
- Ruth Mills
You are graciously invited to play your part in The
Gilded Age, that of an aristocratic guest in the home
of Ogden and Ruth Mills. Experience their privileged life along the Hudson
during a pivotal moment in 1914.
845-889-8851 ext 354 U [email protected] U Staatsburgh.org
The Livingston’s Founding Family of the Hudson
Clermont State Historic Site
The Livingston lineage marks the birth of aristocratic life in the
Hudson Valley. Share intimate details of the blue-blooded family’s
home life with photographs, stories, and music from their treasured
collections! Relax with a gourmet boxed lunch between the gardens,
grassy croquet courts, and exquisite river views.
518-537-4240 U [email protected] U friendsofclermont.org
Dutch Colonial High Tea
1752 Historic Joseph Horton House
Delight in a Dutch Colonial high tea
complete with scones, finger sandwiches,
an in depth home tour and live operatic
serenade. In addition, your group can share
in special activities, from soap making to
wool spinning. The gracious hospitality of
Cynthia & John, owners in residence,
make this tour a truly unique experience!
845-463-3088 U [email protected]
Tea Factory Tour & Tasting
Harney & Sons Fine Teas
Master tea blender, John Harney, has been blending gourmet
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teas for over 25 years. Harney’s factory tour takes you through
the process of blending, packing, and shipping the tea to stor
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st
tor
oress
and restaurants across the globe. Afterward, a complimentary
tary
tary
ta
“tea of the moment” awaits your discerning taste buds at
their tea tasting room & shop in nearby Millerton, voted
one of the coolest small towns in America by Frommer’s.
[email protected] U 518-789-2100 U harney.com
Creamery Tour
Sprout Creek Farm
Get a “bird’s eye view” of our creamery where all the magic
happens: where milk becomes cheese. Stroll the farm to visit our
family of goats, cows, sheep, ducks and chickens. Sample our
delicious award winning cheese made from the nutritious and
creamy (antibiotic and hormone free) milk of our small herds of cows and goats. And take
some home with you, too!
845-485-8438 U [email protected] U sproutcreekfarm.org
Engaging Art
Dia:Beacon, Riggio Galleries
In this extraordinary museum,
visitors are allowed an
unparalleled direct experience
with art. The expansive spaces
and natural lighting are uniquely
suited to the needs of large-scale
installations, paintings, and
sculptures. Each gallery was designed specifically for
the art it contains, from Andy Warhol’s vibrant
multipart work, Shadows, to Richard Serra’s massive
steel sculptures.
845-440-0100 ext 41ÊUÊ[email protected]ÊUÊ
diabeacon.org
Richard Serra, Torqued Ellipse II, 1996; Double
Torqued Ellipse, 1997. Dia Art Foundation; gift of
Louise and Leonard Riggio. 2000, 2000. Dia Art
Foundation. Photo: ©Richard Barnes
Bridge Music Tours
Mid-Hudson Bridge
Award-winning composer and musician, Joseph
Bertolozzi, takes you to new heights on the
bridge he recorded to create a unique music
composition. Joe will show you how he rigged
the bridge for this special project, and let you
play along at the bridge’s listening stations.
While you’re up there, take in the amazing views!
No stairs necessary on this tour.
845-831-0695 U [email protected] UÊjosephbertolozzi.com
Walkway Over the Hudson Historic State Park
A Walkway Ambassador guides your group
along the world’s longest elevated pedestrian
bridge for unparalleled views of the
Hudson River Valley! Learn all about this
historic bridge, built in 1888 and standing
212’ above water, as you take in the
amazing scenery of the river and neighboring
mountains. Handicapped accessible.
845-454-9649ÊUÊ[email protected]ÊUÊwalkway.org
Cruise the Hudson River
Empire Cruise Lines, Poughkeepsie
A truly relaxing way to experience the grandeur and scenic
beauty of “the river that flows both ways” is aboard The Mystère.
You’ll pass historic mansions, and may even
catch a glimpse of the river’s natural world;
such as eagles, blue herons, and red tailed
hawks, plus an abundance of fish and rare
plants. Lunch and dinner cruises feature
local produce, themed cruises range from
high tea to wine.
866-797-9024ÊUÊ[email protected] UÊ
empirecruiselines.com
FDR: The Leader at Home
Franklin D. Roosevelt Home & Presidential Library
Enjoy the natural, peaceful setting at the family home that
helped shape the heart and mind of America’s 32nd
president. The enhanced guided home tour features
stories, audio, letters, and photographs that reveal
insight into the man whose dynamic role and countless
contributions to American history have profound relevance to tthe
off ttoday.
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845-229-9115 ext 25ÊU [email protected]ÊUÊRecreation.gov
Field to Fork Culinary Demo
Gigi Hudson Valley
The rustic charm of Gigi Market at Greig Farm provides the perfect setting to enjoy a
delicious local harvest culinary experience, while your chef shares his/her culinary secrets.
Chat with a farmer who grew the ingredients of your feast, watch the creative cooking
demo, and purchase unique specialty items & local products of the Hudson Valley.
845-758-8060ÊUÊ[email protected] UÊGigihudsonvalley.com
Victorian Time Capsule Tour:
Wilderstein Historic Site
Step back in time to Hudson Valley Victoriana at its finest.
Discover the mansion’s magical Queen Anne architecture
and lavish interiors and become captivated by Margaret
(Daisy) Suckley and her remarkable role in the life of
Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Stay for tea and stroll the
estate’s romantic landscape with breathtaking views of the Hudson River.
845-876-4818ÊUÊ[email protected] UÊWilderstein.org
Vintage Museum & Air Shows
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
Travel back in time at Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, a
place like nowhere in the world! Get up close to vintage
aircraft at the museum, take in the spectacle of an exciting
air show, or delight in the ultimate scenic experience with
a bi-plane ride in a 1929 New Standard model plane!
845-752-3200 UÊ[email protected]ÊUÊoldrhinebeck.org
Dutchess County Fair
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Experience a true classic! For over 165 years, the Dutchess County Fair has
welcomed visitors to celebrate agriculture and good ole’ family fun. Groups can
casually stroll the paved sidewalks, visit
the Century Museum Village, watch
performances by amazing animals, relax
in the shade garden, sample Hudson Valley
culinary treats, enjoy special exhibits, pet
award-winning animals, and take in a show
and fireworks displays. Oh and the food,
did we mention the food?!
845-876-4000ÊUÊ[email protected]ÊUÊ
dutchessfair.com
Antislavery and African American Heritage Tour
Your step-on guide leads you through the heroic work of local
abolitionists and the struggles of early African Americans of the
region. The Hudson River Trail to Freedom reveals stories of early
black community leaders, the efforts of black and white
abolitionists, and the local operations of the Underground Railroad. In addition, enjoy
a 19th century dinner and living history program with music and costumed re-enactors.
800-382-3818ÊUÊ[email protected]
White Glove Tour
Mount Gulian Historic Site
Don white gloves to examine artifacts of the
Verplanck home site. Experience 400 years of historical accounts of the Wappinger
Indians, the Dutch Colonials, the Society of the Cincinnati, General Von Steuben & The
Revolutionary War, the personal journals of escaped slave, James F. Brown and the
letters of Lieutenant Robert Verplanck during The Civil War.
845-831-8172ÊUÊ[email protected]ÊUÊMountgulian.org
Liquid Gold Maple Syrup Factory Tour
Crown Maple Syrup
Touring the maple syrup factory at Crown Maple Syrup is a real treat
- quite literally! Set on 800 majestic acres in Dover Plains, the farm
is home to the most advanced maple syrup production facility in the
country! Their pure, certified organic syrup starts with pristine sap
collected from their sustainably managed maple groves, and crafted
using innovative methods to produce syrups with exceptional flavor
and quality. Tour, Taste, & Take Some Home!
845-876-4000ÊUÊ[email protected]ÊUÊcrownmaple.com
Quite possibly the purest
maple syrup on earth!
Savor the Flavor
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
Considered one of the top wineries in New York & Hudson Valley’s first
vinifera vineyard,the tour at Millbrook offers an enriching, multi-sensory
experience, giving you an insider view into the art of winemaking.
Afterward, relax and enjoy a vintage wine tasting while you take in the
picturesque estate framed by the magnificent Catskill mountain vista.
845-677-8383 ext 14ÊUÊ[email protected]ÊUÊMillbrookwine.com
Wing’s Castle Tour
High on a hill overlooking
Millbrook Vineyards sits
a handmade castle
constructed of 80%
recycled material. The
Wing family’s unusual
home is filled to the brim
with artifacts from all
over the world. Groups
are invited to marvel at their extraordinary collection of antiques and
memorabilia from military to primitive trinkets, and enjoy their
breathtaking views of the Hudson Valley mountains.
845-677-9085ÊUÊwingscastle.com
New Info & contacts for Experiential tours:
Dutch Colonial High Tea is closed
Harney & Sons Fine Tea, [email protected]
Walkway Over the Hudson, [email protected]
Field to Fork Culinary, [email protected]
Antislavery Heritage Tours, [email protected]
Crown Maple Syrup, [email protected]
3 Neptune Rd, Suite Q17
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Millbrook Winery, [email protected]