above: Enjoy a day of aviation history at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
Summer is the perfect time for a quick daytrip—a less than two-hour drive will take you a world away
Go Up the River
An hour and a half north lies the Hudson River Valley, which boasts numerous terrific daytrips. From hiking with “goofy goats” and visiting a county fair to taking a biplane ride, there’s a little something for everyone.
Village Life
Along the Hudson River is the lovely village of Rhinebeck in Duchess County, New York. Take in the rolling farms, beautiful local scenery and cute village shops. The Hudson River historic district features over 40 riverfront estates. Anchored by the 1704 Beekman Arms this inn has operated since before the Revolutionary War and is the oldest continuously-run inn in the U.S. Enjoy lunch, brunch or dinner at The Tavern at the Beekman Arms. The Colonial taproom has exposed beams, a large fireplace and charming bar that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. beekmandelamaterinn.com
Hug a Tree
Stretch your legs at Ferncliff Forest, a 200-acre private reserve with trails, mountain biking and an observation tower with views of the Hudson region and Catskill Mountains. This local gem is free to enter and offers 12 miles of routes to hike and bike. Download a trail map online and plot your trip through this game refuge and wildlife preserve.
ferncliffforest.org
Take Flight
For aviation buffs young and old, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome features airshows all summer, with aircraft dating back to World War I. Family fun, food trucks, biplane rides and music are a regular feature at the Aerodrome. Check the calendar for special events such as Women in Aviation and Vintage Baseball night. oldrhinebeck.org
All’s Fair
Nothing says summer like a county fair, so mark your calendars to visit the Duchess County Fair Tuesday, August 20 through Sunday, August 25. This classic county fair hosts animals, carnival rides, food and music. The entertainment features the Pawstars Canine Frisbee Dogs, Urias Dare Devil Aerial and Acrobatic Thrill Show, Rosaire’s Racing Pigs, Stilt Circus, Two-by- Two Animal Haven, Scott’s World of Magic and Donkey Park.
Buy tickets online to save time and money. Parking and children
11 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased separately for fairground rides. Advanced tickets cost $15, $18 day-of purchase. Ride-all-day-wristbands are $33 in advance and $35 day-of. Daily Fair Hours: Tues. to Sat. 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.– 8 p.m. All rides run daily 11 a.m.– 8 p.m. dutchessfair.com
Looking for a more luxurious activity? The Mirabeau Inn and Spa Rhinebeck provides spa treatments in a chic Old World Parisian-style inn. You may want to send the family to the fairgrounds and hit the spa. rhinebeck.mirbeau.com
Need Kid Fun? No Prob Llama
Take your little animal lovers on an adventure to Lilymoore Alpaca Farm in Pleasant Valley where you’ll see goats, llamas, horses, pigs and can even walk an alpaca. Book an hour experience with an alpaca where ages nine and up can spend time with the sweet animals. Children five and up can take a half hour trek with “goofy goats.” Farm tours start at $11.95 per person and go up to $125 for private group farm tours and animal treks. The gift shop offers a variety of unique alpaca products. lilymoorefarm.com
Stay In State
There are plenty of Connecticut sites waiting to be explored. Hear the roar of a waterfall, hit the racetrack, visit a charming beachside town, hop a ferry to a castle or take a train along the river.
Fall for the Falls
Consider visiting one of the crown jewels of the Connecticut State Park system, Kent Falls State Park. Here you can amble over a covered bridge, hike the falls and feel the mist as the water rushes 70 feet down, through a series of small falls before reaching the Housatonic River. Picnic tables and restrooms are available; leashedogs are allowed. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. Parking for in-state registered vehicles is free, $15 for out-of-state vehicles. ctparks.com
Lake Life
Lake Waramaug State Park is a popular destination for sightseers and photographers in the fall when the autumn leaves are mirrored on the lake’s smooth surface. Summertime welcomes visitors to the park with picnic tables, bathroom facilities and a perfect launch pad for swimming, canoeing or biking around the lake.
ctparks.com
The Need For Speed
Get your adrenaline pumping with the roar of the racetrack at Lime Rock Raceway Park. The racetrack calendar includes races and festivals celebrating cars all summer long.
Track events like Labor Day Weekend’s Historic Festival 42 hosts beautiful race cars from bygone eras. Ticket prices vary depending on the events. Sports car owners who want to give their ride a try on the track can look for details on the website.
Renting a track-ready car is another option for those looking put the pedal to the metal. Be warned: The races can be loud, so pack earplugs and/or headphones for little ones. limerock.com
Spend the Day in Madison
Strolling through the quaint town of Madison is a quintessential New England summer day. A myriad of charming stores, snack spots and beaches await you.
Flight of Fancy
The Audubon Shop (not affiliated with the Audubon Society) boasts all things birds and birding. Check out its variety of bird seed and accessories. theaudubonshop.com
All Booked Up
RJ Julia Booksellers is a welcoming independent bookstore and is the perfect place to pick up a summer read. rjjulia.com
Get Fried
A stop at Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale is the perfect summer treat with an outdoor picnic area and curbside takeout. A whirl on the Charity carousel costs $1.50, and the money all goes to charity. Open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and open until 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. ljfishtale.com
Beachy Keen
Hammanaset Beach State Park offers a nice beach, good walking trails, birdwatching and even an occasional seal sighting. Kids will love the Meigs Point Nature Center here. The Center features turtles, crabs, snakes and fish that are unable to be released into wild due to injury. ctparks.com/parks
Happy Trails!
Bike or walk along the Shoreline Greenway Trail, one of three Greenway Trails in Connecticut. Greenways goal is to create a more walkable shoreline and enjoy a safer way to walk, bike or run in the great outdoors. This trail cuts through part of Hammanaset Park and guides you by ponds and salt marshes—all without the worry of cars. You can pick the trail up at the park. shorelinegreenwaytrail.org
Surf’s Up
Madison’s Surf Club Park is open to the public and has a playground, concession stand, picnic area with grills and 1,200 feet of sandy beachfront. A non-resident day parking pass is $20 per car and based on availability. madisonct.org
Ease on Down the Road
About a half-hour beyond Madison, you’ll find to two great family destinations
Gillette castle in East Haddam is a stone castle perched on a cliff with lovely views of the Connecticut River. Designed in 1914 by William Gillette, Connecticut took over the site in the 1940s. Visitors can tour the grounds for free, but admission is required for the castle, and advance tickets are recommended. Castle tours run Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily ($6 ages 13 and up; $2 ages 6–12; under 5, free).
You can drive to the castle or park across the river and take the short cruise on the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry. The trip costs $5 for vehicles weekdays, $6 weekends and $2 for pedestrians and cyclists. ctparks.com
The essex steam train and Riverboat is a great way to entertain little ones who love an old-fashioned train ride. Special events include the Brick Brunch, a 90-minute ride along the Connecticut River with brunch in a restored 1920s Pullman car and a complimentary case of brand name building bricks ($68.99 per person, two years and up). Other themed rides include Princess Academy and Royal Tea, Mommy and Me Tea, and Day out with Thomas the Train. But train adventures are not just for the little ones, there are also two-and-a-half hour dinner rides with a four- course meal ($119.99 ages ten and up). Train and boat packages can include an additional excursion on a Riverboat (from $29 to $65). essexsteamtrain.com