Winter in Hyde Park

So you want to get away in the middle of winter. You don’t ski and you are not going to hop on a plane to a beach somewhere, so what do you do when you need a quick getaway? Hyde Park offers a wonderful place to experience history, hiking, and great food.

When we have snow (and that is most of the time), the grounds across the street from the Inn at the Vanderbilt estate are great for snowshoeing or just hiking in your rubber boots. If you love the outdoors in the winter, the Hyde Park trail is always open for those who love to trek through snow and see history along the way. Starting at the Vanderbilt Estate, the Hyde Park trail takes you along the Hudson River to FDR’s home, museum and library. Continuing on you can hike to Eleanor’s Val-Kill along the road that FDR traveled and then through the woods and up the hill to FDR’s private retreat, Top Cottage.

If indoors is what you crave in the winter, then it is the perfect time to take in the National Parks: FDR’s home, museum and library; Val-Kill, and the Vanderbilt Estate. Open everyday except New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, winter is a great time take an uncrowded tour, to linger in the amazing Roosevelt museum, and take your time perusing the unique merchandise in the exceptional museum shops.

Are you a fan of Downton Abbey? Do find time to take the Downton Abbey tour at the Staatsburg State Historic site. This elegant country home of Ogden Mills and Ruth Livingston Mills is a fine example of a great estate built by America’s financial and industrial leaders during the Gilded Age. And bring your sled as they allow sledding on the great hill of the estate!

So, you love to eat! Nothing better than winter at the Culinary Institute of America. Fine dining in a grand space. The 4 restaurants are all open. Grab a savory lunch at the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe, and enjoy either French nouvelle at Bocuse, farm to table dining at American Bounty, or Tuscan cuisine at Caterina De ‘Medici. And do try the latest pop-up restaurant, Pangea, where the culinary students bring to life the sustainable food movement. And don’t forget to take a cooking class while you’re here. A great indoor activity and a wonderful way to meet folks from all over the world who love to cook like you do.

All of this is in Hyde Park – all within 10 minutes of the Journey Inn. Stay warm and fill your day with history, architecture, art, and food!