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Things to Do
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Mother's Day is right around the corner — May 12 — and here in Dutchess County, we have plenty of things to do and places to go with Mom to celebrate her special day. Check out this list of the Top 10 Uniquely Dutchess Mother’s Day Experiences to help plan an unforgettable weekend for Mom and the whole family here in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley.
Mother's Day Weekend at multiple locations
Taking Mom out for a delicious meal is always a nice gesture, and there are many tasty options in Dutchess, including farm-to-table restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. Terrapin in Rhinebeck, Charlotte's in Millbrook, Mill House Brewing in Poughkeepsie and The Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls are among the many Dutchess eateries hosting special Mother's Day dining experiences. For a guide to Mother’s Day brunch choices, click here.
Related: Dutchess Tourism's CIA Chef Finder is a free mobile passport that helps you find Culinary Institute of America-educated chefs who create world-class cuisine in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley.
Throughout April and May at Mirbeau Inn and Spa, Rhinebeck
Enjoy lavish overnight accommodation for one evening at the old-world-chic, 49-room resort and immerse yourself in a variety of luxurious, modern comforts. Save 20 percent off a Pure Zen CBD Facial and/or Massage, and receive $50 toward dining per person at Willow, Mirbeau's elegant restaurant. Bring home organic Mirbeau Botanicals hemp tea to further enhance your relaxation. This limited-edition getaway package is only available in April and May. Click here for details. Mirbeau received a Four-Star Award for 2024 from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide.
Friday, May 10, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Village of Pawling
Moms, take a relaxing stroll through the quaint Village of Pawling and enjoy perks and beverages from participating businesses courtesy of the Pawling Merchants Committee. Need someone to watch the little ones? Pawling Recreation has you covered with the Pawling Rec Fun Night featuring pizza, games, crafts and more. Click here for updates and to register the kiddos for Fun Night.
Saturday, May 11, 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Harlem Valley Homestead, Wingdale
Come and welcome the newborn calves at Harlem Valley Homestead. Tour the farm, visit the cow herd and learn about the farm’s grazing and breeding practices. The names of the new calves will be announced, and if the timing is right, you might get to see the herd move from one pasture to another! The farmstand will be open for shopping. Feel free to bring a picnic to enjoy by the ponds. Click here for details.
Related: Top 10 Women Who Influenced Dutchess County's History
Saturdays, May 4 and 11, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Barns at Vassar, Poughkeepsie
Shop for all the plants Mom needs to make her garden exquisite, all grown by the Poughkeepsie Farm Project farmers, staff and youth. All the proceeds from the event will support PFP’s efforts in sustainable farming, food access and education. Stick around for a farm tour, enjoy some live music and check out the wares of local vendors. Click here for more information.
Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Foxtrot Farm and Flowers, Stanfordville
A bouquet of flowers always makes a nice gift for Mom, but why not bring her to Foxtrot Farm and let her wander in their fields of flowers? Their Mother's Day Weekend Open House features a seedling sale, and you can always pick up a beautiful bouquet while you're there. Be sure to enjoy a cocktail or mocktail from the Fizzy Filly Bar, which will be on-hand for the occasion. Click here for details.
Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12, leaves and returns at the Beacon Dock
Spend an afternoon at one of the Hudson Valley’s most scenic and intriguing attractions. Frank Bannerman built his Scottish-style castle on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River in the early 1900s as a place to store military surplus items. Bannerman also built a summer home on the island, and his wife, Helen, planted beautiful gardens. Nowadays, a pleasant 30-minute cruise aboard the Estuary Steward will bring you out to the island so you can tour the buildings, stroll along the walking paths, admire the views of the Hudson and its surrounding highlands and learn the fascinating history of the island and its inhabitants. Click here to book your tour.
Related: Top 10 Dutchess Events in May
Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12 at Innisfree Garden, Millbrook
This charming English and Chinese-inspired garden invites you to relax and connect with nature this Mother’s Day weekend. On Saturday at 10:30 a.m., join landscape curator Kate Kerin for the Curator’s Tour and bask in Innisfree's tranquil beauty. If Mom is an avid birdwatcher, she will love the Mother's Day Birding Walk on Sunday at 9 a.m. led by Barry Haydasz of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Innisfree Garden is an extraordinary icon of mid-20th century landscape design and is recognized as one of the world’s 10 best gardens and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed by Walter Beck and his wife, avid gardener and heiress Marion Burt Beck, with much collaboration with landscape architect Lester Collins. The garden features a 40-acre lake surrounded by cliffs, low hills, waterfalls, streams and all sorts of beautiful flowers, plants and landscape elements. It is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. Click here to register for either — or both — of these wonderful experiences.
Saturday and Sunday, May 11 and 12 at Troutbeck, Amenia
Internationally renowned movement therapist Erika Bloom returns to Troutbeck as its Wellness Instructor in Residence this Mother's Day Weekend. Her transformative wellness method, the Erika Bloom Method, has helped thousands of clients restore holistic health. She will be hosting several classes throughout the weekend for in-house guests. While you're there, you can also participate in a watercolor workshop with artist Jaime Reynolds, enjoy a delicious prix fixe brunch and buy Mom a dazzling bouquet of seasonal blooms crafted by organic Maitri Farm nearby. Click here to book a room.
Sunday, May 12, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie
Moms receive free admission to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum (formerly the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum) on Mother’s Day. Designed for children ages 12 and younger, the MHDM’s exhibits get kids moving, exploring, building, pretending, collaborating, creating and discovering. The museum is open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Mother’s Day. Click here to learn more.
Shop for the Perfect Gift at the Dutchess Handmade Pop-Up Shop, Poughkeepsie: Find locally made glass, jewelry, greeting cards, textiles, ceramics, wood products, prints, paintings, home decorating items and so much more. The shop will run May 2 through June 14. It will be open Tuesdays–Fridays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturdays (May 4, 11, 18 and 25) from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Click here to learn more.
Take a Hike at Peach Hill Park, Poughkeepsie: If Mom is the outdoorsy type, then why not accompany her on a leisurely stroll? Peach Hill Park in Poughkeepsie is open from sunrise to sunset and offers 3.5 miles of scenic hiking trails through a former apple orchard. At 485 feet, the summit of Peach Hill is the highest point in the Town of Poughkeepsie, and the views from the top are magnificent in all directions. Dogs are welcome, too. For a trail map, click here.
Catch a Flick at Starr Cinema, Rhinebeck: If Mom is a film buff, why not take her out to catch a film on the big screen? Click here to see what is playing.
Sample Award-Winning Vodka at Denning’s Point Distillery, Beacon: Denning’s Point Distillery’s Made of the Meadow vodka won gold medals at both the 2022 San Fran World Spirits Competition and the 2016 Fifty Best Spirits Competition. Why not take Mom for a tasting so she can sample this and other award-winning spirits at Denning’s Point? Tastings are from 2 – 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 – 6 p.m. on Sundays, no reservations required. Click here for details.
Sample low-intervention wines and ciders at Rose Hill, Red Hook: Stroll this gorgeous property in the springtime and see blooming trees as you sip amazing ciders and wines. Try the wild-fermented and naturally sparkling Kitchen Sink, the truly unique single-varietal Kingston Black and the Pomquette Rouge, a sparkling apple-grape wine. Over Mother's Day Weekend, they'll host food pop-ups with Misto on Saturday and Crispin Dopamine on Sunday. Stop by that same weekend for their annual rosé celebration, "Roséanity." Click here to learn more.
Craft All-Natural Soap at Clover Brooke Farm, Hyde Park: This soap-making class will teach you a skill that's fun and functional. All of Clover Brooke Farm's soaps are vegan and responsibly made right at the farm. Click here to register.
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