urbanretreatist: June 2013

90 minutes north of the city, and accessible by Amtrack, Rhinebeck is an enchanting hudson valley hamlet with infinite ways to please your senses. An ideal weekend retreat, or last minute overnight. Here are the highlights!

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Places To Eat

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Aroi Thai
55 E Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Tucked inside an old farmhouse, this sweet little spot serves yummy, made to order Thai food. Outdoor dining in the summer = a big plus.

Liberty Public House
6417 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Festive, american bistro with an active night life. Perfect for birthdays and holidays.

The Local
38 W Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Seasonal, sustainable, farm to table decadence.

Fosters Coach House
6411 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Classic. Comfort. Food.

Terrapin Restaurant
6426 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Beautiful setting with an equally beautiful presentation. I prefer the feel of the bar/bistro to the formalness of the dining room.

Market St.
19 W Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Cozy, communal brunch spot known for it's farm fresh eggs and breakfast pizza, baked right there in the wood burning pizza oven.

Osaka Japanese Restaurant
22 Garden Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

I considered excluding Osaka, based solely on the fact that they serve melt in your mouth delicious sushi and there's never a wait for a table. But I chose instead to reward them for being consistently perfect (and therefore reward you too!)

Artigiani del Gelato
41 E Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Gelato, ice cream and frozen yogourt in an adorable, family friendly setting.

Del's Dairy Creme

6780 Albany Post Road

Rhinebeck, NY 12572

For savoring simpler times.

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Places To See

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Upstate Films
6415 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Upstate Films shows new and old Arthouse films seven days a week, and hosts special events as well.

Dutchess County Fair
Aug 20-25 2013
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

An Americana celebration. The fair has rides, farm animals, crafts and of course cotton candy.

Rhinebeck Farmers Market
Sundays 10-2
61 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

The outdoor market is open May thru November.

Poets Walk
River Road
Redhook, NY 12571

Stunning walk with spectacular views. Perfect for dogs and kids.

Ferncliff Forest Overlook Tower
68 Mountain Rutsen Road
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

A short walk from the parking lot, the scenic overlook offers 360 degree views of Dutchess County and the Hudson River.

Satya Yoga Center
6400 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Satya offers classes in a variety of styles and levels.

Bard College Summerscapes
60 Manor Anvenue
Annondale on Hudson, NY 12504

Seven weeks every summer of dance, theater, opera and film fill the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

150 Lake Drive

Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Omega offers 3 and 7 day workshops, housing, dining, a wellness center and more. If you just want a taste, try the Sample Day or book a massage at the Wellness Center.

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Places To Shop

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Bluecashew Kitchen Pharmacy
6423 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

From linens to cook books, this place has everything you need to build your country kitchen from the ground up.

Hammertown
6420 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Country living lifestyle store whose motto is "love where you live".

Oblong Books and Music
6422 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Lets hope some things never change.

Gatehouse at Old Mill Antiques
7085 Route 9
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

The village of Rhinebeck is crawling with antique shops. I like Gatehouse, a couple of miles outside of town. They always have great deals on not so serious antiques.

Winter Sun and Summer Moon
10-14 East Market Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Winter sun and moon has an inspiriting candle selection, as well as all things pretty-smelling.

Cabin Fever Outfitters
6423 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Everything you need to dress the part.

Rhinebeck Health Foods
24 Garden Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

For the essentials...

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Places To Stay

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Beekman Arms Inn
6387 Mill Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

You wont have to get out of your pj's to dine at the restaurant, which serves pot pies and a wedge salad, among other staples. And most of the rooms at the Beekman Arms have working fireplaces!

Storybook Cottage
Rhinebeck, NY

For rent by the weekend or longer...

Whistle Wood Farms Bead and Breakfast
52 Pells Road
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

A pet friendly B&B located on a horse farm, minutes from town.

Veranda House Bead and Breakfast
6487 Montgomery Street
Rhinebeck, NY 12572

Perfect for anyone taking the train up, Veranda house is snuggled in the center of town.

A measly hour drive north of the city lies Storm King Art Center, a pastoral 500 acre sculpture park in a town aptly named "Mountainville". Here is how to get there, how to navigate the park and what to do afterwards.

By car - take the NY State Thruway to exit 16 and follow directions to 1 Museum Road 12553
By bus - Coach USA leaves from Port Authority at 10am and returns at 6:15
By train - take NJ Transit from Penn Station to Salisbury Mills and call a local taxi company upon arriving (Bobs, Tony's, All Family)

How you chose to experience Storm King will depend on the day, your mood, the weather, and the exhibitions. If it's your first time, i recommend you park in the Upper Parking lot and start at the museum. Learn a bit about the history of the center, check out some of the indoor installations and then meander through Museum Hill, up to North Woods. North Woods curves around and leads you to the Cafe, where you can grab some provisions and saunter down through the Meadows. The rest of the park, known as South Fields, is an expansive area with large installations, pretty well dispersed. Take advantage of the tram - it has 4 jump on/off points in the South Fields and will bring you back to the beginning.

If you're a veteran of Storm King, i recommend parking in the South parking lot and renting a bike. The bike offers a less myopic experience of the park and is the best way to appreciate the vast, 500 acre canvas.

Reward your efforts with dinner in nearby Cornwall, NY. The Painter's Restaurant has a delicious all day menu with bountiful salads, sandwiches and a full bar. If youre looking to grab some coffee and a sweet, before hitting the road, try 2 Alice's Coffe Lounge. They also happen to be a karaoke/wine bar by night.