Revel in the river's natural beauty

By Maeleeke Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

And the best places to see the river are so numerous it would take an entire season to find them all.

Boat tours travel along the Hudson in warmer months giving tourists the chance to take in the mountainous scenery and enjoy a calming trip down the river.

A day at historic Montgomery Place in Annandale, Dutchess County, will afford water lovers the chance to walk around the 434-acre estate built almost 200 years ago by Janet Livingston Montgomery in honor of her late husband Richard Montgomery.

The U. S. Military Academy at West Point, Orange County, is the number one place to see a grand view of the river, hiker Henry Jenkins said.

‘‘You’re looking straight up the river, which is nice,’’ said Jenkins, a Highland, Ulster County, resident who hikes frequently. ‘‘It’s just magnificent there and of course there’s a whole lot of history there.’’

From Albany to New York City there are parks, trails and restaurants where you can spend hours gazing at sunlight dancing on the water.

The Esopus Lighthouse, Ulster County, and even trails near the George Washington Bridge that lead up to Albany are great viewing spots.

Four seasons of sights

Flora and fauna surround the river during spring and summer months, while the fall months bring notice to the Hudson Valley’s famous foliage — comparable to an artists’ colorful palette.

‘‘People come from all over and they’re just awe-inspired,’’ said Margery Short, owner of Aristocrat Tours based in the City of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County.

If winter weather warms your heart, relax May to October on a slew of boat tours or admire the huge chunks of ice that form on the river in winter.

A tour on the river with Poughkeepsie-based Hudson River Sloop Clearwater lends itself to educational programs and riverfront festivals.

Travel the river yourself with Rhinebeck Kayaks on a guided single or tandem kayak tour.

Other events that will land you a perfect view are summer concerts or theater presentations at places like Boscobel, in Garrison, Westchester County, and the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, Dutchess County.

After all that hiking and sailing, grab a bite at places like River Station in Poughkeepsie, Season’s on the Hudson in Beacon, Dutchess County, or at your choice of a number of clubs and restaurants on Front Street in Newburgh, Orange County.