We’ll be flying into Newark in the late afternoon of June 1, and have to be in Saratoga Springs by dinner the next day. Grown son will be with us. We want to stop somewhere overnight along the way up, with sightseeing and dinner opportunities. Bonus for hotel with separate bedroom, more bonus for Hilton properties. Husband suggested FDR historic sites or Vanderbilt Mansion?
Suggestions greatly appreciated!
Hyde Park NY does have a lot to see. I’d see if there is any chance you could get dinner reservations at the Culinary Institute (not even sure they are doing these but totally worth doing…if you can get a reservation).
Consider the Mohonk Mountain House (here: https://www.mohonk.com/), National Historical Landmark hotel from the late 1800s, huge property with lots of activities.
About half way is Buttermilk Farms. Great food, a working farm so food is primarily grown on premises. Very fun to walk around and see the animals as it also serves as an alpaca and llama rescue.
The town of Beacon is close and worth a walk through for crafts etc. You then can easily cross back over the river and enjoy Hudson Tacos in Newburg or grab an amazing meal 20 minutes north at the Culinary Inst. Pretty cool quick stop for 24-36 hours.
Sorry not a Hilton (privately owned) but a variety of room options. Safe travels.
Mohonk Mountain House would be nice because it would be one stop inclusive. It’s sort of pricey. But very nice.
As some ideas for attractions, look into Storm King Art Center, Dia Beacon and Walkway Over the Hudson.
Beautiful property, but for a quick overnight stop $1388 for two double beds is a bit out of our price range! I was happy to see that " At Mohonk Mountain House, there is no expectation of tipping."
The Hudson Valley is spectacular!
Farther north is Kingston, which is right on the river. I love walking around the Stockade District, which is a historic, mostly 18th c. section. Kingston was NY’s first capitol in the 18th c.
For lodging near CIA, check their website, Vassar and Marist. Don’t most colleges have suggested places to stay?
PS i just checked Google Maps and Saratoga Springs is only a 3 hour drive from Newark! You probably knew that OP, but I was surprised.
I’m surprised too! Might be worth it just to get to Saratoga. It’s really nice there in the summer, and there are good hikes and the like. And plenty of good restaurants!
That’s why I picked flying into Newark - it looked like a more sensible option than flying into Albany via connecting flights. Husband was also surprised that it was only three hours. Theoretically we could make it to Saratoga Springs Thursday night but we see no need to get there that early. With us flying in from San Diego and son from Seattle, I want flexibility in case of delays etc. My original thought was to just stay at an airport hotel but husband wants to get away from the spaghetti highways and somewhere with a good dinner. Makes sense.
Edit to note that we’ll have much of Saturday to explore Saratoga Springs. The wedding is at The Mansion of Saratoga, if anyone knows it. It also happens to be Skidmore College’s reunion weekend so town will be busy, I guess.
PPS - I don’t hike in the best of times and especially not when I’ll be wearing dress sandals all evening!
Touring the US Military Academy about 30 years ago was pretty cool. I also thought the FDR museum just north of Poughkeepsie was fascinating. Some of the telegrams between FDR, Churchill and Hitler that were on display were shocking in how nasty and undiplomatic they were.
I lived in Kingston, NY for a couple years. If you have the time, drive up Highway 9 or 9W rather than I-87. More scenic and lots of interesting, little towns. I never knew George Washington slept at so many different places.
If you’re going to stop anywhere on your trip to Saratoga Springs, I’d stop in Hyde Park and tour the FDR home or the FDR Library and Museum. Also, Val-Kill, the Eleanor Roosevelt Historic Site. All are worth a visit. If you like gardens, check out the Beatrix Farrand Garden–it’s part of the Beliefield Mansion, now the National Park Service Headquarters in Hyde Park. Farrand was a renowned landscape architect/designer. She designed the gardens at Dumbarton Oaks, the Rockefeller Estate in Seal Harbor, Maine, and the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the NY Botanic Garden.
Agree with @Bromfield2 …and see if you can eat at CIA.
Sort of pricy? We stayed there for a weekend 25 years ago, I recently looked at the prices, omg.
While I’ll agree I’d want to get on the road, Newark NJ has the best Portuguese restaurants in the country.
If you just want to get out of the highway mess, just northwest of Newark, less than half an hour, is Montclair, which has a delightful downtown to walk around in and get drinks, coffee, amazing food, etc. This new hotel has a rooftop view of NYC to the east, pretty hills to the west.
In case your planes might run late and you don’t want to drive far, could be an option.
@garland that’s a great suggestion!
So many fantastic restaurants too.
