The historic Hudson river starts in the Adirondacks and flows 315 miles to New York City, creating the breathtaking Hudson River Valley. Throughout Dutchess County, you’ll find no shortage of spectacular views. But I’m unsure any rival the one you find on the Walkway over the Hudson. The bridge now known as the Walkway Over the Hudson opened in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, transporting western raw materials to eastern industrial centers. At the time, it was the longest bridge in the world. 120 years later, retired from its rail car carrying duties, locals began a campaign to save the bridge. Today, it’s the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. Sitting 212 feet above the Hudson, the 1.28-mile trail boasts incredible views of the Catskills to the north, and the Hudson Highlands to the south.

Four years ago, Brooklyn-born Chef Brandon Walker opened Essie’s Restaurant in Poughkeepsie. Named after his grandmother, the eatery pays homage to the women in his family—all of whom Brandon says were great cooks, and ignited his love of food. It’s no accident Brandon opened a restaurant in the Hudson Valley. He graduated from the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America and fell in love with the access to incredible ingredients. The modern American restaurant pulls inspiration from Brandon’s familial roots in the Caribbean as well as the American South, showcasing dishes like jerk ribs, cheese grit croquettes, elegant burgers and more.

I can’t get enough of Dutchess County’s rolling hills and beautiful vistas. I love the farms and farm land, and one of the area’s most iconic is McEnroe Organic Farm, the largest and most diversified organic farm in New York. I met with farmer, Ray McEnroe, to learn about this iconic Hudson Valley business. Formerly a dairy farm, Ray dedicated his land to farming organic produce in the 1980s. What once operated as a farm stand out of a two-car garage stand has grown to a 1500-acre farm, featuring 20 greenhouses, chickens, turkeys, beef cattle and more. McEnroe is more than just a store, it’s destination where people can reconnect with their food.  Whether it’s berry picking in the summer, a Discovery garden for kids or seeing animals out in the pasture, there’s always something fun going on at McEnroe’s.

Sandanona is the oldest permitted shotgun shooting club in the country. The main lodge dates all the way back to the Thomas Jefferson presidency. I met with Paula Moore, the Chief Shooting instructor at Sandanona. I was a little nervous about clay shooting—I’d never done it before, and I take handling guns very seriously. Paula made me feel comfortable and confident. After completing a gun safety and etiquette orientation, we headed out to the course. Sporting clay courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, upland birds and even rabbits. Under Paula’s expert tutelage, I learned the proper stance, gun mount, chin placement, and somehow, magically, I hit my very first shot! Paula is clearly an exceptional coach and teacher as she is helping me tap into a skill I never knew I had. 

It’s no secret that I love tea. In fact, I always travel with a real tea cup! And when I’m in Dutchess County, Harney & Sons is a must-stop. I met with Michael Harnery, the man in charge of this 37-year-old family business. Michael’s father, John Harney, started the Millerton, New York tea company in 1983. Michael says at the time, no sons were involved in the business, but his father was optimistic—and right! Michael taught me the correct way to taste tea. No, you don’t just drink it. First, you look at the leaves. Then, you smell. Next, brew. And then, sip. It’s a lot like wine, except that I can drive myself home afterward. Not only is the shop located in Millteron, but their headquarters and factory as well.

On a residential street in Poughkeepsie, you’ll find the Barrett Art Center—a gallery featuring contemporary art curated globally. On my trip, I explored the gallery with James Ransome, an artist living in Dutchess County. Ransome’s 11-piece collection, The View From Here, is displayed at the center. Inspired by James Baldwin essay, Ransome’s work reflects the juxtaposition between being an artist in a beautiful, rural area of New York while also looking at what was happening in the urban centers of the United States. He likes to incorporate quilt imagery in his pieces, signifying how everyone really does carry all of the experiences of our past into the current day.

Dutchess County is home to a family who profoundly shaped our nation and the world.  The Roosevelt’s Springwood estate is a National Historic site with 50 historic structures, gardens and over a 1,000 acres of landscapes, woodlands and trails. Franklin D Roosevelt called this place home from his birth until his death. His Presidential Library is the first in the nation.

However, I wanted to visit the cottage belonging to his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. I had the great pleasure of touring Val-Kill with park ranger Fran Mascali-Urban. She was thrilled to accept a position here when it first became a National Historic site. She’s been here ever since. Formerly a furniture factory, Val-Kill became Eleanor’s personal retreat. When FDR died she made it her permanent home. It’s not the palatial estate you’d expect. Instead, you’ll find a rambling, stucco-covered, L-shaped building, reflecting its piece-meal construction during its career as a factory. It’s very humble and down to earth, just like Mrs. Roosevelt. The property is the first national historic site dedicated to a first lady. From this relaxed and comfortable space she held national and international court. In addition to the home, you’ll find trails on the property—one that leads to FDR’s own cottage in the woods.

As a part of the Hudson River Valley, Dutchess County was designated by Congress as a National Heritage Area. It’s a place where culture, history and a beauty of landscape should be preserved. If there’s one place that really sums this lofty title, it is Innisfree. I met with Kate Kerin, the landscape curator, at this show-stopping garden. Recognized as one of the “world’s ten best gardens,” Innisfree is a powerful icon of mid-twentieth century design. The 180-acre park features a number a different types of gardens—from Modernist and Romantic to Chinese and Japanese—all set around a 10,000 year old Glacial Lake. Innisfree is described as “a distinctly American stroll garden — a sublime composition of rock, water, wood, and sky achieved with remarkable economy and grace.”

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