Harlem Valley Partnership
P.O. Box 680
Dover Plains, New York 12522
1-800-566-6652
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Area Map | Calendar | Town Pages | Tourism | Businesses | Dining | Lodging | Recreation | Links | | ||
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Harlem Valley Partnership P.O. Box 680 Dover Plains, New York 12522 1-800-566-6652 |
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Harlem Valley Area Recreation |
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Its location makes the Harlem Valley a prime spot for recreation of every kind. Visitors interested in the outdoors have a multitude of activities to choose from, ranging from hikes up the beautiful Appalachian Trail or down the Harlem Valley Rail Trail to skiing, fishing, boating and horseback riding. The changing of the seasons makes the Harlem Valley a gorgeous place to visit at any time of year, whether during the early months of spring, the warm green days of summer, foliage in early fall or blankets of snow in the winter. Visitors looking for indoor fun also have a variety of recreational opportunities. Our towns and villages offer shopping of every kind, museums, historic sites and more. The many amenities of the valley make it splendid place to while away the hours, for no matter what your age or activity preference there is something for everyone. Dutchess County Hiking Trails
Appalachian Trail: Located in Town of Pawling along Routes 22 and 55. Trail passes through the Harlem Valley in Pawling on the way to Connecticut and also in the town of Dover along Hoyt Road and Duel Hollow Road. Maintained for foot travel only. Brace Mountain: Taconic State Park off Rte 63 and Deer Run Road. This seven-mile trail is steep and can be icy in early spring months. Brace Mountain is 2,311 feet above sea level and is the highest point in the county where New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut come together. Land is fairy rough and is protected by conservation regulations. East Mountain Farm and Stables, Inc.: 543 Poplar Hill Road, Dover Plains, NY 12522. (845) 877-3728. A full-care horse boarding facility. Horse training focusing on Dressage. Riding lessons for the beginner or experienced rider. Summer riding/horsemanship program available.
Pawling Nature Reserve: Quaker Lake Road, Town of Pawling. Reserve consists of over 1,000 acres with rare and endangered species of plants and animals. Parts of the reserve are located along the Appalachian Trail. Stissing Lake and Mountain: Lake Road, Pine Plains. Stissing Mountain is 1,403 feet high featuring a 90-foot high renovated fire tower with observation deck. Views extend as far as Hunter Mountain. Hike to tower is about one hour. Located in the Stissing Lake Recreation Park which includes lake for swimming and boating, basketball courts, playing fields, areas for roller blading, skate boarding and bike riding. A 450-acre forest is also open to the public with permits. Thompson Pond Nature Preserve: Located at the foot of Stissing Mountain on Lake Road, Pine Plains. Added to the National Registry of Natural Landmarks in 1973. Includes hiking trails alongside a 100-acre pond. Wassaic State Forest: Route 22, Wassaic. Consists of 488 acres of rugged woods and fields along the Ten Mile River. Permits required for groups of 10 or more, camping for more than three days and competitive events. Western Riding Stables: Sawchuck Rd., Millerton (518) 789-4848. Unique riding experience on beautiful trails. Trail rides, lessons, boarding, pony rides, hay rides, moon rides and daily and overnight camping. Wilcox Park: Route 199, Pine Plains. Includes lake, boating and fishing, playing fields and trails for hiking or cross-country skiing. Dutchess County Bike Tours: Visit the county’s tourism website for more specific map information on the two bike tours in the Harlem Valley as well as other tours throughout Dutchess County. Tour 5- Takes you through the Harlem Valley, known for its farm landscapes and rolling meadows. The route is moderate with a few short hills. Total length is 25 miles, but can be segmented. Tour begins at the Dover Plains train station, convenient for visitors from New York City, who can bring their bikes on the Harlem Line of Metro-North. Highlights include the historic village of Pawling, filled with quaint stores and restaurants, and the Webatuck Craft Village. Webatuck is a working craft village with buildings dating back to the 18th century. Shops include glass blowing, stained glass, pottery and country furniture. Cyclists will also enjoy tranquil views of the Ten Mile River, a real hot spot for trout fishing. Tour 6- Explores a different area of the Harlem Valley, conveniently beginning at the Dover Plains train station. The route is moderate with a few short hills. Total length is 30 miles, but can be segmented. Cyclists will pass through the villages of Millerton, Wassaic and Amenia, and through the historic rural hamlets of Leedsville, Amenia Union, and South Amenia. A highlight of this tour is a four-mile traffic free stretch on the newly opened Harlem Valley Rail Trail. The town of Millerton, filled with country stores and antique shops makes for a great rest stop. This bike ride is particularly notable for its views of historic barns and up close experiences with nature—sheep, cow and wild turkey crossings are not uncommon. Dutchess County Craft Trail Arnold Larson, Inc., Poughquag, NY (845) 724-5502. Features glass blowing done on premise by master glassblowers. Items for sale in gift shop. Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Groups by appointment only. Gift prices range from under $50 to $500, credit cards accepted, store is handicapped accessible. Maple Tree Gallery – Memorial Avenue, Pawling, NY (845) 855-1465. Features an eclectic collection of fine art, glass, jewelry and kaleidoscopes. Holiday shop features heirloom quality collectibles, including Christopher Radko and Old World Christmas. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prices range from $50 to over $1,000, credit cards accepted. Phoenix Pottery – 34 Coulter Avenue, Pawling, NY (845) 855-5658. Offers wheel thrown functional stoneware for kitchen and table use. Open by appointment only. Prices range from below $50 to $100, credit cards accepted. Webatuck Craft Village – Route 55, Wingdale, NY. Working craft village with buildings dating back to the 18th century. Shops include: Copper Knocker, (845) 832-0103. Features early American reproduction lighting made from copper, tin and wood. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Prices range from $50 to over $1,000; Robert Stump Studios, (845) 832-9600. Features handcrafted framed and matted fine art prints "Adirondack style," art glass lamps and lanterns that are signed and dated. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Price range under $50 to over $1,000; Webatuck Pottery, (845) 832-6352. Hand thrown functional stoneware and porcelain. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Price range $50 to $100. Tilly’s Studio – 10 Haight Road, Amenia, NY (845) 373-7813. Hand sewn paper landscape paintings. Works of papier-mâché and wood that incorporate personal experience, art history and humor. Open by appointment only. Price range under $50 to $500. Handicapped accessible. Gilmor Glassworks – 2 Main Street, Millerton, NY (518) 789-6700. Features mouth-blown and pressed glass stemware, bowls, ornaments, vases and one-of-a-kind pieces, and jewelry. Call ahead for glassblowing schedule. Open January through March, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. – 5p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 5p.m.; June through December, Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Price range under $50 to over $1,000, credit cards accepted. dePreter deSigns – 23 Myrtle Avenue, Pine Plains, NY (518) 398-7513. A woodcarving studio featuring wood sculptures with a contemporary flavor. Commissioned work of individual and group portraits in wood is a specialty. Open by appointment. Price range $250 to over $1,000. Dutchess County Wine Trail: www.dutchesswinetrail.com. Consists of three wineries. Cascade Mountain Winery, Flint Hill Road, Amenia. Open for tours, wine tasting, lunch and dinner served from April 1 to Jan. 1; (845) 373-9021; Millbrook Vineyards, Wing and Shunpike Roads, Millbrook. Open 7 days, noon to 5 p.m. (845) 677-8383; and Clinton Vineyards, Shultzville Road, Clinton Corners. Tours and tasting Friday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round. Lunch by reservation phone (845) 266-5372. Dutchess County Scenic Driving Tours:
Tour 5 -Takes you on a journey through the towns of Union Vale, Beekman, Pawling and Dover. The tour begins in Union Vale, best noted for its Clove, a beautiful, narrow valley, then winds through Beekman, with its charming, old farm houses. The Town of Pawling, dating back to 1788, was home to newsmen Edward R. Murrow and Lowell Thomas, and the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale. Dover, encompassing the hamlets of Dover Plains and Wingdale, was a stopover for New England cattle "drovers" on the way through the Harlem Valley. Tour 6 -Winds through the towns of Pine Plains, North East, Amenia, Washington and Stanford. Pine Plains is the site of what may have been the country's first Christian congregation of Native Americans, ca. 1742. The Town of Northeast, dating back to 1788, is where the quaint village of Millerton is found. Amenia, which was named by Dr. Thomas Young, is from the Latin amoena, meaning "pleasant place." In Washington, named for General George Washington, explore the village of Millbrook, a hub of business and culture, and while in Stanford, enjoy the scenic foothills of the Fishkill range.
Dutcher Golf Course Harlem Valley Golf Course Silo Ridge Country Club Thomas Carvel Golf Course |
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HARLEM VALLEY PARTNERSHIP |
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Area Map | Calendar | Town Pages | Tourism | Businesses | Dining | Lodging | Recreation | Links |
©2003. Harlem Valley Partnership. All Rights Reserved
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Alander Mountain/South Taconic Trail: Located off Undermountain Road in Rudd Pond Estates in Millerton. This is a steep hike that levels off at the top. Trail connects with Appalachian Trail as well as Alander and Brace Mountains. 
Harlem Valley Rail Trail – Paved pedestrian/bicycle trail built on the old railroad bed that connected New York City, the Harlem Valley and Chatham. When completed, the trail will run 46 miles beginning at Metro-North Station in Wassaic to Chatham, NY. Currently, several sections are paved, passing through some of the most scenic landscapes in the towns of Amenia, Millerton and Copake Falls. Open all year round, the trail is ideal for walking, running, biking, roller-blading, cross-country skiing and is wheelchair accessible. For more information contact Harlem Valley Rail Trail Association, Inc. P.O. Box 356, Millerton, NY 12546; (518) 789-9591, or on the web at 
Golf Courses