Walkway Over the Hudson, via Wikipedia

When we first heard about the Walkway Over the Hudson proposal to turn a disused railroad bridge into a pedestrian park several years ago, we thought it was a fabulous idea. Driving across the Hudson River on the various bridges is all well and good (and for real fun, try kayaking across!! Yowza!), but zooming by going 45 miles an hour, you miss all the good stuff in and around the river. Taking the mile-and-a-half stroll across the world’s longest elevated footbridge that spans one of the most magnificent rivers in the country is a treat and an educational experience, to boot. Interpretive signs line the walkway’s railing, and there’s even an audio-visual self-tour cleverly entitled Talkway Over The Hudson. Visitors can start on either the Ulster County trail head in Highland or the Dutchess County trail head across the river in Poughkeepsie.

So what to do once you’ve crossed from the Ulster side to the Dutchess? If you’re incredibly ambitious and love to walk, take a sharp right and head towards the river to the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. WARNING: It’s a schlep. We’ve done it, but it was long and a little exhausting (especially on a hot summer’s day). Maybe take a cab, instead. Or park your bikes on one end of the Walkway and meet them there after you’ve crossed. However you do it, just do it. The Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum is a must-see, even if you don’t have kids and just like to play with stuff. There are tons of great exhibits (they even an have an inflatable planetarium), and they’re open until 8pm on Saturday nights. And for Father’s Day, all dads get in for free. Visit the museum’s website for info on exhibits, hours of operations, admission rates, etc.

Mid-Hudson Children's Museum

We think the city of Poughkeepsie gets a bad rap sometimes. Sure, there are some unsavory parts, but those exist anywhere once a population reaches a certain point. What’s frequently overlooked is that Poughkeepsie is home to some gorgeous and affordable properties, and some of our favorite places to eat (we’re looking at you, Soul Dog!), not to mention attractions like the Walkway Over the Hudson, and the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum.

So while we stretching the definition of “country house” a bit with this 1920s Craftsman, it certainly fills the “car-free” bill, since it’s a mile-and-a-half from the Poughkeepsie Metro-North train station, one mile from the Trailways bus station, right on NYS bicycle route 9, and surrounded by enough shops and stores to fill your needs. And the listing says it includes two parcels of land, which does lend it some privacy. So there you go! Car-Free Country House in the City!

And it’s pretty on the inside. Well-maintained, lots of nice details (like the windows!), plus a big front porch. The Dutch doors in the bedroom are a unique touch.

110 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie (Houlihan Laurence) GMAP
Asking Price: $349,500
Beds: 4
Baths: 1.5
Square Feet: 2,979
Year Built: 1920
Land: .77 acres
Taxes: $7,939
Features: Three floors, living room fireplace

Flickr/dougtone

Many folks wanting to relocate to upstate New York have one big hesitation: work. They’re ready for the clean air, the good schools, the affordable houses, the great produce, but how are they going to pay those bills, however greatly reduced they might be?

Take heart. According to Forbes, the last stop on the MetroNorth Hudson line is one of the TOP THREE best cities for jobs. Between Vassar College, a new medical center and the Culinary Institute of America, it’s looking like a darn good place to get employed.

We have always appreciated Poughkeepsie for its, well, its potential: a beautiful stock of housing, all that waterfront, great transit. But the place has struggled with the same sorts of problems that plague many small upstate cities: poverty and gangs and an absconded middle class. Here’s what Forbes has to say about its coming ascendancy: “Above-average median household income of $59,000 is expected to rise another 19% by the end of 2016.”

Mexican Radio.  One of our favorite Mexican restaurants in the Upstater.net area. Although Mexican Radio is not strictly vegetarian or vegan, it caters to a crowd who want a variety of food, much of it grown locally.  The entrees are pricey, so expect to shell out. But there are tons of vegan options, and they offer vegan fillings like tofu, seitan, soy cheese and vegan crema on their Tortilla Heaven menu.  Their black beans are vegetarian, and they’ve just recently added vegan pinto beans.  537 Warren Street, Hudson. 518-828-7770

Wasana’s Thai Restaurant. This is one the area’s best kept secrets. Nestled on Main Street in Catskill between two storefronts, this place could be easily missed.  Don’t, though, because it’s amazing.  The food here is fresh and comforting. Their spring rolls are simple, elegant and absolutely addictive. The interior is a little strange and modest, but don’t let that discourage you.  Prices are reasonable and wait-staff is friendly and attentive. As with many Thai restaurants, vegan options abound.  Just make sure you ask if they use fish sauce in their dishes before ordering.  336 Main Street, Catskill. 518-943-9134

New World Home Cooking. Chef/owner Ric Orlando is kind of a celebrity around these parts, especially since kicking some serious culinary behind on the Food Network series, Chopped. But ultimately, Ric just loves to make people happy by making amazing food. Even vegan people. New World has an extensive vegan menu, which includes dishes like Seitan hot wings, Thai curry with fat noodles, Vietnamese salad, and an eggplant “melt” with vegan bleu cheese. Menu changes based on the season. New World in Saugerties also offers a Thanksgiving buffet with a vegan spread! Check online for special events and menus. Location in Albany, too. 1411 New York 212, Saugerties. 845-246-4822

Garden Cafe on the Green.  This place is strictly vegan and completely organic. Every menu item is animal-product free, so you can safely order anything and not have to worry. They serve breakfast (tofu scrambles, oatmeal, pancakes, etc), lunch (vegan Caesar salads, Portabello paninis, wraps and burgers) and dinner (make your own vegan bowl, pan-seared tofu, Indian veggie and chick pea enchiladas), and they have a big selection of organic beers and wines. If you find the voluptuous selection a little overwhelming, go to the Monday buffet and try everything. Call ahead for reservations, though, since the Cafe is small and fills up fast. 6 Old Forge Road, Woodstock. 845-679-3600

Luna 61: Not strictly vegan, but entirely vegetarian, which means you can get real cheese on your nachos, if you’re so inclined, but they won’t give you the side-eye if you order their Cuban press sandwich with tofu instead of goat cheese. Luna61 is a tiny, cozy cafe right in the center of Tivoli that frequently features works by local artists on their walls. They also offer an extensive Sunday brunch menu. 55 Broadway, Tivoli. 845-758-0061

Soul Dog: This hot dog joint is a while lot more than a hot dog joint. Located just steps from the Metro North train station in Poughkeepsie, Soul Dog offers a ton of vegan food on a bun, and a gluten-free chick pea flour bun, at that. You can get a veggie dog with vegan quinoa chili and guacamole, or you can get it with spicy peanut sauce and onions. They also offer a variety of gluten-free specials every day (they’ve been voted Best of the Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley magazine for best gluten-free baked goods), and they’re home-made French fries are some of the best we’ve ever had. Bring an appetite, though. It’s really hard to eat just one of these dogs. 107 Main Street, Poughkeepsie. 845-454-3254.