Student Tours

If youโ€™re responsible for planning student educational tours, your challenge is to balance learning with fun experiences. It also helps if your itinerary covers more than one subject in the curriculum. For a hands-on history lesson that also includes exposure to arts and culture, without forgetting the fun โ€“ consider the Hudson River Valley region. This ten-county region โ€“ easily accessible to motorcoaches โ€“ offers a concentration of sites and attractions open and welcoming to student groups. Historic sites cover multiple pivotal points throughout Americaโ€™s past; cultural institutions pay homage to arts both past and present; and outdoor recreation offers thrilling moments perfectly captured in a Gen Zโ€™s Instagram feed. Making it even easier, group-friendly restaurants and accommodations are ample and open year-round.
Just what would a multi-day student tour of the Hudson Valley look like? Hereโ€™s one sample.

DAY 1 โ€“ Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster Counties

Visit:ย 

Magazzino Italian Artย 
A private warehouse art space showcasing post-war and contemporary Italian art.
magazzino.art

 

2700 U.S. Route 9, Cold Spring
Hudson River Expeditionsย 

Kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle-board rentals, tours, and instruction for the novice to experienced paddler.
hudsonriverexpeditions.com

14 Market Street, Cold Springย 

Stay:ย 

Hampton Inn & Suites Poughkeepsieย 

Amenities include a free hot breakfast, free internet access and an indoor pool.
hilton.com/en/hampton/

2361 South Road, Poughkeepsie

Hampton Inn New Paltz

Newly built hotel with an indoor pool, complimentary hot breakfast. One mile to village of New Paltz.
hamptoninn3.hilton.com

4 S. Putt Corners Road, New Paltz

Day 2 - Dutchess County

Visit:ย 

Mount Gulian Historic Site

A reconstructed 18th century Dutch manor house on the Hudson River.

mountgulian.org

145 Sterling Street, Beacon

Dia:Beaconย 

The Dia Art Foundation's collection of art from the 1960s to the present.

diaart.org

3 Beekman Street, Beacon

Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sitesย 

Three National Historic Sites managed together: The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt NHS, Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill, and the Vanderbilt Mansion.

nps.gov

4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park

ย 

Eat:ย 

Shadows on the Hudson

New American eats in a sprawling space with standout waterfront views.

shadowsonthehudson.com

176 Rinaldi Boulevard, Poughkeepsie

ย 

Stay:ย 

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotelย 

Complimentary full hot breakfast, free wifi, refrigerators and microwaves.

pokgrand.com

40 Civic Center Plaza, Poughkeepsie

Day 3 - Greene, Columbia, Ulster Counties

Visit:ย 

Olana State Historic Site

5720 Route 9G, Hudson

The home and studio of eminent Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church; one of the most visited sites in the state.
olana.org

 

Thomas Cole National Historic Site

218 Spring St., Catskill

A nationally recognized historic site that marks the birthplace of American art, where the Hudson River School of landscape painting began.
Thomascole.org

 

 

New York Zipline Adventure Tours at Hunter Mountainย 

64 Klein Avenue, Hunter

Ziplines, rope bridges and climbing tower, plus the 600-ft.-high line -- the fastest and longest in the U.S.
ziplinenewyork.com

ย 

Eat:ย 

White Stone Cafรฉ

2337 Route 66, Ghent

Family style American fare with something for everyone.
whitestonecafe.com

 

Creekside Restaurantย 

160 West Main Street, Catskill

American classics, cocktails & various beers served in casual surrounds with a patio & creek views.

Facebook: Creekside Catskill