Top 5 Hudson Valley Places to Bring Out-of-Town Guests

We wanted to know the best places to take out-of-town guests. How do you show off the Hudson Valley? You responded with some incredible destinations that we forgot about.Sure, we've got plenty of historic mansions, museums and other fancy places. But these are the spots you told us that you like to take visitors to get the real Hudson Valley experience.

For those of us living in the Hudson Valley it's easy to take our local attractions and tourist destinations for granted. These local spots are great for entertaining guests, but also a wonderful way to rediscover for yourself why it's so great to live in the Hudson Valley.

The Walkway Over the Hudson
If you're entertaining visitors to the Hudson Valley, they most likely will request a trip to the Walkway before you even suggest it. Locals sometimes forget that there was no pedestrian bridge over the river before 2009 when the Walkway first opened to the public. The experience of looking out over the Hudson River Valley is simply breathtaking. If you haven't visited in a while, bringing guests is a great excuse to rediscover this local treasure.

A Drive-In Movie Theater
If your guests are from far away, they most likely have never been to a drive-in movie. We certainly take the amount of local drive-in theaters that are available to us for granted. Screens in Hyde Park, Poughkeepsie and Warwick show first-run double-features from Spring through Fall. Visitors from out of town who've never had the chance to go to a drive-in will surely remember the experience forever.

The Culinary Institute
Most of us have been to the CIA, whether just to tour the grounds or enjoy a meal at one of their four restaurants. Those who've never been, however, will most likely be thrilled by the idea of eating food prepared by culinary students who are learning in the same kitchens as some of the world's most famous chefs. It's actually not too difficult to secure a reservation for an unforgettable dinner. If you're entertaining guests at the last minute, you can just drop into to the Apple Pie Bakery for some incredible pastries or lunch.

Woodstock or the Woodstock Museum at Bethel
It's easy to take the Woodstock area for granted. We've all been there and most of us know people who live there. But to an outsider, a visit to the Village of Woodstock or a trip to the Woodstock Museum at Bethel Woods is a pilgrimage to the rock and roll holy land. If your out-of-town guests are music fans, they'll be blown away by taking a day trip to either location. Just try not to look too embarrassed when they buy a cheezy tie-died magnet to bring home for their fridge.

Lake Minnewaska
If your friends are visiting from somewhere flat, like the Midwest, you've got to let them experience what it's like to view the world from high above. Minnewaska is a great place for everyone to discover; from the novice hiker to the experienced trail walker. Hike up the mountain or drive the car all the way to the top for an incredible panorama of the lake surrounded by awe-inspiring rock formations and enough nature to impress even the most jaded outdoorsman. At the end of the day New Paltz is nearby for some food and drink. What better way to cap off the ultimate Hudson Valley experience?

Of course, there are hundreds of other places to showcase our Hudson Valley home. Did we leave your favorite off of the list? Let us know in the comments section below.