'''Poughkeepsie''' is the name of both a township and a city in Dutchess County in New York's Hudson Valley.
Get in
By plane
'''Stewart International Airport''', 1180 First St, New Windsor, ''+1 845'' 564-2100, [http://www.stewartintlairport.com]. The closest major airport, but at present offers few direct flights to major destinations.
'''Westchester County Airport''', 240 Airport Road, White Plains, ''+1 914'' 995-4860 (airlines), [http://whiteplainsairport.com]. Two counties away, but an alternative to the congestion of the 3 major international airports around New York City. Rental cars available.
'''Newark Liberty International Airport''', Newark, New Jersey, [http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/newarkliberty.html], '''John F. Kennedy International Airport''' [http://www.panynj.gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM], and '''LaGuardia Airport''' [http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/laguardia.html]: Livery cars offer service to and from 3 major international airports. It is possible in a convoluted sort of way to get to and from JFK via Metro-North Railroad and New York City Transit.
By car
By train
'''Metro-North Railroad - Hudson line''', [http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mnr/html/mnrmap.htm]. This is the last station stop on Hudson Line commuter trains out of New York City. Express service between Poughkeepsie and Grand Central Terminal is about 1 hour and 20 minutes, local service considerably longer. Local service is also available to other Metro-North commuter stations. On-board train fares are subject to a stiff surcharge, so buy your tickets at the vending machines located on the platform. On trains departing from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, get a seat on the left side of the train. Opposite Yonkers and Hastings-on-Hudson you will be treated to great views of the sheer cliffs of the Palisades and between Cold Spring and Beacon you will get a glimpse of Bannerman Castle on an island offshore.
'''Amtrak''', [http://www.amtrak.com]. Some of Amtrak's long-distance trains stop at Metro-North's Poughkeepsie station.
Get around
See
'''Locust Grove''', 2683 South Rd, ''+1 845'' 454-4500, [http://www.morsehistoricsite.org/]. The former estate of Samuel F. B. Morse, whose patent of the electromagnetic telegraph revolutionized human communication. Set on 150 acres, the Italianate villa was designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis. House tours daily 10AM-3PM, May 1-Nov 30. Closed major holidays. Adults $9, youth (6-18) $5.
'''Vassar College''', 124 Raymond Avenue, ''+1 845'' 437-7300, [http://www.vassar.edu/]. Founded in 1861, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the country, Vassar is renowned for pioneering achievements in education, for its long history of curricular innovation, and for the beauty of its campus. Especially noteworthy is the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center, which has ancient, medieval, Asian, European and American art and objects, well worth a visit. The Center is free to visit; open Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Sundays, 1PM to 5PM. Closed Mondays. The grounds of the college are quite lovely (in good weather); the campus is maintained as an arboretum, with more than 200 varieties of trees on 1,000 acres.
Do
Buy
Eat
'''Almost Anywhere''' Poughkeepsie and the surrounding areas are dotted with restaurants staffed by graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. Many restaurants serve impressive metropolitan food.
'''The Culinary Institute of America''', 433 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, ''+1 845'' 471-6608 (reservation line) [http://www.ciachef.edu]. Five restaurants operated by students and faculty: American Bounty (regional American, features Hudson Valley ingredients), Apple Pie Bakery Cafe (bakery and pastry), Ristorante Caterina de' Medici (Italian), St. Andrew's Cafe (casual, family-friendly), and Escoffier Restaurant (French). 3 are open Monday through Friday, 2 are open Tuesday through Saturday. Be sure to make reservations in advance.
Drink
Sleep
Best Western Inn and Conference Center. 170 South Road. 1 845 462-4600. 1 845 462-3228. ttp://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=33093.
Courtyard Poughkeepsie. 641 South Road/Route 9. 1 845 485-6336. 1 845 485-6514. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/POUCH.
Holiday Inn Express Poughkeepsie. 750 South Rd.. 1 845 473-1151. ttp://www.hiexpress.com/poughkeepsie. Offers complimentary shuttle service within 5 miles, complimentary continental breakfast, pool, fitness center, and business. Visit hotel website for current specials and packages.
Residence Inn Poughkeepsie. 525 South Rd. 1 845 463-4343. 1 800 331-3131. 1 845 463-4344. ttp://marriott.com/property/propertypage/POURI.
Get out