Emily & James
Things To Do
Poet's Walk Park
Where we got engaged and had our second engagement shoot! One of the most beautiful spots in the Hudson Valley, in our opinion. Poet’s walk is considered to be a romantic landscape, intended to celebrate the connection between landscape and poetry. (Hudson River Heritage) Poet’s Walk is 120 acres of gentle hills, creeks, woodlands, and river views that are hard to find today. “The classic wooden vistas, sunlit fields and thick forest were the main focus of the landscape architect Hans Jacob Ehlers vision for the property in 1849."
Olana State Historic Site
Olana was the 19th century home, studio and designed landscape of Hudson River School artist Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900), his wife Isabel and their four children. The 250 acre historic estate features an elaborately stenciled, Persian-inspired mansion filled with original sketches, studies and paintings by one of the mid-19th century's most famous artists. A diverse decorative arts collection includes objects from around the world. Visitors to Olana enjoy guided house tours, view changing exhibits in the Evelyn & Maurice Sharp Gallery, hike, run and walk dogs in the Picturesque landscape, picnic, paint, photograph and take part in programs and special events for all ages.
Talbott & Arding
"Best. Focaccia. Ever." - Emily, who accidentally ordered an entire sheet once (no regrets)
Baba Louie's
If you're attending our wedding from Emily's side, you're sure to know of Baba Louie's - a staple in the quaint town of Great Barrington, in the Berkshires where Emily is from. We promise it is impossible to be disappointed by anything on the menu!
The Cascades
"Hudson's Neighborhood Deli" Sandwiches are our specialty. We use high-quality breads and meats in all our sandwiches and wraps. We also offer a nice selection of fresh salads, delicious New York bagels and Uncle Barry’s Waffles. Local coffee roaster, J.B. Peel, makes The Cascades Blend we serve. We also carry of variety of their whole bean coffees for retail purchase. Our shelves are stocked with gourmet groceries, many produced right here in Columbia County. We have quality beers, including Chatham Ale on tap, and wines that pair well with our daily specials. Join us for breakfast, lunch, or any time in between.
Ferncliff Forest
Ferncliff Forest is a 200-acre old-growth forest preserve of deciduous and hemlock trees located in Rhinebeck with a variety of hiking trails.
Burger Hill
Burger Hill offers stunning views of the Hudson Valley and Catskills and of the surrounding, bucolic farmland, and is especially attractive during the foliage season, as you’ll see from my photos. I understand that it’s a great place for sledding during the winter, and during the spring and summer birdwatchers have plenty of opportunities for their favorite activity. In fact I noticed several nesting boxes built at various places and wondered what species they attract–possibly meadowlarks? Burger Hill has an interesting history. In the early 18th century a man named Burkhardt, a Palatine German who settled in this region, became a tenant farmer of Henry Beekman (maybe you’re familiar with the fine Beekman Arms restaurant in Rhinebeck), who acquired the land in 1679. Ownership eventually passed to the original tenant’s descendants, whose name over the years evolved to Burger. Currently it is managed by the Winnakee Land Trust.