A Culinary Pleasure

America As You Like It • 19 January 2024

Within a two-hour drive from New York, you will find the amazing Dutchess County. It is a perfect stop on a fly-drive, offering expansive skies within a city-driving region. If you are staying in New York for a few days, explore the nearby national parks and wildlife or indulge in a delightful meal in the county that hosts the Culinary Institute of America. Dutchess County has it all – from farmers' markets to distilleries. It is the perfect addition to your fly-drive itinerary, allowing you to savour a taste of quintessential America See Here.

Farm Fresh Dining

During summer and fall, you can cherish memories of picking seasonal harvest, being charmed by furry farm friends, or cooking meals with local items. You can easily find these at local a farmers’ market or road-side stand. Agriculture is a driving force in the Hudson Valley, constituting a way of life for many family-owned farms. These farms are renowned for producing the finest fruits, vegetables, meats, and other products. Why not enhance your experience by taking a tour of the farms with the Dutchess Tourism Farm Finder. See with your own eyes how everything is made and planted, and then enjoy a meal at any of a multitude of restaurants that feature local ingredients. Plan your visit to one of Dutchess County's farms and drop by a Farm Store for a selection of products grown and made in the Hudson Valley. Dutchess County offers farm-to-table eating at its best! See here for more inspiration. This is a perfect way to discover the bounty of Dutchess County.

Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America has been a nurturing ground for some of the world's finest chefs, including celebrity chefs Thomas Keller, Roy Choi, Anne Burrell, Top Chef winner Kelsey Barnard Clark and the late Anthony Bourdain. The institution serves as an inspiration for a wide array of global cuisines, fostering innovative approaches to culinary science and research on the relationship between diverse culinary traditions and the complexity of human populations. Visitors can dine at one of four student-staffed restaurants, including the Apple Pie Bakery, and go behind the scenes for an inside look at the world of food on The CIA Experience. Foodies will find even more to savour with the CIA Chef Finder featuring restaurants throughout Dutchess County with a CIA Chef graduate at the helm.

Restaurants

With the Culinary Institute of America acting as a beacon for food enthusiasts worldwide, Dutchess County stands as a haven for discerning travellers. For a unique experience, visit the 1915 Wine Cellar in Poughkeepsie. This upscale wine bar invites exploration through a myriad of varietals, offering an unparalleled experience to savour your favourite wines or expand your palate with carefully curated menus. If you need a well-earned break after a long drive, consider Alex’s Restaurant in Poughkeepsie. Open since 1911, this century-old establishment is conveniently located downtown. For a journey back in time to the 1950s, check out All Shook Up Café and Juice Bar. This nostalgic spot serves proper American comfort food—ideal for kicking off your journey or making a pit stop. This creates an all-American experience for a first-class fly drive, See here.

Breweries

For craft beer enthusiasts, Dutchess County offers a delightful array of options to enjoy some of the best brews. When you’re at the Culinary, don’t miss a chance to try their beer. In 2015, the CIA partnered with the master brewers at Brooklyn Brewery to create a first class brewery program for their world-class culinary institute. For a more relaxed setting, head to the Black Snake Brewing Company at Old Adriance Farm. Unwind with an IPA or ale, take in the picturesque scenery, and engage in family-friendly activities such as giant jenga or cornhole. Visit the goats or simply relax in the barn while enjoying perfect pub food like handcrafted pretzels, gourmet hot dogs, or BBQ. Another gem is From the Ground Brewery located in the beautiful 100-acre orchard at Migliorelli Farm in northern Dutchess County. Here, you can relax and enjoy three year-round styles of beer, each offering an American twist on Old World styles. These styles are unique to the Hudson River Valley and New York State, utilising barley and hops sourced locally. It is the perfect stop to savour some fantastic brews from the region.

Spirits and wine

Embark on the Dutchess Tourism Taste Finder Craft Beverage Trail, highlighting the finest distilleries, wineries, cideries, breweries, and meaderies in Dutchess County. Each spot delivers its own unique experience and beautiful setting. Discover award-winning wines at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery and Milea Winery, and immerse yourself in the tasting rooms of distilleries, such as Denning's Point Distillery, Shady Knoll Orchards & Distillery, and The Vale Fox Distillery, where you can unlock your palate with sophisticated gins, vodkas, and whiskey. Be sure not to miss a visit to Tenmile Distillery, the newest distillery with a stunning setting and Dassai Blue, a new state-of-the-art saké brewery producing the highest quality sake in the country.

< Older Post

Newer Post >

Mail

The Sounds of Tennessee: Discover the Music That Shaped America

by America As You Like It • 26 October 2026

Imagine stepping into the Memphis recording studio where Elvis Presley first made his mark, discovering the Nashville studio where country music legends recorded their hits, or standing in Bristol, where a series of recordings helped put country music on the map. Across Tennessee, in the southeastern United States, music is woven into the places you visit, from historic recording rooms to lively streets where musicians still play late into the night. For music lovers, a journey through Tennessee offers the chance to get closer to the artists, sounds and stories behind the songs. Nashville, the state capital, reveals the evolution of country music and its connections to other genres, Memphis takes you into the blues, soul and early rock ’n’ roll scenes, while Bristol traces the roots of country music. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into the music that helped shape American culture.

More Than Just Wine: The Ultimate Guide to Grapevine’s Best Festivals & Events

by America As You Like It • 15 October 2026

Discover Grapevine where historic streets, local wine tasting and the unmistakable spirit of the American West come together. Located in Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth , Grapevine offers the perfect base for discovering local culture, enjoying outdoor adventures and exploring the wider region. Wander along Historic Main Street, step into welcoming winery tasting rooms and browse independent boutiques tucked inside characterful historic buildings. Then take your adventure onto Lake Grapevine, where you can paddle along the shoreline, before heading to Fort Worth to watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive and experience Texas’s Western heritage. Plan your holiday around a lively wine festival, a summer day on the water or Grapevine’s spectacular Christmas celebrations. However you choose to explore, you will find plenty of ways to experience the character of this Texan town.

Wild Maine: A Season for Every Adventure.

by America As You Like It • 12 October 2026

Maine is the largest of the New England states, where rugged Atlantic coastline, forest-covered mountains and historic towns create a holiday full of contrasts. Sail past rocky islands, enjoy a lobster roll beside a working harbour and head inland to discover clear lakes and winding country roads. Add maritime traditions, independent galleries and wildlife encounters, and you will find plenty of reasons to explore beyond the coast. Whether you are planning a summer escape by the sea, an autumn road trip or a winter break surrounded by snow-covered scenery, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference.

Jacksonville: The Flip Side of Florida

by America As You Like It • 1 October 2026

Jacksonville offers a different perspective on Florida. While many travellers head south in search of theme parks and packed resorts, Florida's largest city combines 22 miles of Atlantic coastline with historic neighbourhoods, a thriving food scene and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Here, mornings begin with sunrise over the ocean, afternoons are spent exploring rivers, marshes and coastal parks, and evenings revolve around waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and local sporting events.

Where Adventure Meets Sunshine: Exploring Central Florida

by America As You Like It • 10 July 2026

You have heard of Florida, but let us introduce you to Central Florida, where the Real Florida Magic comes to life. Home to seventeen welcoming communities, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, this region offers a wonderful mix of exciting attractions, rich culture and unforgettable adventures, all within easy reach of Orlando. Whether you are looking for family fun, outdoor adventures or a relaxing escape, you can enjoy everything from thrilling airboat rides and world class theme parks to historic attractions, beautiful gardens and peaceful natural surroundings, making Central Florida the perfect destination for your next holiday.

Nevada: From Neon to Nature

by America As You Like It • 11 June 2026

There are some places that surprise you, and Nevada is one of them.

Make it Memorable―Dutchess County

by America As You Like It • 10 June 2026

Located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Dutchess County blends scenic beauty, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. Spanning 800 square miles of rolling countryside and historic landmarks, it invites discovery at every turn—from the riverside charm of Poughkeepsie, known as the Hudson’s Queen City, to its picturesque towns and villages. Home to the Culinary Institute of America and President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, Dutchess County is where heritage, flavour, and landscape come together in unforgettable ways.

Exploring Crystal River, Florida

by America As You Like It • 14 May 2026

Crystal River invites you into a gentler side of Florida, where spring fed waters wind through quiet forests and wildlife drifts just beneath the surface. Days here move at an unhurried pace, shaped by warm Gulf breezes, peaceful lakes, and encounters with nature that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Whether you are gliding across clear water by kayak, cycling beneath towering trees, dining on freshly caught seafood, or wandering through centuries of history, the region offers a sense of calm and connection that stays with you long after you leave.

My Journey through the Pacific Northwest

by America As You Like It • 8 May 2026

Exploring Oregon and Washington State is an opportunity of a lifetime. From the Hoh Rainforest to the newly renovated Seattle waterfront, there are spectacular opportunities to experience these remarkable states across a variety of climates. I was fortunate enough to travel from Portland to Seattle, including stops along the way in Astoria, the Evergreen Coast, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Race to Bourbon City: Discover Louisville

by America As You Like It • 27 March 2026

Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and a destination rich in culture, history, and sporting heritage. Nestled along the Ohio River on the border with Indiana, the city is perhaps best known for hosting the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Explore attractions such as the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and the Muhammad Ali Center, making Louisville an engaging destination for travellers with diverse interests.