NEWSLETTER
Rhinebeck is a Hudson Valley village that shines throughout the year, but especially from spring through fall. Its small, scenic parks and gardens make it a perfect setting for a relaxing family weekend in warmer months. By late September, the quaint town’s hotels and inns fill with leaf peepers looking to find the perfect perch to take in the foliage. With tasty farm-to-table restaurants, significant historical sites, and family-friendly hikes, Rhinebeck is an amazing place for a quick weekend getaway! Read on for your guide to spending 48 hours in this Hudson Valley village. Photo credit: @rickiraven on Instagram
Updated 03/03/2026 | Originally published 02/08/2020
FRIDAY
5 pm: Settle in
Rhinebeck is as much a wellness destination as it is a historic setting. The Mirbeau Inn & Spa (pictured) is the perfect place to unwind, with its opulent 49-room Parisian-style boutique hotel, luxury spa, and renowned on-site restaurant. Meanwhile, the Omega Institute is a world-class institution known for weekend yoga, wellness retreats, and all-inclusive stays. Check in at one of these relaxation-focused venues, or opt for a more classic hotel experience at The Beekman Arms, said to be America’s oldest continually operating hotel, originally opened as a tavern in the 1700s.
7 pm: Dine at Cinnamon
Get a taste of the flavors of India in the heart of the village at Cinnamon. A Rhinebeck staple since 2011, Cinnamon showcases traditional dishes representing India’s many regions, using a combination of the authentic aromas and spices with contemporary American ingredients. Have a seat in the comfortable dining room with a large communal table and enjoy dishes like Rajasthan Murghi (boneless chicken in tomato, ginger, garlic, and garam masala sauce), Malai Kofta (handmade dumplings of paneer with ground vegetables in a cashew and almond sauce), or lamb Ulatiyathu (cubed lamb with a thick sauce of coconut, curry leaves, onion, and other spices).
9 pm: Cap Off the Night with Craft Brews and Cocktails
Up for a nightcap? The Kroeg means pub or gathering place in Dutch, and in Rhinebeck, The Kroeg is the best place for craft beers. There are eight rotating taps often featuring noteworthy brewed-in-New York beers, as well as local wines. Seeking out a speakeasy? Look no further than RhineCellar, a secluded cocktail lounge hidden in the basement of the historic Rhinebeck Hardware Company building.
SATURDAY
8 am: Coffee and Breakfast
Credit: @breadalonebakery on Instagram
If you can’t start your day without coffee, stop by All That Java for delicious craft coffee and pastries before making your way to the Rhinebeck location of the popular New York mini-chain Bread Alone. Break bread with a spicy green egg sandwich, avocado toast, salmon bagel works, or sweet and savory selections of croissants, muffins, scones, and danish.
9 am: Take a Nature Walk
10 minutes away in Red Hook you’ll find a 120-acre designed landscape connecting nature and poetry. Poet’s Walk Park inspires visitors with its classic wooden vistas, rustic pavilions, sunlit fields, and thick forests– all overlooking majestic mountain vistas. Landscape architect Hans Jacob Ehlers created this park in honor of Washington Irving and other literary figures who reputedly strolled here.
Credit: @amanda_whyte_ on Instagram
Another nearby all-season oasis is Ferncliff Forest, a beautiful 200-acre preserve with well-maintained trails and an easy, family-friendly .7-mile hike to a fire tower; climb up for incredible views of the Hudson Valley landscape and the Hudson River. The park allows dogs (on-leash) as well.
11 am: Soar Through the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum
It's a quick 10-minute drive to one of New York State's premier family-friendly attractions, the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Museum in Red Hook. Here, you can see vintage aircraft including World War 1 airplanes, as well as antique cars (open May 1 through October 31, from 10 am-5 pm). From mid-June through mid-October, the Aerodrome thrills audiences young and old with its 2 pm air shows on weekends. Want to see the Hudson Valley from the cockpit of a vintage plane? You'll strap on a helmet and goggles as you fly up into the sky in a 1929 biplane ($150 per person, up to four passengers per flight) for a 15-minute tour.
1 pm: Grab Grub at Gigi Hudson Valley
Long before the farm-to-table movement took off nationally, Gigi Hudson Valley served “Hudson Valley Mediterranean,” with inventive Italian cuisine made with ingredients from local farms. The signature “Skizza” is a flatbread pie topped with a variety of cheeses and sauces, as well as locally sourced meats and whatever vegetables happen to be in season. The Skizzas are available with gluten-free crust and vegan cheese, for a small additional fee. The trattoria is bright and airy at lunch, or ideal for a romantic dinner in the evenings.
3 pm: Tour the Wilderstein Mansion
Credit: @amanda_tiberio on Instagram
From the village, it’s a lovely 20-minute (or less) drive to the Wilderstein Historic Site, an 1888 mansion with 40 acres of manicured grounds, originally designed by Calvert Vaux, longtime collaborator of Frederick Law Olmsted. The mansion was once home to Margaret Suckley, a cousin and confidante to Franklin D. Roosevelt. The site also offers themed tours, workshops, and other events throughout the year including a Spring Tea, Great Estates Garden & Landscape Walk, and more.
5 pm: Dive Into Downtown Delights
Rhinebeck Village Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places as of 1979 for its collection of preserved buildings and architectural gems. There are many shops to browse, and coffee shops and eateries for a quick break. Take a look inside Paper Trail for stylish souvenirs, artisan goods, clothing, stationary, and more. Venture into Oblong Books for a carefully curated selection of books, music, and gifts. Check out Land of Oz for unique toys, games, puzzles, arts & crafts, and novelties.
6 pm: Dine at Terrapin
This upscale yet laid-back restaurant is a gem in Rhinebeck’s dining scene. Terrapin resides in a historic, renovated church building and is a popular spot for dinner and drinks.You'll find tantalizing starters and salads with locally sourced ingredients, delicious soups, and entrees that make it tough to choose, including Horseradish Crusted Sushi-Grade Ahi Tuna, pumpkin ravioli, and Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib Gratinée.
7:30 pm: Catch a Show at The Center for Performing Arts
Credit: @rbkcenter on Instagram
Crafted to resemble a rustic red barn to blend into the natural landscape of the region, the Center features an array of musicals, theatrical shows, and dance performances. This season’s highlights include The Wedding Singer (March 6-22), Weekend of Wonders (March 28-29), and Othello (April 10-19). Explore the full performance schedule for additional information.
SUNDAY
9 am: Have Breakfast at the Golden Russet Cafe
Credit: @goldenrussetcafe on Instagram
Start your day at the Golden Russet Cafe & Grocery, a combination cafe and grocery located in a former general store. A Brooklyn couple decamped to the area and lovingly made over the building, then assembled a menu with tantalizing dishes made from ingredients from local farms. At breakfast, try a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, or the griddled banana bread for those with a sweet tooth.
11 am: Stroll Along Staatsburgh State Historic Site
Credit: @bryanislost on Instagram
A pleasant 20-minute drive gets you to one of the region’s most stunning historical sites. Staatsburgh State Historic Site is a Gilded Age mansion built in the late 19th century for capitalist Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth Livingston Mills. The 65-room Beaux Arts masterpiece is furnished in the opulent style of the era, and you can experience it with a tour, or take a stroll on the grounds, which overlook the Hudson River. Admission is $10 adults, $8 students/seniors, free for children 12 and under.
1 pm: Lounge and Lunch at Willow
Head back to the village for lunch. Willow, the restaurant at the Mirbeau Inn & Spa, comes from a man who is considered one of America’s foremost fine dining chefs, Charlie Palmer. At his restaurant, you’ll find expertly prepared French-inspired dishes such as onion soup gratinee, mushroom rillettes, tuna and beetroot tartare, as well as an array of salads, burgers, and toasted sandwiches. The restaurant is also open for breakfast and dinner.
3 pm: Go Antique Shopping
It wouldn’t be a trip to the Hudson Valley without a little antique shopping. Stop in at the Beekman Arms Antique Market, set in a historic two-story barn, and pick up a unique souvenir to remember your trip to this memorable village.
GETTING THERE
By plane:
- Stewart International Airport (SWF) Newburgh, NY: 53 minutes
- Westchester County Airport (HPN) White Plains, NY: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Queens, NY: 2 hours, 5 minutes
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Queens, NY: 1 hour, 52 minutes
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, NJ: 1 hour, 55 minutes
By train:
- Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal in New York City to Poughkeepsie
- Amtrak train from Penn Station in New York City to Rhinecliff station.
By car:
- From New York City: 2 hours
- From Albany: 1 hour
- From Boston: 3 hours
- From Philadelphia: 3 hours
- From Montreal: 4.5 hours