Hudson Valley Spots to Celebrate the Fall Season

The word “pumpkin” is appearing ahead of everything we eat and drink; apple crisp tastes a little sweeter and perhaps cobwebs seem a little less scary. With this shift in attitude, the Hudson River welcomes new colors reflecting off of it for Marist to look upon, and a new style of life presents itself for the Marist population.

With the change in season, new opportunities to wear your fall fits and attend fall-related events are popping up around campus. 

Adams Fairacre Farms

For students unfamiliar with the local businesses, it is easy for the local grocery store, Adams Fairacre Farms, to fly under the radar. 

Located in Poughkeepsie between MacDonnell Heights and Arlington, Adams takes a much different approach to the grocery shopping experience, one that Marist students don’t quite get out of Shoprite, Stop & Shop and Hannaford. 

Adams began as a roadside business in 1932, selling to people passing by on what is now Route 44. Since then, Adams has expanded to having five retail locations throughout the Hudson Valley, becoming a recognizable name in the region. 

What makes Adams particularly exciting in the fall is their seasonal specialty, fresh apple cider donuts. You can witness donuts coming out of the fryer and steaming up your container as they cross the counter into your hands. Coated in cinnamon sugar, the donuts offer a sweet, almost crispy exterior to a lovely soft and cakey interior. This pairs perfectly with their own apple cider, creating a sweet experience that you should try.

Dubois Farm & Tavern

Keeping up with the theme of apples, Dubois Farm & Tavern is only a 15-minute drive off of campus. You can pick your own apples through November, and bake your own pies and apple crisp at home. Dubois also has an on-site tavern that offers delicious pizzas fresh from their wood-fired ovens and unique taps, as well as a cafe and bakery for more sweet treats.

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery

For those over 21, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery also offers a beautiful and extensive vineyard to look over as you sip on your locally fermented bottle of whatever makes you smile. 

This can be paired perfectly with charcuterie offered from the winery or selected from a variety of food trucks parked on the lawn during the weekend. This option, often accompanied by some lovely live music, may be a perfect choice for many students following midterms. 

We hope that this article may have provided some clarity on where and how you should spend your free time this fall. And we encourage those at Marist to enjoy their time outside before truly being shut in from the cold.