Red Hook

Understand

This is a very pretty area of the Hudson Valley, characterized by countryside and small towns. Stores commonly close early, and in places like the tiny village of Tivoli, most stores and restaurants never open at all on Tuesdays.

The Village of Red Hook, though small, is the largest population center in the Township of Red Hook, and has a center that's more than the single (albeit nice) street and crossroads of Tivoli. Annandale-on-Hudson, on the other hand, has no center other than perhaps Bard Central Campus, which doesn't really function as a downtown, as the land is privately owned and it lacks the shops and restaurants of a typical downtown.

The Red Hook Area Chamber of Commerce provides tourist information.

Get in

By car

Car is your best bet. The main north/south road in the area is Route 9, which bisects the village of Red Hook and connects it with Rhinebeck, to its immediate south. Its local offshoot is Route 9G, which is one lane each way, and enables you to get to Bard College and Tivoli.

By train

You can take Amtrak to Rhinecliff and then take a taxi. Taxis are expensive, however, so get a ride from someone if you can. You might get somewhat better prices by using Uber, but Lyft will likely cost more.

Get around

By car

To get around this area, for the most part, you will need a car. Cycling and hiking are possible in decent weather.

By bus

Dutchess County does have a bus service , but it runs infrequently and its schedule is not regularly updated either in print or on their website. So you may find that you are waiting in a place no longer designated as a bus stop, and watch the last bus of the night whiz by you. If you choose to use the Dutchess County Loop Bus, consider calling their phone number, +1 845-473-8424, to double check on current times and bus stops.

Stay safe

If you are driving, watch out for deer on the road and cyclists or pedestrians on the side of the road. Deer cross very often, sometimes darting headlong into traffic without warning, and you really don't want one to go through your windshield if you can avoid it.

If you are cycling or walking on the side of 9G, be very mindful of motor vehicle traffic. This narrow road is a major thoroughfare in the area, it lacks any sidewalk, and many motorists speed. There have been some fatal accidents involving pedestrians.

If you are hiking, watch out for deer ticks that can spread lyme disease, as they are prevalent in the area. Poison ivy is also present in wild country like Tivoli Bays. And mosquitoes, though usually not spreading disease in the area, are a pain, as are chiggers, which can bite your feet without you even noticing them until the next day. Consider using an insect repellent.

Go next

To the south, Rhinebeck is a small town, but much bigger than Red Hook, full of lovely houses, and a good place for a stroll in good weather.

To the north, Hudson has a long strip of great buildings on Warren St.

To the west, across the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, are the city of Kingston, the first capital of New York and largest city in the area, with sizeable historic zones, and the Catskill Mountains, with great hiking.

To the east are the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts.