Discover and Explore Columbia County on a Sprinter Van Rental in NYC (Part 2)

FILED UNDER: General Bus Rentals NYC Tips and Tricks

 

 

 

Are you planning a trip to Columbia County but do not know yet exactly where to go? You are lucky because we have been giving you a list of places that you can visit in Columbia via a sprinter van rental in NYC.

 

A sprinter van rental in NYC is the ideal transportation option for small to intimate groups as it can accommodate up to 10 people. If there are that many of you, there is no need to drive separate vehicles and to deal with related inconveniences. You can all have a great time traveling and making memories together in one van!

 

 

Now here are more historical sites and museums you might want to check out:

 

Livingston History Barn

 

The Livingston History Barn at 119 County Route 19, in Livingston (behind Town Hall) is a small museum that houses artifacts from the beginning of the town's settlement. There is also a research room for genealogical work.

 

To know more about this site, call (518) 851-7637 or log on to http://www.livingstontown.com/history.

 

Hudson Athens Lighthouse

 

Located at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, in Ferry St., Hudson, the Hudson Athens Lighthouse is like a tiny gen rising from the Hudson River. You can view the lighthouse from the river or join one of the tours offered every second Saturday from July to October.

 

For tour reservations, call (518) 822-1014. You can also call (518) 828-5294 or visit http://www.hudsonathenslighthouse.org for more information.

 

Vanderpoel House of History

 

House of History, located at Broad St. (Route 9), in Kinderhook Village is an example of architecture from the Federal period. The place holds various exhibits and events all throughout the year.

 

Call (518) 758-9265 or log on to http://www.cchsny.org for more information.

 

Hudson Walking Tour - Portrait of a Fascinating City

 

Join a walking tour of the city of Hudson and learn more about its history, from its founding in 1784, to its cultural diversity to its lively architectural scene.

 

For more information, call MaryAnn Zimmerman of Hudson Valley Journeys at (917) 880-6732 or visit http://www.poshnosh.com.

 

Now here is a list of Columbia wineries, distilleries and brewers in case you would like to go wine or alcohol tasting:

 

Chatham Brewing

 

Chatham Brewing at 30 Main Street in Chatham offers visitors a fine selection of freshly brewed beers. Its top-fermented ales are brewed in the British tradition, with the use of the finest hops and malts. You can visit the brewery and see the process on Saturdays. Call (518) 697-0202 or visit http://www.chathambrewing.com.

 

Hillrock Estate Distillery

 

Hillrock Estate Distillery is one of the world's few “field-to-glass” whiskey producers and the first in the U.S. to floor malt and hand-make whiskey on site from estate-grown grain. The estate features a Georgian house overlooking the Distillery and 100 acres of farmland growing heirloom varieties of rye and barley. This distillery, located at 408 Pooles Hill Road, in Ancram, is open for exclusive tours on weekends. To reserve or schedule a tour, call (518) 329-1023 or visit http://www.hillrockdistillery.com.

 

Harvest Spirits

 

This is the first New York distillery to offer tastings as well as retail sale directly out of the distillery. Harvest Spirits is a micro distillery that has been converted from a cold storage room at Golden Harvest Farms. It makes vodka from apples that are grown on-site and brandy from pear.

 

Visit Harvest Spirits at 3074 US Route 9, in Valatie. Call (518) 253-5917 to set an appointment and log on to http://www.harvestspirits.com for more information.

 

Hudson-Chatham Winery

 

The Hudson-Chatham Winery is the first winery in Columbia County. It has a picturesque tasting room where you can also sample a variety of cheeses and other locally produced gourmet products.

 

The Hudson-Chatham Winery is on 1900 Route 66, in Ghent. Call (518) 392-9463 or visit http://www.hudson-chathamwinery.com for more information.

 

Tousey Winery

 

Tousey Winery on 1774 Rt 9, in Germantown, has a panoramic view, overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill mountains. It has 15 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling under production. The vineyard holds private events and tastings.

 

Call (518) 567-5462 or log on to http://www.touseywinery.com to learn more about the winery.

 

Make sure you have a sprinter van rental in NYC to take you to these Columbia County wineries and distilleries.

 

Here a few outdoor destinations should you want to do something more active, sporty and adventurous.

 

Taconic State Park

 

Taconic State Park at Route 344 (off Route 22), in Copake Falls, is a great place to go camping. There are tents, trailers, cabins and cottages available. You can also go swimming or fishing. The park also has an extensive trail system where you can go biking, hiking or nature walking. During the winter, you can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobile riding.

 

Call (518) 329-3993 for inquiries.

 

Great Freedom Adventures

 

Great Freedom Adventures offers exceptional bike tours through the Hudson Valley National Heritage Area. You can bike along quiet country roads and visit vineyards and go wine tasting. You can also tour historic sites and pre-eminent mansions or go try out the gourmet dishes at restaurants.

 

Check out http://www.greatfreedomadventures.com/new-york-bike-tours.html for more information.

 

Float on Air Balloon Company, Inc.

 

Wanna go on a romantic hot air balloon ride? It will surely be an unforgettable and special experience! Contact Float on Air Balloon Company through http://www.floatonair.com or (845) 553-0630 if you want to book a flight. You will truly enjoy a splendid 360-degree panoramic view of Columbia County! An exclusive hot air balloon ride is pricey, but it is just perfect for engagements, weddings, and anniversaries.

 

Make sure to book a sprinter van rental in NYC for all your transportation needs during your trip to Columbia County.

 

A sprinter van rental in NYC can accommodate up to 10 people, so it is just the perfect transportation option for small and intimate groups. A sprinter van will surely make driving around Columbia County easy, convenient, and comfortable.

Borden's Pond Conservation Area

 

Borden's Pond Conservation Area at 1628 Route 203, in Chatham, is a 62-acre property with 1.6 miles worth of trails. The area consists of a diverse wildlife. There are forests, wetlands, and steep ridges.

 

High Falls Conservation Area

 

High Falls Conservation Area is located at 540 Roxbury Road, in Philmont/Claverack. You will see a magnificent 150 feet high waterfall in this 47-acre property, with 2 miles of trails, a deciduous forest, and access to Agawamuck creek. There are picnic benches available.

 

Greenport Conservation Area

 

Greenport Conservation Area at 319 Joslen Boulevard gives you an excellent view of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountain. This 625-acre property has upland meadows, an estuarine wetland, deciduous forests, 5 miles of trail, a gazebo, benches, and a picnic shelter.

 

Harrier Hill Park

 

Harrier Hill Park on Rod and Gun Road, in Stockport offers you beautiful views and areas ideal for bird watching and nature study. This park is a 6-acre property surrounded by DEC Land. There is a pavilion and a 2-mile Stockport-Greenport Trail that travels through 325 acres of protected land. This is owned by Scenic Hudson and is managed by the Columbia Land Conservancy

 

Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area

 

Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area on 653 Route 3, in Ancram is a 114-acre property with 1.5 miles of trails, 2 trails which distinct terrain and ecology, meadows, woodlands, wetlands, and a perennial stream.

 

For inquiries regarding these conservation areas, call the Columbia Land Conservancy at (518) 392-5252 or visit its Web site at http://www.clctrust.org/.

 

Make sure to book a sprinter van rental in NYC as soon as you have finalized your itinerary. It will make driving around Columbia County easy, convenient, comfortable, and even luxurious.

 

Columbia has lots of historical sites, cultural centers, tourist attractions, landmarks, nature spots and outdoor venues that you can visit with friends or with family. A sprinter van rental in NYC can accommodate up to 10 people and it would make it easy and convenient for your group to check out as many destinations as you can.

 

Aside from all the places worth going to, there are also plenty of festivals in Columbia. Find out what festivals coincide with your trip:

 

Arts WalkPerform Columbia

 

The Arts WalkPerform Columbia showcases the work of the county's visual artists. This festival attracts over 6000 visitors every year to see more than a hundred art exhibits and demonstrations. There are also concerts, dance performances, lectures, poetry readings, and related happenings throughout Columbia County.

 

Call Columbia County Council on the Arts at (518) 671-6213 or visit its Web site at http://www.artscolumbia.org/ for more information.

 

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival

 

The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is a three-day community event of folk arts at the foot of the Berkshires Dodds Farm, on 44 County Route 7D, in Hillsdale.

 

Call (866) 325-2744 or log on to http://www.falconridgefolk.com for more details regarding this event.

 

Hawthorne Valley Fall Festival

 

Catch the Hawthorne Valley Fall Festival and spend a day on the farm, going on hay rides, pressing cider, seeing the cow parade, and many more. This takes place at the Hawthorne Valley on 327 Route 21C, in Ghent (Harlemville). Call (518) 672-4465 or log on to http://www.hawthornevalleyassociation.org to know more about this festival.

 

FilmColumbia Film Festival

 

The FilmColumbia Film Festival is an exciting weekend of film screenings. There will also be events where the audience get the chance to meet the filmmaker. This festival takes place at the Crandell Theater at Main Street, in Chatham. For more information, contact (518) 392-3459 or visit http://www.filmcolumbia.com.

 

Hudson Music Fest

 

The Hudson Music Fest is four days of music all over Hudson. Log on to http://www.hudsonmusicfest.com to know what else is in store for you.

 

Hudson Children's Book Festival

 

This festival honors authors and illustrators of children's and young adult's books. There will be plenty of books to browse, arts and crafts workshops, and author and illustrator presentations. Check out http://www.hudsonchildrensbookfestival.com for more information.

 

Open Studio Tour at Art Omi International Artist Residency

 

Take a look at the works of the 30 or so artists-in-residence at 1405 County Route 22, in Ghent. For more information, call (518) 392-4747 or log on to http://www.artomi.org.

 

Path through History Weekends

 

Path through History promotes New York's unique history through heritage and cultural celebrations. Check out http://www.paththroughhistory.ny.gov for details.

 

Ramp Festival

 

Chefs from the Hudson Valley and from NYC come together to offer original dishes that feature Ramps, which is a forgeable, spring delicacy that is abundant in the Hudson Valley. Here will be tons of music, food and drink. This event takes place at Basilica Hudson, on Front St., in Hudson. Visit http://www.rampfesthudson.com to find out more about Ramp Festival.

 

Winter Walk on Warren Street

 

This event gives you a lovely Holiday spectacle. You can experience riding in carriages drawn by horses up and down Warren Street, see carolers dressed in Victorian costumes as they sing Christmas songs, catch musical ensembles and dancers perform in shops along the street, and even smell the aroma of chestnuts roasting in the fire. These are nostalgic scenes that truly remind us of days gone by. This event is a holiday tradition for locals. There are entertainment and activities for people from all ages. Call (518) 822-1438 or check out http://www.hudsonoperahouse.org for more information.

 

Make sure to book a sprinter van rental in NYC ahead of time.

 

For most people, any trip won't be complete without bringing home souvenirs and other stuff to remind them of their vacation. You will also need to shop a few provisions for your stay.

 

So here are a few suggestions:

 

Great Finds at the Millhouse

 

This place is where you can find a changing mix of practical yet attractive home goods and niceties. This two-floor shop is in a restored 1800s Millhouse in Valatie that also offers a lovely view of the Beaver Cotton Mill Falls just across the street. Check out http://www.greatfindsforhome.com/index.html or call (518) 758-8999 for more information.

 

Chatham Kids

 

Every child is a star here at Chatham Kids on 34 Main Street, in Chatham, NY. This children's boutique is filled with USA-made organic goodies, like clothing, socks, accessories, quilts, sheets, and toiletries. Call (518) 392-5848 for more information.

 

Clocktower Toys and Gifts

 

Head over to 1 Main Street, in Chatham, NY if you are looking for quality toys for the kids. This store is located in the Historic Clocktower. Call (518) 392-5588 for inquiries.

 

Chatham Business Alliance

 

The village of Chatham is Northern Columbia County's retail center, which is popular with local residents, day-trippers and second-home owners for its diversity of stores, galleries and restaurants. Log on to http://www.chathambusinessalliance.org.

 

Canaan General Store

 

If you need provisions during your stay in Columbia County or if you need some produce to take back home, then head over to this general store on 13361 Route 22, in Canaan, NY. They have PA Dutch line of deli meats, cheeses, eggs, milk, yoghurt, and even freshly baked breads, cookies, pies, and muffins. Call (518) 781-7900.

 

Berkshire Pottery

 

Berkshire Pottery on 2891 Route 23, in Hillsdale, NY, is where you can get old-world crafts that are hand thrown and painted with lead free glaze. Check out http://www.berkshirepottery.com or call (518) 325-4567 to know more about it.

 

Passiflora

 

Passiflora at Village Square Plaza, on 2638 Route 23, in Hillsdale, NY, is a treasure trove of lovely pieces that are an eclectic mix of contemporary, chic, and quirky items. The shop carries a variety of stuff, from soaps, to candles, to jewelry, to accessories, to candies, to artwork, and to handmade souvenirs! Visit http://www.passiflorahome.com or call (518) 325-6559 for more information.

 

Shopping is sweeter if you have a sprinter van rental in NYC waiting for you and all your purchases.

 

A sprinter van rental in NYC can accommodate up to 10 people and still have plenty of room for all your shopping bags!