Dutchess County Fall Foliage Photos

Top 10 Dutchess County Fall Foliage Photos Spots

DeLaVergne Hill, Route 44 East, in Amenia, a mile-long "S" curve on a descending road, features magnificent views of the Silo Ridge Golf Course and three states.

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Route 9, in Hyde Park set high above the Hudson River, with a spectacular view of the Catskill Mountains. www.nps.gov/vama

Staatsburgh State Historic Site off Route 9 in Staatsburg offers magnificent views across the rolling estate lawn, down to the Hudson, and across to the Catskills beyond. It's the only estate west of the railroad tracks, with uninterrupted access to the river. www.staatsburgh.org

The Taconic State Parkway, in southern Dutchess near the I-84 interchange, and north of the Route 55 interchange. Opened in 1931 for "Sunday drivers" to enjoy the scenery! www.nysdot.gov/travel

Route 9D between Hughsonville and Putnam County runs right along the Hudson River, through Beacon, Breakneck Mountain and past Pollepel Island, the site of the romantic ruins of Bannerman's Castle. They give hard hat tours on weekends. www.bannermancastle.org

River Road from Rhinebeck north to Red Hook. Drive along the miles of field-stone walls that marked the estates of the Astors and other wealthy Gilded Age families. Here, Astor Courts was the scene of Chelsea Clinton's July 2010 wedding.

Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, housed in a converted dairy barn, is high up on a knoll, with views across the Hudson of New Paltz on a clear day!  They host wine seminars, a harvest party, Art in the Loft exhibits by area artists, and Yoga in the Vineyard! www.millbrookwine.com 

DEC Hudson River Research Reserve in Tivoli is a 1,700 acre reserve, wildlife management area and field laboratory for research and education about the Hudson River Estuary. Canoe Tivoli Bays marsh, bicycle, observe wildlife or hike on six trails. Catch a free Tivoli Bays talk every first Thursday monthly www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4915.html

Ferncliff Forest's 79-foot fire tower, replaced in 2007, stands in the middle of this unspoiled 200-acre preserve! View the stunning scenery and appreciate the land's history,  from Native Americans to the Astors. Located just off of Route 9 on River Road in Rhinebeck. www.staleyrealestate.com

In the northeast hamlet of Smithfield, go up Silver Mountain Road, and up Rte. 5, off Rte. 22. Franklin D. Roosevelt used to go to this spot to sketch. Legend has it that this is where he proposed to Eleanor! Their lifelong home in Hyde Park, Springwood, has pretty good Hudson River views, too! www.nps.gov/hofr

Photos from Northwestern Connecticut and Dutchess County ,NY. by Katherine Griswold.. KatherineGrisWoldPhotography.com

Dutchess County Top 10 Fall Foliage Photos by Dutchess County Tourism