Most people visit the Hudson Valley in the summer, when antique shows, county fairs, and equestrian events fill the area with life. But visit Millbrook in the winter, and you see gorgeous winters scapes; fields of snow dotted with red barns and trees filled with icicles glistening in the winter sun. Its a romantic time in the area, and Dutchess County has a so much to do and see during the month of February! If you’re visiting around Valentine’s Day, our area has many renown chocolate shops where you’ll find unique, delicious creations. Why not enjoy some local wine by a roaring fire? The Dutchess Wine Trail is made up of three of our area’s best vineyards and wineries, all of which are a short distance from The Millbrook Inn. Celebrate Presidents’ Day by visiting the FDR Presidential Library, just minutes away in Hyde Park, New York. And if your looking for a great winter activity outdoors, head over to Sandanona Shooting Grounds. Owned and operated by Orvis, it’s a great place to shoot sporting clays. Never tried it? No worries! You can book a private lesson with one of their highly-experienced wingshooting staff. Orvis even offers one-day wingshooting classes right here in Millbrook.
For more information on these, and other things to do, give us a call. We’ll be glad to answer your questions.
Millbrook Winery
- Location: 26 Wing Rd, Millbrook, NY
- Distance from us: 11.6 miles
Millbrook Winery (Millbrook Vineyards & Winery) is considered Hudson Valley’s premier winery and has been voted the Best Winery in the Hudson Valley for 20 years. They produce a variety of wines, including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc. Tastings are offered daily, and guided tours are given on weekends.
Clinton Vineyards
- Location: 450 Schultzville Rd, Clinton Corners, NY
- Distance from us: 14.2 miles
Established in the mid-1970s, Clinton Vineyards specializes in growing the Seyval Blanc grape, a hybrid wine grape used to produce dry white wines. Besides wines made from their grapes, Clinton Vineyards also produces dessert wines made from Hudson Valley fruits. The property has an expertly appointed tasting room where you can enjoy a variety of wines and tour the 100-acre vineyard. Reservations are required for tastings.
Milea Estate Vineyard
- Location: 50 Hollow Rd, Staatsburg, NY
- Distance from us: 17.9 miles
The 98-acre Milea Estate Vineyard is one of the Hudson Valley’s newer vineyards, having been established in 2015. The owners specialize in creating wines from Hudson Valley heritage grape varieties. Besides wines, Milea Estate Vineyard alsos offers several varieties of cider. Tastings are available most days of the week, and you can also enjoy an excellent selection of locally sourced cheeses and snacks.
Krause’s Chocolates of Rhinebeck
- Location: 6423 Montgomery St Suite 9, Rhinebeck, NY
- Distance from us: 28.0 miles
Krause Chocolates has been a family business for over 80 years. Here, you’ll find over fifty varieties of hand-dipped chocolates, as well as homemade fudge and peanut brittle. The Krause’s use a premium milk chocolate based on an original Swiss formula. Their chocolates have no waxes and no oils. Krause Chocolates also offers vegan and kosher candies.
Thorncrest Farm
- Location: 280 Town Hill Rd, Goshen, CT
- Distance from us: 35.6 miles
Thorncrest Farm, located in Goshen, New York, produces some of the best chocolate you’ll find anywhere. The milk for their hand-crafted milk chocolate creations comes from their own cows. The cows are fed natural feeds and are kept in a stress-free environment. Their chocolates are made in small batches and contain no preservatives. Stop by and visit their chocolate shop and tour the farm.
FDR Presidential Library
- Location: 4079 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY
- Distance from us: 21.5 miles
The FDR Presidential Library and Museum is located in Hyde Park, New York. It houses the records and memorabilia of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt. The museum also has a number of exhibits related to Franklin and Eleanor’s lives. The site is worth visiting just to tour the study, where FDR conducted many of his fireside chats. The grounds also has over a thousand acres of scenic gardens and trails, including the Rose Garden, where the graves of Franklin and Eleanor are located.
Sandanona Shooting Grounds
- Location: 3047 Sharon Turnpike, Millbrook, NY
- Distance from us: 9.7 miles
Sandanona Shooting Grounds is an excellent place to try your hand at shooting sporting clays. If you’re already comfortable with the sport, you have the choice of two courses: the Woodland Course, or the Upland Course. In either case, you’ll be accompanied by an experienced trapper who’ll make sure you have a memorable experience. If you prefer, you can book private instruction or small-group instruction with one of Orvis Sandanona’s wingshooting staff. Finally, you have the option of attending an Orvis Wingshooting 1-Day School. You’ll learn the English Churchill method of shotgunning from highly experienced shooting instructors. It’s somewhat expensive, but an intensive course that will definitely make you a better shooter.
