The Culinary Institute of America – Hyde Park

Culinary Insitute-11-2013FullSizeRenderFor all of you current and future foodies, The Culinary Institute of America is located on the east bank of the Hudson River in scenic Hyde Park, NY. The campus is 170 acres and conveniently located just an hour and a half from both New York City and Albany.  It is a must see with breathtaking views of the Hudson River.

I would suggest you call in advance to schedule a tour as this is a fully functioning campus. You can enjoy fabulous meals at anyone of their four award winning restaurants located on campus, however, you are required to make an advance reservation at the American Bounty Restaurant, Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici and The Bocuse Restaurant. The Apple Pie Bakery Café is open daily and does not require reservations. It is a nice venue to enjoy a cup of coffee, cappuccino, delicious pastry or a light breakfast prepared and served by the students of the institute. It is a spectacular venue which is enjoyed by students, restaurant patrons, and tourists alike.

As the well known Chef Julia Childs stated, The Culinary Institute of America is the Harvard of cooking schools. So when you are in the New York City area just know that the Institute is straight up the Hudson River and just under a two hour drive from the city.  If you opt to take the Metro-North train from New York City once you arrive in Poughkeepsie you are a five minute taxi drive to the institute.

CIA SignCIO PhotoAs a meeting planner I was anxious to know if the institute had space where you could hold an off-site or special event. Unfortunately space is limited! They can accommodate a small dinner group but most of the facility is used for teaching purposes. I enjoyed looking in on the classes and observing students and instructors alike. Could not help but visualize where these students will be in ten years.

Bon Appetite!

By Rosa L. McArthur, CMP

Walkway over the Hudson

 

Walkway Over the Hudson – Poughkeepsie, NY

Walkway SignWalking over a bridge has a special and unique feeling for me.  Even though I have probably walked over a few small ones in my lifetime, the most significant was the Walkway over the Hudson, connecting the cities of Poughkeepsie and Highland, NY, and the second was the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge connecting Brooklyn with Manhattan.

Both experiences were truly breathtaking. The views from that platform certainly change the entire perspective of what you see. The Hudson River stretches so far and for some reason it made me think of all the historyWalkway-historic making men and women connected to that river and that area of NY. This walkway is enjoyed by the community and visitors alike. As I walked across my eyes feasted on the beautiful fall foliage as I experienced a pleasant workout after my over a mile walk.

 

Walk Over Hudson foliageThe walkway is a part of a restoration project which was completed in October 2009. It is now known as the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. I wondered if this bridge could be used for events and to my delight I was happy to know that it is a major focal point for all kinds of events. From intimate wedding ceremonies to fundraisers involving thousands of people, Walkway Over the Hudson provides a unique venue for celebrations, marches, recreational gatherings, and other high visibility public events.

If your travels take you to Upstate New York, and you find yourself in or near Poughkeepsie make an effort to take the walk.  It is time well spent and you won’t regret it!

Noteworthy facts about the walkway:

 

Crosses: Hudson River

Length: 6,768 Feet (1.28 miles)

Width: 35 Feet

Bridge Construction: 1886-1889

Railroad: 1889-1974

Reopened as walkway: October 3, 2009

By: Rosa L. McArthur