Let’s face it: Being an adult can sometimes be a real drag. What happened to the carefree, adventurous kids we used to be? We played in the dirt, drank from the hose and came home for supper when the streetlights came on. It was the best.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could put the daily grownup grind on hold and let your inner child run things for a little while? Oh, what fun you could have!
Here in Dutchess County, we have some wonderful places where you can take a break from “adulting” and enjoy some of the simple pleasures of childhood once more. Here is a list of attractions and experiences right here in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley which can help you recapture your youthful vigor.
You’ve been working hard, and it’s time for a break.
You want this. You need this. You deserve this!
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Before online, play-anywhere video games took over, video arcades full of flashing, beeping game consoles were all the rage. Take a step back in time at Happy Valley, which features more than two dozen fully functioning vintage arcade game consoles and several pinball tables. Test your skills in Pac-Man, Frogger, Centipede or Asteroids while you sip a craft brew or a signature cocktail. They also host regularly scheduled events, including video game tournaments, karaoke, queer speed-dating, and their Crappy Craft Club, which combines simple art projects with adult beverages and good company for a night of fun and laughs.
Ok, quick show of hands: Who among us used to jump on their beds when they were kids? Pretty much everyone, right? Well, you can jump all you want on the trampolines at Bounce, and Mom isn’t even going to yell at you to stop! Located inside the Poughkeepsie Galleria, Bounce also offers golf simulators, pickle ball, Laser Tag, cornhole and ping pong.
To go to a Major League Baseball game these days, you could spend the equivalent of a mortgage payment on tickets, transportation, concessions and souvenirs. The beauty of minor league baseball, however, is that you can see tomorrow’s MLB stars today, and at a fraction of the cost. The Renegades are the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees in the South Atlantic League. Current Yankees Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells are among the players who sharpened their skills at Heritage Financial Park (formerly Dutchess Stadium) during their ascent to the big leagues. Bring your baseball glove, as you’ll have a decent chance of catching a foul ball. And bring a pen in case any autograph opportunities arise, as you’ll be up close to the action.
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Treat yourself to a slice of vintage Americana at Four Brothers Drive-In, which shows double features every night during the warmer months and occasionally hosts one-off events, like the special appearance by actor Liam Neeson for the premiere of “The Naked Gun” reboot on Aug. 2. Play a round of mini golf or get cozy by the fire pit. Order tasty treats from the Grand Shack and a carhop will bring them right to your car. Plus, you can spend the night at the one-of-a-kind Hotel Caravana in a delightfully vintage and completely refurbished Airstream camper located on site.
Climb aboard the Clearwater, “America’s Environmental Flagship,” for a scenic and educational adventure that will satisfy your childlike desire to explore. With a little elbow grease, you’ll help the crew raise the mainsail as you embark on your Hudson River voyage. Keep that camera handy, as the views of the river and surrounding highlands are quite stunning. Visit the crew at the fish tank to see some Hudson River critters and meet the captain at the helm to take a turn on the tiller. The Clearwater was the brainchild of folk singer, environmental activist and Hudson Valley resident Pete Seeger, who announced in 1966 that he would “build a boat to save the river” along with his wife, Toshi, and a dedicated group of fellow musicians and activists. At the time, the Hudson was being choked by decades' worth of industrial dumping. The Clearwater, which is a replica of the Dutch cargo vessels that sailed up and down the Hudson River in the 18th and 19th centuries, was launched in 1969 and has been instrumental in advocating for environmental reforms that have brought the Hudson back to life. Reserve tickets for one of the Clearwater’s public sails launching from different locations on the Hudson River; it’s also available for charter outings.
Did you like climbing trees as a kid? If so, then The Gravity Vault indoor climbing facility is perfect for you! With more than 13,000 square feet of walls up to 40 feet high, you’ll have fun, get some exercise, and challenge yourself to reach new heights! Whether you’re an experienced climber or new to the sport, The Gravity Vault offers programs that will meet your needs. Plus, they offer buy-one-get-one-free adult passes every Monday!
Looking for a cool place to spend a hot day? Head to SplashDown Beach, America's Biggest Little Water Park! With water slides of all shapes and sizes, it’s perfect for the kids — and the kids at heart! Get your pulse racing on The Megalodon raft ride or the Humunga Half-Pipe (New York’s only zero-gravity half-pipe). At nearly six stories tall and 600 feet long, the Arctic Mammoth is one of the biggest raft rides in the Northeast. Or, cool off and relax as you float down the Croc Creek Wavy Lazy River in your own tube. There are several food options inside SplashDown Beach, including burgers, pizza and soft-serve ice cream.
