Columbia County Tourism

02/06/2025

Earlier this week, Punxsutawney Phil emerged reluctantly, saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter. Here in Columbia County, we say - bring it on! With so many great winter time activities happening, who needs Spring anyway? 🙋‍♂️😏 Check out all the great events coming up this week and 𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙖 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙮!

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬
Start your weekend at Cooper's Daughter Spirits at Olde York Farm and celebrate National Hot Chocolate Weekend! Enjoy cozy seating in their heated cocktail barn! Event runs Friday through Sunday!

Once you get your chocolate fix, decide if you are in the mood for some comedy or folk music! 𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗼𝗿 is playing at the The Ghent Playhouse at 7:30pm and singer-songwriter 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗿 will be performing at The Park Theater Hudson starting at 8:00pm. Be sure to check both venue's websites for tickets!

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬
Bundle up and head out into Columbia County's winter wonderland starting at Taconic State Park- Copake Falls/Rudd Pond for a 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 with the Park Educator to learn how the indigenous wildlife is handling this year's winter weather!

Be sure to check out the 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 happening in Palentine Park in Germantown! Hosting a party for the BIG GAME? Find meats, prepared foods, and baked goods for serving a crowd! Looking for a special gift for ? Find handmade goods, all natural beauty and body products and MORE!!

After the Farmers Market, be sure to swing by Vosburgh Brewing Company in nearby Elizaville for their 3rd Annual 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 event! Sample their lineup of five barrel-aged stouts along with a robust slider menu to keep your belly full!

If you have any room left, be sure to stop by Union Street Brewing between 2 & 4pm for their 𝗛𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗼𝗳𝗳!

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘
7:30pm - Jazz Night at the Red Dot Restaurant & Bar with Maia Jarrett and Leo Belsky

8:00pm - 7th Annual Pineapple Party Luau at Hudson Brewing Company

8:00pm - The E-Block, a 4-piece R&B band playing at the Park Theater Hudson

Be sure to check out all the upcoming events happening in Columbia County by going to our website:
www.columbiacountytourism.org/events/

02/04/2025

PLAN AHEAD !!!!! Hand-made on site/To Order Chocolate dipped strawberries for your LOVED ones for Valentines Day (or yourself) --- ORDER NOW from Vasilow's Confectionery, Inc.

https://vasilows.com/product/chocolate-dipped-strawberries/

02/04/2025

𝙈𝙞𝙙-𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 𝙐𝙥𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚!

𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝟱:𝟬𝟬 - 𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺: Here's your reminder to attend Roe Jan Brewing's 5th Anniversary party! Be there when they release their gigantic new anniversary beer, GOLIATH barleywine ale! Help them celebrate their milestone while enjoying $5 pints all evening along with a variety of festive food offerings!

𝟳:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺: "Do the Right Thing" by Comfy Cozy Community Cinema at the Park Theater Hudson - Wear your comfy clothes and bring your blankets, beach chair, bean bag, inflatable couch or hammock and your favorite snuggle partner(s) and enjoy the show on the fifteen foot screen and through the famous Park Theater sound system. Do the Right Thing is a 1989 American comedy-dram film produced, written and directed by Spike Lee. This is a FREE community event!

𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬
𝟲:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺: Pop-Up Wine Dinner in collaboration with Haema Hospitality at the tasting room at Neverstill Wines! Tickets:
https://www.haemahospitality.com/haema-store/p/neverstill-wines-popup-dinner

Stay tuned to learn about all the great events coming up this weekend in Columbia County...or you can plan your next adventure now by visiting our events page at:
www.columbiacountytourism.org/events

02/02/2025

It's !

Six more weeks of winter or an early spring?

Credit: Peter Aaron/OTTO

02/01/2025

Check out the upcoming events at Columbia Land Conservancy!

While the land might seem quieter during the winter, February is shaping up to be busy at CLC ❄️😎 From a winter tracking walk to the final Community Conversation of the season, we hope to see you this month on the trails or online!

February 13 | Volunteer Orientation
February 15 | Great Backyard Bird Count
February 18 | Community Conversations: Libraries & Conservation
February 21 | Library Walking Club
February 22 | Wildlife Tracking Walk

Learn more and register for each event here: https://columbialand.org/events/

01/31/2025

𝙁𝙪𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮! - Did you know that the legendary escape artist, Harry Houdini, filmed a scene for his final movie in Valatie? In the silent film, Haldane of the Secret Service, Houdini plays Heath Haldane, the son of a detective slain by a gang of counterfeiters, from whom he seeks vengeance. In one scene, Houdini is tied to a water wheel near Beaver Falls in the Village of Valatie. There is a lot of speculation about this event, but it appears that the water wheel was constructed as a set piece for the film and not actually connected to a mill.



photo credit: wildabouthoudini.com

01/30/2025

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙! Start your weekend 𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 with some local history starting at 5:30pm at the 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆. While you probably know Martin Van Buren as the eighth US president, did you know that he was very nearly the eleventh president as well? Come learn all about Van Buren’s involvement in the 1844 US election from noted history professor Mark Cheathem who serves as project director for “The Papers of Martin Van Buren,” an archive project documenting Van Buren’s writings.

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧
You can be a judge during a special night at 𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗞𝗹𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗺 where you get to weigh in on their new menu options! Sample all of their new menu creations before they're offered to the general public. Share your feedback with fun scorecards - rate your favorites, critique like a pro, and suggest tweaks to the recipes! Space is limited so be sure to reserve your spot!

After your tasting experience, head over to the 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗱𝘀𝗼𝗻 for a performance by BILLYXWILDER. BILLYX is a genre-blurring singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, blending rock, Americana, and R&B into a raw, authentic sound. His music combines heartfelt storytelling with rich, diverse influences. Backed by his Berkshire & Woodstock-based 6-piece band, BILLYX delivers electrifying live performances, marked by tight rhythms, powerful harmonies, and soaring guitar.

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬
Start your weekend with some fun at 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁! Their 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 is a series of free, casual ski and snowboard races held at the best ski resorts throughout the Northeast each winter season. Attendees will enjoy a festival-like atmosphere, featuring fun snowy activities for all ages along with some special giveaways!

Later, warm up your funny bone at the 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 for a workshop that will explore the art of performance, not as a character in a play, but as yourself! You will learn how to make an audience laugh like literally no one else can, and turn mistakes and failure into a celebration of joy. After the workshop, stick around for a family friendly clown show created by instructors Zoe Wohlfeld and Jack Grossman.

If clowning around isn't your thing, head over to 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀, where Betsy Lerner will discuss her new novel, Shred Sisters, along with Alexis Schaitkin, author of Elsewhere.

Even in the middle of winter, there is always plenty to do in Columbia County where we invite you to create your next adventure!

01/30/2025

Last night's sunset just kept getting better and better!
Feeling grateful to live and work in such a beautiful corner of the world! Thanks to Columbia Land Conservancy for the photo!

01/29/2025

Roe Jan Brewing Co. is turning FIVE next week, and they can't wait to start the celebrations with live music this weekend!

CURT BUCHAN eases us into Friday with an evening of soulful country roots and mountain folk music.

Bring your dancing shoes on Saturday, when the BUNKHOUSE BOYS will be heating up the room with real-deal Cajun and Creole music.

Kick back on Sunday with high-spirited hijinks from the ROE JAN BLUEGRASS BAND.

Stop by and raise a glass to 5 years of Roe Jan, and these fine musicians!

Next Wednesday, February 5th, be sure to stop in to help celebrate their 5th Anniversary! They'll be releasing their gigantic new anniversary beer, GOLIATH barleywine ale, and offering $5 PINTS on all beers, all night, along with festive food.

Cheers to Roe Jan Brewing's great big birthday!

01/28/2025

When choosing a place to stay in Columbia County, your options are many and diverse. Charming B&Bs and inns dot the tranquil countryside offering cozy and comfortable respite from busy days.

To be in the heart of the action, try one of the varied options in Hudson, the little city with big city flare. And if you wish to “commune with nature”, area campgrounds and even “glamp” grounds are available.

Our website is your best resource in finding the perfect lodging for your next visit to Columbia County! Explore all your options below:

𝗕𝗲𝗱 & 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 / 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝘀:
tinyurl.com/CC-bnbs-inns
𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴:
tinyurl.com/CC-campgrounds
𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘀 & 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘀:
tinyurl.com/CC-hotels-motels
𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀:
tinyurl.com/CC-retreats
𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆𝘀:
tinyurl.com/CC-vacation-stays

01/24/2025

𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙! Create your next adventure in Columbia County starting TODAY! Escape the cold this weekend and enjoy some wintertime indoor activities that will surely lift your spirits!

𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧!
6:00pm: Warm up at Roe Jan Brewing Co. with hot tunes by Joe Adee including a mix of high-energy blues, Southern rock, R&B and old country

8:00pm: Stand Up Comedy at Return Brewing - This show will feature a novel line-up with acts seen on TV and heard on your favorite podcasts. We could all use a few laughs right now….right ?!?

9:00pm: FIREWATER! - Those infamous devils of debauchery, The No Ring Circus, summon you to Hudson Brewing Company for a night of sin, salvation, filth, and firewater! Founding members Eli Rose and Violenza bring together a cast of legendary sideshow, drag, circus, and burlesque performers for one night only!

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬
10:30 am - 12:00 pm: Pinewood Derby with Safety Sally at the FASNY Museum of Firefighting - Help Safety Sally play her silly safety games and learn important safety tips. Then decorate your own pinewood derby firetruck! Race your fabulous truck down the track to win a medal.

5:00pm: 🍺Pipes & Pints!🍺 Escape the winter chill and enjoy a fun evening at Return Brewing! Warm up with the skirling sounds of a live pipe band. Enjoy traditional tunes, great company, and a cozy atmosphere that will lift your spirits 🍻

7:00pm: Anniversary Party at the Valatie Bar & Grill!! Six years and going strong! Live music by the Hotshot Hillbillies Band with Kevin Holsapple & Richie Hallenbeck.

𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬
4:30pm: Rakish and Nate Sabat in Concert at Mettabee Farm and Arts in Harlemville - Violinist Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn unite to form “Rakish.” The pair gets their namesake from the traditional Irish tune Rakish Paddy, an origin that aptly suits the duo and their shared background in traditional Irish and Scottish music.
..𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞
Wednesday, January 29, 7:00 pm: Feud at Chatham Brewing! - Back by popular demand, The Feud is live game-show style game. Get your “family” together and join the fun!

Thursday, January 30, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Andrew Jordan LIVE at the Klocke Estate - Andrew will be in the bar area playing jazz guitar, bossa nova and instrumental pop. Stave off the cold at the Klock Estate with some live music, fine dining, craft spirits and fireplace vibes.

01/23/2025

It's 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬 𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮! On this day in 1957, the Wham-O toy company rolled out the first batch of their aerodynamic plastic discs, now known to millions of fans all over the world as Frisbees. The story of the Frisbee began with the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Students from nearby universities would throw the empty pie tins to each other, yelling “Frisbie!” as they let go. Coincidentally, today is also !

Fast-forward to today where in Columbia County we have two Disc Golf courses that offer year-round fun: an 18 hole course at Stonykill Disc Golf Course and a 9 hole course at Lake Taghkanic State Park. Get out and enjoy the local scenery as you compete with your friends and let the fun fly!

01/21/2025

Winter charges ahead with several inches of new snow in Columbia County making for beautiful landscapes and fun times on the ice and on the slopes! We just heard that the ice is finally thick enough for fishing on Lake Taghkanic and that their snowmobile trails are now open! Ice Skating is available at Rothermel Park in the Village of Kinderhook!

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆! Check out all the great upcoming events on our website!

https://columbiacountytourism.org/events/

01/16/2025

𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆! Here's your agenda for a whole weekend of wintertime fun in Columbia County:

On Saturday from 1-2pm, experience learning, looking closely, and conversation as a family during this series of special museum gallery tours at Frederic Church's Olana Historic Site. The Olana Partnership educators will lead an exploration of two to three works of art on the second floor galleries through family-friendly dialogue and other hands-on activities. Designed for families with children ages 3 and up. Learn more: https://columbiacountytourism.org/event/a-closer-look-family-tours/

From 2-6pm Saturday, you can catch the James Blonde band at Catamount Mountain Resort. Phil, Steph & Neil comprise the entity that is James Blonde. These multi-talented men have been writing bad jokes and great music together forming the band known as James Blonde. Stop in the lodge between your ski and snowboarding runs and enjoy some quality entertainment!

After a fun day on the slopes, warm up over at Little Apple Cidery Inc. from 6-8pm by waking the tree spirits to ensure a bountiful harvest! Enjoy hearty food, hot wassail punch, and a procession through the orchard with traditional singing. Learn more: https://columbiacountytourism.org/event/wassail-little-apple-cideryl/

To round out your weekend, head to the Spencertown Academy Arts Center for Classical Sunday with pianist Joanne Polk. Her program will include Johann Sebastian Bach, Amy Beach, Cécile Chaminade, Alberto Ginastera, David Shenton, and Cole Porter. Joanne Polk’s Spencertown recital offers a unique opportunity to hear a major artist in an intimate setting. Polk is known for playing with graceful, elegant conviction and brilliant technique and for her award-winning and critically acclaimed recordings of works by women composers. More info and tickets: https://columbiacountytourism.org/event/classical-sunday-w-pianist-joanne-polk/

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆! Discover more upcoming events by visiting www.columbiacountytourism.org/events/

01/13/2025

Winter is a special time in Columbia County with a whole different level of beauty in the surroundings, the vistas and activities. We have a great offering of state parks, nature conservation sites, trails and natural sites for you to enjoy by day...and plenty of warm and cozy places to enjoy world-class dining and craft beverages after the sun goes down!

𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆!
Get started on our website: www.columbiacountytourism.org

01/10/2025

𝙁𝙪𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮!! Did you know that the Hudson Valley is the oldest wine-producing area in the country?? The first vines were planted in the 1670s by French Huguenots who settled in the area. In the 19th century, New York was one of the largest wine producers in the country.

Here in Columbia County, we are blessed to play host to several vineyards including:
Clermont Vineyards & Winery, LLC
Home Range Winery
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Sabba Vineyard
Tousey Winery
Whitecliff Vineyard at North River