ALBANY — The 21st anniversary of the Hudson River Valley Ramble kicks off with a week full of activities and continues throughout September with some 150 exciting outdoor adventures across New York’s Hudson Valley. The Ramble offers visitors and residents of all ages an opportunity to experience the distinct cultural heritage and landscape of the region by hiking a trail, visiting an historic site, or paddling on the river during the Northeast’s most beautiful time of the year. For a complete listing of events, visit www.hudsonrivervalleyramble.com.
Ramble events are led by naturalists, ecologists, historians, geologists, and trained volunteers from nearly 100 organizations. Events include hikes, walking tours, paddling excursions, festivals, historic site tours, and other family friendly activities.
Sampling of Hudson River Valley Ramble events happening this weekend:
Lower Hudson River Valley:
Sept. 3, Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 (Various Times). Visit The Armour-Stiner Octagon House, 45 West Clinton Ave., Irvington, the only known residence built in the form of a domed, ancient classical temple.
Created as a whimsical summer retreat in 1872 by tea-importer Joseph Stiner, this National Historic Landmark’s shape was based on the theories of Orson Squire Fowler, a phrenologist, who believed octagonal houses enclosed more space, allowed the sun in at all times, and permitted more views into the landscape.
Sept. 4, 11 a.m. Visit the grounds of John Jay Homestead State Historic Site for a 20-minute outdoor program focused on John Jay’s Bedford House.
Please note that this event takes place solely outside.
Sept. 4, 8:30 a.m. Local farms and food makers gather in the heart of Ossining Village on Saturdays for the Ossining Farmers Market. Stop by for lunch or a snack while you browse the village, on your way to the Hudson River waterfront, or before you hit the Croton Aqueduct trail.
Mid-Hudson River Valley:
Sept. 4, 9:30 a.m. Paddle the Hudson River with Kingston Parks & Recreation for their Fall Foliage Paddle. This paddle launches from Kingston Point Beach and includes instruction, equipment, and a guide.
Sept. 4, 4 p.m. What better way to show appreciation for farmland other than to photograph it? Join photographer Jane Haslam for this photography experience at McEnroe Organic Farm.
Sept. 4 and Sept. 5, noon. Explore local history on this self-guided History Crawl exploring Cold Spring’s nationally recognized Historic District.
Upper Hudson River Valley:
Sept. 3, 12:30 p.m. Taste Albany’s rapidly evolving culinary scene by exploring the food print of this historic city on the west bank of the Hudson River! Put on your walking shoes for the Historic Downtown Albany Food Tour.
Sept. 3, Sept. 4 and Sept. 5 10 a.m. Explore the restored historic interiors of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site to learn about the artist and environmentalist Thomas Cole (1801-1848) and see the exhibition “Cross Pollination: Heade, Cole, Church & Our Contemporary Moment.”
Sept. 4, 8 a.m. Get your binoculars ready for this Labor Day Weekend Bird Walk!
Join the Alan Devoe Bird Club on an exploration through Olana’s artist-designed landscape while keeping eyes and ears open for local birds.
The Hudson River Valley Ramble celebrates the history, culture, and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, as well as the amazing landscapes, communities, and trails throughout the region.
A 2012 study found that the Ramble provides an annual boost to the economy of the Hudson Valley of $21 million.
The Ramble is presented by the Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and is sponsored by The New York State Division of Tourism “I Love NY”; The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program; The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; and The National Park Service.
The Ramble is made possible by nearly 50 partner organizations.
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area program was established by Congress in 1996 and is funded, in part, through the National Park Service, Department of Interior. The National Heritage Area expands on traditional approaches to resource stewardship by building public and private partnerships that help celebrate, preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally significant resources for the Hudson River Valley for the benefit of the nation.
The activities of the HRVNHA and its partners contribute $975 Million in annual economic benefit, supporting 9,888 jobs in the Hudson Valley and $112 million in local and state tax revenue.
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is managed by the Hudson River Valley Greenway.
