right in Poughkeepsie—is one of many off-campus attractions ready for the intrepid student’s retreat. Photo By: Madeline Zappala
While exceptions are made for trips to Bacio and Babycakes, the average Vassar student spends way more time within the bubble than outside of it.
For students with cars it is easier to burst the bubble; however, sometimes even those with the means to experience life outside of Arlington are at a loss for what to do. Below are a few suggestions for off-campus adventures you might not have considered:
Apple Pie Bakery Café
(Or any other Culinary Institute of America (CIA) restaurant.) The Apple Pie Bakery boasts the best dessert and snack foods in the area.
Described by the CIA as having “sumptuous baked goods and café cuisines,” it is hard not to find something delicious on the menu. Luckily, it is also the CIA’s most reasonably priced restaurant, meaning that it is the perfect place for college students to treat their taste buds on those days when the dining hall’s options are less than favorable.
The Walkway Over the Hudson
A formerly-abandoned railroad bridge, the Walkway now has been turned into a pedestrian park by The Walkway Over the Hudson, a nonprofit organization that works with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The just under 2.5 mile-long linear walkway spans the Hudson River and stands 212 feet over the water, making it a great way to appreciate the scenery of the Hudson Valley.
Also, it is open year round, weather permitting, making it an activity that can be done whenever you need to have an Emersonian transcendental moment. The Walkway Over the Hudson also has a full events calendar, adding extra draw to an already exciting attraction.
Poets’ Walk Park
Located in Hyde Park
Described by Scenic Hudson as “a landscape that inspired 19th-century writers continues to cast a romantic spell- and offer magnificent views.”The entire walk is about two miles long and may have inspired Irving’s Rip Van Winkle. The walk is a little bit far from campus, but if you have a car and a group of friends who want to take an inspiring nature hike,
Poet’s walk is the place to be. In the spring and summer months the grounds are often used for picnicking and bird watching, but if winter activities are more of your thing, the park also offers cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing.
Hyde Park Roller Magic
Roller skating is one of the most fun group activities ever. Lucky for us here at Vassar, there is a Roller rink nearby! Hyde Park Roller Magic says, “Our family-run facility hosts a wide variety of activities, including: roller skating, in-line skating, birthday party parties, holiday skate parties, dances, private parties, fund-raising events and corporate events. Roller Magic has all the latest in lighting, sound and our live DJ likes to mix up the floor every now and then with interactive skating games.”
They also have roller derby leagues for girls ages 9 and up, so if any Vassar ladies want to get their inner skating queen on, go to Hyde Park Roller Magic and check it out.
Natalie Hine ‘14 said, “Roller Magic is nice because it is pretty inexpensive, not too seedy, and manages to make you feel like a little kid again. It can be a great break or change of pace from a typical Friday or Saturday night on a college campus!”
Dia Art Foundation
Located in Beacon, Dia is a modern art museum on the waterfront. If you like the modern art pieces of Vassar’s Frances Lehman Loeb Art Museum, you will be happy to find even more Warhols and Palermos at Dia in addition to a number of thought-provoking installation pieces as well as some which are interactive. Additionally, Main Street has quirky shops, art galleries and cozy coffee shops which serve to complete the outing, which is a little bit of a drive from Vassar.
Said Shivani Davé ‘15, “Dia is great if you don’t feel like making the trip into New York City to the Museum of Modern Art. Though obviously not as expansive, Dia has a lot of great pieces and the surrounding area has an artsy vibe as well which makes for a nice day trip to make with friends.”