Rhinebeck, New York: A Charming Hudson Valley Getaway

Rhinebeck is a charming, historic town in Dutchess County, New York nestled along the Hudson River. I love exploring the tree-lined streets of the village—there’s always a new favorite restaurant or independently owned shop to discover.

We visited Rhinebeck last August on a Sunday and had breakfast at Pete’s Famous Restaurant—boy, was it packed! This time, we went on a Wednesday (one of the perks of retired life!), and it was super easy to get a table. We enjoyed Banana Walnut Pancakes and an Egg Sandwich in a much more relaxed setting.

The upside of visiting on a Sunday, though, is the Rhinebeck Farmers Market, which runs from 10 AM to 2 PM. In late summer, it’s overflowing with fresh fruits and veggies—especially peaches. You’ll also find vendors selling cheese, meats, cider, distilled products, honey, and handmade goods. Check out the full list of vendors here.

After breakfast, we did a bit of window shopping. There are so many cute stores to browse! Here’s my favorites:

Merriweathers

I was drawn in by the whimsical window display and a free all-natural soap sample. Inside, I met Shari, the owner, who’s been making skincare products for over 20 years. I couldn’t resist grabbing a $12 sample bag! The shop is full of thoughtful artsy gifts, greeting cards, crystals, and peaceful vibes—be sure to explore the calming downstairs area.

Rhinebeck Mercantile

If you’re on the hunt for high-quality clothing for women, men, or babies, definitely stop here. I didn’t buy anything this time, but the spring and summer styles were beautiful—so many lovely colors and patterns.

Perriwinkles at Rhinebeck

This shop is full of fun gifts for people and their pups. I picked up some bath bombs, but they offer a wide range of bath and body products they make themselves, plus eclectic clothing, cards, signs, and even dog treats from their own bakery.

What a fun morning! And there’s still so much more to see in Rhinebeck. There are 18+ restaurants—like Abe’s Falafel (delicious and beautifully plated), Terrapin (great for a romantic date or business meal), and Bread Alone (they serve much more than bread!). Add in over 20 shops and a few art galleries, it’s easy to spend a full day or weekend here.

Still on my Rhinebeck bucket list? Watching an air show at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. They have Flight Nights every Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM with a musical guest. They encourage you to bring a picnic and a beverage, sounds pretty cool to me!

Want to plan your visit? Head on over to enjoyrhinebeck.com.

Have I inspired you? 🥰 

I’m loving my mid-week explorations! So stay tuned as I share more of out Hudson Valley adventures and discoveries next week!

‘til then, happy exploring!
Kathleen

Want to start your own newsletter?

Check out Beehiiv. Click below for free 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months.

To help you plan your trips, we link to stays and tours. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you book a trip or sign-up through these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. (For example, the link above to check out Beehiiv is an affiliate link.)