^photo cred to Kate Horvath
Something that seems to be common among our generation (and pretty much everyone else) is that we often don’t appreciate something until it’s taken away from us. Like the quote, “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone,” we often realize a little too late how important something might be to us. This is the case when it comes to my experience at Marist College. This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy my time there; I would do it all over again in a heartbeat and loved pretty much everything about school. However, my biggest regret is that I didn’t take advantage of what surrounded me.
What do I mean by this? Last year (my senior year), a few of my housemates and I did internships for school credits. I interned with the American Cancer Society (and loved it) and one of my good friends, Kate, interned for Dutchess County Tourism. She was a journalism major but is also passionate about photography and she’s definitely great at it. Long story short, Kate found an internship that allowed her to travel to locations (local attractions, parks, antique shops, etc) and take pictures. She would usually invite me on her journeys and deciding I wanted to explore the area a little more after four years, I would go with her. By the end of the semester, I had seen more in the Dutchess County area than I had in my previous seven semesters combined. Kate and I often found ourselves saying, “Wow, I wish I had known about this sooner.”
So I am now here to give you Marist students some advice. Take advantage of the area; you will never get these four years back. And contrary to what some say, the area is beautiful. Family weekend is coming up and I’m sure you’re looking for things to do. I realize it’s harder for freshmen to get places because they don’t have a car, but one of my suggestions is in walking distance so there are no excuses!
What To Do:
1) Go to ‘Walkway Over the Hudson’ and walk across the bridge! It is also sometimes referred to as the Poughkeepsie bridge and is located within walking distance of Marist College (walk past the diner and you will walk under it…then see signs!) It is a steel cantilever bridge that spans between Poughkeepsie and Highland. It was originally built as a double-track railroad bridge and is now a New York State Park. With fall on the way, the view is guaranteed to be incredible. You can see Marist from the bridge too! I would definitely recommend going on the walk; you can go as far as you’d like and it’s great exercise and an excuse to see the area from a different view. For more information, visit their website at http://www.walkway.org/. (This info was taken from their website and from Wikipedia).
2) Go to Hyde Park for a day. Hyde Park is probably known most for being the location of the Culinary Institute of America; though pricey, the food is fantastic. My family and I ate here during family weekend of my freshman year and were not disappointed. Go for a meal or go grab dessert; I haven’t tried the desserts personally but everyone I’ve talked to said they’re outstanding. If you’re looking for something more historical, check out the Vanderbilt Mansion or the Franklin D. Roosevelt home. Both estates are gorgeous and worth checking out. The FDR home was built in 1826 and has stables, icehouses, a walking trail, and the graves of Franklin and Eleanor located in the Rose Garden.
3) If you go to Hyde Park and are still in the mood to explore, drive a little more north until you arrive in Rhinebeck. Rhinebeck is a beautiful city located at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains. The town is often referred to as ‘quaint and charming’ which sounds cliché, but it really is. The shopping is awesome; cute boutiques, antique shops, and more. If you’re more into the outdoors, there is no shortage of hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, etc. When you’ve finally worked up an appetite, go to the Rhinebeck Deli, the Farmer’s Market, or to Starr Place. All are different from one another but will not disappoint.
4) One final place I would suggest checking out is Bowdoin Park. Kate and I went here for one of her assignments and thought the place was beautiful. If you’re traveling south towards the mall, there is a road that takes you to the park (the road is before the mall). The park is conveniently located on the banks of the Hudson providing a gorgeous view of the river. There is a playground area for small children and multiple playing fields if you’re into sports. At Bowdoin Park, there are approximately four miles of trails where you can sit and relax or observe the wildlife.
So if you are a Marist student (or a parent, local resident, or just visiting), check out any of these locations. Whether you’re looking for good food, exercise, nature, or shopping, there’s something to do for everyone. I know you may not think so now, but as you’re about to graduate in four years, you’ll wish you did more and appreciated the area more. Take advantage of what’s around you!!!
More About Nothing... 