Inside the Queen City on the Hudson

Meet Mary, a Poughkeepsie native. Step inside her Poughkeepsie, New York state of mind. —

The best resources for learning about Poughkeepsie

The Poughkeepsie Journal, Deal Chicken or Sweet Jack. Hudson Valley Weather on Facebook.

Your go-to locale for...

• Coffee: Starbucks across from Marist College [for a] double tall soy latte.
• A sandwich: Rossi's Deli: Roast Beef Panini with roasted red peppers and herb mayo.
• A night out with friends: The Brown Derby for drinks and pizza and appetizers.
• Date night: The Beech Tree [for] hanger steak or any special the Chef, Amerci, is cooking for the night.
• A glass of wine or cocktail: Crew for craft beers or red sangria.
• Dessert: Apple Pie Bakery for [a] slice of apple pie at the Culinary [Institute of America]. Or Babycakes for [a] red velvet cupcake.

The hotel you always book or recommend to friends, and why:

The Courtyard Marriott on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie. It's a central and convenient location. [It is] also located next to Locust Grove, the historic Samuel B. Morse estate.

The ONE thing visitors must see or do, and why:

Walkway Over the Hudson: Beautiful river views, it's the longest walking bridge in the country. Connects to the Rail Trail and the Franny Reese hiking trails.

Your favorite hidden (or not so anymore) gem, and why:

The Beech Tree, nice environment, affordable, good for a burger or a more upscale meal. Across from Vassar College.

Number of hours or days required in town for the "full" experience:

24 hours.

The town is great for what type of visitor:

Those who (are):

• EPICURATE (the foodie)
• RECREATE (the adventure-seekers and fitness gurus)
• Other: History Buffs, to check out Hyde Park and the nearby historical estates.

The town is best explored by:

Car.

The town is best explored in:

Autumn.