The Mid-Hudson Valley is rich in outdoor activities, including river cruises, hiking and biking, and cross-country skiing. Besides more traditional outdoor sports, thrill seekers may want to check out barnstorming flights on biplanes over the Hudson Valley at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodome. Flights take off before and after air shows (15 min.; $40 per person).

Boating & Sailing

Hudson River Cruises, Rondout Landing at the end of Broadway, in Kingston (tel. 800/340-4700), sets sail aboard the Rip Van Winkle, a modern 300-passenger vessel. The standard 2-hour cruises ($17 adults, $16 seniors, $10 children 4-11) visit the Mid-Hudson Valley in spring, summer, and fall; there are also specialty cruises, some with live music, and a 90-minute Sunset Sail ($11) on Wednesday. In Newburgh, Hudson River Adventures (Newburgh Landing; tel. 845/220-2120) operates 2-hour sightseeing cruises ($17 adults, $16 seniors and children 4-11) from May to October on the Pride of the Hudson, a 130-passenger boat. Scenic Hudson Sails (tel. 845/546-1184) offers weekend and sunset cruises and private charters aboard Doxie, a 31-foot sloop and traditional-style yacht.

The Sloop Clearwater, part of an environmental project to clean up the Hudson River, is a 75-foot, single-masted replica of a 19th-century ship, which embarks on 3-, 6-, and occasional 8-hour cruises along the Hudson from April to mid-November. It sets sail from Saugerties, Kingston, and New York City's 79th Street Boat Basin, among other ports of call along the river. Sail prices range from $25 to $80 for adults, with discounts available for children, students, and seniors. For schedules and more information, call tel. 800/67-SLOOP (ext. 107) or visit the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater website.

Golf

There are more than 150 golf courses in the Hudson River Valley. Dinsmore Golf Course, Old Post Road (Rte. 9), Staatsburgh (tel. 845/889-4071; greens fees $18-$22), the second-oldest golf course in the United States, is part of the 1,000-acre Mills-Norrie State Park, which includes the Mills Mansion State Historic Site. With panoramic views of the Hudson River and majestic Catskill Mountains, it was named "Best Public Golf Course in the Hudson Valley" by Hudson Valley Magazine. Putnam County's Centennial Golf Club, Simpson Road, Carmel (tel. 845/225-5700; greens fees $55-$125), a hilly 1999 design by Larry Nelson, is one of the most picturesque in the Hudson Valley. The Garrison, 2015 Rte. 9, Garrison (tel. 845/424-3604; greens fees $35-$85), is a classic old 18-hole course with spectacular views high above the Hudson across from West Point. It has a yoga and spa center and distinguished restaurant on the premises.

For additional course information and course previews, see the Hudson River Golf website and the Golf Hudson Valley website.

Hiking

Four miles north of Cold Spring on Route 9D, an excellent trail leads to South Beacon Mountain, the highest point in the East Hudson Highlands (a 6-mile round-trip). The 5-mile Breakneck Ridge Trail, also in Beacon, with views of the Hudson and Shawangunk and Catskill mountains, was voted the top hiking trail in New York State. Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, a 7,000-acre park southwest of Beacon (Rte. 301, Carmel; tel. 914/225-7207), is also a terrific place for hiking, with a number of trails and loops (suggested hikes include Three Lakes Trail and East Mountain-Round Hill). Less strenuous trails can also be found in Mills-Norrie State Park (tel. 914/889-4100), the site of the Staatsburgh Mills Mansion. On the other side of the Hudson, Bear Mountain Loop near Newburgh is a popular trail.

Swimming

Canopus Lake in Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park, southwest of Beacon (Rte. 301, Carmel; tel. 914/225-7207), has an attractive beach and swimming area open to the public.

Winter Sports

Fahnestock Winter Park (Rte. 301, Carmel), part of Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park between Cold Spring and Beacon, is one of the best spots for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding. Besides tons of trails, it also offers equipment rentals and lessons. For information and condition reports, call tel. 845/225-3998.