The Pollinator Pavilion

The sculpture for pollinators and pollinator-lovers alike at Thomas Cole National Historic Site.

The Pollinator Pavilion

There’s a new visitor on the block of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. The Pollinator Pavilion is a space for both people and pollinators alike to enjoy personal encounters with one another in a setting welcoming to both species.

The 21.5 foot-tall Gothic-style pavilion, created by world-renowned artists Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood, seats one person at a time on an ornately decorated wooden couch. The pavilion is painted in a lavender color, and is packed full of various flowers, plants and paintings. The flowers are used to lure the gorgeous Ruby-throated hummingbird, the only type of hummingbird that lives in the Catskills.

Dion and Sherwood are no strangers to working with animal-related artwork. Their goal is to “decontextualize in which individuals can see themselves as part of nature and understand their own capacity to foster an environment of ecological balance,” according to Thomas Cole’s website. They value the animal’s individuality just like humans’ and want both species to greet each other face to face.

The paintings lining the pavilion are inspired by a series of striking, moody works by Martin Johnson Heade called The Gems of Brazil (1863-64). Those paintings will also be on display at the Historic Site in the spring of 2021 as a part of the Cross Pollination: Heade, Cole, Church and our Contemporary Moment traveling exhibit.

Visiting the Sculpture

The pavilion will be open to the public until Fall 2021. The grounds of the historic site, which the pavilion sits on, is free to walk from dawn until dusk every day.

Admission, which grants access to the Old Studio, Main House and New House, is $15. It is free if you are a Thomas Cole National Historic Site member, if you’re under 16 or if you’re a student with a valid ID. Buying general admission tickets online and group visits are temporarily paused until spring due to COVID restrictions.

Take Amtrak to the Pollinator Pavilion

View this Thomas Cole National Historic Site sculpture via Amtrak to Hudson Station (HUD)—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! The station is 5.1 miles away from Thomas Cole National Historic Site, making it an easy and convenient option to get to the event.

Get picked up from the Hudson Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Hudson office today at 518-828-5492.

Rail Explorers: Catskills

Go on a journey on a railroad through the woods of the Catskill Mountains.

Experience railroads like never before! Rail Explorers USA have expanded to Phoenicia, New York and created a Catskills division. Just 90 miles north of New York City, visitors can ride “The River Run” and ride the railroad tracks right alongside Esopus Creek from the village of Phoenicia. Riders have the opportunity to discover the picturesque woods of the Catskill Mountains. The new tracks are opening Memorial Day Weekend of this year.

So, what is a Rail Explorer? A Rail Explorer is a pedal-powered bike that rides directly on railroad tracks. With 4 steel wheels, it’s easy to pedal along the mostly flat ground for a relaxing and enjoyable ride through the woods. Also without a steering wheel, riders can relish in a hands-free experience, making it photograph friendly for the beautiful sights. As safety is the company’s number one priority, there are certain measures in place to ensure the best adventure. Tours have trained guides at the front and back of every group in addition to keeping all bikes 500ft apart, allowing guests to ride at their own pace. Rail Explorers are for all ages, old and young of all abilities.

The Rail Explorers Catskill division is an 8 mile trip with electric pedals, so guests must allow 2 hours for each tour. There are two bike options for riders to choose from. The Tandem Explorer allows two riders at a time to take on the tracks. These explorers cost $42.50 a person, totaling to $85 to fill the bike. The Quad Explorer, otherwise known as the “Cadillac” of their bikes, holds up to 4 riders. This explorer costs $37.50 a person, adding up to $150 for the entire bike. Tickets can be bought online for the Catskills experience.

Take Amtrak to Rail Explorers: Catskills

Go explore via Amtrak to Rhinecliff-Kingston Station—Don’t forget to use the New York By Rail 15% discount!

Get picked up from Rhinecliff-Kingston Station and taken to your reserved #NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Rhinecliff-Kingston office today at: (845) 336-4700.

More to do in the Hudson Valley

Boo at the Zoo

Halloween-enthusiasts, come one, come all! This annual event at the Bronx Zoo is the perfect spooky adventure for families.

Boo at the Zoo | Photo Courtesy of Wildlife Conservation Society, BronxZoo.com

Boo at the Zoo

Visit the Bronx Zoo for the annual Halloween event, Boo at the Zoo! Suitable for children and adults alike, the Boo at the Zoo happens every year each October. On Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 2 – 31, and Monday, Oct. 11, you can attend this family-friendly event. This Bronx Zoo event hosts a variety of fun experiences like pumpkin carving demonstrations, a candy trail, magic & mind-reading, a costume parade, a pumpkin trail, Halloween crafts, the extinct animal graveyard, a spider maze, “Trick or Truth” and “The Wildlife Witch’s Super Scary Halloween Show.”

Attending the Event

When attending Boo at the Zoo, you’ll be encouraged to dress up in your best Halloween costume. Tickets for the event are included with your general admission to the Bronx Zoo. Ticket prices are dictated by age with Adult (13 & up) tickets set to $39.95, Senior (65 & up) tickets at $34.95, Child (3-12) tickets at $29.95 and Children (2 & under) tickets for free. For indoor exhibits, guests must be vaccinated and wearing a mask.

Take Amtrak to Boo at the Zoo

Experience this unforgettable attraction via Amtrak to Yonkers Station (YNY) in Hudson Valley—Don’t forget to use the New York By Rail 15% discount!

Rent a car from Enterprise! Enterprise picks you up at YNY and takes you to your rental car. Use the code, NYTRAIN, for a discount when making your reservation. Click here to reserve your car or call Enterprise’s Yonkers office: 914-964-2004.

Where to Stay in the Hudson Valley

Looking for a getaway opportunity? Spend the night and experience all the Hudson Valley has to offer. Take a look at these great hotel options—some offering exclusive New York By Rail discounts!

The Pollinator Pavilion

The sculpture for pollinators and pollinator-lovers alike at Thomas Cole National Historic Site.

The Pollinator Pavilion

There’s a new visitor on the block of the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. The Pollinator Pavilion is a space for both people and pollinators alike to enjoy personal encounters with one another in a setting welcoming to both species.

The 21.5 foot-tall Gothic-style pavilion, created by world-renowned artists Mark Dion and Dana Sherwood, seats one person at a time on an ornately decorated wooden couch. The pavilion is painted in a lavender color, and is packed full of various flowers, plants and paintings. The flowers are used to lure the gorgeous Ruby-throated hummingbird, the only type of hummingbird that lives in the Catskills.

Dion and Sherwood are no strangers to working with animal-related artwork. Their goal is to “decontextualize in which individuals can see themselves as part of nature and understand their own capacity to foster an environment of ecological balance,” according to Thomas Cole’s website. They value the animal’s individuality just like humans’ and want both species to greet each other face to face.

The paintings lining the pavilion are inspired by a series of striking, moody works by Martin Johnson Heade called The Gems of Brazil (1863-64). Those paintings will also be on display at the Historic Site in the spring of 2021 as a part of the Cross Pollination: Heade, Cole, Church and our Contemporary Moment traveling exhibit.

Visiting the Sculpture

The pavilion will be open to the public until Fall 2021. The grounds of the historic site, which the pavilion sits on, is free to walk from dawn until dusk every day.

Admission, which grants access to the Old Studio, Main House and New House, is $15. It is free if you are a Thomas Cole National Historic Site member, if you’re under 16 or if you’re a student with a valid ID. Buying general admission tickets online and group visits are temporarily paused until spring due to COVID restrictions.

Take Amtrak to the Pollinator Pavilion

View this Thomas Cole National Historic Site sculpture via Amtrak to Hudson Station (HUD)—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount! The station is 5.1 miles away from Thomas Cole National Historic Site, making it an easy and convenient option to get to the event.

Get picked up from the Hudson Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Hudson office today at 518-828-5492.

Rosendale International Pickle Festival

Celebrating its 24th year, the Rosendale International Pickle Festival is the place to go to find all things brined, soused and preserved.

Contestants presenting their pickled submissions for the Rosendale International Pickle Festival

Let your mouth celebrate and experience the best and worst of these Pickled Delights. Let your tastebuds be the judge at the Rosendale International Pickle Festival. With a handful of pickle-related contests, tastings, vendors and more, there are plenty of ways to enjoy your favorite snack at the 24th anniversary of the Rosendale International Pickle Festival.

Later in the afternoon join the Pickle Triathlon. It starts with a Pickle Eating Contest, where contestants try to eat a small jar of Mt. Olive Pickle Spears. Next is the Pickle Juice Drinking Contest, where contestants drink 24 oz. of pickle juice through a Big Bore Straw. Lastly, there is a team event, the Pickle Tossing Contest. Each team consists of a pitcher, who tosses a pickle chip to the catcher, who catches the chip in their mouth, then it is spurted into the Counter’s Jar. Each contest will award winners with a Gold, Silver or Bronze prize. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to enter the contests.

Home Pickling Contest at the Rosendale International Pickle Festival

See if you have what it takes, and take on other area competitors for the best tasting pickle at the Home Pickling Contest! Here are the rules:

• Submit 2 jars of the same item for each entry. (One jar is for display, one jar is for the judges.)
• Label the jar with: YOUR name, address, phone #, area code included, Email address and What They Are.
• You are limited to a total of 3 submissions in any category.
• If you are not going to be in the area on the day of the Pickle Festival, you can drop your entries off in advance by contacting Mr. Bill Brooks email picklelady16@yahoo.com and arrange a drop-off appointment.
• Entries must be submitted by 11 a.m.
• Judging begins at 12 p.m.

The Pickling Categories (limited to 3 categories per entrant)

• Kimchi
• Dill Pickles
• Sweet Pickles
• Pickled Onions/Garlic
• Dilly Beans
• Pickled Fruit
• Pickled Beets
• Pickled Veggies
• Pickled Brussel Sprouts
• Chutneys
• Fermented Liquid or Semi-Liquid Product
• Miscellaneous
• Best of Show

History of the Rosendale International Pickle Festival

Founders Bill and Cathy Brooks created and put together the first Picklefest in 60 days after their friend, Eri Yamaguchi, said she wanted to have a “pickle party” in 1998.

They created this event for people to have fun and introduce them to a whole new realm of Pickles, things Pickled, Pickling Spices – all things Pickled. The support of the Rosendale Chamber of Commerce helped expand peoples culinary horizons along with exhibitions of International cultures and customs through the simple, but alluring PICKLE!

Take Amtrak to Rhinecliff-Kingston Station

Experience this Festival via Amtrak to Rhinecliff-Kingston in the Hudson Valley—Don’t forget to use the Amtrak See New York and Save 15% discount!

Get picked up from Rhinecliff-Kingston Station and taken to your reserved #NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Kingston office today at 845-336-4700.