Out & About on Thanksgiving
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Enjoy a special holiday by pairing a festive meal at one of these local inns with a scenic walk in nature’s autumn splendor.
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I don’t come from a large family. I do, however, love holidays and all the Norman Rockwell images and trappings that are associated with them.
My mom is legendary for not cooking, basically at all, and proud of it. Growing up, I loved the onset of the Thanksgiving holiday, the crafts at school, the cold weather punctuated with swirling leaves, and hearing about everyone’s family gatherings. I still love it. My mom had to step up and cook on Thanksgiving because we celebrated with my dad’s family and they were all in. However, when that apron went on, the table set, the kitchen door closed, we knew she was getting down to business. There was no classic kitchen collaboration; family members gathering and catching up over shared preparation, no time for ease. My mom was painstakingly reading and adhering to every step of the recipes passed down to her by my grandmother, a legendary cook, known throughout her town for entertaining, baking, and holiday celebrations. So concerned was my mom about making a mistake, so out of her element of creativity as an art teacher, she basically shooed everyone from the house. That accidental tradition also defines my Thanksgiving experience. We didn’t have a local Turkey Trot so my dad, always on the move, turned that time of banishment into a long walk, likely originally for the exercise ahead of the big meal. The first few years it was along the Croton Aqueduct from Dobbs Ferry north, some years south, sometimes along the various riverfronts, and eventually up to places like the Rockefeller State Park and over to Blue Mountain Reservation. These family walks were actually the best opportunity to catch up, experience the beauty of the season and connect in the most meaningful ways. We always returned to a beautifully set tablescape, something my mom is actually known for, and our traditional dinner. The setting and the meal were picture-perfect but the fellowship was always most significant outside, casually, and organically. At my mother-in-law’s home that fellowship was always most impactful after dinner, in the kitchen cleaning up.
It doesn’t matter what or when the true spirit of Thanksgiving occurs, but to me, the walk remains part of the holiday for my family even now, three decades after my father’s untimely passing. This brings me to my holiday thoughts for this year. It has been a challenging year-and-a-half. Not everyone has been together, and many are creating new traditions as they navigate the season. Here in the Hudson Valley, we are fortunate to have many choices to celebrate out — at cozy restaurants that feel a lot like home, and I have a few favorites that can be enjoyed with that most memorable experience, the Thanksgiving Day walk.
Le Chambord at Curry Estate
Nestled on ten acres in the southern end of Dutchess County, Le Chambord is the perfect spot to spend Thanksgiving. The restaurant will be serving a traditional buffet at two seatings, as well as an a la carte option. The manicured grounds are lovely, especially in the late fall so timing your visit to include a walk before or after will not disappoint. An option is to stay overnight in one of the estate’s 16 well-appointed rooms. Experience that classic holiday in the country, relax on the veranda, and enjoy all of the fine details that make you feel at home.
2737 Route 52, Hopewell Junction
curryestate.com
Hudson House Inn
Spending Thanksgiving at the Hudson House checks all the boxes for me: a cozy, classic 19th-century hotel facing the majestic Hudson River, charming community, and diverse walking and talking potential. On Thanksgiving Day the Hudson House is serving a prix fixe menu featuring traditional holiday fare. The location, at the bottom of Cold Spring’s Main Street, provides numerous opportunities for a pre-or post-dinner walk. Window shop as you walk up Main Street, or walk down along the riverfront for uninterrupted views of West Point, Storm King Mountain, and the Hudson Highlands. Stay for the day or overnight, enjoy the veranda, and experience a genuine Hudson Valley Thanksgiving.
2 Main Street
Cold Spring
hudsonhouseinn.com
Crabtree’s Kittle House Restaurant & Inn
Full disclosure: Crabtree’s Kittle House has been a family favorite of ours since before I was born; my parents had their wedding reception here. Although the 18th-century restaurant and inn have gone through changes over the years, the charm and warmth that captivated my parents remain, especially on Thanksgiving. For the holiday, the Kittle House is serving a prix fixe menu featuring robust seasonal fare and offers a full classic Thanksgiving to-go option as well.
Walking at the Kittle House would mean strolling the grounds and appreciating the seasonal changes, walking through the surrounding neighborhood, or perhaps taking a drive to a local park like Merestead Estate at 455 Old Byram Lake Road in Mount Kisco to commune with nature and connect more deeply with family and friends
11 Kittle Road, Chappaqua
crabtreeskittlehouse.com
Born and raised in Westchester, Nancy Sorbella’s lifestyle stories have been featured in several local and regional publications where she has also been a style and community columnist. She is the resident wordsmith for the Arthritis Foundation of NY and the Community Engagement Director by day, spending her free time exploring and experiencing the Hudson Valley. Follow Nancy for more of her adventures on Instagram @DetoursColumnist, Twitter @jsorbella, or on Facebook at Nancy Niskin Sorbella.
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