Celebrate New Year's Eve in the Hudson Valley!

Dec. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- As we ring in 2010, it’s time to welcome the New Year in high style at a Hudson Valley celebration. Vivacious or quiet, there are many ways and many places to sing Auld Lang Syne along New York’s most picturesque river.

If you’re dying to spend a unique evening, go to the DoubleTree Hotel in Tarrytown. You’ll never forget this New Year’s Eve when you mingle with the cast of characters from “Murder at the DoubleTree”. Dance, dine, and do some detective work as you witness a murder. Was it Miss Scarlett? Professor Plum? Gather clues at this overnight experience, and find out who did it at breakfast.

Say goodbye to Father Time in grand style at The Thayer Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Party. Don your dancing shoes in your deluxe room overlooking the Hudson River, then sip a first class cocktail at the reception planned just for this event. Enter the dining room for a candlelight dinner, gourmet fare, and a live band that will have you dancing the night away. Sleep in, but don’t miss the breakfast buffet with all your favorites when you wake up in 2010.

Need a breath of fresh air? The Bear Mountain Ice Skating Rink is just down the road. Open with extended holiday hours, this is the Hudson Valley’s answer to Rockefeller Center. The rink is surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and the Trailside Zoo and Museums are just a short walk away. The region’s local animals circle the indoor carousel and you can sip some hot chocolate as you view snowy scenery from the glass enclosed pavilion.

New Year’s isn’t just for adults, so take the kids to the Noon Year's Eve Celebration in Troy on December 31st. The Children's Museum of Science and Technology celebrates the arrival of 2010 with an animal show in the Operation W.I.L.D. exhibit. Kids participate in fun games and activities plus a parade. There’s a countdown to the Noon Year with a bubble blowing bonanza! Another terrific family event where you won’t need a babysitter is First Night in Millbrook on December 31st. Bring the kids to this charming village to walk the main street and see all the entertainment. Different genres of music from jazz to classical play throughout, while circus acts, marionettes, and magicians entertain children of all ages.

Skiing enthusiasts will love Windham Mountain’s New Year’s Eve. Start the night in the Legends Lounge aprés skiing. When the kids get off the slopes, they can expend more energy jumping in the Bounce House, or interacting with the clown and magician. At 9 pm, whether you're inside or outside on the snow, watch the spectacular fireworks light up the mountain. Afterwards, young and old can dance until midnight with the rocking band, “The Nerds.”  If you’d rather spend the last night of 2009 indoors, spend it in one of the gorgeous ballrooms of the Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac. Their New Year’s Eve Gala features a smorgasbord cocktail hour with a delicious dinner of filet mignon and stuffed shrimp. Cha Cha or Samba your way to dessert with both a live band and a DJ.

Unusual spaces are always great for parties and 11 North Pearl Event Centre in Albany is no exception. A magnificent art-deco bank building, the space lends itself to a festive New Year’s Eve party that includes live music by “Soul Session” and special performances. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and dinner stations lead up to the countdown and ball drop. From banks to bears, the Bear Cafe in Woodstock offers a prix fix package for New Year’s at this landmark Hudson Valley restaurant. A longtime favorite with celebrities, the cozy fireside settings offer views of the rushing Sawkill Creek. Dinner includes dancing next door at the Bearsville Theater where three DJs will have you dancing all night.

Perhaps you didn’t get exactly what you wanted for the Holidays. In that case, head for Copake on January 1st for the 30th Annual New Year's Day Americana Auction. The Copake Auction House is filled to the brim with 18th and 19th century furniture, art, textiles, weathervanes, folk art, and period accessories.

Happy New Year! The Hudson Valley ushers in 2010 in grand style with so many different places to celebrate.  

Murder at the Doubletree, Tarrytown. 914-631-5700, www.tarrytown.doubletree.com  

The Thayer Hotel, West Point. 800-247-5047, www.thethayerhotel.com   

Bear Mountain Skating Rink, Bear Mountain. 845-786-2701, www.palisadesparksconservancy.org   

Noon Year's Eve Celebration, Children's Museum of Science and Technology, Troy. 518-235-2120, www.CMOST.org

First Night, Millbrook. 845-264-7256, www.millbrookrotary.org

Windham Mountain’s New Year’s Eve, Windham. 518-734-4300, www.windhammountain.com

New Year’s Eve Gala, Villa Barone Hilltop Manor, Mahopac. 845-628-6600, www.villabaronehilltop.com.

11 North Pearl Event Centre, Albany. 518-229-5109, www.11northpearlevents.com   

Bear Café, Woodstock. 845-679-5555, www.bearcafe.com   

New Year's Day Americana Auction, Copake. 518-329-1142, www.copakeauction.com


Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester. Regional information can be obtained from any of the county tourism offices, the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.