One Tank Adventure: Rambling Through Rhinebeck

A few famous residents have called the Town of Rhinebeck home, including photographer Annie Liebovitz, actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and singer Rufus Wainwright. And a casual lunch at one of the town's restaurants has offered some visitors a chance to catch a glimpse of such celebrities.

It's easy to see the town's appeal. Rhinebeck's main street is lined with a succession of carefully manicured and pedigreed historic homes. The sophisticated and interesting shops at the town's center offer hours of endless browsing opportunities. Oblong Books and Music, an independent book shop, Upstate Films, an indie film theater, and Al Stickle's 5 and Dime, an old-fashioned general store, are little more than a stone's throw from each other. The close-by classic red Beekman Arms Antique Barn is a multi-dealer antique emporium displaying some beautiful pieces.

A little boutique browsing and it may be time for lunch. Fortunately, there are many restaurants to choose from. Foremost in notable Rhinebeck eateries is the Beekman Arms and Delameter Inn, reportedly the oldest inn in America. After lunch it may be time to sample the sweets sold at custom chocolatier Krause's Chocolates or those sold in Samuel's Sweet Shop, the candy store, owned by Paul Rudd and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Ready for a nature ramble? Visitors can wander down trails in Rhinebeck's beautiful Ferncliff Forest or visit the Northern Dutchess Botanical Garden, home to a variety of flowers, vegetables and herbs.

History buffs can watch the antique planes soar at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. The museum of antique aviation has one of the largest collections of early airplanes in the world, as well as automobiles, motorcycles, early engines and memorabilia from between 1900 to1939. Or they can tour the Wilderstein Historic Site, which is open from May through October. The Italianate villa was the home of Daisy Suckley, Franklin D. Roosevelt's cousin and confidante.

And just a short drive from the center of town is the Omega Institute, a nonprofit educational facility that offers continuing workshops on a variety of topics. Each year more than 23,000 people attend workshops and educational programs there.

Rhinebeck is an attractive and interesting town with plenty of events to interest visitors. For more information, cllick here.