The Rip Van Winkle, a 125-foot-long, double-deck cruise boat offers scenic views from the Hudson River. You will pass lighthouses such as the Esopus Meadows Lighthouse (1871) and the Rondout Lighthouse (1837) on the two-hour long cruise. Opulent waterfront mansions you will see include the Wyndcliff Mansion, built for Elizabeth Schermerhorn Jones, inspiring the phrase, "Keeping up with the Joneses." Another waterfront mansion is the Dinsmore, built in 1936 for the Hulls. Mrs. Lytell Hull was the daughter-in-law of John Jacob Astor, who was the wealthiest man in America at the time of his death. The French chateau-style Payne mansion (1910) was home to Col. Oliver Hazard Payne, a treasurer for Standard Oil (Exxon) who also was involved in the founding of U.S. Steel. The home is now known as Marist Mid Hudson Valley Camp. The Rip Van Winkle is also available for fall foliage cruises as well as for charter with a capacity of 300 passengers. According to the company's website as of 2010, cruises start May 8 and run until Oct. 31 with one daily departure at 2:30 p.m., except for July 6 to Aug. 29 with two daily cruises, one at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Hudson River Cruises
1 East Strand St.
Kingston, NY 12401
845-340-4700
hudsonrivercruises.com
The full-day Haverstraw Cruise travels round trip from Haverstraw Marina to West Point and Bannerman's Island on Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cruise includes Stony Point Battlefield and Stony Point Lighthouse, the oldest on the Hudson River. On the east side of the river is Peekskill, an early industrial center, and is across from Jones Point, located at the foot of Dunderberg Mountain. Other scenic views include Bear Mountain State Park, West Point and Constitution Island.
Hudson Highlands Cruises Inc.
P.O. Box 355
Cornwall on Hudson, NY 12520
845-534-7245
commanderboat.com
The 65-foot long Dutch Apple II, designed after earlier dayliners that ferried passengers from ports between New York City and Albany on the Hudson River, takes 50 passengers on two-hour sightseeing cruises. Narrated, round-trip cruises are offered from Albany to Castleton. Another cruise is offered from Albany to the Troy Lock and back. Special occasion cruises include Mother's Day and Father's Day and a July Fourth dinner cruise. Food cruises with a cash bar (alcoholic and soda beverages) include Sunday brunch, lunch and dinner with entertainment. For group cruising, private charters are available.
Dutch Apple Cruises Inc.
Boarding at Madison Avenue and Broadway
P.O. Box 395
Albany, NY 12201
518-463-0220
dutchapplecruises.com
