Fat Tuesday, Starting Saturday

  |  February 12, 2015
FTfinished

If you’re anything like us, you have always wanted to make the time to seriously celebrate Mardi Gras. Why should Norleans have all the fun? Unfortunately, New York’s observance of this fantastic holiday is as varied as varied could be – Betty’s office is having a party, while George’s boss is making him work late, and the only flashing Gina saw on her way to her meeting was the middle finger when she absent-mindedly ran a red light. Well, if you can’t rely on the outside world to take Mardi Gras seriously, why not take this raucous holiday into your own hands? Declare this weekend your official “Fat Tuesday” and indulge yourself at one of these delightful retreats. Then try not to rub it in George and Gina’s faces.

1) Gorgeous Gardiner Dwelling

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Price/night: $250 (est.)
Accommodations: Full house, 3 bedrooms
Max guests: 6
Min stay: 2 nights
House description:
Susan’s Gardiner retreat is the perfect home base for a weekend of Ulster County revelry.  The rental is located near Tuthilltown Distillery, Mohonk, Minnewaska, and New Paltz, and the comfy couch in the living room looks like it was made to for the all-essential, pre-night-on-the-town nap.

Sample reviews:

“The house was great! The area was nice and peaceful, a great place for our dogs to run around. Being located so close to some great wineries and the Tuthilltown Distillery also didn’t hurt :)”

“Susan was great she responds really fast and made us feel welcome. When we arrived there where all kinds of snacks she put out for us. she made a list of things for us to do places to visit. every thing you need was there. we had a great time.
Thank you Susan.”

2) Red Hook’s Hardeman Homestead

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Price/night: $467 (est.)
Accommodations: Full house, 4 bedrooms
Max guests: 10
Min stay: 2 nights
House description:
What led us to Red Hook’s Hardeman Homestead? Why, the local pizza joint, of course! You can’t get any more Hudson-Valley-goes-Mardi-Gras than a pie topped with Creole chicken and Tasso from Two Boots Pizza. We recommend dining in, since it would be a crime not to take the full weekend to appreciate the atmosphere of this unique 1700s farmhouse.

Sample reviews:

“The farm house was so beautiful and warm! Every detail was attended to to make us feel welcome. Thank you Erin! We will definitely be back.”

“This is a beautiful and very special home. For being hundreds of years old, you don’t feel a lack of modern conveniences (heat and hot water were great). I spent Christmas here with a group of friends and the home was fully, but tastefully!, decorated. Towels and bedding were great as well, and there’s a pretty large stock of toiletries to pull from if you forgot something.

It’s hard to tell from the photos, but the rooms are all nicely sized and both the living room and dining room are very comfortable for large groups to hang out in. The master bedroom is also enormous and has a seating area in it.”

 3) Delightful Millbrook Retreat

FT3

Price/night: $350 (est.)
Accommodations: Full house, 3 bedrooms
Max guests: 5
Min stay: 3 nights
House description:
Robin’s lovely 1920s home is polished, roomy, and bright, and just around the corner from some of Dutchess County’s best eateries and shopping destinations. The famed Millbrook Distillery, whose Dutchess Private Reserve was voted the best new bourbon in the Hudson Valley in 2014, has made its home in the neighborhood, and there’s a good chance that you’ll find their award-winning bourbon wherever you choose to begin your Mardi Gras celebration!

About Elizabeth Wilson

Elizabeth Wilson is an Upstater born and bred with a generalist’s education and a specialist’s passion for the Hudson Valley. Ask nicely and she’ll make you a bagel sandwich. Ask really nicely and she’ll accompany that bagel sandwich with a Bob Dylan impersonation.

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