Grab a seat at one of these restaurants for a great view of the changing colors of fall

Poughkeepsie Journal

With the drop in temperature, you know fall is in full swing. Soon, the hills and mountains around the Hudson River will be full of trees showing the reds, golds and oranges synonymous with the season.

If you're looking to enjoy autumnal views with a side of good food or your beverage of choice, check out this sampling of restaurants, wineries and breweries where Hudson Valley diners can enjoy both.

Benmarl Winery, Marlboro

Situated high atop a hill, Benmarl Winery offers views of the Hudson River and surrounding landscape, full of trees lining the river's edge. Holding the title of America's oldest vineyard, as well as Farm Winery License number 1 (according to their website), you can enjoy Benmarl's wines by the glass or sample four in a flight. Reservations are required for a table. Brick oven pizza is available Friday through Sunday. The winery hosts live music, no reservation required, on Friday nights throughout the fall.

Go: 156 Highland Ave., Marlboro; 845-236-4265; benmarl.com.

The Cuatro Caliente burger at Clemson Bros. Brewery in New Paltz.

Clemson Bros. Brewery, New Paltz

Situated next to the Wallkill River with views of the Shawangunk Mountains, Clemson Bros. Brewery offers a picture perfect vantage point for both. There's a typical pub-style menu with beer, burgers like the "Cuatro Caliente" spicy burger topped with jalapeno peppers, chipotle aioli, pepper jack cheese (ghost pepper cheese for the brave at an extra cost) and honey sriracha sauce, as well as sandwiches, bratwursts and a bunch of starters like the "Black Dirt Onion Dip" or chicken wings served in the guests' choice of sauce. Clemson Bros. Brewery also has a location in Middletown.

Go: 3 Main St., New Paltz; 845-775-4638; clemsonbrewing.com.

NY fall foliage 2022:Head to the Adirondacks, Catskills this weekend for colorful leaves

Entertainment:Prost! Oktoberfests throughout the Hudson Valley

On the road:Find upcoming car, motorcycle shows in the Hudson Valley

Le Chambord at the Curry Estate, Hopewell Junction

The best place to see the views of the changing trees surrounding Le Chambord at the Curry Estate is at a seat on the outdoor veranda. The estate's restaurant, Le Chambord, serves up elevated American cuisine during dinner Wednesday through Sunday and brunch on Sunday mornings. The menu includes entrees such as seafood papparadelle pasta, with shrimp and scallops, as well as an 8-ounce filet mignon, wild mushroom risotto and more.

Go: 2737 Route 52, Hopewell Junction; 845-221-1941; curryestate.com/restaurant.

A hot toddy with a view at the Hudson House Distillery in West Park.

The Hudson House, West Park

This former Christian Brothers property has been returned to its former lustre: It began as the private mansion of a Civil War general. There's a cozy bar in the main house, but the real attraction is the expansive outdoor deck perched high above the Hudson River offering a panorama of changing tree colors, a view of Hyde Park on its opposite bank, and a peek at the Vanderbilt Mansion just to the north. Hudson House distills its own bourbon and rye – you can take a tour of the distillery – so don't miss trying one of their craft cocktails and a small plate out on that deck. Open Thursday-Sunday only.

Go: 1835 US Route 9W, West Park, 845-834-6007; thehudsonhouseny.com/visit

The Newburgh waterfront offers great views of fall's changing colors.

Primo Waterfront, Newburgh

Fairly new to the scene, Primo Waterfront is in the midst of its very first leaf-peeping season. Situated along the Newburgh waterfront, the large deck at this coastal Italian restaurant has sweeping views up and down the river, as well as over to Mount Beacon on the opposite bank. As the weather cools, outdoor heaters set up around the deck will keep diners cozy. On the menu, there's a raw bar including a seafood platte, featuring six oysters, six clams, six shrimp and smoked fish dip, crudos like grilled octopus, market arancini and more. For entrees, there's pasta, such as ricotta ravioli topped with Calabrian truffle honey and Parmesan as well as brick chicken served with roasted mushrooms golden raisin-caper agro dolce and Parmesan polenta.

Go: 50 Front St., Newburgh; 845-570-5656; primowaterfront.com.

A view from The River Pavilion at Hutton Brickyards in Kingston.

The River Pavilion − Hutton Brickyards, Kingston

Sitting on the waterfront in Kingston, Hutton Brickyards' River Pavilion offers a sweeping view of the Hudson River and the colorful canopy of tree-filled mountains beyond. While the restaurant is open for drinks only Monday through Wednesday, from Thursday through Sunday, you can order shareables, including a charcuterie board, soups and salads and entrees like a burger served smashed with cheddar and "brick sauce" on top or "Lobstaaaah" served on a brioche bun with Napa slaw, cumin butter with malt vin chips. The restaurant has a wood-burning oven that turns out salmon and chicken entrees.

Go: 200 North St., Kingston; 845-213-4742; huttonbrickyards.com/pavilion.

A highlight of the River Station Restaurant is the view of the Mid-Hudson Bridge and the Walkway Over the Hudson from the second floor.

River Station, Poughkeepsie

As its name suggests, River Station has views of the river. From Oct. 7 to Nov. 6, the restaurant will offer a special Oktoberfest menu, along with their regular menu, with traditional German eats including sauerbraten and schnitzel to pair with the autumn views. On its daily menu, entrees include steak and shrimp, baby back ribs, as well as stuffed portabello.

Go: 1 North Water St., Poughkeepsie; 845-452-9207; riverstationrest.com.

A shot of the falls at the Fishkill Creek at the Roundhouse in Beacon, NY. This was taken on Friday November 7th.

The Roundhouse, Beacon

With its tall windows and large patio, The Roundhouse offers an excellent spot to check out the local fall foliage behind the Fishkill Creek and one of its waterfalls. The restaurant offers a variety of cocktails, beer and wine as well as elevated American food including sandwiches like the buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich, the RH mac n' cheese (which can be topped with spinach and wild mushroom or spicy lobster), as well as steak frites or pan roasted duck breast. For fall, special cocktails include the "Spiced Apple Old Fashioned" and "The Great Pumpkin Martini."

Go: 2 East Main St., Beacon; 845-765-8369; roundhousebeacon.com/the-restaurant.

The Cidery at Seminary Hill in Callicoon is the first of its kind: it is a certified, passive cidery.

Seminary Hill Cidery, Callicoon

Seminary Hill's orchards include 60 different types of organically grown apples so you know their ciders are farm-to-glass. On the menu recently have been Susan’s Semi-Dry, with notes of peach and lemon and Beechwoods, a rose gold cider with hints of stone fruit, melon, and vanilla. The ciders can be paired with a food menu that includes snacks and appetizers including charcuteries and more substantial plates such as a gorgeous steelhead trout. For those who eschew cider, there are local craft beers and wine available. And did we mention the views? The cidery is sited on a hill, after all: Huge windows and an expansive outdoor patio offer a birds-eye view over the orchards to the Delaware River Valley. From the deck, guests can spy a 1900s Franciscan seminary, from which Seminary Hill gets its name. Check the website for special events, and hours; the cidery does many private events and may be closed to the public.

Go: 43 Wagner Lane, Callicoon, seminaryhill.co/orchard-cidery-1

Heather Clark cover food and dining for the Mid Hudson Valley for the Poughkeepsie Journal and Middletown Times Herald-Record. Contact her at hclark@gannett.com.

Karen Croke contributed to this story, kcroke1@lohud.com