In today’s edition of The New York Sun, S. James Snyder travels upstate and explores the wilds of Duchess County — specifically, the county’s upkeep of the tradition of drive-in theaters. Only an hour and a half away on the Hudson Line of Metro-North — one of the most beautiful rides in the Lower Hudson Valley, as the tracks hug the shore of the Hudson River — the county offers film buffs a nostalgic option to watch contemporary films at the Hyde Park Drive-In and the Overlook Drive-In in Poughkeepsie.

This week, Dinner and a Movie looks northbound as well, exploring the best restaurants and lodging options in this lush and bucolic area of New York State. Don’t forget: If you do plan to take Metro-North, instead of driving, make sure you seat yourself and your family on the left-hand side of the train as you’re leaving the city. That will give you the best view of the river going north.

TRAVEL

By train: Take the Metro-North’s Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie.

By car: Take the Henry Hudson Parkway to the Sawmill River Parkway to the Taconic Parkway (North) Exit at Route 52 or 55, east. Or, take I-87 north (New York State Throughway) to Exit 17 at Newburgh to I-84 east to Route 9 North.

RESTAURANTS

Nearby Hyde Park is home to the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America, which operates five student-run restaurants, designed to train future top chefs. The Escoffier Restaurant, which serves high-end French fair, is by far the most well known eatery on campus. But the school also operates the family-friendly St. Andrew’s Café, which sells salads and sandwiches, and the Apple Pie Bakery Café, which offers freshly baked breads and desserts, as well as sandwiches and other café fare. Two other full-seated restaurants offer Italian and American cuisines respectively, Ristorante Caterina De’ Medici, and the American Bounty Restaurant, which sources much of its menu locally. (1946 Campus Drive, Hyde Park, 845-471-6608)

SHOPPING

City folk are sorely starved for good old-fashioned mall shopping, but as one travels farther upstate, those giant arenas filled with Banana Republic, Claire’s Accessories, and Abercrombie & Fitch shops become more common. The Poughkeepsie Galleria is one of the oldest in the Lower Hudson Valley, but it’s still considered to be a quality destination for prombound high school students and families with small children who need to be constantly entertained. It’s also perfect for shoppers from the city who, for once, can do all of their clothing shopping under one roof. (2001 South Road, off of Route 9 North, Poughkeepsie, 845-297-7600)

LODGING

The Journey Inn Bed and Breakfast offers four rooms and two suites, and is closely located near the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. Each room and suite has a singular theme: The Kyoto Room is designed with Japanese sensibilities in mind, and the English Country suite is reminiscent of rose season in London. Breakfast is offered everyday in the Morning Room. (Rooms $130- $150 a night, and suites, $170-$190 a night, the Journey Inn Bed and Breakfast, 1 Sherwood Place, Hyde Park, 845-229-8972)

The Sprout Creek Farm in Poughkeepsie is a 200-acre working farm: The farm raises cows and sheep, and its creamery sells ice cream and homemade artisanal cheeses, as well as corn and other vegetables grown on site. The farm keeps a three-bedroom cottage on its premises that is available to rent for a weekend. A complete kitchen, dining room, and a working fireplace come with the cottage, making the farm a perfect late summer getaway from the hot city. (Weekend rental, $400, 34 Lauer Road, Poughkeepsie, 845-485-8438)