Outdoors adventures in Copake
The town of Copake lies in upstate New York, close to the borders with Connecticut and Massachusetts. Its name derives from the Native American word 'cook-pake' meaning 'Snake Pond'. While staying in a Copake vacation rental, you'll have easy access to the Taconic Range, a picturesque section of the bigger Appalachian Mountains which contains hundreds of miles of hiking trails as well as parts of the enormous Appalachian Trail. Within an hour of town, there are hundreds of attractions to explore, many of which are kid-friendly. And, come winter, you can ski down the nearby pistes on Catamount.
Firefighting and whisky tasting
If the outdoor activities all sound like too much effort, fear not. Near your Copake vacation rental there's plenty on offer to keep you busy. The Fasny Museum of Firefighting offers a look at over 300 years of firefighting history, while the Copake Iron Works established in the mid-19th century is no longer active but the charcoal blast furnace and blowing engine are still intact and fascinating to see. During the Prohibition years, many of the hundreds of farm distilleries closed their doors, but the Hillrock Estate Distillery still creates fine, world-class spirits distilled in copper pots and aged in oak – a real taste of the region.
Take a refreshing dip in the Ore Pit
There's no shortage of outdoor activities nearby to your Copake vacation rental. In the Taconic State Park near Copake Falls you can take a refreshing dip in the 'Ore Pit', a former iron mine which was converted into a swimming pool. In season, hunters can roam the forests in search of a trophy, while bikers and hikers should head straight for the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, a paved pedestrian path which runs many miles from Wassaic to Chatham. And then there's the South Taconic Trail, which traverses a ridge crest running next to the Appalachian Trail.
Explore the 1000-acre wildlife sanctuary
Just a few minutes north of Copake vacation rentals is the Rheinstrom Hill Audubon Sanctuary and Center, a 1000-acre park which provides habitats for many species of birdlife and mammals. Join one of the guided walking tours through the park to spot mallards and graceful great blue herons. During the summer, colorful hummingbirds buzz past and swallows glide overhead. It's also not uncommon to spot solitary black bears, bounding white-tailed deer, elusive coyotes and bobcats. A must for all wildlife lovers.