Unique holiday gifts available right here in Orange County
Goshen For those looking for gifts that are fun, affordable and unusual, the elves at Orange County Tourism have some holiday shopping tips to share: Some of Orange County’s great museums have gift shops with holiday-themed items not readily available at the malls. For instance, if you are shopping for a horse-lover, check out the beautiful gift shop at the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen. The West Point Museum offers special items for those who admire the famed military academy and the Army’s athletic teams. The J.C. Merritt Store at Museum Village, which will be open during the Christmas in the Village event, is the perfect place to find stocking stuffers reminiscent of the “good old days.” Buying for the person who has everything, or have no idea what to buy? How about giving a membership to one of Orange County’s museums or special attractions? Memberships often include free admission to the attraction as well as special program discounts. The Museum of the Hudson Highlands, Storm King Art Center, the Neversink Valley Area Museum, the Harness Racing Museum and Museum Village are terrific choices. Treat those on your gift list to tickets to a cultural event that’s top-notch and not far from home. Check out the array of shows at Eisenhower Hall at West Point or the Lycian Centre in Sugar Loaf. Choose from ballet, drama, comedy, music, family entertainment and children’s theater. The gift-giver can never go wrong when sharing a gift to please the taste buds. A certificate to the famous Sunday brunch at the Thayer Hotel or a cooking lesson and tasting experience with a CIA-trained chef at the charming Iron Forge Inn, is sure to be a hit. Perhaps a bottle of award-winning wine from one of Orange County’s four wineries, Applewood, Brotherhood, Demarest Hill or Warwick Valley, will fill the bill. Be sure to shop the historic Sugar Loaf Art and Craft Village, where a community of crafts people and artists make their livelihood creating a wide variety of unique, special items. Shopping can be fun, especially during the holiday season. Make the Orange County Visitor’s Guide your source for finding extra-special holiday gifts this season. Find it on the Web at www.orangetourism.org or contact the elves at 845-291-2136 for a free copy.