More on the Map | Fully Arranged Short Escapes

EAST

Summer
in the Spiegeltent

Rhinebeck & Annandale-on-Hudson, NY | July 18- 19 2026

A many-mirrored tent, a debut, and one of the oldest hotels in these United States.

For seven weeks each summer, Bard College raises a spiegeltent (we’ll explain) in a field beside its Gehry-designed concert hall.

As always, your stay, meal and local experience are booked for you in a tap.

 

The Beekman Arms has been putting up guests since 1766 — the oldest continuously operating inn in America. There are some competing claims for this but we trust the Beekman

Washington slept here, so did Benedict Arnold. In 1804, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton began their duel-resulting quarrel in the tap room here, goes the legend.

We’ll stop listing historical things in a minute, but you know how we are: William Jennings Bryan gave a speech right out a second floor window, and Franklin Roosevelt began and ended each of his presidential campaigns from the front porch.

The present day inn is a very charming campus of historic structures. You’ll be in the red-bricked Firehouse.


You have reservations for Saturday, July 18. Pre-paid, just arrive.

Photo via the Beekman Arms

Every year as part of its Summerscape programming, Bard College raises a spiegeltent— a completely enchanting tent of mirrors in the old-Belgian fashion; a thing that once traveled Europe as portable dance halls.

Inside there’s carved wood, a parquet floor, and a thousand beveled mirrors. Saturday evening, Samora Pinderhughes makes his debut inside the shimmer of this completely unique venue: he’s a composer the New York Times ranks among the most affecting singer-songwriters working in any genre.

When the set ends, the tent converts gloriously into a dance hall.

You’ll have tickets for two on Saturday evening.Just up the road in Annandale-on-Hudson.

Photo via Fisher Center at Bard College


Sunday, walk a minute up Mill Street to Little Goat, a townhouse café from Taavo Somer and Erin Winters.

This place is part bakery, part pantry and part neighborhood restaurant, with a terrific pastry case working alongside a full brunch menu.

There is (seasonal) galette and quiche, poached eggs over Wild Hive polenta, French toast with mascarpone and summer fruit, or skillet eggs with pork sausage ragù, The focaccia and other baked goods are made in-house.


Brunch is at 11am on Sunday. $100 food and drink credit for two travelers; $60 for one traveler.


Photo: Little Goat

All arranged, no planning anxiety. Just go.

So how does this work?
No payment is needed just yet. Send us your request, and we’ll make sure the weekend is ready on our end. Then we’ll email you a secure payment link. Once you’re booked, we’ll send the key details: check-in, addresses, timing and reservation notes.

For now, just let us know you’d like us to get going.

Images in our stories may be sourced from publicly available materials, and are used to represent places as they exist. All rights remain with their respective owners.

Additional credits:

Bard College Fisher Center front view" by Daniel Case is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.