After a quarter century in Brooklyn Heights and East Hampton, it was time for a change. So I sold my consulting practice, packed up the family and headed north to Millbrook, NY, where I became a real estate agent at Keller Williams.

Millbrook is nestled in the heart of Dutchess County and it’s one of the Hudson Valley’s most charming and quietly sophisticated towns. It offers a blend of rural beauty, historic charm and understated luxury.

There’s a quiet kind of luxury here: sunsets over horse pastures, farm stands brimming with fresh produce and neighbors who still wave hello. Millbrook proves you don’t have to go far to feel (civilized) worlds away.

Saturday

7:00 a.m.  Gym 

Off to Planet Fitness in neighboring LaGrangeville, NY for a quick workout. 

9:00 a.m.  Breakfast 

It’s time to head to Babette’s Kitchen for an egg scramble wrap and an iced Americano. If you’re a fan of breakfast burritos, there are none better. An added benefit is the first name hellos and big smiles delivered by Jenn and the team she manages. Owners Buffy and Beth hired very well.

10:00 a.m.  Dog Walk 

Time to walk the hounds. We have four Redbone Coonhounds who must exercise their noses. So off we go. I just happen to live on an amazing road full of horse farms so the scents are unlimited and the pack always leaves happy.

11:30 a.m.  Shopping 

Everyone is back at the house, so we now head out to the farmers market in town where nature’s bounty abounds. We stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables for the week with a quick drop-in to visit Rebecca, the in-the-know, personally curated herbalist and owner of Mama Wolf Herbs for some lotions and potions. Fun fact: Rebecca also runs the Millbrook Farmers Market.

1:00 p.m.  Lunch 

Head back to town after dropping off the groceries and make a beeline for the Millbrook Diner for a quick burger and chocolate shake that must be eaten with a spoon. Everyone in town can be found there at some point over the weekend.

2:30 p.m.  Antiquing 

Time to go explore the hidden treasures of the Bottle Shop Antiques run by Kevin de Martine. Words cannot describe the wonders you’ll find hidden in what appears to be a broken-down shack. Don’t be fooled by the exterior—there are hundreds of thousands of bottles, mugs, jugs, pots, pans and more from late 1800s up to today. I guarantee you won’t leave empty handed.

4:00 p.m.  Fashionable Retail 

No trip to town is complete without a visit to J.McLaughlin for the latest in sophisticated fashion for any occasion and for both men and women. So, if you’re planning a night out—or just relaxing by the fire—McLaughlin has what you need.

5:00 p.m.  Cocktail Hour 

Off to Canoe Hill for a drink and some oysters. Hidden in a small alcove next to the diner, this place never disappoints. A rustic bar that seems to have been carved out of the Italian countryside, they deliver a wide range of cocktails and equally diverse range of oysters that’ll satisfy the most discerning tastes. Once our thirsts are quenched, we head home to feed the hounds and get ready for dinner.

7:00 p.m.  Dinner 

We hit Julien’s where we’re greeted by Shell, the restaurant manager, waitress and bartender. This tiny six-table bar and restaurant rocks with live music every Saturday night and serves one of the most eclectic menus I’ve ever seen. Their brick oven pizzas are truly over-the-top; the pasta specials are sure to delight and—wait!—there’s even a complete Japanese menu of fresh sushi specials if Italian food isn’t your thing. Can’t think of a better way to end the day.