Music
By the time you get to Woodstock …
The town of Woodstock, New York, is around a two-hour drive from New York City. The Midnight Ramble doesn’t start at midnight, in fact it’s usually over just before midnight. That can still make for a late night if you’re driving, though.
Why not spend the night? Woodstock is a lovely village that has lost none of its charm over the years. There’s not a national retailer in sight — no, not even a Starbucks. Instead there is a group of quirky shops, restaurants, and galleries.
I reserved a room at the Woodstock Inn on the Millstream. True to its name, the Inn is right beside the stream that inspired the famous song “Down by the Old Millstream,” and the sound of the gently flowing water will gently lull you to sleep. Take some time to sit and relax in the chairs that the Inn provides streamside. The rooms are small, but extremely clean, well kept, and comfortable. A Continental breakfast is served in the lobby each morning, or you can take your meal outdoors and have it beside the stream.
I arrived early in the afternoon to be sure I had a chance to spend some time in town. The main business area is a ten-minute walk from the Inn. My immediate need was for some coffee, so my first stop was at Joshua’s Java Lounge. The bright and airy café is on the second floor, above Joshua’s Cafe. I wasn’t expecting entertainment with my coffee, but I should have known better. It was Woodstock after all. I took my time over coffee listening to the unusual but interesting sounds of a duo featuring didgeridoo and bongos.
After some window shopping it was time for lunch. The covered porch of the Landau Grill looked just right on this spring afternoon. The menu of sandwiches, burgers, and salads wasn’t anything I hadn’t seen before, but the food was well prepared, the service was friendly, the prices were reasonable, and it was a nice day to be watching the world go by.
I was running short of time, and I needed to make my contribution to the food table at The Ramble, so I stopped into Bread Alone to pick up some cookies. It’s the only bakery in town, and I was able to round up a dozen large oatmeal-and-peanut-butter cookies to bring with me to Levon’s house. Bread Alone is also a good choice for your Sunday-morning bagel and coffee. The homemade soups are great too. —K.S.
Woodstock Inn on the Millstream
www.woodstock-inn-ny.com
48 Tannery Brook Road
Woodstock, New York 12498
(800) 420-4707
Joshua’s Java Lounge
www.joshuascafe.com
51 Tinker Street
Woodstock, New York 12498
(845) 679-5533
The Landau Grill
17 Mill Hill Road
Woodstock, New York 12498
(845) 679-8937
Bread Alone
www.breadalone.com
22 Mill Hill Road
Woodstock, New York 12498
(845) 679-2108
