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hvparent.com n Hudson Valley Parent 43 +93 • Kid's parties • Sweet sixteens • Proms & school dances • All types of special events • Communions • Neon parties already toured the mansion itself — or even if you haven't — it's worth spending a whole day just exploring the grounds themselves, hiking the estate's trails and picnicking by the lake. Unlike the house itself, the grounds are free and open to the public seven days a week throughout the whole year (although visitors on weekends from May to October will pay a $5 vehicle fee; Empire Pass- port holders and members of The Olana Partnership are exempt). And budding artists from the ages of 6 to 12 can attend "Panorama," an art camp for kids run by The Olana Part- nership, during the weeks of July 7 and July 21. Dia:Beacon The city of Beacon's "hip" sta- tus arguably began in 2003 when the Dia Foundation opened up this contemporary art museum in a 240,000-square-foot former Nabisco factory. The site's expansive spaces are the perfect homes for large-scale works by such notable artists as Andy Warhol, Richard Serra, Dan Flavin, On Kawara and many others. Details: Dia:Beacon is located near the Beacon train station at 3 Beek- man St. Since the museum is lit al- most entirely by natural light, hours vary according to season. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Beacon residents are admitted free on weekends. Twice a year, the museum hosts "Community Free Day" in which admission is free for residents of Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Ulster, and Westchester counties. The next Community Free Day will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11. Been there, done that? Because Dia:Beacon focuses on large-scale works, people tend to assume that their collections are static and unchanging. But new exhibits are opening all the time; the museum is currently hosting a major retro- spective of the work of minimalist sculptor Carl Andre. And since Beacon's own Homespun Foods took over the museum's café, you can be assured of a good cup of coffee and a satisfying sandwich when it's time to refuel. Rocking Horse Ranch If you and your family want to get out of the house for a few days with- out spending a ton of money on gas or airfare, look no further than Rock- ing Horse Ranch. For over 50 years, (Continued on Page 44)