The region’s verdant richness lures artisanal farmers, wineries and foodies. Its landscapes influenced a national artistic movement and shaped American garden design, and countless monuments honoring America’s Revolutionary War heroes dot the countryside.
This pristine New York state region, with its storied past and timeless beauty, is the perfect place for a day trip or an extended vacation. It’s also a gateway to the Catskill Mountains and a renowned center for outdoor activities.
Just over an hour from NYC, the Hudson Valley has leafy roads winding past farms and cottages, apple orchards and old-money mansions. Its mountainous backdrop was romanticized by painters of the Hudson River School. And as the area continues to attract more downstate New York City residents, it’s gained new dining options, well-marked hiking trails, museum exhibits and craft breweries.
As you explore the region, take in the breathtaking views from this national historic district and learn how the landscape was shaped by natural and human forces over time. Tour homes where Franklin Delano Roosevelt entertained his presidential guests and discover the historic sites that mark the region’s role in the Revolutionary War and other freedom and dignity causes.
The bucolic landscapes of the upper Hudson Valley have long inspired writers, including Washington Irving and Irving MacLean, who gave us Ichabod Crane and Sleepy Hollow. And while the area remains a haven for nature lovers, it’s also home to a vibrant culture that includes everything from theater companies and music venues to the country’s oldest continuously operated tavern and a onetime hotbed of vice.
For a taste of the region’s culinary scene, head to The Culinary Institute of America where future chefs learn their trade, or to any number of Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants. Or, head to the burgeoning art scene at Storm King Art Center sculpture park and Dia:Beacon where large-scale works by the likes of Barbara Hepworth and Isamu Noguchi loom over the landscape.
For those who want to stay a bit longer, there are plenty of luxury hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts in the valley. Or, if you prefer to camp under the stars (literally), there are numerous campgrounds and yurts in the area. And if you’re in the mood to shop, Woodstock has all the tie-dyes and crystals you could ever want, while the town of Hudson has plenty of hip eateries, quaint shops and opportunity to find that perfect antique.