The hudson valley is home to beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and an increasingly sophisticated culinary scene. It is easy to reach from New York City and makes for an excellent destination for a one- to two-day getaway or longer trip.
This picturesque region, whose name was spelled out by Englishman Henry Hudson as he searched for the shortest route to China in 1609, stretches from Westchester County to Albany, the state capital. The landscape is dominated by vineyards, orchards and farms, including sustainable-food champion Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. The area also is known for art, with the Storm King Art Center sculpture park and Dia:Beacon — a museum in a former factory that showcases large-scale work by modern artists — both open in nearby Beacon.
Whether you travel by car, train or bus, the Hudson Valley offers a wide variety of cultural and natural wonders. It is a place where a 19th-century landscape inspired painters such as Frederic Church, and today it continues to draw New Yorkers seeking clean air, epic hikes and upstate culture.
The Lower Hudson Valley—which reaches from the border with Connecticut to Westchester County and includes parts of Rockland and Putnam Counties—is a densely settled corridor with many historic sites. It is also home to a growing number of young farmers, bakers, vintners and distillers who are turning the region into a modern breadbasket. For example, the whiskey at the Tenmile Distillery in Wassaic is distilled from grain grown on family-run farms in the nearby town of Tivoli. And artisanal cheeses and chocolates can be found at restaurants in towns such as Millbrook.
The Upper Hudson Valley—which encompasses Greene, Columbia and Albany Counties—is known for stunning mountain views that have drawn painters since the early 1800s, including Thomas Cole. His paintings celebrating the beauty of nature launched a group of painters that became known as the Hudson River School. The region is also rich in heritage resources highlighting the Dutch outpost and landholdings here, the Revolutionary War forts and battlefields, and the important role this area played in America’s Industrial Revolution.
In Kingston, you can see the area’s history in the incredible 17th- and 18th-century stockade district, which includes the only Four Corners intersection in the world that is surrounded by original Revolutionary War buildings. Or explore the waterfront district, with a slew of small shops and restaurants like Grazin’ — a 50’s-style diner with a decidedly modern outlook on animal welfare, where the burgers are made from ethically sourced meat.
The best way to explore the area is by car, but the New York State Thruway has scenic vistas that will entice you to get out and stretch your legs. If you’re flying, Albany International Airport is a friendly hub that provides easy access to the region. From there, you can catch an Amtrak Empire Service or Metro-North commuter train to a range of destinations in the Hudson Valley and beyond.