The beauty of the hudson valley captivates both painters and hikers. From the peaks of the Catskills to the banks of the Hudson River, this National Heritage Area inspires artists, nurtures new growth in its gardens and landscapes, and celebrates the freedoms and values that forged America.
The natural wonders of the Hudson River Valley kindled one of the nation’s most significant achievements in cultural history: the development of a painting style that captured America’s spirit. Today, the region continues to delight with a bounty of experiences and attractions.
A National Heritage Area, the hudson valley is packed with the traditional (county fairs, farm stands, antique shops) and the modern (theater companies, coffee shops, outdoor sculpture parks). The most logical way to reach this region due north of New York City is to hit the New York State Thruway, which traces the river’s edge. Amtrak’s Empire Service, Maple Leaf and Ethan Allen Express trains also serve the valley. You can also fly into Albany International Airport, a small and friendly hub that’s a convenient gateway to the region.
Once a center of vice, the historic town of Hudson has remade itself into an uber-cool retreat for young urbanites with incredible restaurants and quaint shopping. It still has a little bit of that edgy vibe: Check out the sexy cocktail lounge in a converted carriage house, Backbar; a cozy library-turned-restaurant with Malaysian dishes and a lovely patio; and, the first bar to open in the Stockade district since prohibition, Magic Hill.
Hikers, bikers and kayakers enjoy year-round access to awe-inspiring views of the pristine Hudson River and surrounding mountains. In summer, the region offers a wealth of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, kayaking, swimming, boating, golfing and horseback riding. Winter brings downhill and cross-country skiing, skating, snowboarding and snowshoeing with knockout views.
There are plenty of historic sites to discover in the hudson valley, from the family estates of the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts to Revolutionary War forts and battlefields. You can also visit the home where Franklin D. Roosevelt regained his health and reclaimed his dignity after being paralyzed by polio.
The region’s close proximity to New York City and the ease of flying into the regional Newburgh Stewart International Airport, make it easy for people from all over the world to explore this Extraordinary Place. The Hudson Valley National Heritage Area is a place to experience the landscape that shaped our nation and inspired some of our most beloved artists, authors, musicians, political leaders and activists. This extraordinary region is truly a place to Make it Yours.