The hudson valley is home to a string of charming small towns and majestic nature. There’s plenty to do here from leafy drives and winery tours to dining at Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants. The region also boasts world-class theater and music, shopping at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets and more. And of course, it has a rich history wrapped around amazing architecture and the freedom and dignity causes that have shaped America.
Henry Hudson accidentally stumbled upon the area when he sailed up the Hudson River in 1609. But the explorer’s arrival changed the way New Yorkers looked at the landscape, and how they lived in it. The sweeping vistas, fresh air and pristine forests became a health resort, where people came to cure tuberculosis and other dangerous diseases.
As the railroads arrived and the Valley became more industrialized, it became a place of wealth and power. Financier J. Pierpont Morgan, Union Pacific Railroad president Edward H. Harriman and other industrialists set up estates to make the most of the natural beauty and abundant resources.
Small homesteads and farms inhabited by Dutch and German immigrants, aristocratic palaces on private estates, and industry-friendly river towns intermingle to create a uniquely American cultural landscape. The landscape also includes some of the nation’s most significant Revolutionary War battlefields, historic homes and Revolutionary War forts and sites.
Today, the pristine Hudson Valley is a destination for those looking to experience a respite from the hectic pace of big city living. The Culinary Institute of America is based here, making the region a hub for culinary inspiration. You can sample local wines at more than 150 wineries. And, if you’re looking to take in some live music, the region is home to the legendary Woodstock.
The region’s proximity to New York City makes it easy to get here by car or train. The Albany International Airport in Guilderland, Stewart International Airport in Newburgh and Westchester County Airport in White Plains all serve commercial airlines, while the Yonkers station on the Metro-North line offers intercity and commuter rail service. NY Waterway operates the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry between Haverstraw and Ossining, as well as ferry services between Fishkill and Plum Point in Rockland County, and Newburgh and Beacon in Orange and Dutchess Counties. Bus transit is provided by short-line operators like Rockland Coaches and Leprechaun Lines in Rockland, Orange and Rockland Counties, and the Bee-Line Bus System in Westchester County.