With its eponymous natural waterway offering convenient north-south transport, the Hudson Valley has long played a key role in New York state history. From the settlement of the indigenous peoples through the American Revolution and 19th century industrial boom, this National Heritage Area is packed with historic landmarks, eclectic museums and Gilded Age mansions, alongside odes to America’s past military might.
The region’s picturesque natural landscape has inspired painters, poets and essayists for centuries. Embraced by Romantic sensibilities, they attempted to capture the intangible essence of the region’s sublime scenery in image, verse and prose. This, combined with the burgeoning pool of artistic talent in New York City, resulted in one of the most productive eras in American art and literature.
Today, the Hudson Valley is a hive of cultural activities. Thrill to the sights of the dazzling Hudson River Lighthouse at Kingston, or learn about the area’s colonial past at the Wall Street of the Hudson at New Paltz, where a reconstruction of the 1717 Dutch church and a museum tell the story of the region’s earliest settlers. At the rewilded battlefield of Stony Point, visitors can see where George Washington’s midnight bayonet attack reversed the course of the Revolutionary War.
New York’s capital, Albany, is also located in the Hudson Valley and is home to a wealth of historic sites and museums, including the 1740 Dutch Reformed Church and a reconstructed 1807 New York State Capitol building. The Hudson Valley has an active performing arts scene, ranging from a contemporary dance company to the world-renowned Albany Symphony Orchestra. The area also has an array of acclaimed culinary and craft distillery establishments.
Whether it’s the artisan-crafted goods at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets or the gastronomic delights served up at restaurants run by students from the Culinary Institute of America, this is a foodie’s paradise. Savor French, Italian and American dishes at world-class restaurants or lose yourself in the works of modern artists at Dia:Beacon housed in a former Nabisco box factory.
Unlike the Hamptons, which are a quick bus ride or train journey from Manhattan, Hudson Valley trips require a little more effort – but it’s well worth it. Get the full flavor of the region by savoring a farm-to-table meal at Wildflower, or sample local spirits on a tasting tour at Hudson Distillery. And for those who still want to buy their tie-dyes and crystals, Tinker Street is the place to go.