With its sweeping river and mountain views, the Hudson Valley has long served as a scenic escape for urban New Yorkers. Its pastoral beauty inspired 19th-century landscape artists like Thomas Cole and Frederic Church, and its wealth made it home to palatial estates once owned by the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. The area has also been a lyrical backdrop for the work of writers including Washington Irving and author Edgar Allan Poe.
The valley sits just over two hours by car or train from NYC, making it the perfect day trip or weekend getaway. The region has a lot to offer year-round, from hiking and biking trails at Bear Mountain State Park to winter skating at Hessian Lake in Poughkeepsie. Its quaint towns are bustling with cozy new art galleries and old-school diners, while its wineries and orchards produce delicious fruit.
At the heart of it all is the Hudson River itself, the defining feature of the Valley that flows down to Albany. The river’s pristine waters were crucial to the Revolutionary War. The patriots used it to block the British invasion of New England, and Benedict Arnold made his daring getaway down its banks.
Today, the River is a renowned natural resource. Its clean water and natural splendor continue to inspire visitors. Take a cruise or rent a kayak to enjoy the scenery, or explore a variety of state parks offering activities for all ages and skill levels.
From the vineyards of Dutchess County to the sustainable-food champions at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, there’s a bounty of farm-to-table fare throughout the region. Whether you’re looking for local cheeses, handcrafted goods or designer labels, the shops of quaint river towns and Woodbury Common will not disappoint.
This is a place that has always been a magnet for creative minds, from the 19th-century painters of the Hudson River School to the mid-20th century art movement known as abstract expressionism. The region is also a shopping mecca, with boutiques and antique stores scattered across the area.
The Abbey Inn emerges, wholly renovated and re-imagined, as the premier boutique hotel for the modern traveler visiting the lower Hudson Valley. The hotel’s sweeping indoor and outdoor private event spaces, a Michelin guide recommended restaurant and bar, full-service spa and luxury guest rooms create the ideal setting for all life’s meaningful moments. This once private residence is situated in Northern Westchester, just one hour from Grand Central Terminal, and offers a truly unique hospitality experience.