Magnificent natural scenery, renowned restaurants and bars, and a rich cultural scene make the Hudson Valley a place where visitors can immerse themselves in a region as wild as it is sophisticated. There’s no shortage of historic sites to visit, museums and galleries with world-class collections, and iconic estates and mansions that once welcomed the nation’s richest families. You can stroll the gardens at Storm King Art Center where sculptures loom larger than life, gain a new perspective on nature at the 1865 Bavarian Manor Inn in Rhinebeck, or power-shop at Woodbury Common’s designer outlets.
A National Heritage Area, the region’s history is interwoven with American culture and identity from its early days as a Dutch settlement through the Industrial Revolution. Many of the county towns and cities in the Hudson River Valley preserve significant physical resources that illustrate a variety of national themes, including land use and development, commerce, transportation, and government.
The region is also home to some of the most progressive practices in agriculture and food sourcing as well as world-renowned modern art. From the moment Henry Hudson first sailed up the river in 1609, a thriving community of indigenous people developed spiritual traditions that honored the environment and the bounty it provided them.
As the Industrial Revolution swept the country in the 19th century, manufacturing plants thrived here. The region became a major producer of textiles, clothing, furniture, and machinery. The Hudson River and the Erie Canal facilitated transportation of goods to market across the United States. Towns like Poughkeepsie, Kingston, and Newburgh developed into industrial centers that attracted immigrants from Europe.
Many of these towns have preserved their architectural and cultural identity as a result, and today visitors can see how the past continues to inform the present. The National Park Service has preserved a number of significant resources to interpret the region’s history, including Fort Putnam, where the Revolutionary War was fought; Olana, the home of landscape painter Frederic Edwin Church; and the sites of two Revolutionary War battles.
In the mid-1800s wealthy New York City businessmen began buying property in the Valley for summer and weekend retreats. Politicians, bankers, railroad magnates and other professionals made their mark here, and their legacy is reflected in the many impressive estates throughout the area.
The region still attracts business leaders, and the innovative spirit that has long been prevalent in the valley is now found in its world-renowned companies. One such company is IBM, which has a large research facility in Poughkeepsie and employs thousands.
From a reconstructed Dutch farm to the headquarters of an international wine maker, the many places to learn about the history of the hudson valley can be fascinating and a bit unexpected. There are many ways to explore this rich region without breaking the bank, and the following experiences won’t cost you more than a trip on the Metro North train from Grand Central Station. Book your trip to hudson valley with One Key and get access to thousands of experiences that can help you save up to 50% on attractions, activities, day trips, and transfers.