The Hudson Valley’s natural beauty has long attracted artists and outdoorsy types, but it is the region’s complex jumble of historical layers that make it so fascinating. The valley was the gateway to America for European exploration, helped keep the Revolutionary War’s American colonies intact, and inspired the first great art movement in the country.
The valley has more than 3,800 historic sites and landmarks, many of which are open for tours, events, or just to explore. You can visit the historic buildings that housed New York State’s first Senate, or wander through the village of Kingston’s Stockade District, a National Historic Landmark where you can tour seven original stone houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, a colonial-era burial ground, and a reconstructed 1717 French church.
It also contains countless vistas of rolling hills, forests and meadows, and the mighty Hudson River. Gnarled old trees are laden with sweet red apples and support a flourishing cider industry; vineyards grow the fruit that gives the valley its name; and micro-breweries and artisan cheesemakers help give the region its thriving culinary scene.
Whether you are hiking in the mountains or taking in the views from Sam’s Point Preserve, you can always be sure to see some fall colors, and in winter there are ski trails for those who love a good powder day. The area is dotted with beautiful bluffs, waterfalls and state parks, including the Bear Mountain State Park where you can hike to the top of the highest peak in the Catskills.
The region is also where America’s history was made, beginning with Henry Hudson’s 1609 journey up the tidal river in search of an easier route to Asia. Later, the secluded ridges and valleys of the Hudson Valley became a key battleground in the American Revolution, and the landscape inspired the Hudson River School of painting.
Today, the valley is a weekend retreat for New York City dwellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city for the peace and quiet of the countryside. But while the valley has become a hot spot for status-obsessed weekenders, its DNA is still bohemian. The swanky hotel rooms, art galleries and boutique restaurants of the valley’s urban centers are more Brooklyn than Park Avenue.
The logistics of getting to the hudson valley are pretty straightforward: just take the New York State Thruway north to get to the northern edge of the mountains. Or you can fly into Albany International Airport and rent a car to get around. Commuter rail service to the area is provided by Metro-North Railroad. The service runs on three lines from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, east of the Hudson River: the New Haven Line, the Harlem Line and the Hudson Line. The New Haven Line serves eastern Westchester County, the Harlem Line services both Westchester and Rockland Counties, and the Hudson Line serves western Rockland and Putnam Counties. The New Jersey Transit Port Jervis Line also provides commuter rail service to the valley.