The Hudson Valley is a secluded string of picturesque small towns and majestic nature. Its storied history as the battleground for the Revolutionary War and New York City’s first suburban boom have made it the place where locals hike, camp and move when they need more room than a cramped apartment in NYC. And, thanks to its natural beauty and thriving art scene, it attracts visitors from across the nation.
Its lush farmland nurtures a burgeoning food scene and growing wine industry. The river’s banks and nearby mountains offer a range of outdoor activities, from swimming and boating to hiking and camping. And, in recent years, the region has seen a wave of entrepreneurs in organic and niche farming, growing produce and cheeses that find their way to NYC markets.
The region’s quaint villages and historic towns provide a window into American history, with small homesteads and farms that were first settled by Dutch immigrants and aristocratic estates where wealthy New York businessmen once vacationed and commuted into the city. The intangible essence of the Hudson’s sublime natural landscape drew artists and writers, enraptured with Romantic sensibilities, to capture its beauty in their work.
In the late 1700s and during the Revolutionary War, this stretch of the upper Hudson was like the wild west of the new world, with Hessian Jagers (German sharpshooters hired by the British to fight the American uprising) and rivalries between British Loyalists and American Patriots. Then, when the Erie Canal opened up the region to New York City’s industrial economy, it became a hub of urban growth.
This area’s tumultuous past has left behind a rich cultural legacy. Its picturesque landscape has drawn writers, poets and artists for centuries, and its bucolic setting inspired the novel The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. During the 19th century, prosperous New Yorkers began buying property here for summer and weekend retreats, as well as year-round residences. With the advent of railroads, commuting into the city became possible, and a class of urban professionals moved north for the quieter lifestyle and gorgeous scenery.
Today, the Hudson Valley continues to be a popular getaway for urban residents and visitors from across the country. You can reach the region easily with Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line or Amtrak, which make stops in several small towns along the river. If you prefer to fly, Stewart International Airport in New Windsor and Albany International Airport offer direct routes from NYC. You can also rent a car, with services available at both airports and in many other cities in the northeast.