The historic region of the Hudson valley stretches from Westchester County to Albany, where grand old mansions and pristine natural landscapes have inspired artists, writers and presidents. But the valley isn’t just about the past: its quaint river towns offer world-renowned modern art, progressive practices in agriculture and food sourcing, and a plethora of shops that sell antiques and more. You’ll also find plenty to do outdoors, from hiking to kayaking on the Hudson or enjoying a show at the world-famous Woodstock music festival.
Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area – The mission of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is to celebrate and advance the history, architecture, landscape, and culture of the region and promote it’s preservation. They strive to interpret the region’s history with meticulous attention to accuracy based on thorough research and present it in ways that meet the public’s evolving interests and varied learning styles.
For most of the 19th century, the region’s natural beauty was the main draw. Tourists came from across the nation and Europe, visiting the home and landscapes of Hudson River School painters like Thomas Cole and Frederic Church and taking in the sweeping views of the river and its mountains from their river boats. The area was also an important stop on trips to Saratoga Springs, the Adirondacks and Niagara Falls.
In 1963, when Consolidated Edison proposed building a power station on Storm King Mountain, the region’s residents formed the Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference to fight it. The conference, backed by thousands of supporters and a powerful group of lawyers, won a 17-year legal battle that eventually forced the utility to back down. This victory marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.
The region still draws tourists today, but now it’s for the vineyards and orchards, which produce a wide variety of quality local products. You can learn all about sustainable agriculture at the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture or grab a bite to eat at a farm-to-table restaurant like Grazin’s, which is decidedly modern in its outlook on animal welfare. Other popular attractions include Storm King Art Center, a one-of-a-kind sculpture park and Dia: Beacon, a museum housed in a former Nabisco box printing factory that displays large-scale works by major 20th and 21st century artists.
If you’re a student, you can attend top educational institutions in the region, including the Culinary Institute of America and colleges like Marist and Vassar. Or, you can catch a performance at Basilica Hudson, a multi-disciplinary arts center in an 1880s factory. And, of course, there’s plenty to do outdoors, from a paved trail around Hessian Lake to the challenging 1000ft climb up Bald Mountain. But no matter what you do, the most important thing to remember is to respect and appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The scenery is enough to inspire you on its own.