As one of the world’s great natural wonders, the Hudson River Valley offers plenty to see and do. But some spots have a superlative quality that sets them apart statewide or even nationally.
Amid the peaks, valleys and rivers of this scenic region a series of extraordinary historic sites stand as a testament to the spirit and achievements of the American Revolution. Many of them are now open to the public and accessible through the free Hudson Valley Heritage Passport. The passport offers a discount on entrance fees at more than 50 attractions and provides free access to the National Park Service’s website for researching each site.
The stomping grounds of the Revolutionary War’s most famous general, George Washington, are scattered throughout the region as well. The reenactment of Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River is a highlight at Fort Montgomery, while the museum and reconstructed battlements of West Point provide an evocative sense of what life was like during the war’s early days.
Before the introduction of steam-powered ships, travel along the Hudson was arduous and time consuming. People and goods moved unpredictably, stranded by unfavorable winds or mired in the muddy roads that paralleled the river. The arrival of the first steamboats on the Hudson in 1775, however, revolutionized travel in the area and paved the way for the industrialization of the Hudson Valley.
As the new nation’s economy began to boom in the mid-1800s wealthy New Yorkers bought property in the Hudson Valley and built large country estates, some of which remain today (and are worth a visit). The landscape also transformed into a health retreat, as the mountain air and evergreen forests were believed to be therapeutic.
By the 20th century, the Hudson Valley had established a reputation as an artist’s mecca, spurred by the success of the “Hudson River School.” The sublime scenery was captured on canvas by painters such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church. The region is still a draw for modern artists, who are drawn by its beautiful light and wide-open spaces. The art museums in the area—including Dia Beacon, a sprawling former factory that houses an enormous collection of work—are not to be missed.
Today, the area is just as popular with tourists seeking a break from urban living. The towns and villages in the lower Hudson Valley, which straddles Westchester and Rockland counties, are filled with small shops, cafes and restaurants and the Hudson River State Park boasts miles of hiking trails. The northern portion of the valley, which extends north to Albany, features a mix of wineries and orchards and is home to sustainable-food champion Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture. The massive Storm King sculpture park and the Dia:Beacon art museum in a former box-printing factory round out the area’s cultural offerings.