From quaint mountain towns to historic Hudson River mansions, this region offers a diverse array of cultural and natural treasures. The beauty of the landscape is complemented by the rich history of this region that played a pivotal role in America’s revolution and helped shape our national identity.
The area is easily accessible from New York City by train, plane and bus. NY Waterway operates ferry service from Haverstraw in Rockland County to Ossining in Westchester and between Newburgh in Orange and Beacon in Dutchess Counties. Bus transit in the region includes the services of Rockland Coaches and Short Line in Rockland and Orange Counties, as well as Metro-North and Amtrak intercity and commuter trains from Manhattan’s Grand Central Station.
A two-day trip from the city takes you to an upstate haven that lures New Yorkers seeking clean air, spectacular hikes and authentic upstate culture. Vineyards, orchards and farms supply the region’s restaurants and hotels with produce from local fields and agribusinesses. The sustainable-food champion Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Wassaic aims to make the region a modern breadbasket, while the Storm King Art Center sculpture park and Dia:Beacon, housed in an old factory, exhibit large-scale works by 20th-century artists.
Early European exploration of the Hudson Valley began with Henry Hudson’s 1609 voyage from the Netherlands in search of a shortcut to Asia. The wilderness he encountered was much different than the tamed countryside of Europe, which influenced the visions and ideals that he captured in his paintings. Artists of the Hudson River School portrayed nature as both wild and pristine, an idea that shaped America’s view of itself as a distinct nation.
Located about two hours north of New York City, the Hudson Valley’s dramatic four seasons, historical sites and small towns continue to draw visitors to this iconic region. The rugged mountains, lush forests and historic villages provide a picturesque backdrop to a growing roster of boutique hotel properties, wineries and gourmet food producers.
Farm-to-table restaurants offer an opportunity to experience the culinary bounty of the region in dining rooms that showcase a mix of styles and personalities. Husband and wife duo Gaetano and Meigan DiGiorgio, who run the restaurant Via Cassia in Hudson, create a home away from home at this elegant eatery with a nod to traditional Italian design. In contrast, the upscale Mercer Kitchen and Bar in Kingston blends an elegant Ralph Lauren aesthetic with a selection of artisanal craft.
During the early 1900s, when tuberculosis was rife in the city, the beauty of the Hudson Valley became the destination of choice for health retreats. The mountain air, fresh water and evergreen forests were thought to have healing powers, which was why many wealthy people built summer homes in the region. These estates now have been converted to bed-and-breakfasts and other boutique hotels. Many of these buildings are surrounded by private gardens that are just as beautiful as the houses themselves.