The Hudson River’s dramatic landscape captivated people throughout the region’s rich history, inspiring painters, authors and industrialists. Today, the region continues to enchant visitors with awe-inspiring scenery, historic sites, exciting festivals and artisan-crafted products. From small homesteads settled by Dutch immigrants to aristocratic palaces on private estates, the Hudson Valley has a cultural landscape that’s both distinctively American and remarkably diverse.
In the 18th century, the river’s sublime locales found expression on paper – in prints, poetry and stories. As the publishing industry developed in the 19th century, awe-inspiring views of the Palisades, Hudson Highlands and Catskills were brought to broad audiences by renowned publishers. Sublime vistas of the mountains and the river became the stuff of legend and folklore, and helped mold America’s vision of itself as a country with a special relationship to nature. Artists and authors including Samuel Morse, Thomas Cole, Asher Durand, Jasper Cropsey, Frederick Church, Albert Bierstadt and Washington Irving portrayed indigenous peoples as living in harmony with nature, a notion that became an essential part of the national psyche.
As the world’s most important commercial waterway, the Hudson River helped shape America’s economic future. The river’s fertile valley was dotted with agricultural communities and sported industrial towns. Financiers, industrialists and railroad magnates such as J. Pierpont Morgan, Hamilton Fish and Richard Upjohn sought out land along the river for vacations, hunting and agriculture. As a result, this region is rich in historic landmarks and homes that are both well-preserved and evocative of the past.
Today, the area is known for its vineyards, orchards and farms, which produce a variety of fruits, vegetables and meats. Sustainable-food champion Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture and the Storm King Art Center sculpture park attract visitors looking for a new perspective on the natural world. The area also is famous for its antiques, and boasts several upscale shops in towns like Hudson and Nyack.
Two Manhattanites discover that even as the ice yachting scene shrinks in this upstate retreat, a dedicated group of enthusiasts sails to keep history alive. This Hudson River city offers over 50 antiques shops as well as restaurants and a lively performance arts scene. On the outskirts of the city, five day hikes range from a relaxing stroll to a moderately strenuous climb. This is a great way to see the stunning, wooded scenery and stunning mountain views that this region has to offer. A short drive away, Bear Mountain State Park is a scenic destination for hiking, fishing and picnicking. This popular park is also home to the Perkins Memorial Tower, a popular lookout point with amazing mountain views.