From the leafy roads and vineyards of the Hudson Valley to the thriving art scene and burgeoning farm-to-table food, the region offers an abundance of attractions and experiences that will delight visitors from near and far. A National Heritage Area, the Hudson River Valley is steeped in history, natural beauty and a surprisingly progressive culture (see: world-renowned modern art and organic farming).
The scenery here influenced one of the most significant developments in American cultural history: a group of artists led by Thomas Cole came to see the landscape as the epitome of America’s character, and they developed a new style of painting known as the Hudson River School that resonated nationally.
Today the landscape still captivates. The valley is home to the earliest wine-producing region in America, and the bucolic hillscapes are embellished with Dutch gables and Federal-style townhouses that appear to have stopped time in the 18th century. Yet the region is more than Ichabod Crane and Sleepy Hollow, and quaint towns are packed with traditional activities like county fairs and antique shops as well as newer ones including theatre companies and coffee shops.
The region has a lot to tell, and it’s easy to get around. Whether you’re driving from the South, via the New York State Thruway, or from the East, through Albany on the Massachusetts Turnpike, getting to the Hudson Valley is straightforward and scenic. The valley is also accessible by rail, with Amtrak’s Empire Service and Maple Leaf trains tracing the river’s edge from New York City to Albany.
Once the train reaches Albany, visitors can continue north into the Hudson Valley Greenway, which connects the city with the village of Hudson and beyond, passing through some of the most historic, cultural and natural resources in New York State. The region’s many communities are committed to preserving their historic, cultural and natural assets, and the Hudson Valley Greenway respects New York’s tradition of municipal home rule while offering a framework for shared investment in these precious resources.
While a car is the most popular way to explore the region, there are other ways to get here:
The most scenic, though certainly not the fastest, option is to fly into Albany International Airport and rent a car. Alternatively, take Metro-North’s rail line from Manhattan to Grand Central Terminal or Brooklyn to Hoboken Terminal; the train runs to Westchester and Putnam Counties and all the way up to Rockland County and Orange Counties.
The Hudson Valley is full of surprises, including a wide variety of accommodations. From a converted 19th-century carriage house to a luxury resort that doubles as an artist retreat, the Hudson Valley has something for every traveler. The Hotel Kinsley, in the historic Stockade District of Kingston, is a standout among small mid-Hudson hotels; it opened in 2017 and features a sexy cocktail lounge as well as a restaurant inside a plant-filled glass conservatory serving handmade pasta and other dishes that showcase the region’s culinary prowess.