The pristine Hudson Valley is full of leafy drives, wineries, farm-to-table options for foodies and a chance to take a break from the stresses of everyday life. A string of picturesque small towns line the 150-mile stretch of the river, while the majestic nature that surrounds them enchants visitors. The region’s history – from the events that shaped the American Revolution to the achievements of renowned artists and architects – has earned it a place in our national imagination.
This National Heritage Area is a place of inspiration and discovery. It’s home to the views that stimulated a major artistic movement and a model for land conservation practices, and historic gardens that helped shaped the landscape design profession.
The valley stretches from Westchester County to Albany, the New York State capital. Vineyards, orchards and farms, including sustainable-food champion Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, abound. Sculpture parks, such as Storm King and Dia:Beacon, exhibit large-scale works by important 20th- and 21st-century artists. The region’s 10 counties also offer a range of dining and drinking destinations, recreational activities and historic sites.
The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area was created by Congress in 1996 to preserve and protect the area’s cultural and natural resources. It encompasses the communities and rural landscapes of the 10 counties that surround the Hudson River, including Manhattan, a city called Mannahatta by the Munsee Indians (Muhheakantuck by the Lenape), as well as the Hudson Highlands — the region between the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains.
Before European arrival, the valley was home to many Native American societies—from the Munsee and Lenape in the lower valley, to the Iroquois of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in the upper valley. These cultures inspired early settlers, who learned important survival techniques and adopted many of their diplomatic, social and cultural practices.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Valley became a hub of industry and culture. The region’s landscapes influenced the development of early residential styles, mountain resorts and spectacular riverside estates. Its artistic community spawned important developments in American art and architecture, including the work of artists Andrew Jackson Downing, Alexander Jackson Davis, Thomas Cole and Frederic Church. And its economic activities, including banking, railroads and shipping, contributed to the growth of our nation’s economy.
The National Park Service’s Hudson Valley Program helps to preserve and enhance the area’s natural, historic and cultural resources. Its responsibilities include maintaining and interpreting the region’s scenic, cultural and recreational treasures and providing educational opportunities for residents and visitors. In addition, the Hudson Valley Program works with partners to protect important habitat and water resources through regional planning efforts. Its biological mapping tools help communities identify natural features and their connections to the landscape. This includes information about streams, wetlands and large forests in the region as well as recreation amenities and existing protected lands. To use these tools, visit our online Hudson River Valley Mapper.