The Hudson Valley is a region of historic, cultural and recreational riches in a scenic landscape where the past meets the present. Here you’ll find the sights that inspired a national artistic movement, gardens that shaped American landscape design practice and places of historical significance in our struggle for freedom and dignity.
The region stretches north from New York City, offering a variety of vacation options. Drive up the New York State Thruway to Albany and the mountains of the Catskills will rise before your eyes, or fly into Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, Albany International Airport or Westchester County Airport in White Plains. You can also arrive via Amtrak’s Empire Service, Maple Leaf and Ethan Allen Express trains from New York City or Albany.
Whether you come by car or Amtrak with your own luggage or pack up the kids, Hudson’s deceptively casual and stylish charm will delight everyone. The small town is a cabinet of curiosities, with a quaint mix of boutiques and shops that sell everything from vintage clothing to Scandi-style furniture. You’ll find cozy, luxe hotels that will put you at ease before you even check in; lip-smacking restaurants and cafes that serve breakfast all day long, plus a few spots that are open just for dinner; art galleries and vintage furniture stores where it feels more like Brooklyn than Park Avenue; and shops selling anything from organic juice to handmade soaps to artisanal chocolate.
Visiting the Heritage Sites of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is an experience unlike any other. Here you will discover historic places that showcase architecture of all shapes and sizes, gorgeous landscapes and gardens, and locations that tell stories about the past and the present. Many of these sites are family friendly and/or accessible by public transportation and participate in the National Park Service Passport Stamp Program.
There are plenty of special events in the region throughout the year. During the summer and early fall, you can find county fairs with rides, games and live music performances as well as strawberry and apple picking. The Legoland theme park in Goshen, toward the southern end of the region, is a must for families.
The Hudson Valley is an all-season destination. The warmer months bring swimming, golfing, hiking, biking and boating as well as the chance to see waterfalls in their full glory. And if you want to ski, the Catskill Mountains are just an hour away.