With its timeless scenery and rich history, hudson valley is home to a burgeoning foodie scene, farm-to-table cuisine and a string of charming small towns that line the river. This National Heritage Area offers leafy drives, wineries, mansions with presidential connections and historic gardens that exert tranquil power.
In recent years, as more and more New York City residents move to the bucolic Hudson Valley, all kinds of places to see and do have opened. New restaurants are popping up, well-marked hiking trails are being added to the region’s many parks, and breweries are serving craft beer like never before. Museums, art galleries and historic estates pay tribute to the landscape painters of the Hudson River School and celebrate the region’s pioneering winemaking history.
It’s easy to fall in love with this historic region. The natural splendor of its unspoiled landscapes inspired the first homegrown mode of artistic expression, and gardens have exerted a calming influence since colonial days. And it was here that America’s finest 19th-century architects developed early residential styles and created mountain resorts and riverside estates.
Whether you’re a fan of the big-band swing and ballroom dancing that made Woodstock famous or you prefer the under-the-radar indie tunes blasting from this Kingston venue, it’s clear that the area is an arts lover’s paradise. But that’s not all:
A trove of art, music and history is hidden behind the imposing walls of this former Nabisco box factory. Visitors to this contemporary art gallery in Beacon can lose themselves in Dan Flavin’s fluorescent light installations, Michael Heizer’s “negative” sculptures and Richard Serra’s stainless steel monuments.
Once a center of vice, this uber-cool small town is brimming with artisanal shops, top restaurants and opportunities to score a killer antique find. Bop around Tinker Street for tie-dyes and crystals, get earthy on a hike around Hessian Lake or catch some live music in the true Woodstock spirit at Bearsville Theater.
As the oldest wine-producing region in the country, the county’s vineyards have earned national acclaim for their high-quality wines. And as a burgeoning culinary hot spot, the region is also known for its farm-to-table fare and countless local farmer’s markets.
From a family-friendly winery to a modern eatery with an Asian twist, the best food in the Hudson Valley is sure to delight. For a real treat, dine at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, where world-class chefs prepare gourmet meals using ingredients from the surrounding farmland. And save room for dessert—the streusel-topped Dutch apple pie is out of this world.