close proxiImity to New York City and bursting with natural beauty, the Hudson Valley is the ideal destination for a rejuvenating weekend. The Hudson Valley is home to a wide variety of sights and activities. You may explore the river's eccentric settlements as well as mountain ranges, lakes, historical landmarks, mansions, wildlife sanctuaries, and cultural organisations.
Year-round, New Yorkers and tourists go here to take advantage of the region's abundant outdoor leisure opportunities and cultural attractions.
Rockland, Westchester, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, and Albany are among the ten counties that make up the Hudson Valley. The New York State Museum and the imposing capitol building in Albany, the state's capital, are both excellent places to learn about the state's culture and history.
In the warmer months, go hiking in the Shawangunk Mountains and check out outdoor sites like the Storm King Art Center and Walkway Over the Hudson. For a tranquil retreat in the fall, visit bohemian communities like New Paltz and Woodstock, which are encircled by mountains covered with vibrant leaves.
The finest and simplest way to enjoy the Hudson Valley is by vehicle, despite the fact that one might go to some of the well-known river villages via Metro North Train from Grand Central Station in New York City. Reserving a room at one of the magnificent resorts in the Hudson Valley will allow you to extend your stay.
Check out our list of the top things to do in the stunning Hudson Valley for ideas on how to spend your next trip to New York.
1. the Hudson State Historic Park's Walkway
With breathtaking views of the river, the 1.28-mile Walkway Over the Hudson is a must-see destination in the Hudson Valley. This steel cantilever bridge, which was constructed on the site of the former Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, crosses the River to link the two cities.
Take your time crossing this pedestrian walkway, pausing at different locations to explore the history of the bridge, take in the scenery of the towns along the river's edge, and breathe some fresh air. Several locals are almost certainly exercising and walking their dogs.
2. City of New York Museum
The New York State Museum, regarded as the country's oldest state museum, is the best location to go if you've always wanted to learn about New York's history. The museum highlights important facets of the state over time through collections, exhibitions, and programmes on history, art, nature, and science.
The museum, which is situated in Albany on the south side of Empire State Plaza and faces the New York State Capitol, is 100,000 square feet in size and has close to 16 million scientific specimens as well as about a million cultural artefacts.
Birds of New York, Adirondack Wilderness, Black Capital: Harlem in the 20s, Minerals of New York, First Peoples, and a moving exhibition on the rescue and rehabilitation following the World Trade Center assault are a few of the more well-liked exhibits. The fourth level houses a kid-friendly full-sized carousel from the early 1900s.
Although donations are welcome, admission to the museum is free.
3. State Capitol of New York
As part of the Empire State Plaza complex, the New York State Capitol is located atop the State Street hill in Albany. The richly carved interiors, marble columns, ornate chandeliers, and superb skylights of the stone edifice, constructed in the 1880s at a cost of over $25 million, continue to astound tourists.
Visitors can admire the Million Dollar Staircase (also known as the Great Western Staircase), the War Room (featuring exquisite paintings of the state's cities and landscapes, depictions of warriors, and the Governor's Office), the Assembly and Senate chambers, and more on a tour of what is regarded as one of the most beautiful state capitols in the nation and a National Historic Landmark. The guided tour will also cover the incomplete carvings, ghost sightings, and notable residents of this historic structure.
Martin Van Buren, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Franklin D. Roosevelt were all New York State Governors who later served as President of the United States. Tours can be taken for free from Monday through Saturday.
4. Lyndhurst House
No, you are in Tarrytown, New York, admiring one of the most exquisite Gothic Revival mansions in the nation, not Scotland or Ireland. Former residents of Lyndhurst Mansion, which was built in 1838, include railroad tycoon Jay Gould, New York City mayor William Paulding, and retailer George Merritt.
This architectural marvel, which overlooks the Hudson River and is surrounded by a setting of expansive lawns, ornamental shrubs, and evergreens, offers a window into the past today. A lovely collection of antiques, works of art, and furnishings can be found within this rural home.
The home also features the first steel-framed conservatory in the nation, a magnificent rose garden, and a bowling and recreation pavilion from 1894.
5. Mohonk and Shawangunk Ridge Preserve
The Shawangunk Ridge, also known as The Gunks, is located in Ulster County, 90 minutes north of New York City, and offers a wilderness retreat for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and mountain climbers. A visitor centre in the Mohonk Natural Preserve, which was established to save the Shawangunk Mountains, provides advice on biking, hiking, and climbing routes.
The park, which is made up of 8,000 acres of forests, farms, streams, and cliffs, has 40 miles of hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing paths in addition to various climbing routes. The preserve's natural splendour can be experienced by hikers of all skill levels thanks to the variety of trails.
Hike to the well-known Split Rock Hole for a cool swim on hot summer days. After that, go shopping and dining in the nearby bohemian town of New Paltz.
6. Home on Mohonk Mountain
Choose to stay at the all-inclusive Mohonk Mountain House resort, which is close to the visitor centre, for a weekend getaway in the Mohonk Preserve. One of the top family-friendly resorts in the Hudson Valley is this one. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Bill Clinton visited this opulent National Historic Landmark property, which is housed in a Victorian castle overlooking Mohonk Lake.
Enjoy a farm-to-table meal, enjoy a nature tour, go trekking in the mountains, relax on a paddleboat on the lake, and treat yourself to a revitalising treatment at the eco-friendly on-site spa with a heated mineral pool. The resort offers day permits that allow access to its amenities if you are simply passing through and don't wish to stay the night.
7. Conserve at Minnewaska State Park
Another well-liked hiking destination is Minnewaska State Park, which is located in Ulster County in the Shawangunk Mountain Range. The park is a haven for nature lovers with its abundance of waterfalls, dazzling lakes, towering cliffs, and hardwood forests. Within an hour and a half of New York City, there are 50 miles of trails to select from for biking, hiking, strolling, and other activities.
Dogs must be on a leash and are permitted on the trails if you want to bring them along. The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campsite, which has a cooking area, restrooms, and showers, allows camping from mid-May to mid-November.
8. Looping Breakneck Ridge
Breakneck Ridge Loop is up to the task for those seeking a breath-taking hiking experience a little closer to New York City. This strenuous trip is not for everyone, but those who have the climbing skills to navigate its stones and precarious ledges and reach the summit are rewarded with unrivalled vistas of the Hudson River.
Storm King Mountain, Bannerman's Castle, and the flowing river may all be seen from the circular hike in the Hudson Highlands State Park. In order to avoid slippery rocks, the best time to visit is during the dry summer months.
9. Art Center Storm King
The Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre sculpture garden at the base of the named mountain, is a stunning example of how art and nature can coexist. An hour's journey from New York City is the Orange County location of Storm King Art Center. To navigate the vast site, you can choose to walk, cycle, or ride the tram.
Awe-inspiring massive works of art by 20th-century artists like Calder, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, and Mark di Suvero are interspersed among the rolling green fields. You can stroll through the park for an entire day while getting Instagram-worthy photos and getting inspiration for more than 100 pieces of art.
Don't miss Maya Lin's Wavefield, which has a wave-like, undulating grassy landscape set against the Schunnemunk Mountain and the Hudson Highlands.
10. Arrange a vacation at a Hudson Valley resort.
There are so many things to do in the Hudson Valley that just one or two days won't be enough. Planning a trip to one of the top resorts in the Hudson Valley may be something you want to think about. Whether you're looking for a resort for couples or a resort for children, this region of New York State offers something to offer everyone.
Mohonk Mountain House is a beautiful lakefront property in the Hudson Valley region of New York state, where meals and activities are included in your rate! Check out our vlog from the stay: https://t.co/BojigkVFqT pic.twitter.com/eBny9DDY6g
— Top Flight Family (@topflightfam) November 8, 2021
Consider the 5-star Glenmere Mansion. The Gilded Era home in Chester, New York, is situated on 150 acres of breathtakingly beautiful hills. There are only 18 rooms in the resort, which is actually designed after a Tuscan house.
In the Hudson Valley, are you looking for a romantic resort for couples? Stone Ridge's Hasbrouck House provides the best alternative. This Dutch Colonial estate from the 18th century is hidden in the Catskill Mountains' shadows and is surrounded by lovely orchards. In addition to enjoying the gourmet restaurant's famed Italian and French cuisine, visitors can unwind in the hotel's tiny health centre or on the pool deck outside.
11. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library,
Celebrate the outstanding First Lady and the 32nd President of the United States at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library and Museum in Dutchess County's Hyde Park. See interactive exhibits that cover Franklin and Eleanor's early years, marriage, the Great Depression, and World War II to follow their tales.
The museum's highlights include Roosevelt's Pearl Harbor address, a fireside chat microphone, and the mobility equipment he used. His Oval Office desk, which is decorated with souvenirs from his final term, is the pièce de résistance.
Don't miss a tour of his birthplace and residence, Springwood, before making your way through a peaceful rose garden to the gravesite of these two titans of the 20th century.
12. Woodstock Sanctuary,
Visit the Woodstock Sanctuary (previously Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary), which is situated in High Falls, close to Mohonk Preserve, to get up up and personal with rescued farm animals, including cute goats, ambling cows, clucking chickens, and grazing sheep.
The sanctuary is now home to more than 400 animals saved from factory farms and instances of neglect and abuse around the Empire State. People can be seen going about their daily lives in peace and receiving the affection and care they merit. The staff and volunteers at the sanctuary give guided tours and tell tales of their favourite animals and their journeys to freedom.
13. Museum of Motorcyclepedia
Visit the Motorcyclepedia, a non-profit museum in the Hudson Valley that features everything from street bikes and cruisers to motorcycles of all sizes and shapes dating back to 1897, to energise your trip there. In an 85,000 square foot building near Newburgh, the volunteer-run museum features numerous galleries displaying more than 600 bikes and thousands of artefacts.
Harley-Davidson, Circa Timeline, Indian Timeline, Indian Larry, Chopper City, Police and Military, European, and Scooters are a few of the displays.
Take a trip down memory lane as you peruse exhibits from the sizable collection gathered by father-and-son team Gerald and Ted Doering, which includes a bike from the JFK assassination motorcade and a police motorcycle that arrived at the alleged extraterrestrial landing site in Roswell, New Mexico.
14. Sleepy Hollow,
Fall is when ghost hunters and other supernatural enthusiasts flock to Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County for a spooky good time. Visit the eerily lovely Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the final resting place of Andrew Carnegie, William Rockefeller, Walter Chrysler, and Irving Washington, on your own or with a guide.
See the Great Jack O'Lantern Burn in October, which features thousands of lit, hand-carved lanterns. The brand-new Museum of Pumpkin Art, where gourds are transformed into timeless works of art, is the focus of this kid- and family-friendly event.
In Philipsburg Manor's Horseman's Hollow, where the headless horseman and other spooky figures come to life, those with the courage to do so can sign up for a haunted house experience.
15. Travel the Appalachian Trail by foot
You go for a walk in the woods like William Bryson on the renowned Appalachian Trail just one hour outside of New York City (A.T). Because it was the first portion of the famed route to be finished in 1923, the section of the A.T. in Bear Mountain State Park continues to have a special place in the hearts of hikers.
Start your journey from the Bear Mountain Recreation Area, go south to the peak of Bear Mountain, and stop at numerous overlooks to take in the breathtaking views along the way. On the western bank of the Hudson River, in the Hudson Highlands, is where you'll find Bear Mountain State Park.
Another well-liked hiking location close by is Harriman State Park, the second-largest park in the New York State Parks system (after Adirondack State Park), with 200 miles of hiking trails, numerous lakes and reservoirs, beaches, camping areas, and more.
The legendary trail from Bear Mountain to Harriman is a 13.5-mile out-and-back challenging climb that can be completed by experienced hikers. If your dog is on a leash, you are welcome to bring him along.
16. Dia: Beacon
A Nabisco box-printing facility turned art gallery is located 60 miles north of New York City, beautifully overlooking the Hudson River. The 300,000-square-foot Dia:Beacon, which debuted in 2003, exhibits modern artwork from the Dia Art Foundation's collection.
You may expect to find works at Dia:Beacon in Beacon, Dutchess County, including the enormous Shadows by Andy Warhol from 1978, Joseph Beuys' mixed-media installations, Richard Serra's large sculptures, Anges Martin's 1999 Innocent Love paintings, and more. Join a guide for an interactive, one-hour tour that has a specific theme.
17. The Uptown Historic District of Kingston
Did you know that Kingston served as the state of New York's first capital? The Dutch established the first permanent settlement in this city in the Hudson Valley, which they called Espous, in the middle of the 17th century. As the British took it, the name was changed to Kingston in 1669.
Kingston serves as a hub for the upper and middle Hudson Valley today. In the past several years, the town's Uptown district has successfully remade itself as a booming hot point for dining, farmers markets, historic buildings, and galleries. For many years, the town was quite sleepy and industrial.
The Stockade District, another name for the area, is made up of eight blocks that were the original location of the Dutch town. The Old Dutch Church, a National Historic Landmark, the Senate House, and the original Ulster County courthouse are all visible.
Together with some of the best dining options in the city, this area of town also features a weekly farmers market. In addition, Kingston serves as a launching point for visits to New Paltz, Woodstock, and Saugerties, three bustling little towns in the Hudson Valley.