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The Hudson Valley (also known as the Hudson River Valley) is a region in Upstate New York that stretches from the Capital District to Yonkers in Westchester County, which borders New York City. It’s divided into three subregions: the Upper, Mid, and Lower Hudson Valley. Named after the Hudson River, a tidal estuary that ebbs and flows with the ocean tide, the region is abundant in natural resources and beauty. From the Catskill Mountains to the Adirondack Range as well as the rolling hills sprinkled with rich farmland, the Hudson Valley is a beautiful place to explore for those who enjoy slower lifestyles with lots of open space.

Fun fact #1: The Hudson River begins at Lake Tear of the Clouds near the base of Mt. Marcy in the Adirondacks and empties into the New York Harbor. The 315-mile long Hudson estuary was called “Mahicanituk” by the native Algonquin peoples, which means “The River That Flows Both Ways.” It was the first that many early European colonists explored, including Henry Hudson who “discovered” the river in 1609.

Visit-Worthy Villages, Towns, & Cities of the Hudson Valley

Below are some of my favorite places in the Hudson Valley with a few local spots to eat, drink, and/or visit to make the most of your day. There are usually small shops along the main street of the town or city that are great for finding antiques, thrifted items, and handcrafted goods.

Chatham/Ghent/Valatie

• Bartlett House
• Bimi’s Canteen and Bar
• Chatham Real Food Market & Coop
• Golden Harvest Farms (cider donuts!)
• The Blue Plate
• The Greenhouse Cidery

Hudson

• A Little Rico
• Lil’ Deb’s Oasis
• Kitty’s
• Isaan Thai Star
• Lawrence Park
• Padrona

Woodstock

• The Mud Club
• Pearl Moon Woodstock 
• SILVIA

Saugerties

• Bluestone Coffee Roasting Company
• ImmuneSchein Tea Haus
• Miss Lucy’s Kitchen

Kingston

• Brunette
• Kingston Bread + Bar
• Lola
• Sushi Makio
• Stockade Tavern

New Paltz

• B-Side Grill
• Garvan’s Gastro Pub
• Huckleberry
• iPho
• Rino’s Pizza

Beacon

• 2 Way Brewing Company
• Tito Santana Taqueria
• Reserva Wine Bar
• Matcha Thomas

Fun fact #2: Upstate New York is divided into several regions: the Hudson Valley (the lower part of which is sometimes debated as to being upstate), the Capital District, the Mohawk Valley, Central New York, the Southern Tier, the Finger Lakes, Western New York, and the North Country. The Hudson Valley comprises 10 of the state’s total 62 counties.

Support Local Farms & Small Businesses

The Hudson Valley is known for its natural beauty and farmland. Small businesses are common throughout the villages, towns, and cities, making the communities diverse and vibrant. Many local farms specialize in growing and producing specific items: apples, berries, maple syrup, flowers, and dairy products are all popular. It is common for the farms to also produce ciders, wines, and beers made from what they grow and raise. I recommend checking a farm’s hours of operation before visiting, as some are open/closed seasonally. Pick-your-own is dependent on seasonality and availability.

Ulster County

• Hurds Family Farm – Modena
• Apple Hill Farm – New Paltz
• Twin Star Orchards – New Paltz
• Wallkill Family Farm – New Paltz
• Prospect Hill Orchards – Milton
• Acorn Hill Farm – Kerhonkson

Colombia County

• The Chatham Berry Farm – Chatham
• Tierra Farms – Valatie
• Golden Harvest – Valatie
• Samascott’s Garden & Market – Kinderhook
• Love Apple Farm – Ghent
• Hawthorne Valley Farm – Ghent
• Churchtown Dairy – Hudson
• Eger Brothers Farm Stand – Hudson
• Fix Brothers Fruit Farm – Hudson
• Morningstar Farm – Hudson
• KADŌ FARM – Hudson
• Tiny Hearts Farm – Hillsdale
• Chaseholm Farm – Ancram

Dutchess County

• Old Adriance Farm – Staatsburg
• McEnroe Organic Farm – Millerton
• Mead Orchards – Tivoli
• Greig Farm – Red Hook
• Rose Hill Farm – Red Hook
• Cedar Heights Orchard – Rhinebeck
• Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction
• Brookby Farm – Dover Plains
• Meadowbrook Farm – Wappingers Falls

Hiking in the Hudson Valley

Hiking is a popular activity for locals and visitors. The best time to hike is in late May and early June in addition to mid-September to early October, as the weather is usually mild and sunny. Some trails are closed for the winter season due to dangerous icy and snowy conditions. Here’s a short list to get you started on some easier walking and hiking trails:

• Beebe Hill Fire Tower – Austerlitz
• High Falls Conservation Area – Philmont
• Poet’s Walk – Red Hook
• Comeau Property – Woodstock
• Overlook Mountain – Woodstock
• Kaaterskill Falls – Palenville
• Bash Bish Falls – Taconic Mountains (technically in Massachusetts)
• Monument Mountain – Great Barrington (technically in Massachusetts)

An extensive list of hiking options can be found here.

Transportation & Accommodation

From NYC, you can access many towns and cities along the Hudson River by taking the Amtrak or MTA. The Amtrak has services all the way to Canada, with stops in many river-side towns along the way while the MTA is a regional line that goes as far north as Poughkeepsie. If you would like to explore outside of the cities along the river, a car will more than likely need to be rented. There is very little or no public transportation available in the majority of the Hudson Valley.

Although public transportation is near to none, accommodation options are aplenty! There are hundreds of cute bed and breakfasts, cabins, apartments, and boutique hotels to choose from throughout the region. You can choose from very high-end options like Wildflower Farms in Gardiner, Glenmere Mansion in Chester, or Mount Merino Manor Vacation House in Hudson. Alternatively, you can opt for less expensive yet still charming places such as Watergrasshill Bed & Breakfast in New Paltz, Minnewaska Lodge near Mohonk Preserve, or The Alander in Copake.

No matter what you choose to do in the Hudson Valley, it’ll be memorable! Click here to schedule a Travel Consultation Call with me and click here if you’d like me to create a custom itinerary for your time in the Hudson Valley.

Peace & happy travels,

Tay xx