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Shawangunk Ridge visible from near Mohonk Mountain House
Hudson Valley visible to the left |
The Hudson Valley is an area of land in upstate New York that reaches from Westchester County northward about 120 miles to the cities of Albany and Troy. Though very rural in places, the efficient highway system makes it simple to travel through the small towns, which are all a short drive from one another. This section of New York is filled with towering mountains, evergreen forests and small towns overflowing with art and culture, which are compact in size and pedestrian friendly. The close proximity to Manhattan has attracted hundreds of artists, craftspeople and offbeat entrepreneurs that provide an exciting counterpoint to the outdoor activities that abound in the area. The opportunity to hike, rock climb, bike and swim, followed by a five-star meal that same evening, have been attracting travelers to the area for more than a hundred years.
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The Spa Solarium at Mohonk Mountain House |
Originally settled in the 1600s, the Hudson Valley has a long history of communities and dozens of wonderful historical sites. The clean mountain air has made the valley a popular resort destination, and classic vacation bungalows have been converted into private lodgings in places like Clove Cottages—a B&B where you'll have a chance to meet the adorable llamas in residence. Many historical homes have stood the test of time, and some of these charming buildings have become B&Bs, offering you the opportunity to spend a night in an antique home like The Woodstock Country Inn.
It's possible to be lavish or frugal in Hudson Valley, due to the wide range of activities. Visitors can choose from the free, like nature walks, to the expensive, like the world famous spa at the Mohonk Mountain House, which is a historic, early 20th-century hotel located on a large nature preserve with lakes and trails. The art scene is a main focus of many of the Valley's residents, and the town centers of New Paltz and Woodstock are loaded with galleries, open artists' studios and shops that sell one-of-a-kind pieces in every possible medium. Colorful blown glass and pottery are two of the Hudson Valley's most popular exports and are in demand throughout the world.
The close proximity of the towns makes it simple to maximize exploring time, but you will feel the touch of nature everywhere here. The Shawangunk Mountains, and the broad Hudson River are two constant companions and all the fantastic restaurants feature locally produced produce, cheese and meats. There are several mid-range hotels located near key highways like the Econo Lodge and the Holiday Inn Kingston, which make for nimble village hopping and easy access to restaurants, museums and historic sites.
DAY 1
Just a short drive or bike ride from any of the wonderful local hotels, in the quiet Wallkill River Valley, is New Paltz—a funky town that brings together abundant natural beauty and hip urban niceties, just 90 miles North of New York City. It's common to see State University of New York (SUNY) students, rock climbers, dreadlocked artists and retired Manhattan bankers sharing a beer at one of the local watering holes or heading off to one of dozens of hiking trails that criss-cross the area. New Paltz's cultural centers along a two-mile strip of Main Street make it a great place to walk or bike from site to site.
Breakfast at The Bakery is a New Paltz tradition and the place to start your day with a home-baked bagel, strong coffee and advice from the locals passing the time and chatting about current events. A diverse selection of sandwiches and sweets offers satisfying choices for every pallet, and conversation here is as big of a draw as the food. You can get advice from the cheerful staff on everything from where to spot a fox to who sells the coolest T-shirts in town.
Main Street is the main drag in New Paltz, and a popular hangout for students, foodies and shoppers looking for unusual art and antiques. You won't find any chain stores here. You will find a lively commercial strip loaded with unique opportunities to browse items you won't find anywhere else. Being a University town, New Paltz is a book lover's paradise with new, used and rare books for sale in five excellent book stores. Barner Books offers new paperbacks at a big discount, with a nice selection of new and used fiction. Esoterica Books has an excellent collection of tomes on spirituality, eastern religion and exotic art, along with a solid selection of world music CDs, crystals and jewelry. The friendly staff can point you towards readings on the local legends and rich lore of the Hudson Valley. Make certain to pick up a book on the 400-year history of the town to peruse at lunch before heading over to Huguenot Street. It's easy to spend an entire day visiting the shops here, and you'll be surprised with something new at each one.
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A Huguenot House |
The Gilded Otter is an award-winning craft brewery and restaurant, and a great place to relax for a tasty lunch. Try the Wisconsin Cheese curds as a hearty starter and grab a tender, beer-soaked, pulled-pork sandwich. Wash it all down with one of the Gilded Otter's in-house brews like the crisp, citrus flavored Rail Trail Pale Ale or the award winning Dusseldorf Altbier. Feel free to eat all you like, as you'll be strolling to the opposite end of Main Street to visit the 'Oldest Street in New York'. Along the way you'll find many opportunities to window shop and observe the New Paltz locals enjoying their day.
Huguenot Street is a historical experience that combines the beauty of nature and man. Visitors are able to see and explore six historic homes set on several bucolic, wooded parcels of land. The oldest stone home dates back to the late 1600s, when Belgian Hugenot refugees arrived in the area and negotiated the purchase of 40,000 acres from the native Esopus Indians. They quickly began constructing permanent homes, which are now open to the public. The 1717 Stone Church is a brilliant example of early Colonial architecture and has been restored to excellent condition. A pleasant walk through the nature preserve will lead you to Locust Lawn, a gentleman's farm with a gorgeous Jeffersonian mansion. Huguenot street also offers guided tours, historic reenactments and seasonal special events, so be sure to inquire about what events are going on during your visit.
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, located on the campus of SUNY New Paltz, has a wonderful collection of paintings by Hudson River School artists. The museum's focus on local art makes this a must-see for the artistically inclined touring the Hudson River Valley. Bone up on your knowledge of local scenery by viewing portraits of famous local spots by a wide range of artists. SDMA has more than 1,300 contemporary photos by local, national and international artists and a strong collection of metals, some of which date to the time of the buildings on Huguenot Street. After getting your fill of culture, take some time to explore the SUNY New Paltz campus and admire the excellent landscaping around the ponds—a popular hangout for students.
A short drive will bring you to one of the many entrances of the Mohonk Preserve, which is dotted with miles of wooded trails and scenic outlooks. Surrounded by the Shawangunk Mountains, it is a popular destination for hikers, picnickers, bikers and rock climbers. Several local businesses like Rock and Snow can arrange rock climbing lessons for beginners and experts, or provide you with maps and trail guides.
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Trapps cliff at Mohonk Preserve |
After an afternoon of hiking and working up an appetite, drive back into town to 36 Main Street Bistro and Wine Bar, which has quickly become a local favorite in New Paltz for it's varied menu and extensive wine selection. This cozy spot is just the place to relax over a nice glass of local NY wine, like Bully Hill Vineyards, while reliving the day's adventures. The knowledgeable staff can pair the perfect vintage to go with the ever-changing menu that features local produce in classic and adventurous recipes. Don't miss the fresh Caesar salad built with an entire head of Romaine lettuce. You'll be impressed with any of the fresh fish dishes that are a house specialty. Rock da Pasta is a fun, relaxed place for good Italian food with generous portions. Known for a great rock soundtrack, this is a place that caters to families and children and is a mellow spot for a meal.
While you may want to check out some of the great nightlife after dinner, be aware that New Paltz is definitely an up early, to bed early, outdoorsy town. There are a few college bars spread throughout the town, but we recommend an early-to-bed early-to-rise policy to allow you to see more sites during the day.
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