New York City may well be the cultural epicenter of Western civilization but beyond the dazzling city is one of the country’s most picturesque and historic regions – the Hudson River Valley. It was deemed a National Heritage Area by Congress in 1996 as an important cultural, historic, and scenic resource.
Only about an hour away from New York City, the Hudson Valley offers a tranquil verdant countryside and a dramatic contrast to the city’s frenetic energy. The Hudson River Valley, dotted with a string of preserved historic towns and hamlets, has a rich history of early Dutch settlers as well as notable Revolutionary War history.
Named for Henry Hudson, an English seafaring explorer who sailed into the Hudson Bay in 1609, the Hudson River is a long ribbon of stunning beauty. Hudson’s discovery of the river paved the way for Dutch adventurers who established outposts in the area and in New York City which they originally named New Amsterdam.
The mighty Hudson River spans an area of 300 miles — the region incorporates a dozen separate counties divided in three sections — the Lower Hudson, the Mid Hudson, and the Upper Hudson Valleys.
For my first foray into this enchanted land, I focused on the Lower and Mid Hudson areas. Read on for an overview of Hudson River Valley highlights.
Must-See Highlights
West Point U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY — is a fabulous and inspiring place to visit; it’s the oldest military academy and longest continuously occupied military post in the United States. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington chose this site as an important strategic military position due to its river location. President Thomas Jefferson established it as a military academy in 1802. Public tours are given daily. www.usma.edu
West Point is a 16,000-acre complex providing military training, as well as education in the arts and sciences.
Boscobel House and Gardens, Garrison – Take a tour of this beautifully restored neo-classical mansion, originally built between1804-1808, with stunning Hudson River views. Stroll the 45-sprawling acres of gardens, apple orchards, rose gardens and the Hudson River School Artists sculpture garden. www.boscobel.org
The Hudson School of Artists is featured in the historic Boscobel House sculpture gardens.
Manitoga – The Russel Wright Design Center, Garrison – Manitoga is the perfectly preserved home of the late modernist designer Russel Wright (1904-1976) whose ceramics are still wildly popular collectibles. Located on a former rock quarry, Manitoga with its original 75-acres of woodland is a National Historic Landmark, an Affiliate Site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and one of the notable 20th century modern homes open to the public. www.visitmanitoga.org
Exterior (above) and interior views (below) of Russel Wright’s home and studio with examples of his distinctive ceramics.
Chuang Yen Monastery, Carmel - This is the national headquarters of the Buddhist Association of the U.S. located on 125-acres with several buildings designed in the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty. The sprawling site contains the Great Buddha Hall that houses a 37-foot Buddha – the largest indoor Buddha statue in the Western Hemisphere. www.baus.org
Enjoy the gardens and an afternoon of Zen immersion at the Chuang Yen Monastery
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Home & Library, Hyde Park – This site, operated by the National Park Service, features the lifelong home of FDR where he was born, as well as his library and museum. A visit to this national treasure offers a variety of things to do --before joining a guided tour, you can watch an introductory film, visit the museum, stroll the gardens and visit the gravesites of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt. www.nps.gov/hofr
Sculptures of Eleanor and FDR at their sprawling Hyde Park home.
Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park – Nearby is the opulent country home of shipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt’s grandson, Frederick Vanderbilt. Purchased by Frederick and his wife Louise in 1895, the 54-room Vanderbilt Mansion is the oldest of the Hudson Valley estates; construction of the earliest parts began in 1764. A National Historic Landmark since 1840. www.nps.gov/vama
The Hyde Park mansion is only one of many opulent residences built by generations of the Vanderbilt clan.
Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz – Mohonk Mountain House, celebrated its 150th Anniversary in 2019, and is considered one of the most magnificent hotels in America. Situated on a glacial lake and surrounded by 40,000 acres, this Victorian castle has been owned and operated by five generations of the Smiley family since 1869. www.mohonk.com
Mohonk’s mountaintop location offers stellar views and 150-years of gracious hospitality.
Storm King Art Center, New Windsor – You won’t want to miss Storm King, a 500-acre outdoor museum of site-specific large-scale sculptures inspired by sustainability of the magnificent landscape. www.stormkingartcenter.org
One of Storm King’s many amazing outdoor sculptures is Zhang Huan Three Legged Buddha, 2007
Olana State Historic Site, Hudson - This is one of the many reasons I’ll be returning to the Hudson Valley — my schedule didn’t permit me to make a visit to Olana but it’s something to look forward to. Olana is the home of Frederic Church (1826-1900) one of the prominent Hudson River School of American landscape painters. You can tour the house, see the large collection of Church’s landscape paintings and enjoy the expansive grounds. Set on 250 acres, Olana is one of the most intact artist-designed landscapes in the United States. www.olana.org
Sleep
For hotel accommodations and restaurants throughout the Hudson Valley, you’ll find a variety of options — B&Bs, historic inns, and hotel resorts — below are notable standouts:
The Stagecoach Inn, Goshen – Originally built in 1747, the Stagecoach Inn has been exquisitely restored into an intimate inn, event space, and exceptional farm-to-fork restaurant www.stagecoachny.com
Beekman Arms, Rhinebeck – The oldest inn in America, dates back to 1766, it has a nearby historic sister property – the Delamater Inn. www.beekmandelamaterinn.com
Savor
The Amsterdam, Rhinebeck – Housed in a 1794 Dutch townhouse, The Amsterdam is a notable addition to Rhinebeck’s culinary scene with a talented team in the kitchen. lovetheamsterdam.com
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park - Although CIA is a working culinary institution, the expansive campus houses several restaurants featuring the culinary talents of rising stars. Tours of the campus are available; tours and dining reservations are required. ciachef.edu
A Tavola Trattoria, New Paltz — Voted Best Restaurant in the Hudson Valley multiple years, A Tavola features excellent Italian cuisine in a rustic family-style atmosphere. atavolany.com