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Hudson Valley

Winding roads along either side of the Hudson River take you by picturesque farms, Victorian cottages, apple orchards and old-money mansions built by New York’s elite. Painters of the Hudson River School romanticized these landscapes, especially the region's famous fall foliage.

The eastern side of the river is more populated thanks to the commuter train line between NYC and Albany. Several magnificent homes can be found near Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow. The formerly industrial town of Beacon has become an outpost of contemporary art, while the galleries and antique shops of historic Hudson attract a wealthier set of weekenders.

The Hudson's west bank is experiencing a boom thanks to its cheaper real estate. Head across the river to explore several state parks, West Point military academy, and New Paltz, which offers access to superb rock climbing in the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Mohonk Preserve.

Explore Hudson Valley

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Hudson Valley.

  • Gallery

    Dia:Beacon

    The 300,000-sq-ft former Nabisco box-printing factory beside the Hudson River is now a storehouse for a series of stunning monumental works by the likes…

  • Gallery

    Storm King Art Center

    This 500-acre sculpture park, established in 1960, has works by the likes of Barbara Hepworth, Mark di Suvero, Andy Goldsworthy and Isamu Noguchi. All…

  • Historic Site

    Olana

    This is one of the finest of the Hudson Valley mansions, as its owner, celebrated landscape painter Frederic Church, designed every detail, inspired by…

  • Historic Building

    Home of Franklin D Roosevelt

    Rangers lead interesting hour-long tours around Springwood, the home of Franklin D Roosevelt (FDR) who won a record four presidential elections and led…

  • Museum

    West Point Museum

    Whether or not you choose to take a campus tour of the historic US military academy, this museum, which traces the role of war and the military throughout…

  • Historic Site

    Historic Huguenot Street

    Step back in time on a stroll around this picturesque enclave of buildings remaining from a Huguenot settlement dating back to 1678. Guided tours (which…

  • Viewpoint

    Walkway Over the Hudson

    This is the main eastern entrance (with parking) to what was once a railroad bridge (built in 1889) crossing the Hudson. Today it's the world's longest…

  • State Park

    Bear Mountain State Park

    The main draw here are the views of the Manhattan skyline from the 1303ft peak (accessible by car), but there's also ice skating in winter and boating and…

  • Historic Building

    Philipsburg Manor

    A working farm from the 18th century, which once belonged to massively wealthy Dutchman Frederick Philips (who spent most of his time back in Manhattan)…

  • Historic Building

    Kykuit

    Built by oil tycoon John D Rockefeller as his summer home and completed in 1913, this 40-room mansion is listed on the National Register and has lovely…

  • Historic Building

    Val-Kill

    This 181-acre estate is the location of two main buildings: Val-Kill Cottage, the larger two-story building that was originally a furniture factory…

  • Museum

    FDR Presidential Library and Museum

    Franklin D Roosevelt began the tradition of creating presidential libraries that are both museums and archives of a presidential administration. The…

  • State Park

    Harriman State Park

    This park on the west side of the Hudson covers 72 sq miles and provides swimming, hiking, camping, 200 miles of walking trails, and a visitor center.

  • Historic Building

    Washington Irving's Sunnyside

    Washington Irving, famous for tales such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, built this imaginative home, which he said had more nooks and crannies than a…

  • Historic Building

    Staatsburgh State Historic Site

    Take a tour around this beaux-arts mansion, the home of Ogden Mills and his wife Ruth. The Mills family made its fortune by investing in banks, railroads…

  • Historic Building

    Boscobel House & Gardens

    The elegant backdrop for the summer season Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, Boscobel dates from 1808 and is considered to be one of the finest examples…

  • Museum

    Hudson River Maritime Museum

    The rich history of the Hudson River's activity is preserved at this museum located in a former warehouse on the waterfront in Kingston. In addition to…

  • Viewpoint

    Riverwalk

    A half-mile riverfront esplanade offers phenomenal views of the wide Hudson River, the triangular cable webs of the Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge spanning…

  • Park

    Mohonk Preserve

    Some 8000 acres of land held in private trust, with trails and other services maintained with visitor fees. This is home to some of the best rock climbing…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Hudson Valley.

  • Activities