Rising more than 200 feet above the river, the concrete-paved Walkway offers virtually unobstructed views of the Hudson Highlands (Storm King, Mount Taurus) to the south; on a clear day, you can spy the distant Catskills to the north. But a peek over the railing also reveals the swirling river currents, tree-lined shoreline (Highland side), and the rooftops of a number of homes and businesses in Po-town. With parking options on both the Highland and the Poughkeepsie ends of the trail, this clean and well-maintained skyway is sure to thrill even the most jaded Valleyite.
Literally our favorite place in the Hudson Valley with the most spectacular sunsets you could imagine over the mountains, the river, the bridges, and the entire Hudson Valley. Visit the Bear Mountain Inn, grab a bite to eat, grab some beers, and head up to Perkins Tower with your car to step out and take in the incredible views! You won't be disappointed!
Chartered in the early 1980s, the all-volunteer Catskill Mountain Railroad provides rail rides along six miles of track originally laid for the Ulster and Delaware Railroad around the turn of the 20th century. Pulled along by a steam engine, the train chugs past the scenic Esopus Creek and offers close-up — and stupendous — views of the Catskills.
This grand 265-room Victorian castle resort is located just 90 miles north of NYC. In addition to the award-winning Spa at Mohonk Mountain House, the resort features a wealth of year-round recreation including a spectacular Skating Pavilion, rock climbing, and 85 miles of trails for seasonal hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The grounds feature exquisite gardens, a nine-hole golf course, tennis courts, and stables for horseback riding and horse-drawn carriage rides. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner prepared by award-winning chefs or a signature cocktail from our Carriage Lounge crafted by our in-house mixologists.
By our count, the 10-county Valley region is home to 80 some-odd apple orchards, most of which welcome visitors to gather apples (and, often, pumpkins too) throughout the fall. Take your pick (pun certainly intended) from among the 14 varieties that are grown locally, including established favorites like the tangy McIntosh, the sweet Macoun, and the all-purpose Cortland or the hybrid Honeycrisp (the tart-but-sweet fruit that is to apples what Twinkies are to snack food).
Things haven’t changed all that much at the Valley’s many drive-in theaters, which is perhaps the best reason to go to one. Relive those hot summer nights of your youth by catching a double feature on a gigantic screen for a fraction of the price you’d pay at the neighborhood multiplex.
One of the few malls that requires a map to navigate, this sprawling outdoor complex of 250 factory outlet shops is a bargain-hunter’s dream come true. As a “premium” facility, Woodbury Common includes dozens of high-end retailers you won’t find at other discount malls; whether it’s a pair of Tory Burch flats, new Nike kicks, or a Celine bag, you’ll find it here (along with Polo Ralph Lauren blazers, Michael Kors backpacks, Burberry trenches, and just about anything else your heart desires).
Sure, we already know that Hunter — with its 58 trails, top-notch snowmaking equipment, and great après-ski amenities — is one of the best places in the Northeast to hit the slopes. What you may not know is that the mountain offers family fun programming during the other three seasons of the year as well. Check out the Scenic Skyride or the Zipline Canopy Tour for a thrilling views that rival any drone shot. When the snow’s not flying, the site plays host to some of the region’s most anticipated festivals, from TAP New York to Taste of Country and Octoberfest.
Historic houses — while not exactly a dime a dozen — are certainly not difficult to come by here in the Valley. Yet Olana, Frederic Edwin Church’s Persian-style home in Hudson, is more than a tad different from those familiar Beaux Arts mansions and 18th-century Dutch stone structures. Church — a prominent member of the Hudson River School of painters — designed the building himself after a family trip to the Middle East in the late 1860s. With its turrets, arches, and stenciled decoration, the home took more than 20 years to build and cost Church $90,000, a veritable fortune in those days. Both a state and national historic site, the house is situated atop a high hill that offers spectacular views of the Hudson and Catskills. Book a tour in advance to explore the interior of the colorful estate or stop by for an impromptu visit to explore the 250-acre grounds.
The Hudson River School was America’s first homegrown art movement. Thomas Cole, Frederic Church, Jasper Cropsey, and other 19th-century painters depicted dramatic views of the Hudson and Catskills in their works, and inadvertently helped our fledgling country establish its unique identity. The Hudson River School Art Trail identifies 20 spots — including Olana, North-South Lake, and Kaaterskill Falls — where the surrounding landscape has been forever immortalized on canvas by one or more of these artist icons. Choose a crisp autumn afternoon, follow the trail from beginning to end, and combine a cultural adventure with some world-class leaf-peeping.
Getting a mid-river view of the Valley’s legendary landscape is a not-to-be-missed experience — and there are several ways to do it (even if you don’t own a cabin cruiser). Book a spot on one of the cruisers which regularly ply the waters between Haverstraw and Hudson. The on-board tour guides provide a bit of history and folklore as you motor past West Point, Bannerman Castle, the Great Estates area, and similar sites. During the summer months, the Beacon Sloop Club’s flagship Woody Guthrie sets sail each weeknight, offering free rides and a little river education. Sails on the sloop Clearwater can also be arranged.
For more than two centuries, the Tuthilltown Gristmill in Gardiner — a National Historic Site — used water from a nearby creek to turn local grains into flour. In 2003, Ralph Erenzo purchased the mill, and — along with partner Brian Lee — proceeded to convert one of its granaries into a distillery. The result: the first (legal) production of hard liquor in New York State since Prohibition. The partners now turn out small batches of vodka, whiskey, rum, and other spirits using grains and fruits grown on nearby farms. Especially noteworthy is their Hudson Baby Bourbon. Made from New York-grown corn, it is beloved for its smooth, caramel-and-vanilla-tinged taste.
One of the brightest jewels in the Valley’s cultural crown, this Orange County sculpture park showcases more than 100 carefully sited sculptures across the 500 acres of hills, fields, and woodlands. Created between 1945 and the present day, the sculptures are often monumental in size (you have probably caught sight of Mark di Suvero’s orange-painted Mother Peace while traveling on the Thruway south of Newburgh) and are representative of each artist’s oeuvre. You’ll see a mile-long stone wall by Andy Goldsworthy; one of Alexander Calder’s last stabiles; and Maya Lin’s Storm King Wavefield, an 11-acre environmental work composed of grass and earth. With a rotating line-up of exhibitions and education programs, there is always something new to see at Storm King. Pro tip: Slip on comfortable shoes before you leave the house. Although trams are available to help you get around the park, walking up to, around, and even through the sculptures is part of the fun.
The oldest wine-making region in the country, the Valley is home to some of the nation’s top wine producers — and the quality of their vintages rivals what’s produced on Long Island and in the Finger Lakes. From “traditional” wines like Chardonnay (Millbrook Vineyards) and Cabernet (Benmarl Winery) to fruit liqueurs and hard ciders (Warwick Valley Winery) and dessert offerings (Strawberry wine from Baldwin Vineyards), there’s a wine to suit every palate. Looking for something new? Try Clinton Vineyards‘ Cassis, a black currant wine, or the Candy Ass Red from Glorie Farm Winery, which is made with Concord grapes.