Hudson
Around Hudson
Photo: Rhododendrites · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · New York · 60k people
Hudson
A river town with a creative soul
Catskill Forest GreenHudson River BlueBrick Red
Welcome to Hudson, where the river meets the mountains and the streets are full of history. Whether you're here for the antiques, the art, or just a great meal, you'll find a friendly community and plenty to explore.
Clubs for Hudson
No clubs for Hudson yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hudson. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hudson. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Olana State Historic Site Home of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, with stunning river views.
- Hudson River The defining waterway of the region, perfect for boating and views.
- Thomas Cole National Historic Site Home of the founder of the Hudson River School art movement.
- Promenade Hill Riverside park with panoramic views of the Hudson and the Catskills.
- Hudson Opera House (Hudson Hall) One of the oldest surviving theaters in New York, hosting concerts and events.
- Rip Van Winkle Bridge Connects Hudson and Catskill across the river, a local landmark.
- Outdoors Hiking in the Catskills
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Hudson
- With kids Apple picking at local orchards
- With kids FASNY Museum of Firefighting
- Evenings Live music at Club Helsinki
- Evenings Gallery openings on Warren Street
- Locals love Farm stands
- Locals love Orchards
Through the year
- Columbia County Fair August Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Hudson Jazz Festival June Weekend of live jazz performances across town.
- Winter Walk December Holiday lights, open shops, and a community stroll on Warren Street.
- Hudson River EagleFest February Bald eagle watching and nature programs along the river.
- Coxsackie Riverfront Festival July Summer celebration with music, food, and river activities.
Hudson has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Best time to be out is spring and fall for mild temps and foliage. Winters are cold with snow, summers are warm and humid. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for being outdoors, with mild temperatures and colorful foliage.
Getaways
- Kingston Historic waterfront, art scene, and the Stockade District.
- Albany State capital with museums, restaurants, and the Empire State Plaza.
- Pittsfield Berkshire culture, museums, and the Colonial Theatre.
- Torrington Litchfield Hills, hiking, and the Warner Theatre.
Local flavour
Rooting for New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Knicks, New York Rangers, Hudson Valley Renegades
Eat and drink
- Apple cider doughnuts A staple at local orchards and farm stands
- Farm-to-table cuisine The Hudson Valley is known for its farm-to-table dining scene
- Craft beer Local breweries and taprooms are popular
- Stewart's Shops A beloved regional convenience store and ice cream chain
Where people go
- Farm stands Roadside stands selling fresh produce and local goods
- Orchards Apple and other fruit orchards, especially popular in the fall
- Antique shops Hudson is known for its antiques district and vintage stores
- Art galleries A vibrant arts community with many galleries and studios
- Hiking trails in the Catskills Access to the Catskill Mountains with numerous trails
- Riverfront parks Parks along the Hudson River for walking and enjoying the water
Heritage and traditions
Hudson and its river towns are proud of their deep artistic heritage, from the Hudson River School painters to today's vibrant gallery scene, and their historic Main Streets along the Hudson.
This time of year in Hudson
- Apple picking at local orchards September-October Every fall, families visit orchards like those in Chatham and Valatie to pick apples and enjoy cider donuts.
- Fall foliage drives October Locals take scenic drives on Route 9 and country roads to see the Catskills ablaze with color.
Say it like a local: “the river” — A term for the Hudson River, used by locals.
Festivals
- Basilica SoundScape September A multi-day music and arts festival held at the Basilica Hudson, featuring experimental and indie acts.
- Columbia County Fair August A classic county fair with agricultural exhibits, rides, and local food, held in Chatham.
- Hudson Jazz Festival June A summer celebration of jazz with performances at venues across Hudson.
- Winter Walk December Hudson's Warren Street transforms into a holiday wonderland with lights, carolers, and late-night shopping.
- Hudson River EagleFest February A winter festival celebrating bald eagles, with bird-watching tours and educational programs in Catskill.
- Coxsackie Riverfront Festival July A summer community gathering with food vendors, live music, and river activities.
Landmarks with a story
- Olana State Historic Site Frederic Church's Moorish-inspired mansion and landscape, a masterpiece of 19th-century art and architecture.
- Thomas Cole National Historic Site The home and studio of the founder of the Hudson River School, preserving the birthplace of American landscape painting.
- Hudson Opera House (Hudson Hall) A restored 19th-century theater that now hosts performances, exhibitions, and community events.
- Hudson-Athens Lighthouse A still-active lighthouse on the Hudson River, accessible by boat tour and a symbol of the region's maritime history.
- Warren Street Historic District Hudson's main street, lined with well-preserved Federal and Victorian buildings, now home to galleries and shops.
- Coxsackie Dutch Reformed Church A historic church dating to the 19th century, reflecting the area's Dutch colonial heritage.
Food traditions
- Farm-to-table dinners Local restaurants and farms host seasonal meals featuring ingredients grown in Columbia County, a tradition rooted in the region's agricultural heritage.
- Italian-American Sunday sauce Descendants of Italian immigrants in Hudson maintain the custom of slow-cooking tomato sauce for Sunday family gatherings.
- Maple syrup season In late winter, local sugarhouses open for tours and pancake breakfasts, celebrating the region's maple groves.
- Cider donuts Orchards across the area serve fresh apple cider donuts, a fall favorite that pairs with a cup of local cider.
Music and arts
- Hudson River School painting The 19th-century art movement that began here, emphasizing the beauty of the American landscape, remains a defining cultural legacy.
- Contemporary gallery scene Hudson's Warren Street hosts dozens of galleries showing modern and contemporary art, attracting collectors from around the world.
- Hudson Hall (Opera House) A performing arts venue offering theater, music, and dance, continuing the city's tradition of live performance.
- Basilica Hudson A former industrial building turned arts center, known for experimental music, film, and immersive installations.
A little history
- 1783 Hudson was founded by Quakers from New England in 1783, becoming the first city in the new United States.
- 1825-1875 The Hudson River School of painting emerged, with Thomas Cole and Frederic Church capturing the Catskill and Hudson landscapes.
- 1830s-1850s Hudson became a major whaling port in the mid-19th century, with ships sailing from the Hudson River to the Pacific.
- 1935 The Rip Van Winkle Bridge opened, connecting the river towns and named after Washington Irving's famous story set in the Catskills.
- 1990s-present The region saw a revival of its arts scene, with artists and writers moving to Hudson and Catskill, transforming the area into a cultural destination.
Rivalries
- Hudson Bluehawks vs. Catskill Cats Friendly high school football rivalry between neighboring towns.
- Game day High school football rivalries
- Game day Hudson River rowing
- Outdoors Hiking the Catskill Escarpment
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Hudson
- With kids Exploring Olana's grounds
- With kids Thomas Cole National Historic Site
Residents speak with a mild Northeastern accent, often dropping the 'r' in words like 'river' (pronounced 'riv-uh'). Dutch-derived place names like 'Catskill' and 'Coxsackie' are pronounced with a distinct local flavor. People tend to be friendly and direct in conversation.
Only here
- The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse, one of the few remaining lighthouses on the Hudson River, is only reachable by boat.
- The Rip Van Winkle Bridge, named after Washington Irving's character, connects the towns and offers panoramic river views.
- Hudson was once a whaling port, a surprising fact for a city 120 miles from the ocean.
- Olana, with its Persian-inspired architecture, is a unique mansion designed by Frederic Church himself.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the weather: winters are cold and snowy, so invest in a good coat and boots; summer can be humid, but the river breeze helps.
- Learn to love the roundabout: Hudson's traffic circle on Route 9 can be tricky at first, but it's a local rite of passage.
- Parking in Hudson: Warren Street fills up quickly on weekends; use the municipal lots or arrive early.
- Try a cider donut from a local orchard—it's a rite of passage in the fall.
- Explore beyond the main streets: the riverfront parks and back roads offer stunning views and quiet spots.
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Part of Albany area
Nearby
Every areaCatskillsNew YorkHigh peaks, deep valleys, and a warm welcome.KingstonNew YorkWhere the river meets the mountain, and the apples taste like autumn.AlbanyNew YorkHistoric capital, modern spirit.PittsfieldMassachusettsWhere art and nature meetTorringtonConnecticutWhere autumn lingers and hills hold their secrets.AmsterdamNew YorkWhere the Mohawk meets the past and future.BenningtonVermontWhere covered bridges cross into the mountains.MonticelloNew YorkCatskill comfort and borscht belt warmth.
Hudson, NY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.