Hudson Valley
Around Hudson Valley
Photo: Daniel Case · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · New York · 711k people
Hudson Valley
Kiryas Joel · Poughkeepsie · Newburgh · Woodbury
River, ridge, and orchard.
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Welcome to the Hudson Valley, where the river meets the mountains and every season brings its own charm. Whether you're here for the orchards, the trails, or the history, you're in good company. Take a deep breath, grab a cider donut, and enjoy the view.
Clubs for Hudson Valley
No clubs for Hudson Valley yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hudson Valley. 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 Valley. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Walkway Over the Hudson Pedestrian bridge over the Hudson, the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.
- Dia:Beacon Contemporary art museum in a former Nabisco box-printing factory.
- Storm King Art Center Outdoor sculpture park with large-scale works across 500 acres.
- Culinary Institute of America Prestigious culinary school with public restaurants and gardens.
- Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site Gilded Age mansion overlooking the Hudson.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum First presidential library, home of FDR's papers and exhibits.
- Outdoors Hike Breakneck Ridge
- Outdoors Walk the Walkway Over the Hudson
- With kids Explore the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum
- With kids Pick apples at a local orchard
- Evenings Catch a show at the Bardavon Opera House
- Evenings Enjoy live music at the Chance Theater
- Locals love apple orchards
- Locals love farm stands
Through the year
- Dutchess County Fair August Classic county fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
- Orange County Fair July Summer fair with agricultural exhibits and entertainment.
- Hudson Valley Garlic Festival September Celebrates garlic with food vendors, live music, and crafts.
- Applefest (Warwick) October Street festival with apple treats, crafts, and harvest fun.
- Walkway Marathon Spring Running event across the Walkway Over the Hudson and nearby trails.
The Hudson Valley has four distinct seasons, with cold winters, warm humid summers, and mild springs. Fall is the standout, drawing crowds for foliage and apple picking. Best: Fall is the best time to be out—crisp air, colorful foliage, and comfortable temperatures.
Talk like a local
- “The Gunks”
- The Shawangunk Ridge, a popular climbing and hiking area.
- “The Walkway”
- The Walkway Over the Hudson pedestrian bridge.
- “The Valley”
- The Hudson Valley region itself.
- “Apple country”
- The orchard-dense areas of the valley.
Getaways
- New York City Day trip for museums, dining, and city energy.
- Kingston Historic waterfront, boutiques, and the Hudson River Maritime Museum.
- Monticello Gateway to the Catskills with outdoor recreation and casinos.
- Hemlock Farms Poconos retreat with lakes and hiking.
Local flavour
Teams
- Army Black Knights NCAA Division I
- Hudson Valley Renegades MiLB
- Marist Red Foxes NCAA Division I
Also rooting for New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Giants, New York Jets, New York Knicks, New York Rangers
Eat and drink
- apple cider donuts A fall staple from local orchards.
- farm-to-table cuisine The region is known for its agricultural bounty and chef-driven restaurants.
- Hudson Valley duck A regional specialty from local duck farms.
- craft beer A thriving brewery scene in the valley.
- Stewart's Shops A beloved local chain for ice cream and convenience stores.
Where people go
- apple orchards Pick-your-own farms and cider mills are a defining feature.
- historic mansions Gilded Age estates like Vanderbilt and Roosevelt are landmarks.
- farm stands Roadside stands selling fresh produce are ubiquitous.
- hiking trails Trails in the Shawangunks and along the river offer recreation.
- diner Classic American diners are a staple of the region.
Heritage and traditions
The Hudson Valley is proud of its rich Revolutionary War history, its role in the American environmental movement, and its vibrant mix of farm-to-table cuisine and diverse cultural communities, from the Hasidic traditions of Kiryas Joel to the historic riverfront cities of Poughkeepsie and Newburgh.
This time of year in Hudson Valley
- Apple picking and cider donut breakfasts fall A fall ritual at orchards.
- Hudson Valley Food & Wine Festival fall Showcases local chefs, wineries, and farm products.
Say it like a local: “the City” — New York City.
Festivals
- Hudson Valley Food & Wine Festival fall Showcases local chefs, wineries, and farm products.
- Newburgh Illuminated summer An evening of illuminated art installations and performances along the waterfront.
- Beacon Second Saturday monthly Galleries and studios open late with receptions and street performances.
- Kiryas Joel's Lag BaOmer spring A Hasidic holiday with bonfires, music, and community gatherings.
- Hudson Valley Craft Beer Week spring A week of brewery events and tastings.
- New Windsor Cantonment Revolutionary War Reenactment summer Living history demonstrations at the Continental Army's winter camp.
Landmarks with a story
- Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site George Washington's final military headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
- Locust Grove Estate Samuel Morse's Italianate villa with gardens and museum.
- New Windsor Cantonment Where the Continental Army camped in 1782-83.
- Old Dutch Church One of the oldest churches in the region, dating to 1659.
- Senate House State Historic Site Where the first New York State Senate met in 1777.
- Hudson River Maritime Museum Celebrates the river's maritime history.
Food traditions
- Shad bakes A spring tradition where the river's shad are grilled and served with local sides.
- Kosher bakeries and delis In Kiryas Joel, fresh challah, bagels, and matzah are staples, especially before Shabbat and holidays.
- Maple syrup weekends Early spring sugarhouses open for pancake breakfasts and syrup tastings.
- Craft cider from local orchards Many orchards press their own hard cider, a modern twist on an old tradition.
- Farm dinners Long-table meals at orchards and farms featuring local ingredients.
Music and arts
- Hudson River School painting Landscape artists like Thomas Cole and Frederic Church captured the valley's beauty.
- Folk music tradition Pete Seeger's legacy and the influence of the Clearwater movement.
- Beacon arts community Galleries and studios thrive alongside Dia:Beacon.
- Hudson Valley Philharmonic Based in Poughkeepsie, performing classical and pops.
A little history
- 1777 The New York State Constitution is adopted in Kingston.
- 1782-83 The Continental Army camps at New Windsor Cantonment.
- 1820s-1870s The Hudson River School of painting puts the valley on the art world map.
- 1861 Vassar College, the first women's college, opens in Poughkeepsie.
- 1839 Brotherhood Winery begins production, the oldest winery in the US.
Rivalries
- Yankees vs Mets fan allegiances Local baseball fans split between the two New York teams.
- Army vs Navy football Army's home games at West Point make this rivalry local.
- Poughkeepsie vs Newburgh hometown pride Friendly rivalry over which river city is better.
- Game day Army football games at Michie Stadium
- Game day Hudson Valley Renegades minor league baseball
- Outdoors Fishing for striped bass in the Hudson
- Outdoors Cross-country skiing at Mohonk Preserve
- With kids Museum Village in Monroe
- With kids Hudson River Maritime Museum
Locals speak with a blend of New York City and upstate accents; in Kiryas Joel, Yiddish is commonly heard. Phrases like 'the Walkway' and 'the Gunks' are part of everyday vocabulary.
Only here
- Kiryas Joel is the only US municipality with a majority Hasidic population.
- The Walkway Over the Hudson is the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world.
- Brotherhood Winery is the oldest continuously operating winery in the US.
- The Hudson Valley is considered the birthplace of the American environmental movement, thanks to the Hudson River School.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce place names: Poughkeepsie is 'puh-KIP-see', Newburgh is 'NOO-burg', and Kiryas Joel is 'KIR-yas JO-el'.
- Embrace the farm-to-table culture: visit a farmers market and try local apples, cheese, and cider.
- Be respectful of the Hasidic community in Kiryas Joel: dress modestly when visiting, and be aware of Shabbat (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) when many businesses close.
- The weather is four-season: prepare for cold winters, humid summers, and beautiful fall foliage.
- Traffic can be heavy on the Thruway and around the Walkway; plan accordingly.
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Part of Greater New York
Nearby
Every areaMonticelloNew YorkCatskill comfort and borscht belt warmth.KingstonNew YorkWhere the river meets the mountain, and the apples taste like autumn.New YorkNew YorkEvery block is a universe, every corner a story.Hemlock FarmsPennsylvaniaLakes, woods, and four seasons of calm.BridgeportConnecticutWhere the Sound meets the suburbs.East StroudsburgPennsylvaniaWhere the mountains meet your soul.WaterburyConnecticutWhere the river meets the brassTorringtonConnecticutWhere autumn lingers and hills hold their secrets.
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, 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.