The town of Hudson, New York is a favorite of travelers to the Upstate New York region for a reason. It’s the quintessential Hudson Valley town with a picturesque location and plenty of great food, shopping, and activities. Beautifully preserved, Hudson is full of historic buildings and is home to one of the best “main streets” in the Valley. Warren Street stretches from the riverbank through town with endless shops, cafes, and art stores. The Saturday farmer’s market is an ideal place to pick up items from local artisans and farmers. Home to some best restaurants and hiking trails in the state, Hudson has lots to offer any explorer. To get there, it’s a 2 hour drive North of NYC. There’s also an Amtrak station, making Hudson easily accessible by train as well.
What to DO IN Hudson
Hiking or skiing: The views of the Hudson Valley and bucolic Catskill Mountains
are reason alone to visit Hudson. Visiting the town of Hudson puts you close to many of the Valley’s great hiking trails and ski slopes.
Wine-tasting: There are numerous acclaimed wineries through the region. In fact, the Hudson Valley is the country’s oldest wine-making region. The Hudson-Chatham Winery is one of the best in the region and is a fifteen-minute drive from the town of Hudson.
Main Street / Shopping: Warren Street is the main drag through town with a myriad of great boutique shops, antiques stores, galleries and more. It’s considered the best ‘main street’ in the Hudson Valley. You could easily spend a whole day meandering through town and popping into shops like Lili & Loo, one of our favorites.
Art / Galleries: The art scene in Hudson extends beyond the impressive main street galleries. There are numerous National Historic Sites nearby, like the Thomas Cole House. An essayist, poet and painter during the early 1800s, Thomas Cole was one first to define American-style art, based off of his landscape paintings of the surrounding area. His works are displayed in this former home and studio.
Where to EAT in Hudson
In the past few years, the Hudson Valley has soared onto the radar of many foodies, chefs and restauranteurs alike. Hudson leads the pack, with highly acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants like The Crimson Sparrow and Fish & Game.
Fish & Game: When Zak Pelaccio (of the famed Fatty ‘Cue and Fatty Crab restaurants) opened Fish & Game in 2013, the rave reviews rolled in – and they haven’t stopped. Everyone from Vogue to the New York Times have touted the James Beard nominated restaurant as a destination itself in Hudson. Their tasting menu changes seasonally and aims to predominately incorporate local food grown and gathered in Columbia County.
The Crimson Sparrow: Two Wylie Dufresne-trained disciples teamed up to open The Crimson Sparrow in 2012. The critically praised restaurant specializes in a tasting menu that blends seasonal fare with Asian flavors and French techniques.
Swoon Kitchenbar: This Hudson eatery is a favorite of both locals and visitors alike. Chef Jeffrey Gimmel’s menu changes weekly to incorporate the freshest local products. While the menu can be very meat-centric, Gimmel instituted “Meatless Mondays” to focus on crafting creative dishes from locally grown produce.
Café Le Perche: This is the quintessential Main Street brasserie. It has a lovely bakery up front and outdoor garden seating outback, making it the ideal spot for brunch or lunch when visiting Hudson.
Where to stay in Hudson
The Hudson Milliner – Renovated from an old Milliner’s shop, The Hudson Milliner is a refined industrial-chic guesthouse on Hudson’s main thoroughfare, Warren Street.
The Hudson Merchant House – The renovated brownstone house at the bottom of Warren Street is a charming and sophisticated place to stay. Guest rooms at The Hudson Merchant House are spacious and some of the nicest accommodations in town. It’s is also walking distance from the Amtrak station.
Rent a House: We’ve also had great experiences with house rentals from locals, in prime locations just off the main street. It’s a fun, relaxed, and often a more affordable option compared to hotels – especially for groups. For more information, please reach out to us via our Contact Page.
Photo Cred: 3rd State Hudson, Answer Hudson Valley, The Culinary Capital, Compass + Twine, Chronogram, The Hudson Merchant House, The Hudson Milliner