Yikes! Where did the time go? The kids are going to be home from camp soon and you and your sweetie haven’t managed a little couple’s getaway yet. No time to book a flight, you’re going to have to drive somewhere. Turn the car north and head to the Hudson Valley. There’s so much to do there and there are so many places to visit, you’ll want to spend a week. But since you only have a few days, here’s one way to spend a weekend getaway in the Hudson Valley.
Friday afternoon: Take full advantage of summer hours and leave work at lunchtime. Grab your bag, hop in the car and head north into New York. Leave early enough that you can stop at Storm King, the gorgeous 500-acre outdoor sculpture park and take a stroll or a bike ride to view the massive art installations dotting the property. Or, get a little farther away from home and stretch your legs at the Walkway over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie.
Then stay in the area with dinner at one of the restaurants at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). Located in Hyde Park, this culinary college turns out the rising stars of the foodie world every year. Try and hop onto one of their public tours, or just wander the campus yourself. Then visit one of the CIA’s onsite restaurants, either The Bocuse or American Bounty.
Stay: There are great inns, bed and breakfasts and resorts all over the Hudson Valley. But for your getaway why not stay in ultra trendy Hudson or nostalgic Woodstock? Two hotels to try in Hudson are the buzzy Rivertown Lodge or The Wick, located in a former candlemaking factory. Or, if you’d rather stay in Woodstock, check out the newly expanded Hotel Dylan, which offers true bohemian satisfaction (you can even borrow a vinyl record or two at the front desk so you’ll have a soundtrack for your stay!)
Or, for something completely unique, book a stay at the Saugerties lighthouse, an 1869 landmark, living museum and renowned bed and breakfast. You’ll have to rough it a little. It’s a half mile walk to get to the lighthouse and there’s one bathroom for both guest rooms but the amazing location and coolness factor of sleeping in a lighthouse might just be worth it!
Do: Your itinerary will completely depend on your interests and the distance you feel like traveling from your hotel, but a few suggestions to get you started are:
- Take a pilgrimage to Woodstock. Celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the concert that started it all by spending part of your day at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Visit the museum, stomp around the site of the original festival, held for three days on August 15, 16 and 17, 1969, or stick around for one of the ongoing programs or a concert.
- Shop Warren Street in Hudson. Poke into a few of the many, many antiques galleries that line the street. Here are a few that you shouldn’t miss. But also make sure you check out the boutiques, ceramics studios and other unique retail (Flowerkraut is a floral studio, gift and sauerkraut shop).
- Take a hike. The view from Overlook Mountain can’t be beat and as of 2018, a new parking area makes it easier to ditch the car and head out on the trails.
Eat:
Breakfast: Time to fuel up for a big day. In Woodstock, stop in at The Mud Club for wood-fired bagels, inventive spreads and yummy pastries. In Hudson, you can’t beat the quaint, homey feel and reliable food at Tanzy’s.
Lunch: For lunch, try: Lil Deb’s Oasis or Grazin’ Diner in Hudson. If you’re in Woodstock try Tinker Taco Lab. Or, if you’re ready to take a little drive, head to the well-known Phoenicia Diner.
Dinner: Wm. Farmer & Sons is a perennial Hudson favorite for small plates, ham boards and inventive food. Stick around and grab an after dinner drink in the barroom. Another can’t miss place is Swoon Kitchenbar with a menu that changes nightly and incorporates the freshest local ingredients. Definitely try Cucina if you're in Woodstock.
Late Night: If you still have some juice in the tank after your long day, or if you just need a nightcap before hitting the hay, grab a drink at The Spotty Dog where they serve up beers AND books. So while you’re there, support independent bookstores and grab your next great read! In Woodstock, the Commune Saloon serves up craft cocktails and a lively outdoor scene complete with communal tables and a firepit.
Okay fine, it’s Sunday and you have to head home. But on your way, consider hanging onto your weekend vibe for juuust a little longer with a stop at Manitoga – the Russel Wright design center, Hudson Valley Museum of Contemporary Art or one of the historic houses you’ll pass along the way, like the Vanderbilt house or the FDR National Historic Site.
