Hudson Valley – New York State of Mind
(Photo by Hardie Truesdale)
Sometimes you just have to get away from the rat-race and pressures of the big city! Be it a destination in its own or as an extended visit to New York City or Albany, both banks of the Hudson River provide easy access to a kaleidoscope of culture, history, outdoor activities, shopping, dining, vistas, relaxation, and the friendliest people you will ever meet. Whatever you seek, the Hudson Valley will respond with a myriad of choices.
The Hudson Valley refers to the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, generally from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy. Historically a cradle of European settlement in the northeastern United States, it now consists of suburbs of the metropolitan area of New York City at its southern end, shading into rural territory, including “exurbs,” farther north.
Geographically, the Hudson Valley could refer to all areas along the Hudson River, including Bergen County, New Jersey. However, this definition is not commonly used and the Tappan Zee Bridge is often considered the southern limit of the area. Though Westchester County is often classified as part of the region, Westchester residents who live at the southern end of the county (and especially the parts closer to the Long Island Sound than the Hudson River) generally do not associate themselves with the region.
The Hudson Valley is divided into three regions: Lower, Middle and Upper. The following is a list of the counties within the Hudson Valley sorted by region.
Lower Hudson
Mid-Hudson
Upper Hudson
Mansions from bygone eras, scenic beauty and quaint villages – Hudeson Valley offers lots to see and do. The Hudson River is lined from one end to the other with grand manor houses, but none compares to Kykuit (pronounced “Kye-cut”) the Rockefeller Estate. It’s not the oldest or even the largest of the estates, but many people find it the most spectacular.
Olana is another perfect place to begin or end a tour of the scenic Hudson River Valley — the beautiful, historic birthplace of the first school of American Art. A Persian-style home and estate of famed artist Fredrick Edwin Church.
Located in Dutchess County, the Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, in terms of architecture, interiors, mechanical systems, road systems and landscape, is a remarkably complete example of a gilded-age country place, illustrating the political, economic, social, cultural, and demographic changes that occurred as America industrialized in the years after the Civil War. A lavish estate!
In addition to tours of the historic house the estate grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk. Visitors may walk the grounds, gardens, hike carriage trails, or picnic at the overlook.
Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter – there is always something to do! Lighthouse tours, estates, small towns, antique shopping, morning ballooning, skiing, and wine country. Rich in history, natural beauty and historic sites, the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain Region are perfect destinations for a day trip or extended visit. See why it is called natural magnificence!
Visit HUDSON VALLEY TRAVELER for more booking and tour information.
Hudson Valley Traveler was born out of a desire to share our corner of the world with independent travelers in a unique way. “We are the most knowledgeable consulting team whose primary focus is to plan customized self-drive vacations throughout the Hudson Valley. It can be a day trip, an overnight outing, or a month’s stay. It might be a full itinerary or just a list of preferred lodging. ” and they are LGBT friendly, of course.
Read the current TOWN & COUNTRY TRAVEL feature.
Visit Travel Hudson Valley , Historic Hudson Valley, and Hudson Valley Voyager
for travel information.
Visit Norm Mackay for real estate information.
The Best of Gay New York and the New Gay Travel Guide
