Hudson Valley

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The Hudson Valley is the valley formed by the Hudson River to the north of New York City in the northeastern United States of America. The region stretches along the river from the suburbs of metropolitan New York into the rural territory and communities in Upstate New York, generally from Manhattan, the Bronx, and Westchester County northward to the city of Albany. In 1996 Congress established The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area (http://www.hudsonrivervalley.com/), one of 27 such federally designated heritage areas.

	hudson valley Travel Guide : 1 Regions 2 Cities 2.1 Other destinations 3 Understand 4 Get in 4.1 By boat 4.2 By air 4.3 By train 4.4 By bus 5 Get Around 5.1 Bridges 5.2 Public Transportation 6 See 7 Do 8 Buy 9 Eat 10 Drink 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Mid-range 11.3 Splurge 12 Get out 13 External links

Regions

• Albany County
• Greene County
• Ulster County
• Orange County (New York)
• Rockland County
• Rensselaer County
• Columbia County
• Dutchess County
• Putnam County - western side of the county is dominated by the rocky Hudson Highlands, the eastern side by reservoirs of New York City's water supply
• Westchester County - affluent county located to the immediate north of New York City

Cities

• Albany
• Beacon
• Kingston (New York)
• New York City
• Peekskill
• Poughkeepsie
• White Plains - the seat of government for Westchester County
• Yonkers - 4th largest city in New York state

Other destinations

Understand

This area of North America is considered a cradle of European settlement. It was also a strategic battleground in colonial wars.

Get in

By boat

Probably the best, most beautiful and historic view of traveling to and within the Hudson Valley is by boat up the Hudson itself. There are a few tourist cruises you can do, but unless you have or use a private boat, the Hudson River itself won't be your primary method of travel in the Hudson Valley. One exception is NY Waterway (http://www.nywaterway.com/), an operator of commuter ferries, that offers full day and weekend sightseeing cruises from New York City to several locations including Tarrytown and the United States Military Academy at West Point.

By air

• Westchester County Airport, 1 (http://whiteplainsairport.com/). The biggest airport of the lower Hudson Valley, other than the New York City/New Jersey airports.
• Stewart International Airport, 2 (http://www.stewartintlairport.com/). Serves the middle of the valley.
• Albany International Airport, 3 (http://www.albanyairport.com/). Serves the upper portions of the valley.

By train

• Amtrak, 4 (http://www.amtrak.com). For rail service north of Poughkeepsie (and two station stops south of Poughkeepsie, at Yonkers and Croton).
• Metro North Rail Road, 5 (http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/mnrmap.htm). The Hudson Line, marked in green on maps, is the line that travels north along the Hudson River, from New York City to Poughkeepsie.
• New York City Subway. You can take it to the southern edge of Westchester County and bus up further.

By bus

• Greyhound, 6 (http://www.greyhound.com/). Stops in most of the major cities as well as some small towns.
• Trailways, 7 (http://www.trailways.com/). Stops in most of the major cities as well as some small towns.

Get Around

Bridges

The Hudson River itself can be both means of and impediment to travel. A few commuter ferry services exist in the lower valley, but bridges have otherwise become the dominant means of crossing the river. Tolls vary in cost, getting progressively more expensive closer to New York City. E-Z Pass electronic payment is accepted at most Hudson River crossings.

• Rip Van Winkle - Catskill, Green County to Hudson, Columbia County
• Kingston-Rhinecliff - Kingston, Ulster County to Rhinecliff, Dutchess County
• Mid-Hudson - Highland, Ulster County to Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County
• Newburgh-Beacon - Newburgh, Orange County and Beacon, Dutchess County
• Bear Mountain - Bear Mountain, Orange County to Peekskill, Westchester County
• Tappan Zee - Nyack, Rockland County to Tarrytown, Westchester County
• George Washington - Fort Lee, New Jersey to New York City

Public Transportation

• Beeline Bus System, 8 (http://www.beelinebus.com/). Westchester county's bus system also connects to nearby lines, such as Rockland County 9 (http://www.co.rockland.ny.us/PublicTrans/withinrockland.htm) and Stamford 10 (http://www.cttransit.com/). Elsewhere in the Hudson Valley, public transit is either very poor (Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam counties) or near-nonexistant (Orange, Sullivan, Columbia, Greene counties).

See

• Lyndhurst, 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, 914 631-4481, 11 (http://www.lyndhurst.org/). A gothic mansion, formerly home of railroad baron Jay Gould.
• Sunnyside, West Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown, 914 591-8763, 12 (http://www.hudsonvalley.org/web/sunn-main.html) The home of Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Rip van Winkle.
• Kykuit, 13 (http://www.hudsonvalley.org/web/kyku-main.html). The Rockefeller Estate in the hamlet of Pocantico Hills in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Tours depart from Philipsburg Manor.
• Philipsburg Manor, 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, 914 631-3992, 14 (http://www.hudsonvalley.org/web/phil-main.html). Historic Dutch manor and mill restored to its appearance in the late 17th/early 18th century.
• Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, 15 (http://www.sleepyhollowcemetery.org/), 540 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, 914 631-0081.
• Caramoor, 16 (http://www.caramoor.org/html/home.htm). Take afternoon tea and tour or attend one of their evening concerts.
• Neuberger Museum of Art, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, 914 251-6100 (operator available Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm), 914 251-6117 (operator available Saturday and Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm), 17 (http://www.neuberger.org). Features modern, contemporary, and African art. Open Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 4 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am - 5 pm. Located on the campus of Purchase College, State University of New York.
• Elijah Miller House, Washington's Headquarters Museum, 140 Virginia Rd, White Plains, (Located between NY 22 and the Bronx River Parkway), 914 949-1236 or 914 941-0757. In 1776, during then last phase of the Battle of White Plains, George Washington made his headquarters in this humble building, which dates from 1738. The structure is a representative 18th-century middle-class farmhouse and includes original furniture and artifacts. Adjacent is Miller Hill, the only preserved battlefield in Westchester County and the site of the conclusion of the Battle of White Plains; you may visit the battlefield after touring the house. The house is noted for its hands-on and living history programs.
• United States Military Academy, West Point, 845 938-4011, 18 (http://www.usma.edu).

Do

• Old Croton Aqueduct, 19 (http://www.aqueduct.org/index.html). Go hiking or biking on the trailway.
• Make your own wine, Elmsford, 20 (http://www.myowine.com/).
• Visit a farmer's market. Many towns have them, such as:
  • Hastings-on-Hudson, 21 (http://www.communitymarkets.biz/hastings.htm).
  • Tarrytown, 22 (http://www.communitymarkets.biz/tarry.htm).
  • Ossining, 23 (http://www.communitymarkets.biz/ossining.htm).
• Wine tasting
  • Prospero Winery, Pleasantville, 24 (http://www.prosperowinery.com/).
  • North Salem Vineyard 25 (http://www.northsalemwine.com/).
• Take a cruise. Cruise on the Hudson River aboard one of many boats:
  • Pride of the Hudson, 26 (http://www.prideofthehudson.com/).
  • Commander, 27 (http://www.commanderboat.com/).
  • Rip van Winkle, 28 (http://www.hudsonrivercruises.com/).
  • Teal, 29 (http://www.northrivercruises.com/).
• Take sailing lessons, 30 (http://www.crotonsailing.com/). Attend the Croton Sailing School.
• Kayak. Rent a kayak or take a guided kayak tour on the Hudson. Paddle the entire tidal portion of the river via the Hudson River Water Trail 31 (http://hrwa.org).
• Hike.
  • New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, 32 (http://www.nynjtc.org/). Join a group hike sponsored by the trail conference. You could also venture off by yourself with a NYNJTC topographic trail map to the Hudson Palisades trails, Harriman-Bear Mountain trails, or the east and west portions of Hudson Highlands State Park.
  • Harriman Hikers, 33 (http://www.harrimanhikers.org/). A Singles Hiking Club Since 1974.
• Watch bald eagles. In winter, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation recommends the following viewing points:
  • Riverfront Park, Peekskill.
  • Charles Point's China Pier, Peekskill.
  • George's Island Park, Verplanck.
  • Constitution Island. From the North Dock at West Point.
  • Norrie Point State Park, Hyde Park (New York)
  • Iona Island. Viewable from the turn-out off Route 6 just south of the Bear Mountain Bridge on the east side of the Hudson River.
• Follow Ichabod Crane's route, 34 (http://www.olddutchburyingground.org/sleepy_country.html). Fans of Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow can follow the route of Ichabod Crane from the center of Tarrytown north into Sleepy Hollow. But don't expect to find the "Western Woods" or anything else from the 1999 movie Sleepy Hollow. Tim Burton's production is only loosely based on Irving's story, and was filmed largely in Hertfordshire, England

Buy

• Woodbury Common, 498 Red Apple Court, Central Valley, New York, 845 928-4000, 35 (http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=7). Located approximately 1 hour from Manhattan. Daily 10am-9pm. Over 220 outlet stores with lots of great brand names offering discounts between 25%-65%. By car: take the New York State Thruway (I-87) to Exit 16; by bus: take the Gray Line bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, buses leave daily at 8:30am, 9:45am, 11:15am, noon (round trip $34).

Eat

• The Culinary Institute of America, 433 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, 845 471-6608 (reservation line) 36 (http://www.ciachef.edu). Select from five restaurants run by students and staff.
• Blue Hill at Stone Barns, 630 Bedford Road, Sleepy Hollow, 914 366-9600, 37 (http://bluehillstonebarns.com/bhsb.html). A working farm and tantalizing restaurant with an on-site 22,000 sq ft greenhouse in Pocantico Hills. There are also hiking trails and an informal cafe on the grounds. This is the primary restaurant to the NYC sister restaurant, Blue Hill (http://www.bluehillnyc.com/main.html) in Greenwich Village, Manhattan.
• Harvest on Hudson, 38 (http://www.harvest2000.com/). A top restaurant on the Hastings waterfront, with a garden patio for drinks or dinner and views of the majestic Palisades. Try to catch dinner at sunset on a gorgeous day.
• Mimosa, Dobbs Ferry, 39 (http://mimosadobbsferry.com/). The newest restaurant in town, offering outdoor patio seating, a large dining room and piano bar and a wide variety of contemporary italian fusion meals that can be surprisingly healthy given the flavor.
• River City Grille, Broadway at Main, Irvington, 40 (http://www.rivercitygrille.com/). Excellent weekend brunches, with a sumptious bread basket, as well as your regular lunches and dinners.
• Solera,Irvington, 41 (http://www.solerany.com/). The Westchester version of the popular Manhattan restaurant. Spanish, seafood and tapas style dining is an excellent addition to the Irvington waterfront (no views though). The octopus appetizer is excellent, for those who like that kind of thing.
• Sushi Mike's, corner of Main and Cedar, Dobbs Ferry. A very nice sushi joint, with an underwater feel. Small but attentive and charming.
• The Chart House, Dobbs Ferry, 42 (http://www.chart-house.com/). Located on a prime waterfront location and just steps away from the Dobbs Ferry train station.

Drink

• Doubledays, Main Street, Dobbs Ferry. Attracts a large following for its spacious bar with nightly games on the TVs and its home-cooked meals.

• Striped Bass, Tarrytown, 43 (http://www.stripedbassny.com/Entertainment.htm). A waterfront restaurant and bar featuring frequent live music. Go for the sunsets and linger at the Cabana Bar on warm evenings.

Sleep

• Alexander Hamilton House, Croton-on-Hudson, 44 (http://www.alexanderhamiltonhouse.com/).
• Beekman Arms, Rhinebeck, 45 (http://beekmandelamaterinn.com/). Advertises itself as America's operating oldest inn.
• Kittle House, Chappaqua, 46 (http://www.kittlehouse.com/). Originally an 18th-century barn, the Kittle House was converted into a mansion some 100 years later. It now has 12 rooms with king- or queen-sized beds, private baths, and cable television, and price includes breakfast.

Budget

Mid-range

• Courtyard by Marriott, 475 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, NY, 914 631-1122.
• Hampton Inn, Elmsford, 47 (http://www.hamptoninn.com).
• Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Suffern, 48 (http://www.holiday-inn.com/suffernny). A moderately priced hotel near attractions in lower NY and northern NJ. Features indoor pool and high speed internet access. For $70, there is taxi service from Newark Airport, an approximately 1 hour ride.
• The Thayer Hotel, 49 (http://www.thethayerhotel.com). Located on the grounds of the United States Military Academy at West Point. On the west side of the Hudson River, the Thayer Hotel is a Gothic-style home-away-from-home with 151 guest rooms, 10 meeting rooms and fine dining. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it offers river views and a fitness center.

Splurge

• Castle on the Hudson, Tarrytown, 50 (http://www.castleattarrytown.com/).
• Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, 51 (http://www.mohonk.com/index_flash.cfm). On the west side of the river. $250-$600 per night, this fabulous getaway is a destination in and of itself. It features theme programs for each month, has an on-site massage center and 9-hole golf course and is a favorite for weddings, corporate events and family reunions. Adjacent Mohonk Preserve is open for hiking and nature walks.
• Renaissance Hotel, White Plains, 52 (http://marriott.com/property/propertypage.mi?marshaCode=HPNSH).

Get out

A natural extension to your trip in the Hudson Valley is to head south to New York City (presuming you didn't start there), which is easily accessible by public transportation and by private automobile. But also consider heading north into the Adirondacks, a mountain range in northeastern New York (state) and the location of the Adirondack State Park, the largest state park in the continental United States. Amtrak (http://www.amtrak.com/)'s Adirondack route cuts through these mountains en route to Montreal. New England is also easily accessible from the Hudson Valley, particularly the Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts, and the Connecticut shore.

External links

• Hudson Valley Tourism (http://www.travelhudsonvalley.org/) Official tourist site.