Historic Hudson Valley
There’s No Place Like Home
Family Apple Picking at Davies Farm (Congers, NY)
Home of Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle, the bucolic Hudson Valley’s rolling hills line the Hudson River and create a destination in NY that is worth the trip. Situated 45 to 90 minutes by car from Manhattan, this is the perfect weekend getaway. For us, it was home for six decades. Rockland County Tourism can provide you with many wonderful places to visit in our home county. When thinking about the Hudson Valley from the perspective of a traveler, we picture the quaint river towns that line the valley with their shops and cafes.
Rockland County River Towns include:
Nyack where we spent many happy days wandering street fairs, exploring the culinary scene with friends, attending concerts, and watching wonderful Halloween Parades. It's a lively creative village!
Piermont - Home to the weekly Piermont Farmers Market, we have strolled through the vendors to pick up locally grown fruit & veg for years. Piermont’s main street is lined with cafes with a wide variety of cuisines. Don’t miss getting a walk in on Piermont Pier which extends one mile across the Hudson River. The Piermont Pier was built in the late 1830s by the Erie Railroad to serve as the eastern terminus of its line, connecting New York City to the Hudson River. It was constructed to extend nearly a mile into the Hudson River to reach deep water, allowing trains to transfer passengers and cargo directly onto steamboats bound for Manhattan, bypassing shallow waters and interstate restrictions. "Last Stop U.S.A." (WWII): During World War II, the pier served as the departure point for over 500,000 U.S. soldiers (nicknamed "Last Stop U.S.A.") who left from nearby Camp Shanks for the European theater. Michele had family who were part of the greatest generation and left to fight from this very pier.
Haverstraw - Haverstraw, New York, was once the "brickmaking capital of the world," producing over 300 million bricks annually in the late 19th century using Hudson River clay to build two-thirds of New York City. Today, the quaint streets are lined with Second Empire homes, ethnic restaurants to suit every pallet and the Haverstraw Summer Concert series is worth a visit!
Westchester County River Towns
While there are many river towns in Westchester County to explore, our favorites were the Historic Hudson Valley towns of Tarrytown, Irvington and Cortlandt Manor.We whiled away many summer afternoons watching our children play games at festivals held on the grounds of the old grist mill & farm of Phillipsburg Manor. During Halloween season, our family often sat in the Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow listening to Washington Irving ‘s “Tale of the Headless Horseman” recounted in the town where the story was originally set. Truth be told, there was simply nothing to compare to exploring the delights of 7000 carved pumpkins at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Cortlandt Manor. History continues to unfold in Tarrytown at the estate of railroad magnate Jay Gould. He left us the treasure of Lyndhurst Mansion. Tour the house, visit the rose garden, and enjoy the sweeping vista overlooking the Hudson Valley from this incredible estate. Your visit to Westchester would not be complete without catching a show at the Tarrytown Music Hall which has been welcoming patrons since 1885. The theater opened its doors during the gilded age when the captains of industry built mansions in this Hudson River town. If you are seeking a performance under the stars, consider a summer concert at Caramoor which is the perfect end to a weekend getaway!
If your schedule allows you to continue to explore, consider driving north to Storm King Arts Center which is a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden. It's a good way to get out & stretch your legs! Beyond Rockland & Westchester, there are many wonderful places to visit as you continue north through the valley. The first stop on my nostalgia tour would be to enjoy a glorious meal whipped up by students honing their craft at the Culinary Institute of America. While in the area, consider a visit to the National Park sites this area is famous for: the Vanderbilt Mansion, FDR Library & Museum and Eleanor Roosevelt's ValKill. They are all wonderful places to visit and frequently have special events going on.
If your travels wear you out, you could stop for a fabulous spa treatment or day pass at the Mirabeau Inn & Spa in Rhinebeck. The town’s main street is dotted with cafes, eateries and crafts. Looking for a cozy bed & breakfast after a full day of travel? The Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn was established in 1766. It is recognized as the oldest continuously operating inn in the United States. This historic tavern served as a hub during the Revolutionary War, hosting figures like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton. It remains a landmark, renowned for its colonial charm, tavern, and association with President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Make sure to check in advance, as room reservations may be hard to come by at certain popular times of year, such as leaf-peeping season.
Sitting near the northern edge of the Hudson Valley is the crown jewel of resort properties. Mohonk Mountain House is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and the resort has been our go to for special occasions. The property is a gorgeous Victorian Castle resort founded in 1869 by the Smiley family. It is renowned for its combination of historic, "old-time" charm and scenic, natural surroundings. Mohonk and its serene glacial lake are surrounded by 40,000 acres of protected forest. It is consistently praised for providing a unique, intimate getaway, featuring amenities like cozy fireplaces, an award-winning spa, and activities ranging from hiking to ice skating. The house is noted for its towers, turrets, and extensive porches where you can enjoy comfortable rockers with a hand-packed ice cream cone. You can even take a boat out on the lake or just feed the ducks. We usually go for the day and book a treatment at the spa. This way, we can then enjoy the hiking trails, and relax in the mineral springs hot tub thereafter. It is truly a grand day out!
I hope you’ve enjoyed my nostalgia tour. Thanks for coming along with me and I hope I’ve peaked your interest. Come visit the Hudson Valley!
