Planning a country escape to New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley? Let us be the first to congratulate you on a holiday spot well chosen. In the words of American painter Thomas Cole, who also founded the Hudson River School known for putting the area on the cultural map, 'Must I tell you that neither the Alps nor the Apennines, no, nor even Aetna itself, have dimmed, in my eyes, the beauty of our own Catskills?’. Thanks to this curated list of the area’s most fantastic homes, you can focus on planning all the fun you’ll have instead of worrying about where to stay in Hudson Valley. And you can trust us too, because here at Plum Guide we know a thing or two about travel, and how to make it memorable for all the right reasons.
Hudson
Possibly the chicest option in Hudson Valley, riverside Hudson almost feels like a more beautiful Brooklyn thanks to its hip restaurants and bars, boutiques, art galleries, music venues and antiques shops. The best part is, it’s all walkable with most of the above clustered around cute and lively Warren Street. You’ll love taking in the impressive architecture as well as the local hipsters. Thanks to comparative affordability compared with New York City, many creatives and entrepreneurs have made the exodus out here.
Aquarian Exposition, Plum Guide home in Hudson Valley, NY, USA
Catskill
The road and trees from a car driving through Catskill, New York
Don't worry, this is not some weird place where cat ladies go to retire. Perched between the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, this quaint and bucolic small town is located about 120 miles north of New York City. This is a great place to stay if you’re interested in art as Thomas Cole’s former home, now a museum, is just outside the centre of town and offers glorious views of the mountains in a wonderfully historical setting. One of America’s oldest tourist attractions is also located in Catskill. The majestic Kaaterskill Falls is a two-stage waterfall on Spruce Creek and one of the highest waterfalls in the Eastern United States. You can find mention of the falls in books, essays, poems and paintings of the early 19th century.
Meet Me At The Mountains, Plum Guide home in Hudson Valley, NY, USA
New Paltz
New Paltz is a vibrant village home to a stellar music scene, refined farm-to-table dining options, charming cafes and independent boutiques perfect for exercising your credit card. The SUNY New Paltz campus is also located here as is the historic Mohonk Preserve. This lush nature reserve strives to protect the Shawangunk Mountains region and inspire visitors to embrace, explore and enjoy the natural world. This is where you’ll want to hike and bike to prepare your stomachs for the sumptuous feasts this town has to offer.
Gallic Americana, Plum Guide home in Hudson Valley, NY, USA
Saugerties
Saugerties Lighthouse, New York State
Just two hours from New York city in Ulster County perched between the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River lies Saugerties. Unsurprisingly, the nature here is top grade including breathtaking parks, natural sanctuaries and even farms, which can be visited and explored. It’s one of the sleepier towns in the area, so the perfect choice for where to stay in Hudson Valley if you’re hoping to unwind and simply enjoy your surroundings and the small-town charm this place has to offer. Don’t miss Opus 40, a not-for-profit sculpture park created by artist Harvey Fite and Falling Waters Reserve, located on the riverfront and home to trails, fields and even a waterfall.
Unscripted Upstate, Plum Guide home in Hudson Valley, US
Kingston
A city of just 23,000 people, Kingston has an illustrious history and is home to Four Corners, the only place in the US on which each corner is occupied by a pre-Revolutionary War building. That may not seem impressive if you’re European but trust us, when it comes to the US that is really old. There is a plethora of things to do in Kingston so it's a great option. There's great shopping (especially vintage boutiques), delicious restaurants and diverse cultural offerings. To put the icing on the cake, this is one of the less busy Hudson Valley towns when it comes to weekenders, which makes for a much more authentic and unique experience.
Rhinebeck
A charming, historic town just East of the Hudson River, Rhinebeck boasts picturesque tree-lined streets, unique independent boutiques and great restaurants supplied by the abundant local farms and orchards. Rhinebeck is also a cultural haven complete with top level art galleries, museums, performing arts venues, historic homes and impressive architecture. After a few nights of eating and drinking like royalty, you’ll surely appreciate the hiking and biking trails where you can explore the natural beauty of the area and burn those calories all in one go.
Beacon
Artsy and outdoorsy types alike will be thrilled to choose Beacon when deciding where to stay in Hudson Valley. The town is home to internationally renowned museum DIA: Beacon, which is situated on over 30 acres along the banks of the Hudson River. The Dia Art Foundation’s permanent collection is housed here, with contemporary works mainly dating from the 1960s and 1970s, alongside which the institution hosts an exhibition programme. If your teenagers are into sustainable fashion, take them straight to the trendy American Gypsy Vintage, where clothing curators Nicole Alyse and Cabot Bramhall hand pick each item in the shop. And for those of you really wanting to fit into last year’s jeans break a sweat, head to Mount Beacon Park where challenging hiking trails are made worth it by the spectacular views from the top.
