Lots Of Exciting Things Happening This Weekend As Spring Really Stars To Kick In
We are really just covering the Lower and Mid Hudson Valley so far, hope to expand our listings in the coming months.
The 2015 Hudson Valley Fair begins today and continues for the next three weekends, at the Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY. There is a carnival midway with rides and games, and live entertainment, exciting thrill showsa full petting zoo, fire works and much more! Of course there is lots of food and drink to enjoy Continue reading Local Weekend Fun May 2nd 3rd
Things To Do In Hudson Ny: Henry Hudson Riverfront Park
Henry Hudson Riverfront Park is a beautiful greenspace in the town of Hudson. Going for a walk here is one of the best things to do in Hudson. I loved strolling down by the banks of the Hudson River to admire this beautiful landscape.
The park pays tribute to Henry Hudson, the man who dropped anchor in New York Harbor in 1609. Theres a monument to Henry Hudson at the park. There are also basketball courts, dog-friendly spaces, playgrounds, restrooms, and lots of trees. It really looks beautiful in the spring when everything begins to bloom. I imagine that it would look gorgeous in the autumn with fall foliage, too.
Explore The Old Mines At Sunwest Park
Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account
The Pasco County Florida Department of Health has lifted the swim advisory at Sunwest Park. To find out more about…
Posted by Sunwest Park on Wednesday, June 16, 2021
One of the fun things to do in Hudson is exploring the hidden gems of Sunwest Park. The place used to be SunWest Mines, where limestone was collected. However, this park has more than just remnants of that. At the center of the park is a spring-fed lake. Its white sand makes this resemble a beach. Visitors can go swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding at the lake. Also in the park is the Aqua Park, which has an inflatable obstacle course.
SunWest Park
Website: SunWest Park
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Catch A Live Performance
The residents of Hudson, NY love their live music, with venues around town playing everything from classical and opera to rock, indie, and funk.
Start at Hudson Hall, built in 1855 as City Hall. Today, it is a 21,000-square-foot theater and performance hall, as well as a gallery. The official name is Hudson Hall at the Hudson Opera House.
Hudson also hosts the annual Hudson Jazz Festival, which has run for more than three years. The event spans several days and hosts many performances at Hudson Hall.
On the other end of the spectrum is Helsinki Hudson, a restaurant-meets-music space, with a nationally recognized music venue and an adjacent dining room serving Southern and soul food.
Fun fact: Rocker Melissa Au Der Maur has Basilica Hudson, a multidisciplinary arts center that lives within an industrial factory dating to the 1880s.
Hudson Hall
- Address: 110 S Front Street, Hudson, New York
Satisfy Your Shopaholic Soul At Fairway Oaks Plaza

Editor’s Note: There’s no photo available at the time of writing
Shopping on vacation? Some say itâs a must. Your trip to Hudson, Florida, is no exception, especially when you visit Fairway Oaks Plaza. This shopping mall on Little Road isnât only a haven for shoppers, though. Itâs your one-stop shop for everything that you may need while you stay in the city. Thereâs a fitness center, a pharmacy, and a few other essential shops as well. Granted, it isnât the most flashy of commercial centers, but to an avid shopper, it is a worthy place to visit, all right!
Fairway Oaks Plaza
Caladesi Island State Park features white sand beaches, where visitors can enjoy all sorts of water activities, from swimming to fishing and kayaking. Recognized as having the best beach in North America in 2008, the park is also home to a nature trail, where trekkers can spot a variety of wildlife. Those who want to spend an entire day at the beach can do so, as there are picnic tables where they can hang out at. There are also picnic pavilions within the park grounds, although these have to be reserved for a fee. Boat camping is allowed on the island.
Caladesi Island State Park
Hillsborough River State Park
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What Hudson Is Famous For
Hudson was the first city to be chartered by the United States.
Named after the famous English explorer Henry Hudson, the town has had quite the cycle of booms and busts.
Originally settled by the Mohican Indians, the land was first purchased by the Dutch in the early 1700s, then by Quaker whalers after the Revolutionary War.
The Quakers were worried the British might return after the war to re-seize land, so they left the coastally unprotected towns of Nantucket and New Bedford looking for a more inland location.
They settled on Hudson, due to its prime location at the head of the Hudson River, and soon developed the area into a busy port town. They even laid out out a proper city grid!
Youll still find whale logos in town today, on some street signs and business logos.
The town transitioned from a rich seaport to a bustling industrial town, with factories making fire engines, brickworks, iron cement and more.
Wealthy merchants and factory owners built many of the impressive homes found throughout Hudson today. They built a motley mix of architecture styles everything from Federal to Victorian to Queen Anne but all of the grand buildings, whether neglected or beautifully restored, are still charming.
When industry left the northeast in the late 20th century, Hudson wasnt spared.
Today, Hudsons hip-happening!
Fun Fact: Hudson is home to the highest percentage of self employed people in all of New York State!
Troy Waterfront Farmers’ Market
If you happen to be in Hudson Valley on a Saturday morning, make sure you take a walk through the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market. The smell of fresh bread and food will waft towards you before you even set foot in the market. Sample fresh food and listen to fantastic live music as you wander amongst the stalls.
There are over 70 growers, bakers, chefs, and artisans who display their wares, catering to all tastes and requirements. Enjoy fresh local produce direct from the grower or pick up a meaningful gift for that hard to buy for person. A trip to the market provides a perfect morning out for the whole family.
Monument Square, Troy, NY 12180
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No 1: Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center
*Currently OPEN to the Public
HOURS:Sat: 10am 5pm | Sunday: 1pm 5pmWEBSITE:fllac.vassar.edu
If youre looking to spend an afternoon in Poughkeepsie, then a visit to the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center should be on your list.
In addition to being located on the campus of Vassar College, it was the first college or university in the country to include an art museum in its original plan. With over 22,000 pieces of art, this is a wonderful place to visit.
Open year-round, they welcome all visitors to enjoy their exhibits.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site
If you are looking for a complete Franklin D. Roosevelt experience, take a tour through Top Cottage, the Roosevelt country home. This is the home where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt eventually retired and in which they entertained many famed guests, from politicians to members of royalty.
Step back through time and visit the cottage as it would have been in early 1800s and witness the early technology that helped Franklin Roosevelt learn to live with his disability and continue to serve as President of the United States. Combine a visit to the Franklin D. Roosevelt site with a visit to Val-Kill, the cottage that once belonged to Eleanor Roosevelt.
4097 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538, 845-229-9115
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Bike Along The Putnam County Trailway
Making adaptive reuse of the abandoned Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad, this paved pathway is an ideal locale for bikers, runners, and walkers. The 12 miles wind their way from the Westchester/Putnam border through Mahopac and Carmel and into the Harlem Line Tracks. Most of the trail is fairly flat and scenic, with densely wooded sections and views of Lake Gleneida and the Middle Branch Reservoir . A go-to spot for families, the trail is also perfect for cyclists looking to get a good days workout. The southern end connects to Westchesters North County Trailway, which runs from north to south for 22 miles and connects to other routes leading all the way into the Bronx.
A post shared by The Historic Thayer Hotel on Jan 24, 2018 at 9:10am PST
Explore The Kingston Waterfront
If youre in the Hudson Valley, you of course have to get down to the waterfront at some point!
Downtown Kingston is immensely charming, and its a great shopping district.
Youll find lots of fascinating and well-kept antique shops along with a wide variety of clothing boutiques and restaurants.
Theres plenty of ways to enjoy the water too, with options for kayak rentals, Hudson River cruises, and sailing.
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Motorcyclepedia Museum Hudson Valley
A trip out to the Motorcyclepedia Museum is a special treat. Home to over 500 motorcycles from 1897 to the present day, almost every type of motorcycle is represented here. Visit galleries that include the Indian Timelines, Harley-Davidson, Chopper City, and Police and Military Motorcycles. There is also a tribute to performing motorcycles with displays such as the Wall of Death from the Kamikaze Pit Lenger of Germany.
Care and attention has been paid to the staging of the displays, and the staff is incredibly knowledgeable. The Motorcyclepedia Museum offers a fun family day out.
250 Lake Street, Newburgh, 12550 NY 845-569-9065
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Flowerkraut: Plants And Floral Shop

Flowerkraut is a design focused floral and indoor plants shop. I loved wandering around this peaceful and beautiful store, even though I couldnt technically buy any plants .
The owner showed me this really unique plant called the sensitive plant. If you gently touch its leaves, they fold inward before your eyes. I also loved seeing the wide arrays of succulents and floral displays. If youre looking to add a bit of greenery to your home, Flowerkraut is the place to be.
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Bars & Nightlife In Hudson: A Craft Beer Bookshop Dive Bars With Live Music And Fancy Cocktail Bars
Half Moon in Hudson, NY. Photo: Erin Lindsey/Escape Brooklyn.
Depending on your mood, theres a wide range of bars in Hudson these days from no-frills dives to fancy cocktail lounges to dance parties. Starting at the dive end of things, Half Moon is Hudsons local go-to watering hole, with pretty regular live music, a jukebox, pool table, and the best happy hour in town. Up on Warren Street, Spotty Dog is a fun concept thats now being repeated elsewhere in the Hudson Valley: a bookshop with a bar. Theres a couple couches and chairs around for leisure drinking and reading. Just down the street, newly opened Lawrence Park is the only bar open after midnight and hosts tons of events
On the highbrow side of things, the Maker Hotels Lounge is gorgeous, decadent, and intimategreat for special occasions or check out Sonder, a natural wine bar with snacks that is a perfect vibe for date night.
Into A Masterpiece At Olana State Historic Site
The Hudson River was the inspiration for a mid-19th-century American art movement of landscape painters known as the Hudson River School. One of the most famous of these landscape artists was Frederic Church. His former home is in Hudson, NY, and today, it is possible to take a tour of the stunning building and its grounds.
Olana was the home of Frederic Church, his wife Isabel, and their four children. He purchased 126 acres of land in 1860 just south of Hudson a former sketching spot he used to frequent. Originally he and his wife built what they called a “Cosy Cottage,” where they lived until 1866 when they purchased an additional 18 acres and designed Olana.
The main house at Olana is perched atop a hill, mixing Victorian design with Middle Eastern decorative themes. Inside viewers will find the numerous paintings, sculptures, and furnishings that Frederic and Isabel collected throughout their lives and travels. The now-250-acre estate is lined with carriage roads, blanketed with forest, and has an artificial lake, all of which are primed for exploring. It’s a wonderful introduction to Hudson, and the artistic movement that was inspired by the surrounding region.
Address: Cosy Cottage 5720, NY-9G, Hudson, New York
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John Doe Books & Records
John Doe Books & Records is the best place to go record shopping in Hudson, NY. Its the place in town to find vintage and obscure records, books, cassettes and other ephemera. Aside from the antique shops, the record stores and book stores are other really popular places in Hudson as youll find so many cool things.
The owner has also hosted concerts, live music, book readings, and other events since opening the shop in Hudson back in 2002. You cant miss this quirky shop when you visit Hudson as its a great place to check out.
Things To Do In Hudson Ny: Ultimate Guide To Exploring Hudson
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Categories Blog, New York, Small Town Guides, Travel Guides, United States
There are so many fun things to do in Hudson NY, especially if you love exploring small towns, going antiquing and shopping, and enjoying delicious restaurants and cafes. Hudson is situated along the Hudson River, so there are also some beautiful natural spaces to discover.
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While Hudson was once an unremarkable village and even became quite rundown years ago, the town is completely revitalized and has become quite the destination. Many people from New York City travel to Hudson as a hip place to visit for the weekend. Theres beautiful old architecture and painted buildings, art galleries, coffee shops, and its a hub for antique collectors.
In this travel blog post, Ill detail all the best things to do in Hudson, New York, United States. I drove there and spent the night, and then I took an entire day trip in Hudson. New Yorkers love visiting Hudson, but I also recommend making the trip down from Montreal or Toronto, too.
This itinerary is also perfect for spending a weekend in Hudson, especially if youre thinking about spending more time in the Hudson Valley region. Use this guide to plan your own little walking tour of the town. Put on a pair of good walking shoes and lets go!
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Hudson Valley Day Trips For Nature Lovers
The natural beauty of the region is astonishing. Its no wonder why this beautiful scenery was the subject of many landscape painters. You can spend an entire day exploring the area by walking, running, hiking and cross-country skiing during the winter.
*OPEN to visitors
A visit to Untermyer Park & Gardens is essential for anyone who wants to be amazed and enchanted.
This Walled Garden, located in Yonkers, NY, is an impressive place to spend an afternoon.
The park & garden overlooking the Hudson River is open year-round and, best of all, its free to visit.
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Discover Stonecrop Gardens
*OPEN Seasonally to the Public. Advanced reservation required for Saturday & Sunday visits
Discover a splendid garden high up in the Hudson Highlands with a visit to Stonecrop Gardens in Cold Spring, NY.
Open from April through the end of October, a visit to this magnificent garden is essentially perfect for any day away from the busyness of life.
Visit the Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park
*Currently OPEN to the Public
Walk over the Hudson River on the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Connecting Highland, NY to Poughkeepsie, NY, this spectacular structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open year-round.
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Explore Croton Gorge Park & Old Croton Aqueduct State Park
*Currently OPEN to the public
Anytime is the best time to visit this wonderful place because with every changing season, the scenery offers something new to see.
What To Do In Hudson Ny: Shop Main Street & Explore Nearby Towns
Bring a picnic and watch sunset at the riverfront park in Hudson, NY, overlooking the Athens lighthouse. Photo: Erin Lindsey/Escape Brooklyn.
Hudson, NY is set at the foot of the Catskill Mountains but also central in the Hudson Valley and so the activities are endless. Well do our best here.
If youre opting for a trip to Hudson over other Upstate locations, chances are youre into arts & culture over a purely outdoorsy trip. With that in mind, spend a day meandering around town, checking out the small businesses on and around Warren Street. Some EB favorites are Flowerkraut, a floral studio and sauerkraut shop Clove & Creek, a beautifully curated home/apparel/gift shop Red Chair, an antique shop with a focus on French items Paula Grief, handmade ceramics Quiet Botanist, a botanical apothecary and dry flower shop and Jon Doe Records, a unique vinyl shop.
When perusing Warren St., visitors will likely be overwhelmed by the sea of super-curated, but pricey antique shops. But if youre in the market and willing to dig a little, much better deals can be found at Coxsackie Antique Center, about 25 minutes up the road. Alternately, the massive Antique Warehouse is also a great spot to spend a few hours searching for treasures. Last, for a souvenir youll never forget, stop into Hudson River Tattoo for great traditional style work.
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