You will travel all the way up the banks of the Hudson River with epic views the whole way. Pick up a rental car in Poughkeepsie – don’t worry, the traffic is much calmer Upstate compared to the buzz of the city.
This is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge and it spans the majestic Hudson River, offering awesome views of the Hudson Valley. Head across the river to Storm King where visitors experience large-scale sculpture and site-specific commissions beneath the open sky. Grab some lunch in the café or at one of the food trucks, then head out to experience a range of unique art in an outdoor setting. Being outdoors means there are no restrictions on how big the pieces can be. Head back across the Hudson River and check into a hotel in Rhinebeck, such as the Mirbeau Inn & Spa Rhinebeck or the Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn.
Grab a coffee and some breakfast in Rhinebeck, we recommend Bread Alone for excellent coffee. Time to get back to nature with a visit to Innisfree Gardens. Recognised as one of the “world’s ten best gardens,” it’s the perfect place to get lost in with waterfalls, Japanese pottery, small ponds, rivers, blooming flowers, shrubs, paths and stone ruins. We recommend bringing some lunch or goodies from Bread Alone and spending some time here.
Options include hiking, visiting historic mansions or for the culture vultures a trip to DiaBeacon. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the lush landscape along the Hudson River attracted New York’s wealthiest families, the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers among them who built palatial Gilded Age estates. Many of these can be visited on guided tours. If art is more your thing, head down to DiaBeacon on the banks of the Hudson River in Beacon. Whatever option you choose, take your time and enjoy the surroundings.
Visitors will be amazed by the quality of the “foodie” experiences, from oyster farms to olive oil tasting, so close to New York City. Customers can book this via Viator “Mattituck New York Guided Farm and Wine Country Bike Tour” If you are exploring on your own, dinner at Noah’s, a New American restaurant with locally sourced ingredients, is a must if you still have room!
Explore Rhinebeck town and shops and pick up some local goodies such as New York State maple syrup. Head over the Hudson into the Catskills. On the drive you’ll enjoy expansive forest preserves and pristine rivers.
With a range of boutique lodges and hotels surrounded by woods such as Antrim Streamside or The Debruce, both just outside of Livingston Manor.
TOP TIP: Head up in “fall” to enjoy the variety of colours. Make sure to check the @iloveny Instagram account for weekly updates on where to see the best fall colours.
Time to soak up the fresh air. There’s a range of operators who’ll be able to help you get out and start exploring. There will likely be an outdoor activity to match your outdoor passion. If you’re looking to get out of your comfort zone, we suggest trying some rafting, rock climbing, ice climbing, ziplining or mountain biking. Any of the hotels will be able to help suggest fun outdoor activities and help you book them. Most people don’t realize how close to the city they can ski. Skiing is an option in the Catskills with Hunter Mountain offering up 12 ski lifts only 2 hours from downtown NYC. For a slower approach, it might be time to try fly fishing. The Catskills was the birthplace of American fly fishing and the Catskills Fly Fishing Center and Museum (CFFCM) is the world’s largest centre dedicated to the fly-fishing community.
Enjoy a morning in the woods and head back across the river to drop your car in Hudson or Poughkeepsie where you can jump on the Amtrak back to New York City.
In the Hudson Valley, towns line the banks of the Hudson River. Heading North from NYC you’ll find the small towns of Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, Tivoli and Hudson, each with their own personality. Guests can easily take the Amtrak from NYC to Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck and Hudson. The Metro-North rail offers services from Grand Central Terminal in NYC to 43 stations in the region.
Heading into the Catskills? You’ll need to jump on the Amtrak to Hudson Town. You can either rent a car here or arrange a transfer with your accommodation. The Catskills is all about being in the outdoors. Livingstone Manor is a great spot to base yourself when exploring the region and is only 2 hours from the city.
3 nights from $474*pp per night twin share.
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