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Hudson Valley
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J ust north of New York City, the Hudson Valley feels like a different world compared to the bustle of the city. The appeal of the area lies in how easy it is to access. When you’re ready to escape the chaos of the games, hop on a Metro-North Railroad train at Grand Central Terminal, one of the busiest and most iconic train stations in the U.S., and in about an hour you’ll be met with bucolic mountains, river views, and quaint, strollable towns.
The area stretches from Yonkers just outside New York City up to Woodstock and Saugerties in the Catskill Mountains. To appreciate the true beauty of the area, it’s worth a train (or car) ride up to at least the Mid-Hudson Valley, where the Taconic Mountains run alongside the famous river that the valley is named after.
Rhinebeck
The Hudson Valley is known as New York City’s pantry, and visiting allows you access to all that fresh produce straight from the farm. You’ll find destination-worthy farmers markets in Beacon, Kingston and Rhinebeck (although that’s hardly the end of the list). Restaurants in the area also have direct agreements with local farms, with some of the best including Farm to Table Bistro in Fishkill and Henry’s at the Farm in Milton. The Hudson Valley is also known for its wine trail on the western side of the river. You’ll need a car (or driver) to access them, but the views and delicious vino are more than worth it. Grab an outdoor table at Benmarl Winery in Marlboro and enjoy stunning views of the Hudson Valley while you sip on your favorite white, red or bubbly.
The charming town of Cold Spring is just a little over an hour by train from Manhattan. The town’s tiny train station is right at the bottom of Main Street, along the Hudson River. From there, it’s an easy 20-minute walk to the Washburn Trail on Mount Taurus, also known as Bull Hill. While the mountain, part of the Taconics and the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, offers several hiking options, Washburn Trail gives the most bang for your buck in terms of jaw-dropping views vs. athletic endurance. The hike starts with an almost-immediate ascent that will test your leg muscles, but once you’re past the initial climb, you’ll be met with stunning views of the valley all the way up to the Catskills. Toward the end of the hike, you can choose to take a detour to check out the ruins of the Cornish Estate, the former country home of New York City businessman Edward J. Cornish.
Art lovers will want to go one stop on the train past Cold Spring to the also-idylic town of Beacon. A 10-minute walk from the train station will land you at Dia:Beacon. One of the largest and most important modern art museums in the country, it houses large-scale pieces from artists including Richard Serra and Andy Warhol. After perusing the art at Dia, take a short stroll over to Main Street, where a variety of art galleries and mom-and-pop shops offer the chance to purchase local goods. End the day with a glass of wine at Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar before having dinner at the Roundhouse, which offers picturesque views of Beacon Falls right outside the window.
Easy-access hiking
Quaint towns
Food, wine and farms
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