Destinations / Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley Travel Guide
The easiest luxury escape from New York City, but it's a big region, so I always pick a base first: Hudson or Kingston if you want to walk to dinner, Gardiner or Accord if you want a farm resort and hiking. Plan on driving between stops, and on fall weekends book your dinners before anything else.
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Where I'm sending people now
Hudson or Kingston to walk to dinner, Gardiner or Accord for farm resorts and hiking, Amenia for a quiet country estate.
Late September to late October for foliage and harvest season, with mid October the peak. May and June are greener, quieter and cheaper.
The top farm resorts (INNESS, Wildflower Farms) run about $700 to $2,000 a night, while hotels in Hudson and Kingston run about $250 to $800. Add roughly 12% to 13% in sales and occupancy tax, and expect October weekends to be the most expensive of the year.
Storm King's 2026 season ends November 30 and it stays closed until spring, and Kykuit tours are paused for all of 2026. Olana's house is closed November 2 to 15 for its winter exhibit install, and Dia Beacon is only open Friday to Monday.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
Metro-North runs from Grand Central to Beacon and Poughkeepsie, and Amtrak runs from Penn Station to Rhinecliff (for Rhinebeck and Kingston) and Hudson in about 2 hours. International visitors usually land at JFK or Newark and drive up, or fly into Stewart (SWF) or Albany (ALB) for a shorter transfer.
Getting around
The train gets you to Beacon, Rhinebeck or Hudson, but the resorts, trailheads and wineries are spread across both sides of the river and taxis are scarce. I recommend renting a car unless you're doing a one-town weekend in Hudson or Beacon.
Money and tipping
Hotels add about 12% to 13% in combined sales and occupancy tax, dog fees run $25 to $150 a stay, and 20% is the norm at dinner. Sunday to Thursday nights and November to April dates are often far cheaper than October weekends.
How I'd spend 3 days
Day 1 Drive up, lunch in Beacon and an afternoon at Dia Beacon (Friday to Monday only).
Day 2 Morning hike at Minnewaska or Mohonk Preserve, then a wine tasting and dinner in Kingston.
Day 3 Cross the river for Olana and Warren Street in Hudson, then dinner at your hotel.
Tip From April to November, swap Dia for a full morning at Storm King, and buy tickets ahead.
Hotels I'd book in Hudson Valley
Things to do in Hudson Valley
Where to eat in Hudson Valley
Matilda
Peekamoose
Le Canard Enchaîné
Good Night
Blue Hill at Stone Barns
Eliza
Stissing House
Cafe Mutton
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Hudson Valley FAQ
Can you do a Hudson Valley trip without a car?
Yes, if you pick one town. Metro-North from Grand Central reaches Beacon in about 1.5 hours and Amtrak from Penn Station reaches Hudson in about 2 hours, and both towns are walkable from the station. For the resorts, hikes and wineries you really need a car, because they're spread out and taxis and rideshares are thin.
What is the best town to stay in the Hudson Valley?
For walking to dinner, I pick Hudson (Pocketbook) or Kingston (Hotel Kinsley). For hiking and farm resorts, I base clients near Gardiner, New Paltz or Accord at Wildflower Farms or INNESS. Rhinebeck and Beacon work well for short train weekends.
When is peak fall foliage in the Hudson Valley?
Color usually peaks in the first half of October in the higher Catskills and on the Shawangunk Ridge, and mid to late October along the river from Beacon to Hudson. Peak weekends sell out hotels and dinner reservations weeks ahead, so I book by late summer. Check the state's weekly I LOVE NY foliage report before you go.
Is the Hudson Valley worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for cozy, cheaper resort stays, but plan around closures. Storm King closes after November 30 until spring, Olana house tours drop to limited weekend hours, and Dia Beacon is open Friday to Monday only. INNESS's indoor pool is heated year-round, and Minnewaska grooms trails for cross-country skiing when there's snow.
Is the Hudson Valley dog-friendly?
Very. INNESS ($100 a stay), Wildflower Farms ($150 per pet), Troutbeck ($125), Hutton Brickyards ($75), Pocketbook ($25) and Hotel Kinsley ($90 plus a deposit) all take dogs, each with its own weight and number limits. Leashed dogs are fine at Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska, but not on Mohonk Mountain House grounds.
How many days do you need in the Hudson Valley?
Three days is the sweet spot for one side of the river plus a day trip across it. With two nights, I'd pick one base and one big outing, like Dia Beacon or a Minnewaska hike. Five days lets you split between a farm resort and a town hotel.
Where should I stay for a Hudson Valley honeymoon or anniversary?
Wildflower Farms is my first pick for service and setting, with INNESS a close second if you want a spa, golf and private cabins. Troutbeck is the choice for a quieter, more literary feel. Book 3 to 6 months ahead for any fall weekend.