Hudson Valley, New York: 15+ Artsy & Cool Things To Do

Bannerman's (photo: JCarnegie)

By Jacquelin Carnegie 

All year long, not just during the beautiful fall foliage season, the area surrounding New York's magnificent Hudson River is ideal for a day trip or weekend get-away. There are several counties on both sides of the river worth discovering, but Dutchess County has some of the most diverse offerings. Explore the spectacular countryside, cultural choices, fairs & festivals, vineyards and farmers' markets. Here's a sampling to get you started:

BEACON - ART & NATURE
Any day of the week, stroll along Main Street to check out the selection of cafés and galleries. Beacon gets even livelier on weekends with its Sunday Farmer's Market, on the riverfront, the Flea Market (April-Nov) behind the post office, and Second Saturday, a citywide celebration of the arts.

Dia: Beacon (photo: Laura Asaibene)

DIA:BEACON
3 Beekman St., Beacon, NY; Tel: 845 440 0100; www.diaart.org
In a beautifully-renovated, 1920's factory building, the Dia Art Foundation’s minimalist art collection, from the 1960’s to the present, takes center stage in wide-open galleries with huge, beautiful windows and skylights. On display are works by such renowned modern artists as Dan Flavin, Richard Serra, and Louise Bourgeois. There are changing exhibitions, gallery talks, and other special events (also a café).
BANNERMAN’S CASTLE - ISLAND TOURS
Bannerman's Island; Tel: 800/979-3370; www.bannermancastle.org (May-Oct)
While in Beacon, explore a picturesque island in the Hudson River that's been off bounds for years. In 1901, Frank Bannerman, a zany Scottish-American munitions dealer, built a quasi-castle and residence for his family on Pollepel Island. Today, thanks to the Bannerman Castle Trust, you can admire the ruins. Pack a picnic and enjoy great views of the Hudson as well as the 20-minute ferry ride there & back. On some Sundays, there's also music. (Reservations required for all tours & special events. The ferry dock for Bannerman's Island is a 5-minute walk from the Beacon train station.)

Hudson River (photo: JCarnegie)

Dine: All along Main Street there are several nice cafés, try the Beacon Bread Company Bistro.
Stay: The Roundhouse at Beacon Falls (2 East Main St.) - former factory building turned into a groovy boutique hotel.
Getting There: Drive or train from New York (Grand Central), take Metro-North (Hudson line) train to Beacon. (The museum, ferry dock & Main St. are all in easy walking distance of the train station.) Be sure to check out the way-cool, yet funkier town of Newburgh (right across the river) & the also artsy Peekskill.

POUGHKEEPSIE - CULTURAL VISITS & COUNTRY WALKS
Vassar is well known as a prestigious college, but it's a bit of a secret that the lovely campus is open to the public with a fabulous theater and a museum that would please any culture lover.

Vassar

VASSAR COLLEGE:
POWERHOUSE THEATER
124 Raymond Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY; Tel: 845-437-5599; http://powerhouse.vassar.edu
For over 30 years, the Vassar & New York Stage and Film's Powerhouse Theater has fostered and celebrated young playwrights, aspiring actors, directors and designers on stage for six weeks each summer. It's a delightful place to see theater and you can often see famous actors up-close-and-personal performing alongside the up-and-comers.
FRANCES LEHMAN LOEB ART CENTER
Tel: 845/437-5632; http://fllac.vassar.edu
This incredible collection includes fabulous Dutch Masters, Hudson River School paintings, major 20th-century works as well as sculpture and photography.
WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON
(www.walkway.org; 61 Parker Ave., about 4 blocks north of the Poughkeepsie train station. Open: 7am-sunset)  For breathtaking views of the Hudson, stroll or hike across this abandoned railway bridge that's been transformed into a scenic walkway.
Dine: Try out places favored by the locals.
Stay: Courtyard by Marriott (2641 South Rd/Rt. 9, Poughkeepsie, NY; Tel: 845/485-6336) - friendly staff & a nice indoor pool.
Getting There: Drive or train from New York (Grand Central), take Metro-North (Hudson line) train to Poughkeepsie, then a taxi. (Empire Taxi, Tel: 845/454-4444)

HYDE PARK - HISTORIC SITES & GREAT EATS
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt devoted their lives to the betterment of all Americans. Hyde Park is where FDR grew up and spent most of his life.
ROOSEVELT-VANDERBILT NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES 

FDR's Springwood

4097 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY; Tel: 800/967-2283, www.nps.gov/hofr
FDR's HOME: It's a patriotic thrill to tour these four sites. You can also stroll the beautiful grounds with miles of hiking trails. (For more information about the guided tours, contact: National Parks Service, Tel: 845/229-5320.) Springwood - The Roosevelt family home. (The President & Mrs. Roosevelt are buried in the Rose Garden.) Val-Kill - Eleanor Roosevelt's private cottage, she came here when she wanted to relax. Top Cottage - FDR's private retreat.
FDR Presidential Library & Museum - Opened in 1941, this is America's first presidential library, built under FDR's direction. There are fascinating artifacts and changing exhibitions.
THE VANDERBILT MANSION (www.nps.gov/vama)

Val-Kill (photo: NPS/WD Urbin)

This magnificent estate was once the home of Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt. Take a guided tour of the mansion and learn about the Gilded Age. Wander around the exquisitely-landscaped gardens and grounds with stunning Hudson River views.

CIA chefs

Dine: CIA (1946 Campus Dr., Hyde Park, NY; Tel: 845/471-6608) - The Culinary Institute of America is a world-renowned cooking school with several dining options: Bocuse (French), de'Medici (Italian), American Bounty, and the causal Apple Pie Bakery Cafe. (Make reservations way in advance; all restaurants close during school breaks, so check ahead.)

Rhinebeck Crafts: Jonathan's

Stay: Courtyard by Marriott in Poughkeepsie.
Getting There: Drive or train from New York (Grand Central), take Metro-North (Hudson line) train to Poughkeepsie. Then taxi from the Poughkeepsie train station to FDR Visitors Center (about 10-15 minutes).

 

RHINEBECK - ARTS, CRAFTS & BEYOND

Rhinebeck is a lovely area with wonderful fairs and festivals:

DUTCHESS COUNTY FAIR (Aug): Here's your chance to experience a real county fair with 4H Clubs, farm animals, pie contests, carnivals rides, music & more family fun.
RHINEBECK CRAFTS FESTIVAL (June): This legendary event is features some 200 top-notch craftspeople, local furniture makers, music, gourmet food & merriment.
HUDSON VALLEY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL (Sept): A great way to sample the local Hudson Valley vintages, craft beers, and culinary offerings.

Fisher (photo: Peter Aaron)

BARD COLLEGE: FISHER CENTER
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY; Tel: 845/758-7900; fishercenter.bard.edu
About 10 mins from Rhinebeck, this Frank Gehry designed entertainment center on the Bard campus offers a wide-range of events, or just take a tour of the stunning facility.
Dine: Take your pick from every type of restaurant.
Stay: The Beekman Arms  (6387 Mill St.) - Open since 1766; the Clintons stayed here during Chelsea's wedding.
Getting There: Drive or train from New York (Penn Station), take Amtrak to Rhinecliff. (Taxi into Rhinebeck but, at this point, you'll really need a car.)

 
MORE HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVITIES
DUTCHESS COUNTY FARM FRESH TOURS: Whether you want to pick apples, sample artisanal cheeses, visit local wineries and distilleries, taste New York maple syrup and hand-crafted ice cream, buy organic produce or items made from local wool, there's a place for you! Visit Fishkill Farms & McEnroe Organic Farm, Crown Maple Estate, Hudson Valley Sheep & Wool Farm, Harney & Sons Fine Teas and many other charming, scenic spots. 
FARMERS' MARKETS: Download a brochure about farms with fresh produce for sale and head out on your own or for some family fun!
HUDSON VALLEY RESTAURANT WEEKS (Spring & Fall): With all the fresh produce available, the area restaurants serve some incredibly-tasty, farm-to-table meals. Several also have rooms to book, so add an overnight stay to your meal!

Fishkill Farms

Making Your Trip Easier
Metro-North offers several "get-away" packages to Hudson Valley places and events.
Dutchess County Tourism has tons of info & hotel deals on their site.
These newspapers have info about local cultural events: About Town & Southern/Northern Dutchess News. 

Neighborhood Discovery: New York's Hot, Hip Flatiron District

By Jacquelin Carnegie

Flatiron building (photo: Joan Gramatte)

 

The Flatiron district runs roughly from 19th Street to 29th Street, from Park Avenue to Sixth Avenue. In the mid-1800s, this area was one of New York’s most fashionable with posh hotels surrounding Madison Square Park. Then, it fell out of fashion, becoming rundown and neglected. But now, there are so many new, trendy hotels, restaurants, and shops opening up, it's hard to keep track. Once again, the neighborhood is a hot spot. In fact, part of the Flatiron district even has a new moniker: NoMad (North of Madison Square Park). Time to come explore the 'hood!
THE FLATIRON NEIGHBORHOOD
Flatiron Building
175 Fifth Ave, at 23rd St
The neighborhood gets its' name from this triangular-shaped building, completed in 1902. Designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, the 22-story, Renaissance palazzo-style structure was the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper, now a National Historic Landmark. It was an office building, but it's recently been turned into luxury apartments. Famed photographers Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen helped turn it into a New York icon.

Madison Square Park
23rd to 26th St (btw Fifth & Madison Ave); www.madisonsquarepark.org

Conjoined (artist: Roxy Paine)

Named after President James Madison, this tranquil spot has been a public space since 1686 and a city park since 1847. In the late 19th century, the Square, surrounded by mansions and fancy hotels, was an elite, Manhattan enclave. Today, it’s a lively, neighborhood park with year-round, contemporary art displays and a great free concert series in the summer and fall. Plus, there's a dog run!

HOT HOTELS IN THE FLATIRON
Trendy hotels and restaurants have revitalized the area. Here are just a few to choose from:
Ace Hotel
20 West 29th St; Tel: 212/679-2222; www.acehotel.com/newyork

(photo: Courtesy Ace Hotel)

This cool, boutique hotel is very popular with hip musicians. Even the lobby, with bar and lounge, is a hot spot. The in-house eateries are also ultra-trendy: The Lobby Bar, the Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and the Milk Bar for dessert fans.

Viceroy Park Avenue
420 Park Ave. So (at 29th St); Tel: 877/544-0606; https://www.viceroyroyparkavenue.com
Formerly The Royalton, this stylishly-hip hotel is getting a luxury re-branding. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and fashionable décor. There are fabulous views everywhere you turn, especially from the tri-level Rooftop Spa + Lounge with a heated, indoor-outdoor, plunge pool overlooking the Empire State building! (Opening Dec 2026)

(photo: Courtesy Royalton Hotel)

Eventi - Kimpton Hotel (851 Sixth Ave, at 30th St; www.eventihotel.com) - This hotel has 292, contemporary-decorated guestrooms. It’s pet-friendly and close to Madison Square Garden, so basketball players are frequent guests, making it a great spot for sports' fans.
The Evelyn (7 East 27th St; https://www.theevelyn.com) - Formerly The Gershwin, the hotel's 159 rooms and public spaces have been renovated to showcase its' Art Nouveau style and music & art heritage.
Hotel Henri (37 West 24th St; https://www.hotelhenriny.com) &/or the Hotel Hayden (127 W 28th St.)

THE HOT FOOD SPOTS IN THE FLATIRON
With new places opening every day, it's hard to mention them all. Here are a few good ones to start with:

Eataly
(photo: Aretemetric/WikiCommons)

Eataly
23rd St & Fifth Ave; www.eatalyny.com  

This Italian gourmet market with dining options is another in-spot. Packed to the gills at all hours of the day and night, but worth a visit if you’re a die-hard foodie.
The Shake Shack
23rd St., bet Fifth & Madison Ave., in Madison Square Park; Tel:212/889-6600; www.shakeshack.com 
If you want to stand in line for 45 minutes to get a burger, look no further. Devotees say it’s worth the wait. It certainly makes for great people watching. (Outdoor seating is winterized.)

(photo: Beyond My Ken/WikiCommons)

Hill Country BBQ

30 West 26th St; Tel: 212/255-4544; https://www.hillcountry.com
Chow down on some authentic, Central Texas barbecue cuisine. Plus, hear good country music in the downstairs club.

THE FLATIRON’S SHOPPING OPTIONS
Here's some interesting shops in the area. Check out the district guide to find more:

Flatiron building

Rizzoli (1133 Broadway, at 26th St; https://www.rizzoliusa.com) - Prestigious bookstore.

Todd Snyder (25 East 26th St; https://www.toddsnyder.com) - Hip menswear.

Perfume & Faux Bling: Broadway from 26th to 31st Street is lined with stores selling discounted perfume, costume-jewelry “bling,” pocketbooks, and electronics. Many are “wholesale only,” but you’ll find several retail ones as well. Go soon before they’re all replaced with trendy boutiques.

THE FLATIRON’S CULTURAL SCENE

There are some wonderful museums to explore right in the 'hood: Poster House - Dedicated to poster art; MoMath - Great for kids; and the Museum of Sex - Of interest to adults. Free Flatiron Walking Tour - Learn even more about the fascinating history of the area (first Sunday of every month, 11am; or download a brochure for a self-guided tour).

Explore all there is on offer now that this lovely area is in vogue again!