For years, New Yorkers looking to escape the hustle of city life have wandered east to the small beach towns of Long Island. But the homogenization of the Hamptons, including that of its easternmost hamlet, Montauk, has exhausted much of the island’s quaint appeal. For the best of small-town New York, weekenders now turn northward to the Hudson Valley, a region comprised of more than 7,000 square miles between New York City and Albany. Within these poles lies Hudson, the region’s budding culture center, a small town with an industrial past that has amassed enough creative capital in recent years to satisfy even the most skeptical New Yorkers. To top it all off, Hudson also boasts some of the finest historic sights in the States, along with an impressive food scene that punches well above its weight. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend trip to America’s new small-town darling.
What to Do
3 photos
Constructed in 1874 to guide ships around the Middle Ground Flats, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse is an icon of the region. Though it’s certainly visible from the shore, those pining for a closer look should kayak from Henry Hudson Riverfront Park across the train tracks on Front Street. We recommend bringing along the travel-friendly Oru Beach Kayak ($1,175).
Those looking to stay on firm ground would be wise to explore the town’s score of secondhand furniture stores (Hudson Supermarket, Arenskjold Antiques) and contemporary boutiques (Hawkins New York, Flowerkraut) on Warren Street. The independent arts and culture venue Basilica Hudson, meanwhile, hosts an ongoing stream of concerts, art shows and film screenings not likely to be found anywhere elsewhere in the Valley — let alone much of the country.
