🌳 HUDSON VALLEY & THE CATSKILLS
Art sites, hiking trails, wellness retreats, and vintage shopping just outside of NY


If you have an itch to get out of Manhattan for a weekend (for me, this usually comes in the fall when it’s gloomy in the city and the autumn colors upstate are a promising serotonin boost) here are some places to visit just a short drive or train away.
Table of Contents:
GENERAL
Everything is easier with a car. If you have one, great. If you don’t, consider renting.
If you don’t have a car
for a wellness getaway, go to Troutbeck. You can take a bus or train straight there, the property/spa is amazing, and the food is farm to table! (though I wouldn’t spend more than 2 days here as you’ll probably get bored).
for an art fix, take the train to Dia:Beacon. You can go in the morning and come right back, no need to stay there overnight.


FOR A RELAXING, WELLNESS RETREAT
Center your itinerary around a hotel with the right amenities, or a hike that you’re particularly excited about.


HOTELS
Inness - ($$$) A destination in itself, with a golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, and sprawling grounds for a hike.
Troutbeck - ($$) Ideal for a cozy stay with friends, family, or solo. The lobby feels like a lived-in living room, with chess, backgammon, and an expansive library— unplug and linger.
Piaule Catskill - ($$$) Perfect for couples. Small, intimate rooms and a romantic vibe. The restaurant is a must (don’t miss a meal here), and you’ve probably seen photos of the the spa and pool, for good reason.
If you venture off the property, do the hike at Katerskill Falls (it’s more of a leisurely walk), then grab lunch at Circle W Market after.
Circle W deserves its own bullet since it’s home to one of my top 5 favorite sandwiches of all time.


Callicoon Hills - ($) Less luxury, but perfect for a weekend getaway with friends. Think reading by the fire, roasting s’mores, and a visit to the Callicoon farmers market.
Nearby Livingston Manor is worth checking out— the vibe is quaint shops, cozy cafés, and a great museum. Don’t miss:
Main Street Farm – A specialty grocery store and café serving local produce for breakfast and lunch.
FOR FOOD, ART, VINTAGE, & EXPLORATION
If your trip is more about exploration than relaxation, choose your stay based on the museums you want to visit or the towns you want to explore. Each town has its own unique vibe - use it as an excuse to keep coming back. But wherever you stay, you can’t go wrong.
STAY
If I didn’t call out a specific hotel in the town, check Airbnb—there are plenty of amazing options.
HUDSON
A charming town along the Hudson River with great restaurants, charming cafés, and a mix of antique furniture and clothing shops. It’s also close to the Catskills for a quick hiking escape. In my opinion, Hudson is the most lively of the towns in this area.
Stay: The Maker
Eat: Lil Deb’s Oasis—perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, or anytime of day when empanadas are on your mind.
KINGSTON
I feel like people don’t talk about Kingston enough, but it’s really such a lovely, is a historic gem with plenty of shops and cafés to discover.
⭐ Stay: Hotel Kinsley - a boutique hotel spread across four restored historic buildings. I stayed at 301 Wall St, a beautifully converted 19th-century bank building
Eat: Lola Pizza for dinner.


COLD SPRING
Like most of the towns, Main Street offers endless browsing with its cafés, shops, and antique stores. Some favorites:
Angie’s Bake Shop - for coffee & pastries
Just outside of Main Street
Hike: Breakneck Ridge (warning, it’s pretty steep and parts feel more like rock climbing than hiking, but the view at the top is breathtaking!)
ART SITES
Dia:Beacon - closest to the city and accessible via train
Glazed Over for THE donut fix after the museum
Storm King Art Center - open-air museum (and for this reason I find it most beautiful in the fall). You can spend all day here and have a picnic on the grounds.
Art Omi - sculpture & architecture park that’s further upstate.
Storm King Art Center
If you have any questions, comments or recommendations from your own trips, drop them in the comments section below! I’m going to make a part two of this very soon!

