Things to do in the Hudson Valley

By Joseph Gonzalez

The Hudson Valley (where I’ve lived for my whole life) is home to a myriad of activities, whether you’re looking for a break from city life, or if you’re generally looking for new experiences. They can give you an opportunity to find ways to renew yourself going into the spring.

Things to do in the Hudson Valley

As the northeast comes out of this brutal winter into warm weather, we remember that spring goes hand in hand with making a refreshing change for yourself. Now that the sun actually stays up past 5 PM, you have endless possibilities in regard to trying new things. If this is what you’re looking for, look no further than the Hudson Valley in upstate New York. The things to do in the Hudson Valley include shopping, hiking, and trying new wines and beers. This can all be a means to an end, with that end being a refreshing change for your life.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

One of your first stops in the Hudson Valley should be the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Harriman, NY. With over 200 stores that include Coach, Tory Burch, Nike, Versace, and more, the Woodbury Commons has something for all shopping enthusiasts; even people on a budget could find some great sales. There are buses that come from New York City and all over that go directly to the Commons, so transportation here shouldn’t be an issue for those looking to shop.

Wineries and Cideries 

Many may consider the speciality of the Hudson Valley to be its vast selection of both wineries and breweries. The countless acres in the Valley give it not only the space to grow the ingredients to make great wine/beer, but it also gives the space for great views of plateaus and mountains, depending on which one you go to.

If you’re looking for endless possibilities in regard to trying new things, look no further than the Hudson Valley in New York. The things to do in the Hudson Valley include shopping, hiking, and trying new wines and beers. 

Angry Orchard Hard Cider is based out of Walden, NY, and there, you can get a tour of the cidery while also sampling ciders along the way. Palaia Winery is another great choice, as this place not only has low-price wine/mead tastings, but there’s live entertainment there as well. This also happens to be about 10 minutes down the road from the Woodbury Common—nothing like some wine after a long day of shopping.

Sight-seeing

Among the mountains of the Hudson Valley are a myriad of places to go sight-seeing. Those who enjoy hiking can try hiking up Mount Beacon and get a nice view of the Hudson River and its surrounding towns, though be warned that this hike is no joke (I barely made it to the top my first time). Mount Beacon has just one of the many hiking trails the Valley has to offer, with a lot of them almost always leading to gorgeous views of the area. This includes Bear Mountain, which not only has hiking trails, but also events such as Oktoberfest, numerous lakes and beaches, and even a wildlife rehabilitation zoo!

Take the time this spring to visit the Hudson Valley. Discover new places and try new things. You may find something here that’ll be the refreshing experience you’ve been looking for.