Replenish yourself with things to do in the Hudson Valley

By Joseph Gonzalez

The summer is generally known for relaxation, and it seems many of us need to relax more than ever nowadays According to a survey done by Princess Cruises, many Americans only spend an hour a day relaxing, which seems miniscule compared to the amount of work we put into our jobs, family life, and other things. If we plan on living our lives happily and with as little stress as possible, then it would help to have at least one method of relaxation; I can tell you first-hand that this is possible in the Hudson Valley. The Daily Key has covered cool things to do in the Hudson Valley before, but this time, we’ll look at some places that’ll require minimum effort to do, but with maximum satisfaction. Here’s some relaxing activities in the Hudson Valley, NY for this summer.

Delicious food

If you’re right in the middle of a big city like Middletown, you can’t go five feet without running into a restaurant. The Hudson Valley has so many restaurants that even though I’ve lived here for almost 20 years and I haven’t even tried all the ones I’ve wanted to yet!

Mexican, Italian, Indian—anything you want has a presence here. And don’t forget about seafood. The Hook and Reel (a popular seafood chain) just opened up in Middletown, and take it from someone who just ate there—it’s worth the hype.

Photo courtesy of Hook and Reel Middletown (Facebook)

Storm King Art Center

Art can give a good break from “real life,” so to speak. Just envision yourself surrounded by art portraits, sculptures, and everything in between. This place actually exists, and it’s called the Storm King Art Center, located in Cornwall, NY.

We’ve covered this place before, as it is a hidden gem of the Hudson Valley. It remained as one of the most popular destinations for Hudson Valley visitors, even after the arrival of Covid, and there’s only more potential for it as the weather gets better.

Though it might be better to wait for a day where it’s not scorching out (much of the Storm King Art Center is outside), it’s certainly worth the trip to see the art.

Lakes/Hiking

In addition to nice restaurants and art centers, the Hudson Valley is known for its amount of hiking trails and the lakes or bodies of water that go with it. We’ve previously mentioned Mount Beacon, but this place on a hot day might have you sweating before you get even a quarter of the way to the top. If you’re looking for a walk/hike that’s refreshing, try Minnewaska State Park.

Minnewaska State Park is another hot spot (no pun intended) for having a nice walk and hanging by a lake. Located in Kerhonkson, NY, this place is pretty chill as opposed to other hiking trails, with minimal hills and fantastic views of the lake. Low risk, high reward.

The main hiking trail is only about 2 miles, so it’s something you can walk at your own pace, while also enjoying the views.

If you’re looking for an even easier trail, try out the Black Rock Forest near Cornwall, NY. Some parts are steep, but the short trail leads to a beautiful lake reservoir. Check it out:

Relaxing activities in the Hudson Valley

Your options are plenty in the Hudson Valley if you’re looking to have a good time, but also beat the heat. Replenish yourself by finding some relaxing activities in the Hudson Valley, NY this summer.