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Hudson Valley
Only an hour away from the Heart of New York City, the Hudson Valley is a Must-See. Since Henry Hudson first sailed his namesake river in 1609, the Hudson Valley has attracted a long list of remarkable people that includes presidents, inventors, industrialists, military and religious leaders, activists, artists, and authors – who shaped its history and that of the United States. Originally colonized by the Dutch and now designated as a National Heritage Area, the Hudson Valley region is steeped in history and culture.
Named by National Geographic Traveler as one of the top 20 'must-see' destinations in the world, the valley’s stunning scenescapes inspired artists whose works became the Hudson River School of Painters. Recognized for its award-winning wineries, breweries and a burgeoning food and farmer’s market scene, the Hudson Valley is home to the oldest wine-producing area in the country, with the first vineyards planted near the town of New Paltz in 1677.
Numerous river crossings are found throughout the valley providing breathtaking panoramas, like The Walkway Over the Hudson, a pedestrian trail on a converted railroad bridge in Poughkeepsie. The Hudson Valley’s Mohonk Preserve attracts rock climbers from around the world, and its span of more than 8,000 acres of wilderness, mountains, fields & streams is ideal for hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, horseback riding, skiing, cross-country, and snowshoeing.
Art lovers will want to check out one of the country’s largest outdoor sculpture parks, the Storm King Art Center, and Dia:Beacon, one of the largest exhibition spaces for modern and contemporary art. Less than 100 miles from NY City, the Hudson Valley boasts some of the most visited sites in the U.S. - incljuding the Culinary Institute of America, the Great Vanderbuilt and Rockefeller Estates, the Franklin D. Roosevent National Historic Site, the gothic Lyndhurst Castle, and West Pont Academy.
Along with these impressive attractions are museums, antique shops, Revolutionary War battlefields, lighthouses, castles & more. Family fun abounds around the valley with river cruises, country fairs, festivals, and charming villages like the world-famed Sleepy Hollow - where the headless horseman awaits, and Exciting Counties in the Southern Tier like Rockland County which offers Hudson Riverfronts, Villages & Downtowns, Outdoor Adventure, Shopping, Entertainment & More !
