Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley is the Hudson River corridor north of New York City, known for Hudson River School scenery, river towns, wineries, farms and day trips by train.
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The Hudson Valley lies along the Hudson River in New York State, from the Capital District near Albany and Troy down to Yonkers, next to New York City. It is split into Upper, Middle and Lower sections, and the Lower part is usually counted as Downstate New York. In the Hudson Highlands the river runs through a fjord shaped in earlier ice ages, and the west bank near the Tappan Zee has cliffs of diabase. Hudson River School painters, active from about 1830 to 1870, made the scenery famous, and Washington Irving's stories gave the valley a gothic reputation.
The valley's story runs from Lenape, Wappinger and Mahican villages to Dutch fur-trading posts, Revolutionary War battles, steamboats and factories. Vineyards were first planted in 1677 in what is now New Paltz, and the valley led farm-to-table and local food movements from the 1970s. It is a common choice for day trips from New York City, with Metro-North trains running from the east side of the river to Grand Central Terminal.
Hudson Valley in five
- Take the train for Beacon, Cold Spring and HudsonMetro-North's Hudson Line runs from Grand Central to Cold Spring, Beacon and Poughkeepsie, and Amtrak serves Hudson and Rhinecliff. Beacon and Hudson are walkable from their stations.New York City
- Rent a car for farms and sculpture parksOrchards, wineries and Storm King Art Center sit away from the stations. A car also makes a loop through the Catskills edge easy.Catskills
- Book October weekends earlyPeak foliage usually falls in October and fills small inns weeks ahead. Midweek stays and November are quieter and cheaper.
- Check shop and gallery hoursMany small shops and galleries in Hudson and Beacon keep reduced days, especially midweek and off-season. Look up hours before you plan a day around one street.
- Choose one base, not a driving circuitTowns are 30–60 minutes apart by car. Base in Beacon, Hudson or Rhinebeck and take a short drive each day.
Things to do in Hudson Valley
See all attractions in Hudson Valley
Need to know
- Airport
- Stewart (SWF) is local; most visitors fly into a New York City airport
- Getting there
- Metro-North Hudson Line to Beacon, about 1.5 h from Grand Central
- Getting around
- Walk Beacon and Hudson; a car for farms, parks and wineries
- Best base
- Beacon for the train and art; Hudson for a weekend in town
- Time needed
- 1 day from New York City; 2–3 days with a car
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuarySnow, cold
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchThaw, mud
- AprilSpring, farm stands
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneWarm, long days
- JulyWarm, busy
- AugustWarm, farm season
- SeptemberHarvest, early color
- OctoberFall foliage
- NovemberLate color, quiet
- DecemberCold, holidays
Right now in Hudson Valley
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 16°
- Humidity
- 36%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Hudson Valley
03:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today20°4°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue22°7°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed22°10°3%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu20°12°59%Thursday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Fri21°12°52%Friday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat14°4°52%Saturday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sun13°2°14%Sunday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 12:50 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- New York Cityabout 1.5–2 hours by trainThe usual return trip: Grand Central by Metro-North or Penn Station by Amtrak.Read the guide
- Catskillsabout 30–60 min by carMountain hikes and waterfalls west of Kingston.Read the guide
- Storm King Art Centerabout 30 min from Beacon by carA large outdoor sculpture park near Mountainville. Check the official site for hours.
Before you go to Hudson Valley
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Plan around Hudson Valley
Parks, cities and trip planning for visitors
Read the guideNew YorkGrand Central is the usual start for the train
Read the guideCatskillsMountains and waterfalls west of the river
Read the guideLong IslandBeaches and wine country on the other side of the city
Read the guideESTA explainedWho needs it, the fee and how to apply
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover for visitors to the US
Read the guideHudson Valley FAQ
Can you visit the Hudson Valley as a day trip from New York City?
Yes. Metro-North reaches Beacon in about 1.5 hours and Amtrak reaches Hudson in about 2 hours. Beacon is the easiest day trip because the station is close to the art museum and Main Street.
How many days do you need in the Hudson Valley?
One day is enough for Beacon or Hudson by train. Two or three days with a car lets you add farms, a sculpture park and the Catskills edge without a rush.
When is the best time to visit the Hudson Valley?
October for fall foliage, September for harvest and warm days, and May to June for green countryside. Winter is quiet and some attractions reduce hours.
Do you need a car in the Hudson Valley?
Not for Beacon or Hudson, which have train stations and walkable centers. You need a car for orchards, wineries, sculpture parks and the Catskills.
Is Beacon or Hudson better?
Beacon suits a day trip and art, with Metro-North from Grand Central. Hudson suits a weekend stay, with more galleries, shops and restaurants on Warren Street.