One-day Tour of Hudson, New York
Available many Fridays
and Saturdays, May through November
The city
of Hudson, in the Hudson Valley, is two hours north of New York City.
Arrive
in Hudson about 11 a/.m. by Amtrack or car from New York City. The fare on
Amtrack is around $66 round trip, expensive but well worth it. The tracks run
right along the Hudson with lots to see: West Point, a ruined castle, tiny
lighthouses, the Catskills and many bridges. Exclusive: I supply a written
script of what you will be seeing with a brief history of the under-appreciated
Hudson River.
You can
also fly to Albany, where we will pick you up for the one-hour drive to Hudson.
Think of Hudson, as a possible pre-trip before going on to New York City.
Why
Hudson?
As a new
resident of Hudson (less than a year) and a tour operator specializing in
Europe’s most vibrant and exciting cities, I am intrigued and entranced with
Hudson.
Why does
a native of New York City love this rural town? Hudson fascinates me because of
its rich history and varied architecture, much of it has survived and been
lovingly restored. Hudson also offers an excellent picture of a young 18th
century town moving more than once from boom to bust and back again to a
thriving community. I also idolize the Hudson River, and deplore its lack of
respect. It’s importance in the development of New York state is little-known
and under-appreciated.
Hudson
is also a study in contrasts…older residents who are a little distressed over
changes in their town, a determined farming community dedicated to preserving
their small farms, and the new people who with the earlier residents bring
sophisticated vibe equal to many larger cities. Entrepreneurs, mostly from New
York City, bring a cultural energy that extends to every segment of the arts…I
call it Hudson Valley Lifestyle.
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Hudson's Historic Warren Street |
Olana, Frederic Church's Moorish Fantasy |
Tour
Highlights
Hudson’s
Historic Warren Street and Olana:
•
57 antique
shops, 27 Art Galleries, Artists’ Studios…I will lead you to the best. My
favorite Hudson shop has an eclectic mix of furniture, home accessories plus
jewelry, scarves, and tempting miscellany.
•
The story of
Hudson…the city has gone through many boom to bust cycles. Its history includes
periods ranging from a whaling, merchant economy to an infamous period of
prostitution and corruption to its present thriving stance.
•
A dictionary of
American architecture…Fine examples of Federal, Greek Revival, Second Empire and
Italianate styles. As a member of Historic Hudson, an organization devoted to
preservation of Hudson architecture, I rely on their extensive research to tell
Hudson’s architectural history.
•
Performing arts
venues…At the Hudson Opera House, see the first theater in New York State, a
huge theater waiting for renovation. Time & Space Limited is a factory-like
space that hosts edgy movies, controversial speakers and quirky music.
•
Lunch at a
favorite restaurant…The chef-owner, a New York City émigré, has created an
informal restaurant serving delicious salads and sandwiches and more substantial
entrees.
•
After lunch,
visit Olana, just a few minutes by car, from Warren Street. Olana is the former
home of Frederic Church, one of the leading painters, in the famed Hudson River
School of painting. Olana is a Moorish villa with spectacular views of the
Catskills and the Hudson River, a landscape that was the inspiration for the
Hudson River painters.
•
Farmer’s
Market, the best in the area. You might want to stock up on farm grown
vegetables here.
•
Back to Warren
Street, for afternoon tea, at our new tea salon and art gallery. I favor
their lavender lemonade and chocolate biscotti.
Leave
for home or choose to stay overnight at a bed and breakfast and continue your
exploration of the Hudson Valley the following day, self-guided or with us.
Cost
1 to 2
people: $195. Does not include lunch and admission to Olana ($6)
2 to 4
people: $325
Larger
group tours: prices on request.
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