As a Hudsonian, when someone recently pronounced to me that the city was “cooling,” I was a little insulted. Sure, Hudson has been on the map for many years now, and its potential was fully recognized after the city exodus during the Covid boom—but today, it’s only continuing to heat up.
Hudson was originally established in 1662 by Dutch settlers, before being sold in 1783 to a pod of whalers from Nantucket—and it was the latter who laid the foundations of the city you see today, building the famous two-story brick or clapboard structures that line Warren Street. After becoming a shipping hub in the late 18th century, it quickly became a destination for crafts (a tradition that continues to this day); then, during the 1900s, Hudson descended into an era of vice as gambling and prostitution boomed. The town began to fade from its former glories, only being revived in recent decades by artists, makers, restauranteurs, and shopkeepers—and now, an influx of creative city folk looking for greener pastures and a more peaceful lifestyle.
Of course, Hudson’s popularity also lies in its accessibility from New York City on the Amtrak. It’s the busiest stop on its route—and, in this local’s humble opinion, the best. Hudson is accessible as a walking-only escape, but the Hudson we locals live and breathe requires a car. (Preferably a vintage one.) So this guide assumes access to a car and covers the immediate town of Hudson and everything within a 30-minute drive radius. It also focuses on all that’s recently opened (or opening) up in the area so you won’t see any old favorites here—but you can be sure to read about those here.
Where to Stay
There’s plenty of development taking place around the area: Soho House’s Grasmere House will open in Rhinebeck in 2025, and a 20,000-square-foot spa from Six Senses is in the works. There are also two hotel developments underway in Hudson itself. For now, these newcomers are giving good competition to Hudson stalwarts The Maker and Rivertown Lodge—if you’ve got your classic car in tow.
This is owned by the same group as Rivertown Lodge, so you can expect good hospitality, great food, chic interiors, and accessible prices. Offering a mix of log cabins and hotel rooms, it’s the perfect starting point for your Hudson Valley exploration.
The Henson is situated slightly further afield, near Windham—an up-and-coming area in the valley. The décor is a more elevated offering for the Catskills and its stylish cocktail bar attracts a sophisticated crowd of city slickers.
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, this is your best option—and it’s located conveniently close to Hudson. With floor-to-ceiling windows in every cabin offering views into the woods (and a fast-growing bear population) this is an escape for every season.
The Lilien has remained relatively under the radar since its opening—but don’t expect that to last for long. This wood-paneled Victorian mansion feels like stepping into an elegantly decorated friend’s house, featuring objets and design features from centuries past. And if you’re skiing, make sure to stop by the cocktail bar—there’s nothing like a post-ski negroni to restore you after a day on the slopes.
Those looking for a Home Alone-esque stay can rent this renovated Greek Revival mansion. Owned by a magazine publisher, great pride has been taken in the interiors which have an eccentric British air.
Where to Eat and Drink
It’s not new exactly, but no Hudsonian can speak of the local restaurant scene without mentioning Feast Floret: beyond the moreish food and flowers, their hospitality can’t be matched. But it seems restaurants are coming thick and fast to the area—and many are bringing their city-based, award-winning owners and chefs with them. Via Carota owners Rita and Jody have their new space locked, while a new Greek restaurant is in development at 523 Warren Street, and a former BBQ joint will be replaced with a steak restaurant using locally reared beef at 342 Warren Street. Watch this space—but for now…
Open since October 2024, Restaurant Manor Rock is a stellar new addition to Hudson, offering design as refined as the dining. With fresh produce sourced largely from their nearby farm, dishes can be enjoyed in an elegant and understated environment designed to fit neatly into the historic townhouse location, executed by co-founder Ivy Nallo in collaboration with the firm Charlap Hyman Herrero. Menus change to reflect their available produce, with a kitchen run by Chef de Cuisine Diego Romo and Culinary Director Zack Nussdorf—complemented by a notable wine program featuring Nussdorf’s curation of 300 unique bottles.
This is the restaurant at Camptown—and also offers some much-needed diversification of cuisine in the region, courtesy of chef Efrén Hernández’s riffs on Mexican cuisine that incorporate produce from Hudson Valley.
Hudson needed a chic, lively, city-like cocktail bar, and with The Hereafter, that’s exactly what we got. From a casual drink before dinner to a more lively celebration, the drinks are masterfully mixed and the small plates will make you wish you didn’t have a dinner reservation afterwards.
Husband and wife duo Gaetano and Meigan (the former was previously chef de cuisine at Babbo) have built a trattoria with a hint of the pastoral through its interiors. For locals, Via Cassia offers a home away from home: an easy and comforting spot to enjoy Italian classics and a glass of Tuscan wine. They have big ideas for what they want to do next in Hudson, so stay tuned.
Back out near Windham (and situated inside The Henson) you’ll find Matilda, which is cheffed by two New York City old-timers. Hearty entrées are designed to be shared, and partnered with farm-to-table veggies. If you’re looking for a special date night, this is the place (just make sure to skip the early table sitting for families).
This one isn’t new, per se, but it’s more of a local secret and certainly hasn’t been sprawled all over Upstate guides—until now. Offering pan-Asian cuisine with a modern take, some locals say it’s the best food in a 30-minute radius.
You know you’re roasting the best coffee in town when you need to expand into the next-door building. Hudson Roastery is the definition of community-led hospitality, and there’s no greater team in town. The croissants rival Paris and it’s a perfect spot to people-watch while enjoying a fully loaded lobster roll.
Another town heating up is Saugerties, and within it, you’ll find the day-to-night concept of Olsen Co, which expresses the richness of the Hudson Valley flora and fauna perfectly. The breakfast menu features staples with a twist—you never knew you needed grated lemon zest on your yogurt until now.
After completing the Upstate Farmer’s Market circuit this past summer, Christy Counts—the founder of Neverstill Wines, a Finger Lakes winery whose tipple “flows like the Hudson River”—has permanently set up a tasting room at the top of Warren Street. Try a flight of their four wines accompanied by a local charcuterie board.
Klocke Estate has taken Hudson into the big leagues. This brandy distillery, farm, and restaurant are the result of a $21 million investment and from the moment you walk in, it’s clear to see where every dollar has been spent. The views are knockout, and the drinks—as you’d expect—are world-class.
What started as a small grocery store selling daily provisions has expanded to offer breakfast and a Friday and Saturday nightly limited menu. Run by the Australian Cam and his wife Andrea, you can expect the breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and matcha to be outstanding. (Nobody does breakfast like the Australians, after all.) Located in the charming town of Tivoli opposite New York’s best ice cream shop, Fortunes, this pairing makes for a dangerous weekend venture.
Out of town on Route 66 (no, not that Route 66) you’ll find Quinnie’s. Set in a rumored haunted house, Quinnie’s is a sandwich shop, specialty market, and café that uses locally sourced Hudson Valley ingredients and produce. On warmer summer nights, they also house a rotating guest chef and restaurant program, often featuring big city names. Top tip: get the chicken salad sandwich—you won’t be disappointed.
Where to Shop
When you merge the former fashion show producer for Stella McCartney and Carolina Herrera with the former COO of Tom Ford, you’ve got the Hudson Valley’s best store. Founders James Scully and Thomas Mendenhall expertly blend a vintage Ralph Lauren aesthetic with artisanal craft that speaks to its local surroundings. They also honor the Fifteen Percent Pledge, with an extensive collection of Black-owned brands.
Nestled on the corner of Warren and North 5th Street you’ll find The Modern Exchange and Upstate Rugs. Run by two lifelong friends, every square inch of the store is a design enthusiast’s dream of vintage European and American furniture, antique rugs, textiles, and art—and people rarely leave this store without becoming fast friends with the owners, Hannah and Joanna.
Rebecca O’Donnell has moved her enchanting botanical wonderland into a bigger, more beautiful location (still on Warren Street), and this time, she’s selling all her own wares. Offering plenty of flowers, tea, chocolates, and candles, it’s the perfect spot to pick up gifts for the ones you love the most—but really, gifts for yourself, because you won’t want to share.
FINCH can’t stay still for too long. First it was a shop; then it was a newer, bigger shop; then, they expanded into a full lifestyle retail experience. Their mid-century, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces punctuate the contemporary fashion and lifestyle brands they stock, making it a concept store that rivals the very best in Europe.
Gardenheir brings together a collection of goods for the discerning gardener. Their mantra? Gardens are in equal measure expressions of enjoyed beauty and uncompromising hard work. But don’t be fooled, as this undiscerning gardener still finds plenty of treasures here.
Alder Co recently gave up its Germantown location and took up position on Warren Street in Hudson. It’s a welcome addition to the womenswear market in Hudson, and as it settles in, expect it to radiate the former store’s cozy, wintery vibes.
You can’t mention Hudson without a note on its farm and food shops. The Meat Hook arrived earlier this year to big fanfare: The whole-animal butcher specializing in pasture-raised, grass-fed meats carries with it its Brooklyn reputation that first debuted in Williamsburg 15 years ago.
Mel (better known as Nora) had big shoes to fill after closing the local favorite Breadfolks in 2022, but she’s living up to every loaf. The micro-bakery mills all their rye and einkorn in-house, and if the lines around the block on a weekend morning are anything to go by, it’s a place that loves cooking for their community. The sunflower olive loaf is a chef’s kiss—and in case you weren’t completely sold, Mel The Bakery is also a James Beard Award finalist.
Earlier this year, a very green shopfront appeared on Warren Street. Slowly, silver and ceramic trinkets arrived in the window, and finally, the doors swung open to Hudson’s most beautifully decorated store. But this isn’t just any store. Its freezers are bursting with delicious homemade meals (the green lasagna is a firm favorite) and its fridges sell fresh farm produce from the family estate a few miles away. It doesn’t come cheap, but the price per bite is definitely worth it! Stock up here before you head back down to the city.