Hudson, NY

Food & Drink.  

Start your day at Hudson Roastery, where organic coffee and legendary lobster rolls have made this European-style café a community hub. For breakfast, don't miss Kitty's for their standout breakfast sandwiches and hash browns, or grab provisions at Talbott & Arding, a cheese and specialty foods shop known for its pastries and sandwiches. For lunch, Lil Deb's Oasis serves vibrant tropical comfort food in a cash-only, tiki-themed setting, while Grazin' offers animal-welfare approved burgers in a classic diner atmosphere.

Dinner options abound, from the Italian-inspired dishes and floral beauty of Feast & Floret to the farm-to-table excellence of Swoon Kitchenbar, which features daily specials like Meatless Mondays. For more adventurous palates, Food Studio offers Vietnamese cuisine, while Backbar serves Southeast Asian small plates and cocktails in a relaxed backyard setting. The elegant Maker Restaurant at The Maker Hotel offers belle epoque decor and European-inspired cuisine in a sophisticated setting, while their Café serves excellent coffee and pastries throughout the day.

As evening falls, sip masterfully crafted cocktails at The Hereafter, Hudson's sophisticated answer to a big-city cocktail bar, or enjoy local brews at Hudson Brewing Company, the town's first brewery since prohibition. For a dive bar experience with live music, don't miss The Half Moon, known for its jukebox and popular happy hour.

Shopping.  

Hudson's shopping scene is a major draw, with Warren Street offering an impressive concentration of independent boutiques and antique dealers. Begin at FINCH, a concept store that has evolved into a full lifestyle emporium with mid-century furniture and contemporary fashion. Just around the corner, The Modern Exchange and Upstate Rugs offers vintage European and American furniture, antique rugs, and art, curated by knowledgeable owners.

Other notable stops include Flowerkraut, a unique combination floral studio and sauerkraut shop; Clove & Creek, a beautifully curated home and apparel store; and Red Chair, an antique shop specializing in 17th-19th century French, Belgian and Swedish antiques. Book lovers should not miss Spotty Dog Books & Ale, a unique combination bookstore and bar housed in a former firehouse.

For home goods, visit Minna for ethically-made textiles in collaboration with Central and South American artisans, or Les Indiennes for block-printed organic textiles. Don't miss White Whale Limited for antique Americana and silver, or Valley Variety for modern Scandinavian-style furniture. Wellness seekers will appreciate The Quiet Botanist, a dried flower atelier and botanical apothecary, or Florent for natural skincare and perfume using botanical ingredients.

Everything else.  

Beyond its shops and restaurants, Hudson offers rich cultural experiences. Visit the Olana State Historic Site, the Persian-inspired estate of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, for stunning river views and scenic trails. Art enthusiasts will love Art Omi, a 120-acre sculpture park with constantly changing installations.

Outdoor activities abound, from hiking at High Falls Conservation Area, where a short trail leads to a dramatic waterfall, to climbing Stissing Mountain for panoramic 360-degree views of the Catskills and Hudson Valley.

The surrounding Claverack area offers its own exceptional destinations, including Cooper's Daughter Spirits for small-batch craft liquors, Traditions Linens for luxury bedding and home textiles, Philip Orchards for seasonal fruit picking and farm-fresh produce, Klocke Estate for estate-grown brandy and fine dining with mountain views, The Wonderman Center for holistic wellness workshops and treatments, and the Philmont Cooperative for locally-sourced groceries and community-focused provisions.

Hudson proves that the best getaways are those that offer both world-class sophistication and genuine, small-town charm, creating a perfect balance that keeps visitors returning again and again.