A Weekender's Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Shopping in the Hudson Valley

We asked the editors at And North, our go-to site for all things upstate New York

July 10, 2017

Want more travel? Check out Healthyish Escapes, our insiders' guide to vacationing in health and style.

Block parties, outdoor concerts, cold drinks on a rooftop… we love summer in the city as much as the next New Yorker, but sometimes you gotta get out of town. At And North, we are always packing our bags for quick trips to upstate New York. We especially love the Hudson Valley because it’s easy to get to and home to so many incredible restaurants, shops, farms, and recreational activities. The city of Hudson, with its bustling streets, historic architecture, and laid-back vibe, is the perfect jumping off point to the rest of the valley. We created a Hudson-area itinerary that’s sure to please outdoorsy adventurers, window shoppers, and farm explorers alike. But, remember, when your aim is an ideal summer weekend upstate, the best rule of thumb is to wander and not rush, taking the time to drive along country roads with no destination in mind.

Photo by Emma Tuccillo
1/11
Stay: Little Ghent Farm Stay
This working farm is set on 75 sprawling acres in the heart of the Hudson Valley. Wake to the sounds of farm life in a newly designed open-plan barn apartment featuring a wood stove, lofted bedroom, full kitchen, shower, and dining and living areas. In the morning, prep breakfast in a bright kitchen stocked with items of your choosing, such as (truly) fresh eggs, homemade sourdough, and preserves provided by owners Mimi and Richard Beaven, who can also point you in the direction of beautiful walks, hikes, and swimming holes in their neck of the woods. Their farm store, Made in Ghent, is right on the property and offers an assortment of prepared foods ready for your picnic basket.
Photo by Emma Tuccillo
2/11
Stay: Rivertown Lodge
At the top of Warren Street sits this 27-room boutique hotel housed in an old 1920s movie theater. Designed in collaboration with Workstead with sourcing from small upstate businesses, the hotel features custom furniture and vintage accents in a chic space that is as cool as it is cozy. Contrasting colors, white oak floors, and stunning light fixtures bedeck the hotel’s interior; plush reading nooks, a fully-equipped communal kitchen, and a screened-in porch offer simple comforts away from home. Head downstairs to the copper-accented bar for a glass of whiskey before venturing out to one of the many bars and restaurants in town.

Photo by Emma Tuccillo
3/11
Stay: Windrift Hall
Located in secluded Coxsackie, Windrift Hall is a preserved Airbnb farmhouse and creative retreat providing ultimate tranquility and whole-body nourishment. The home’s interior has been thoughtfully decorated with a curated mix of provincial French antiques and classic Americana. Flanking the property are rolling green fields, a creek, and a spring-fed pond that will immediately set your mind at ease once you arrive. Take a yoga class with a group of friends on the deck overlooking the pond to experience mindfulness in a naturally beautiful setting. Whether you decide to stay for a few days or just drop in for a class, a visit to Windrift will leave you feeling like you traveled all the way to the French countryside, a stunning espace in every sense of the word.
Photo by Emma Tuccillo
4/11
Shop: Talbott & Arding
The focus on quality ingredients is evident as soon as you walk through the door of Talbott & Arding, one of our favorite specialty food purveyors in Hudson. The freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, and baked goods change daily depending on what’s in season. Homemade cakes are displayed behind open panes of glass; wooden baskets overflow with produce; local cheeses of all shapes and sizes rest on butcher blocks. Owners Mona Talbott and Kate Arding relish in sharing their extensive knowledge and cheese-mongering expertise with those who pay a visit. Grab a selection from the seasonal menu and head down to the riverfront to eat.

Photo by Shannon Greer
5/11
Shop: 2 Note
We find ourselves coming back to 2 Note again and again for the collection of small batch organic perfumes, and bath and body products we swear by, like the mineral soaking salts and honey face scrub. Mixing, bottling, and labeling each item by hand, owners Carolyn Mix and Darcy Doniger are botanical beauty experts who can take one look at your face and recommend the right products for your skincare needs.
Photo by @mpo_crew
6/11
Shop: Montgomery Place Orchards
No summer weekend is complete without a stop at a local farm stand. One of our favorites, Montgomery Place Orchards, has been running for 29 years and boasts some of the best strawberries, asparagus, raspberries, green beans, heirloom tomatoes, and stone fruit in the region. The high quality of the produce is made all the more lovely by the beautiful displays, often including vintage illustrations of the vegetables at hand. Visit the stand to gather supplies for a barbecue, picnic, or a roadside snack, and make sure to grab extra to take back to the city with you: our favorite kind of upstate memento.

Photo by Heidi's Bridge
7/11
Shop: Hawkins New York
Drop by Hawkins New York, a curated lifestyle brand and shop selling modern tableware, furniture, and accessories of the utmost quality and value. Set in the former office of an old local newspaper with natural light streaking the shop’s time worn floors and calming gray walls, the space is absolute eye candy for today’s design lover. Shoppers will find industrial lighting from Workstead, handcrafted furniture from Hudson-based designers Fern NYC and Slowood Studios, and the owners’ own line of products ranging from linen pillows and hand poured vases to recycled glassware and iron storage ladders.
Photo by Emma Tuccillo
8/11
Eat: Gaskins
Taking a cue from quintessential meeting spots like old country taverns and heart-warming inns, Gaskins in Germantown has become one of our favorite gathering places when it comes to feasting and celebrating. Owners Nick and Sarah Suarez have conceived a brilliant space where exceptional ingredients from nearby farms can shine. We recommend the grass-fed burger made with beef sourced from Kinderhook Farm, cooked to perfection and slid onto a house-made bun with pickles and a special sauce.

Photo by Natalie Chitwood
9/11
Eat: Fish & Game
This nose-to-tail restaurant is tucked into a former blacksmith shop in the heart of Hudson. Run by Chef Zak Pelaccio and his wife, potion-maker and chef Jori Jayne Emde, Fish & Game is an ever-changing love letter to whatever the region’s most trusted farmers drop off at the kitchen door. Locally grown and foraged ingredients sourced from within a 40-mile radius take center stage as diners are treated to wild foods such as ramps and garden nasturtium. Nearly every condiment is made in-house, from the ketchup to the kimchi.
Courtesy of Lil' Deb's
10/11
Eat: Lil' Deb's Oasis
This casual, vivacious restaurant serves up tropical comfort food in a funky and vibrant space in Hudson. Owned by artist-chefs Carla Perez-Gallardo and Hannah Black, Lil’ Deb’s is a community-centered space whose focus is promoting women-powered businesses by collaborating with artists, galleries, and designers who share their vision. From fresh ceviche to celery and crab Caesar salad to pulpo a la plancha, the menu at Lil’ Deb’s is unlike anything else you’ll find around here.

Photo by Heidi's Bridge
11/11
Play: The Greenville Drive-In
For a bit of nostalgia, head to the Greenville Drive-In, an outdoor cinema that has been a social fixture in the community since 1959. Set against the backdrop of the Catskill Mountains, the drive-in shows the best classic films and is the perfect place to meet up with friends for a night under the stars. Get there early: Their concession stand and beer garden offer a fantastic selection of locally sourced snacks and movie-themed cocktails to enjoy before the sun goes down.