Where can you get a nationally recognized ice cream, Shakespeare, world-class art, and fresh air? The World Cup and dozens of free concerts in New York City are drawing record crowds to the Big Apple. But for some, a summer getaway involves a bit of decompression, too. Enter the Hudson Valley.
A quick drive or train ride can whisk visitors from the madness of Manhattan to the bucolic hills in Garrison, where Hudson Valley Shakespeare just opened its brand-new amphitheater. The views only get better on the Walkway Over the Hudson or from the river itself aboard Hudson River Cruises.
Recognizing that the ultimate Hudson Valley summer bucket list means different things to different people, we’ve curated nine of our favorite finds, spanning arts and culture, outdoor and family-friendly activities, and some guilty pleasures from sweet to spirits.
May your bucket runneth over.
Hudson Valley Shakespeare
Where: 2015 Route 9, Garrison, NY
Cost: Tickets from $45; children and senior rates available
For nearly 40 years, Hudson Valley Shakespeare would erect a tent each summer, present classics—and eventually musicals and new works—then pack it away as if a storm from “The Tempest” had blown it away. But the Bard now has a permanent home in Garrison, New York, thanks to the generosity of a local business owner.
The theater company approached local philanthropist Christopher Davis, who purchased the 98-acre former golf course in 1999, when their previous lease expired. Instead of offering a plot of land to pitch their tent, Davis gave it to them outright.
This season, Hudson Valley Shakespeare premieres the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center, a stunning 451-seat timber-framed amphitheater with views of the Hudson Highlands. This season includes “As You Like It,” “King Lear,” and “Les Misérables” playing in repertory through Sept. 27.
In addition to private support, the project was awarded $19.5 million in public funding from federal and state sources, creating a cultural community hub that extends far beyond the stage. The campus design includes new plantings and accessible paths with views of the Hudson Valley and the Wey-Gat cliffs.
“There’s an eight-acre native meadow that’s been planted, and when you’re walking to the theater, you walk on this path up through the meadow, and you get up to the rise—where the view of the Hudson River first opens up for you,” says artistic director Davis McCallum.
“There’s a boulder under a tree where you can go and sit and have a picnic or read a book. Oftentimes, when the actors are on a dinner break, one of them will sneak over there, look over their lines, have a sandwich, and get ready for their half-hour call. It’s a coveted picnic spot for audiences and artists alike.”
Walkway Over the Hudson
Where: Walkway West, 87 Haviland Road, Highland, NY; Walkway East, 61 Parker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY
Cost: Free
The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge opened in 1889. At the time, it was the longest bridge in the world at 1.28 miles. At its peak, the bridge accommodated over 3,500 rail cars each day.
A 1974 fire destroyed the tracks, and it would take 35 years before the bridge saw passengers again, but this time on foot. The Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park opened in 2009 and now welcomes over 600,000 visitors annually.
Soaring over 200 feet above the Hudson River, the scenic walkway welcomes cyclists, runners, and pets (but be cautious of the hot pavement for your furry loved ones). And for hikers looking to get off the beaten path, the Walkway connects the William R. Steinhaus Dutchess Rail Trail, Hudson Valley Rail Trail, and Empire State Trail.
Kaaterskill Falls
Where: Kaaterskill Clove, Catskill
Cost: Free
The Catskills are filled with waterfalls and swimming holes, but none is as majestic as Kaaterskill Falls. Located within the Catskill Park Forest Preserve, the massive drop from the top of the falls attracts over 200,000 visitors each year.
But preparation is key. This isn’t a flip-flop kind of hike. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, and know that it’s a 300-foot descent to the base, which makes for a steep climb back out.
In addition to becoming one of America’s oldest outdoor tourist attractions, Kaaterskill Falls has also attracted artists. Landscape painter and Hudson River School founder Thomas Cole first visited in 1825, and the destination has remained a coveted source of creative inspiration for over two centuries.
The beauty is meant to be seen from a distance, though. This is not a hike to go rogue. Stick to the marked trail and at least six feet from the cliff edge.
To hike the trail, the nearest lot is the Laurel House parking area (103 Laurel House Rd.), and a brief walk to the top of the falls. Plan to arrive early to avoid the crowds, and avoid parking on NY Route 23A due to heavy traffic and switchback roads.
Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery
Where: 14 Grist Mill Lane, Gardiner
Cost: Price varies depending on tasting and spirit.
Professional climber Raph Erenzo originally purchased what is now Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery to develop lodging for climbers visiting nearby Shawangunk Ridge. It was only after the sale that he realized the land was designated for agricultural use.
Erenzo pivoted, thinking he could resurrect a long-lost industry that had vanished from New York State since Prohibition. With business partner Brian Lee, the pair launched a microdistillery in 2003 and produced their first batches of vodka.
Now owned and operated by William Grant & Sons, the 25-acre complex welcomes visitors to tour the distillery and enjoy the tasting room, cocktail-making workshops, a nine-hole golf course, and scenic grounds.
The distillery’s flagship product, Hudson Whiskey, features iconic branding loosely inspired by the New York City subway system. It even made a cameo on season 5 of “Only Murders in the Building.” But it’s what is in the bottle that continues to earn accolades.
Hudson Whiskey Bright Lights, Big Bourbon, distilled from New York corn and aged in new charred American Oak barrels, took Gold Outstanding in the 2025 International Wine and Spirit Competition.
New products keep whiskey lovers coming back, including the re-release of Port Cask Rye, now eight years old, using barrels sourced from nearby Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery—only available at the distillery.
Dia Beacon
Where: 3 Beekman St., Beacon
Cost: $25 general, $18 seniors (65+), $12 students and visitors with disabilities (free for accompanying care partners), $5 children 5 to 11, free for members and children under 5.
At Dia Beacon, a former Nabisco factory has been transformed into a 300,000-square-foot art space filled with natural light and large-scale installations.
Dozens of permanent works, from a massive wall drawing by Sol LeWitt to Keith Sonnier’s self-described “psychologically loaded” installation “Dis-Play II,” featuring fluorescent pigments and artificial light, beckon visitors to explore the sprawling venue.
A new exhibit highlighting the early work of Bridget Riley is the latest arrival, and showcases six of the artist’s black-and-white works from the 1960s.
“At once futuristic yet characteristic of their time, these works’ optical effects are irreproducible through a photo or screen, both reflecting and rejecting the digital age,” says curatorial associate Emily Markert.
The paintings evoke mesmerizing optical effects—geometric compositions of line, shape, and pattern—long before design software or AI could mimic the approach.
In contrast, John Chamberlain’s sculptures combine Abstract Expressionism with a commentary on consumerism. The late artist repurposed crushed car parts and later, more pliable materials.
“Chamberlain found in everyday materials endless sculptural possibilities while upholding their inherent properties. His works are imbued with rigor, intuition, and humor,” says assistant curator Min Sun Jeon.
For a fully immersive art experience and to make the most of a day trip from New York City, consider visiting nearby Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor sculpture park.
Fishkill Farms
Where: 9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell Junction
Cost: Pick-your-own pricing varies by fruit and season.
Forget the refrigerator magnet. A souvenir from Fishkill Farms belongs in the produce drawer. Although the pickings may be perishable, nothing beats locally sourced fruits, berries, and homemade baked goods.
Henry Morgenthau, Jr. founded the farm in 1913, though his aspirations extended beyond the orchards. His civic commitment to agriculture and conservation struck a chord with his neighbor and then New York governor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who appointed him Chairman of the Farm Credit Administration and eventually Secretary of the Treasury. Now overseen by Morgenthau’s grandson, Josh, Fishkill Farms has transitioned to organic growing practices and diversified its plantings.
Pick-your-own visits are by reservation only (no cherries this year due to an April frost), with a wide range of offerings depending on the season. The on-site farm store, brimming with donuts, pies, and heritage products, offers plenty of edible keepsakes for the ultimate day in the Hudson Valley.
Rail Explorers, Catskills
Where: 70 High Street, Phoenicia
Cost: From $75, depending on the railcar and number of riders.
Co-founder Mary Joy Lu proves that entrepreneurial inspiration can come from anywhere, including your favorite Korean soap opera. It was in 2015 that Lu saw a scene featuring a pedal-powered railbike. It took over three years for Lu and her husband Alex Catchpoole to bring Rail Explorers to the U.S.
Rail Explorers now operates six locations and has welcomed more than one million riders. The Catskills Division offers four tours, which all begin at the Rail Explorers Depot in Phoenicia, next to the Empire State Railway Museum.
At four miles long, the Mount Tremper Express travels parallel with Esopus Creek with a turnaround at Mount Tremper Station and the adjacent sculpture park. A sunset lantern ride along the same route evokes a magical quality, with illuminated lanterns on each railbike.
For a more expansive eight-mile ride, the River Run route passes Mount Tremper Station then crosses State Route 28 toward Creekside Station, where Adirondack chairs provide the ideal midway break. The electric-assist railbikes make the journey enjoyable, regardless of your fitness level.
Be sure to pack water and snacks, or check out one of Phoenicia’s local restaurants for to-go options. If you’re riding in the evening or during cooler months, bring a jacket or sweatshirt. The current season runs through Oct. 31, 2026.
Hudson River Cruises
Where: Roundout Landing, Kingston
Cost: Day cruises: $37 adults, $33.50 seniors (65+), $25 children. Sunset cruises: $45 adults, $42 seniors, $29 children
Take to the river to get an unobstructed view of the Hudson Valley aboard the Rip Van Winkle II. For more than 35 years, Hudson River Cruises has whisked travelers along the river’s gentle currents.
Built in the style of a Mississippi riverboat, the modern vessel offers the ideal way to discover the Hudson Valley, and a peek back at how the river was once both a viable economic thoroughfare and a source of pride for the New York elite.
The guided tour showcases a trio of lighthouses, but the real glow-up comes in the form of several austere mansions. Among them are the ruins of Wyndcliffe Mansion, built in 1853 for Elizabeth Schermerhorn Jones, and often cited as a key predecessor to the Gilded Age.
Other highlights include Staatsburg State Historic Site, formerly the 65-room estate of financial powerhouse Ogden Mills, and Wilderstein Historic Site, an Italianate country home expanded into a Queen Anne-style mansion in 1888.
The current season runs through Oct. 31, 2026.
Fortunes Ice Cream
Where: 55 Broadway, Tivoli
Cost: Single scoops from $5
Brian Ackley and Lisa Farjam met at Bard College in 2001, and an ice cream shop wasn’t on the bucket list. The now-married couple spent some time in New York City, and loved entertaining. Ackley’s specialty? Ice cream, of course.
When the couple relocated back to the Hudson Valley, they craved the high-quality, original flavors Brian made. It would be good fortune if the perfect storefront were available. Over a decade later, Fortunes Ice Cream has become a go-to spot for a cold treat. Food & Wine even named it New York State’s best ice cream shop in 2021.
Stop by their latest venture, Club Sandwich, for a savory bite before or after exploring the rest of your Hudson Valley summer bucket list.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Related: Where to find the best craft cocktails in the Hudson Valley
