Hudson, a small town in Upstate New York, is one of our favorite easy getaways from New York City.
The town, after all, is easily reachable by train in less than two hours, no expensive rental car needed. Upon arrival in downtown Hudson, you'll find yourself within walking distance of plenty of inviting art galleries, boutiques and restaurants. And luckily for you, too, there's some delightful accommodation choices in the area.
In fact, if we'd have to make a bet, we'd take a gamble and say that there are more artists-turned-innkeepers living in Hudson than almost any other town within a few hour radius from the city. And luckily for you, these ex-New Yorker bohemian types have spent a seemingly large part of their time renovating rickety farms (our favorite, pictured) and charming historic townhouses for your accommodation pleasure.
There's much more to say on the area - we've got tips on what the most worthy antique shops are, and where to find the best eats and drinks, of course, but we'll save those suggestions for our blog later in the week. In the meantime, keep reading for our recommendations on how to get to Hudson, and where to stay. This mindless weekend journey is the perfect spontaneous trip for stressed out New Yorkers who just need to get away; believe us, we speak from experience!
xoxo,
your jauntsetter Editor, Dorothy
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Trip Details
When to Go
The town of Hudson can actually become extremely crowded on fall weekends, when leaf peepers drive upstate hoping to catch the turning foliage. We prefer going any other season when accommodations - especially midweek - are cheaper. Really, however, Hudson is perfect to visit all year round.
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Length of Stay
Hudson couldn't be an easier weekend getaway for New Yorkers. Head up after work on Friday, come back on Sunday. In fact, try to take a Friday afternoon off when planning this getaway. An extra few hours can make a weekend in the country feel much longer; that said, this can also work as a one-night escape.
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Getting There
Train: Take Amtrak from Penn Station for as little as $31/each way.
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Getting Around
As mentioned, there's no need to rent a car if you're heading up to Hudson. Local taxis should suffice for getting to and from downtown to your accommodations. That said, there's a lot to explore in the area. If you want to go on a thrift store treasure hunt - or just take a Sunday drive - a car rental for a day or two might be a good idea. Conveniently, there's an Enterprise in the area. If you get to the train station before 6:30pm on Friday, they'll even pick you up; just make sure to call ahead. They're open from 9 to noon on Saturday as well. [Enterprise; (518) 828-5492]
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Where to Stay
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Our #1 Pick: Ten Broeck Cottage (pictured above)
We actually don't want to vacation at this house - we want to move into this amazing 3-bedroom home with two bathrooms, sauna, steam room, and so much more. We'll let the photos of this architecture-owned dream house do the talking, but should you be interested in renting, please note that it's $800/weekend - which is very reasonable, especially if you can split the house with friends. Also, the first jauntsetter reader who wants to rent the house over the 3-night President's Day weekend will get 10% off. Get more info here.
[Note: this house is a 20 minute drive to Hudson proper, but we think the extra distance for such a unique home is worth it, don't you?]
Inn With Character: The Inn At Hudson
This turn-of-the-century townhouse is the perfect choice for those who appreciate good food, antiques, and a touch of eccentricity with their hotel stays. Innkeepers Windle and Dini, two former "rockers" from the city, have completely renovated and restored every inch of this inn, and it shows. Check out Apartment Therapy's house tour of the property here, and read glowing TripAdvisor reviews here. Room rates start at $200/first night and $100/second night; or $150/night for a weekend stay.
For Those Seeking Quiet: Union Street Guest House
Looking for privacy but also want to be near the action? Then consider the Guesthouse. This isn't a B&B, so if you're the type that prefers chatty hosts or high-touch service, don't stay here. Owners make a point of giving guests space, though a friendly staff is on hand should you need assistance. Otherwise, you'll be left largely alone to enjoy your spacious, comfy room and the best of downtown Hudson, which is just a block away. Tripadvisor reviews here. Rates start at $150/night.
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To Do
We'll have some more blog posts this week on what to do in Hudon, including lots of tips on where to find the best antique and thrift shops, and our top recommendations for where to eat in the area!
In the meantime, check out this Design*Sponge Guide on the area, as well as a Travel & Leisure article on how the town has changed in the past 20 years - for the better, of course.
