Hudson Valley Garden Tour
Whether you're planning for a long weekend or an extended getaway, here's your guide to a delightful 4 day trip hitting the highlights of the Hudson Valley.
Hudson Sampler Day 1
1. 1838 Gothic Revival mansion
The tour begins with a visit to Lyndhurst, an 1838 Gothic Revival mansion owned after 1880 by financier Jay Gould. Enjoy seasonal river views and magnificent gardens, an outstanding example of 19th century landscape design.
2. Travel to Kykuit
Travel to Kykuit, home to three generations of the Rockefeller family. Tour the outstanding gardens and take time to see the antique auto collection. The remarkable beaux-arts landscape was created in the early 1900’s. The Rockefeller’s outstanding collection of 20th century artists includes sculptures by Henry Moore, Gaston Lachaise and Alexander Calder.
3. Victorian Village of Nyack
Cross the Tappan Zee Bridge to the Victorian Village of Nyack, full of antique shops, galleries and eateries. Then take the scenic River Road along the Hudson River to Piermont, a picturesque Hudson River town with quaint shops and excellent restaurants.
Hudson Sampler Day 2
4. United States Military Academy at West Point
At Storm King Art Center, 500 acres of rolling fields, woodlands and fields of native grasses and wildflowers provide a dramatic setting for over 120 works of contemporary sculpture. Visitors are free to roam through this unique, outdoor gallery displaying works by artists such as David Smith, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, Alexander Liberman, Alice Aycock, Louise Nevelson, and Henry Moore.
5. Bear Mountain State Park
After the West Point tour enjoy one of the many outdoor activities at Bear Mountain State Park. Hike, fish, swim or boat. Visit the 35-acre wildlife sanctuary that caters to non-releasable native New York State animals. Visit the carousel, then hike up to Perkins Memorial Tower for an outstanding view.
6. Continue on to Boscobel
Continue on to Boscobel, a great example of Neo-classical architecture with decorative arts from the Federal Period. The rose garden features 140 varieties of roses with a bubbling fountain as its center. A 1-mile Woodland Trail takes you through the wooded landscape dotted with rustic structures to spectacular vistas of the Hudson River.
Hudson Sampler Day 3
7. Contemporary art space at Dia:Beacon
Today step into the contemporary art space at Dia:Beacon, the newest attraction featuring Dia’s permanent art collection of major artists of the 1960’s and 1970’s.
8. Enjoy lunch at the Culinary Institute of America
Enjoy lunch at the Culinary Institute of America in one of 5 award winning restaurants. After savoring this fine dining experience, tour the institution and view the teaching methods used to train America’s future chefs.
9. Shawangunk Wine Trail
After lunch travel across the Mid-Hudson Bridge to the Shawangunk Wine Trail, for a tour and tasting of the various vineyards. The wineries along the trail are as varied as the wines themselves. The Hudson Valley is the oldest wine producing region in America. Spend the night at the majestic Mohonk Mountain House, and enjoy a Hudson Valley sunset.
Hudson Sampler Day 4
10. Thomas Cole National Historic Site
Start your day off with a visit to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, Cedar Grove. A visit provides entry into the world of the man who was the father of American landscape painting and founder of the Hudson River School of Art.
11. Tour Olana
Then tour Olana, the Moorish style home of Frederic Church, a Hudson Valley artist who helped start the Hudson Valley School. The villa offers commanding views of the Hudson Valley, inspiration for the work of this great American painter.
12. New York State Museum
Finish your day at the New York State Museum, a great place to see the rest of the story about New York. This is the oldest and largest state museum in the country. It’s dedicated to researching and preserving New York State’s natural and cultural resources.