An Escape from NYC – A Weekend in Hudson, New York
A weekend getaway from New York City can be so necessary – a chance to hit refresh and get away from the fast-paced city life. Fresh air, open spaces, nature. A personal favorite is Hudson, New York. Only a two and a half hour drive from the city, Hudson is a great place to visit during any time of year. The spring and summer have warmer weather for hiking and outdoor activities, fall has crisper air and the famous autumnal leaves of the Hudson Valley, and winter is a quieter escape with nearby skiing.
Hudson is the perfect mix for those who enjoy interior design, art, food, and the outdoors. It’s the ideal blend of low-key yet trendy. Think of it as the Brooklyn of upstate New York. (In fact, so many people we’ve met while visiting moved to Hudson from Brooklyn during the pandemic.)
There are so many antique shops to scour through, finding unique furniture and decorative pieces for your home. A lot of interior designers love coming to Hudson to help source items for their projects. And the food scene is surprisingly wonderful. One of the biggest considerations when I visit anywhere (repeatedly) is the food and Hudson does not disappoint in this area. Here are some of my favorites from Hudson, New York: from a perfect stay at Hudson’s best boutique hotel, some of the best restaurants in Hudson, and where to shop or go antiquing.
WHERE TO STAY
THE MAKER HOTEL
The Maker Hotel is without a doubt the top choice when visiting Hudson. In fact, I’d go so far as to say, I wouldn’t (and haven’t) stay anywhere else. For those who appreciate luxury and style, the Maker has a unique and intimate layout filled with dark interiors and rich décor and is the first hotel venture from the co-founders of the beauty brand Fresh. During the fall and winter months when temperatures are cooler, the warm fireplaces and lush sofas are the perfect backdrop for a cozy cocktail or for a read of one of the books from the library, which was curated by NYC’s The Strand. The entire hotel has a signature scent, designed by a local fragrance and perfumery brand, and features a perfume room on the second floor of the main building where you can test out some of the owner’s favorite curated scents. Everything is so well thought out to offer visitors a truly bespoke experience.
The property is intimate, with 11 rooms. The standard rooms, or “The Bedrooms”, are cozy and feature a queen bed, dark woods, jewel tones, velvet accents, and characteristically upstate art and accent pieces. The four studios, however, are what make this property really special. Though pricier, each of the four studios are carefully designed after The Architect, The Artist, The Writer, and The Gardener.
The all-day café is a great place to grab coffee and breakfast (though the hotel delivers hot coffee and energy spheres at your door as a morning wake-up each day). The main restaurant is in the conservatory and features a more upscale dining experience. The food and ambiance create a romantic and memorable meal. Before or after dinner, grab drinks at the bar at the back of the hotel – it’s not to be missed. A beautiful setting of oversized velvet shaded chandeliers over the bar at the center of the room, seating circles the bar area with comfy velvet chairs. Snag the seat in front of the fireplace if you can – it’s the best seat in the house.
There’s also a gymnasium and juice bar next door. True to The Maker aesthetic, it mixes the old world aesthetic with modern equipment. In warmer months, the back patio of the hotel has a pool with lounge chairs but note that it is quite small.
WHERE TO EAT
The Maker Café and Restaurant – See the highlights of the ambiance of both the café and restaurant in the above section! The food is really good and I’d recommend breakfasts at the café and dinner one night on property. Brunch in the main restaurant is also good – it’s a nice way to end your trip as you get ready to check out.
Lil Deb’s Oasis – You won’t find woodsy, cozy upstate New York vibes in here. Lil Deb’s Oasis serves up Pan-Latin dishes and is a loud establishment, in every sense of the word. As soon as you step in, you’re hit with the intentional tacky Hawaiian themed beach bar décor. The food is packed with flavor, the music is booming, and the people are all enjoying themselves. It’s a fun and welcoming oasis where people of all walks of life can come for a delicious meal out. More is more here. On some nights, there are queer performance nights where tables are pushed to the side and you’re in for a drag show late into the night. Part of a growing community of LBTGQIA+ restaurants, Lil Deb’s Oasis stands out for its innovative food and intentional come as you are vibe.
Feast and Floret – Just off of Warren Street is Feast and Floret, a cozy Italian restaurant with a flower shop. There’s a courtyard at the front of the restaurant when weather permits but the indoor seating is warm and inviting for colder days. You can order a bouquet of flowers designed by the florist while you have dinner and walk out with a little keepsake from the night. It’s a really great date night spot and the charm of the 19th century carriage house gives it the perfect upstate aesthetic.
Wm. Farmer and Sons – Located in the Wm. Farmer and Sons hotel, the restaurant and barroom serves up dishes using local ingredients. The menu tends to change depending on what produce is freshest and available. It’s a really delicious farm-to-table restaurant. Nothing we ate there disappointed. The interiors are full of wood, exposed brick, and steel details. The staff is warm and welcoming as if the overall feel of the restaurant.
Café Le Perche – This is a great little spot for brunch. There’s a back room with light wood for a lighter feel to the space. But make reservations in advance, they get really busy. It’s also a great option to come in and grab a coffee and pastry from their coffee bar up front. The patio, covered in greenery, is perfect for outdoor brunching when the weather is on the warmer side.
Talbott & Arding – This is the go-to gourmet market in the middle of town. If you are planning some outdoor activities or venturing for a drive around the neighboring areas, pick up all your picnic needs from Talbott & Arding. They have the best selection of sandwiches, cheeses, meats, sides, snacks, and sweets. You’ll likely end up spending a lot more time in there browsing all they have to offer than you’d expect.
Grazin’ Diner – This is a no frills establishment. A casual and lowkey diner, Grazin serves up local non-GMO burgers. It’s a great stop for a very casual lunch with so many burger options. When you walk in, it’s like stepping into a time capsule. The diner has an old school feel and you can tell not much has changed.
Ca’Mea – Ca’Mea offers up northern Italian cuisine right off of Warren Street. There’s a great garden area in the back for outdoor seating and when it’s not too chilly, you should definitely opt for dining al fresco. All the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced and the food is really good.
Note: I had to remove Breadfolks from this list because unfortunately, this spectacular bakery permanently closed at the end of August 2022 to focus on other future endeavors.
WHAT TO DO
Source Adage – Right next door to The Maker Hotel, Adage is a favorite stop of mine in Hudson for candles. I love my candles (my husband says I am quite literally lighting money on fire) but it creates a warm ambiance at home and I can’t resist a nice smelling candle. The gender-neutral scents here are luxurious and truly a labor love from Robert and Christopher.
FINCH Hudson – FINCH s a lifestyle shopping destination from Andrew Arrick and Michael Hofemann. Here you can find modern and vintage furniture, artwork, and home goods. Everything in the store is curated from the furniture and décor pieces to the apparel in the back of the store where there is also a barber shop.
Red Chair on Warren – Red Chair on Warren specializes in French, Swedish, and Belgian antiques. There is such a great selection of silverware, tableware, collectibles, linens, cow hides, glassware, etc. The store is located in an old whaling house filled with swoon-worthy items. I always want everything when I go here but don’t have the space to house everything.
The Quiet Botanist is a dried flower shop with a discreet entrance off of Warren Street. This is a charming botanical apothecary and dried flower shop perfect for anyone who has a hard time keeping plants alive (like myself). Pick up a bunch of dried Eucalyptus or hydrangeas to arrange in your home or a mini bouquet of mixed flowers.
The Antique Warehouse – Once a chair warehouse, this now houses and expansive space with multiple antique stalls. It’s open seven days a week so you can plan stop on whatever day suits your schedule best. You’ll find everything here: from dressers, chairs, sofas, mirrors, lighting, vases, décor items, taxidermy, vintage accessories, the list goes on. It does take patience and some digging (there’s over 40,000 sqare feet or retail space) but there’s something here for everyone. If you’re looking to furnish a new home, redoing a room, or looking to add some antique pieces to your house this is worth the stop.