The Hudson Valley is a sprawling region carved by waterways, bursting with mountains and dotted with dozens of towns.
If you’re looking to veer off the well-trod path, driving is the easiest way to do it, but you don’t need four wheels to see the top sites. Here’s everything to know about getting around the Arcadian expanse due north of New York City.
Car
Cars are the Hudson Valley’s go-to form of transport. While trains and buses serve many of the region’s towns, smaller hamlets and secluded woodlands are nearly impossible to reach without wheels. Local car trips come with perks, including scenic Hudson River routes that offer unique perspectives of the landscape.
What you experience during a Hudson Valley drive depends on location. The closer you get to NYC, the greater the chance for traffic. Major roads in southern counties like Westchester, Dutchess, and Orange experience rush hour congestion on weekday mornings (7 – 9am) and evenings (4- 6pm). Between June and September, expect car jams on Friday and Sunday evenings as weekend visitors flock to and from the region.
While driving on forest-flanked roads, watch out for wildlife – particularly between dawn and dusk. White-tailed deer often move in mobs near the roadside. If you see one, there’s likely more nearby.
There are two major interstates that criss-cross the area: I-87 travels north and south along the Hudson River’s west side between NYC and Albany, and I-84 travels east and west between the Delaware River and Connecticut. For slower scenic routes, trade I-87 for Route 9W and I-84 for Route 44. The Taconic State Parkway is the primary north-south thoroughfare on the Hudson’s east side; Route 9W is its scenic counterpart.
If you plan on taking interstates or crossing the Hudson’s bridges, be prepared for tolls. Traveling with an E-ZPass is the easiest and fastest way to handle payment. If you don’t use E-ZPass, bring cash and stay in the cash-only lanes at toll booths.
Tip for renting a car: Car rental prices vary based on pick-up location. As a general rule, the farther you get from Manhattan, the cheaper the rental. NYC travelers can save big by taking a train somewhere north of Manhattan, like White Plains, to pick up a car.
Train
Train travel can be a cost-effective and comfortable alternative to driving, but only if you’re visiting a destination that caters to car-free visitors.
Between Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak, and New Jersey Transit, there are three major train lines that serve the region.
The Hudson Line, which runs between Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal and Poughkeepsie, travels along the Hudson River’s east side. Tarrytown, Cold Spring, and Beacon are the line’s most stroll-friendly towns.
On weekends and holidays, hikers can take advantage of a stop at Breakneck Ridge – one of the Hudson Highlands’ most challenging trails. Autumn trips along this route are particularly picturesque. Nab a seat along the train’s west-facing windows for hours of non-stop leaf peeping.
For access to the Hudson Valley’s eastern border, take the Harlem Line, which runs from Manhattan to Wassaic. This is the only train line in the country that stops along the Appalachian Trail. Pawling, a quaint town with a compact Main Street, is this line’s best stop for non-drivers.
Bike
Thanks to a network of paved cycling paths winding from NYC to Albany, it’s possible to travel around the Hudson Valley on two wheels. The Empire State Trail, a 750-mile multi-use path connecting NYC to the Canadian border, glides through the region on a 210-mile section known as the Hudson Valley Greenway Trail.
While pedaling the entire trip is best suited for experienced bikers, it’s possible to divide and conquer small sections at a time.
For NYC bikers in search of a rewarding Hudson Valley day ride, consider heading north along Route 9W from the George Washington Bridge to Nyack. Between spring and autumn, serious cyclists take this 40-mile round-trip trek to enjoy Nyack’s small-town charms and get a boast-worthy leg workout.
Bus
Traveling by bus is the most direct way for car-less visitors to access the Hudson River’s west side. Shortline, Trailways, and Greyhound connect NYC’s Port Authority to towns throughout the region. However, choose your destination wisely. Unless you plan on renting a vehicle upon arrival, you might be stuck using cabs to get around.
Kingston is the west Hudson’s easiest town to navigate on foot; the buzzy historic district is a five-minute stroll from the Trailways bus terminal. For urbanites in need of a quick nature fix, Shortline offers roundtrip rides from NYC to Bear Mountain State Park and Storm King Art Center.
Hike
The Hudson Valley is cross-hatched with hiking trails, but if you want to see the entire region on foot, stick to the Appalachian Trail (AT). The AT – a 2190-mile path from Georgia to Maine – enters New York near Lakeside, New Jersey, then crosses the Hudson Valley before heading into Connecticut roughly 93 miles later.
Day hikers can join the AT at multiple points, but the most noteworthy segment passes through Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park. This section, completed in 1923, is the trail’s oldest.
Ride shares and taxis
Uber and Lyft both operate in the Hudson Valley; however, securing a ride in remote locations can be tough due to a lack of drivers and spotty cell service. Schedule rides in advance to ensure there’s an available driver nearby.
Local taxi companies operate near most train and bus stations in large towns. Call ahead if you need a ride – you won’t be able to hail a taxi on the street.
Accessible transportation in the Hudson Valley
All public buses and trains serving the Hudson Valley are ADA compliant, but navigating certain stations can be tricky. If time permits, contact the bus or rail line prior to traveling to ensure you get the help you need. Many tourist attractions provide accessible services for travelers.
If you’d rather drive, it’s possible to rent wheelchair-accessible vans at a few spots in and around the region. Most importantly, plan your trip around accessible destinations. Well-paved streets in Hudson and Beacon are easy to navigate for travelers with mobility devices.
