A Day in Hudson, New York
If you’re looking to trade in hot and sweaty NYC weekends for a sweet summer retreat, we know we won’t be the first to recommend heading north to Hudson, NY. Just a short 2-hour train ride (via Amtrak) along the Hudson River and you’ve arrived at an oasis of galleries, antique stores, exciting cuisine, the best in local produce, and lots of other art and culture venues.
To give you just a taste of what Hudson has to offer, we spent a day exploring and documenting some special finds. We’ve also compiled a quick list of our food and shopping finds at the bottom of this article.
First stop: coffee, iced tea, and a pastry at the upcoming Maker Hotel’s Cafe. Featuring bread and pastries from the Bartlett House, artisan coffee blends, and an old-world hotel parlor atmosphere, the Maker Cafe was not one to disappoint. Based on their cafe, we can’t wait to see what their hotel will have to offer. Looking for evening cocktails instead of coffee? Take a stroll down the corner from the cafe to visit their lounge.
Next, we decided to take a stroll down Allen Street, only a few blocks away from Hudson’s central Warren Street. Allen Street has some of Hudson’s most beautiful homes, and it’s been feeding our architecture inspiration ever since we first took the chance to walk down it.
Back on Warren, we did our usual ogling of Hudson’s many gorgeous storefronts. The opportunities for summery and tasteful outdoor installations have not been lost on the talented creatives behind Hudson’s vibrant retail scene.
We decided to wander into a few stores on Warren Street (and trust me, if we had the time we would have visited them all). We’ve included some of our favorites at the bottom of this article - make sure to check them out before you visit!
After meandering into a few stores and picking up some great finds for our home, closet, and garden, we stopped by Le Gamin Country for a couple of light sandwiches and crepes. Known for its eclectic vintage french interiors, this space has been photographed and featured in several publications and productions. We recommend: the spicy Merguez sandwich.
In the evening, as Hudson cooled down and restaurants started to hop, we chose to spend our night eating Asian-inspired spicy small plates and drinking delicious cocktails at Backbar. The bar was created by Zak Pelaccio, a once auteur of the NYC food scene, who also is behind one of Hudson’s best known restaurants, Fish & Game. Nestled into one half of an antique store, with large garage doors, casual terrace seating, and long communal tables, this spot has become quite the mainstay in Hudson. Check out Backbar’s menu if you want to plan ahead, and don’t miss out on their summer BBQ’s or the natural wine festival they’re participating in this fall.
What we missed: The Hudson Farmers Market! Arriving a little too late, when we reached the corner of 6th Street & Columbia most of the vendors were packing up. Make sure you head over between 9 am and 1 pm on Saturdays to pick up the best of locally sourced produce, meats, and baked goods.
Our Finds/ Shopping
Red Chair on Warren
Filled with a curated selection of 17th, 18th, and 19th-century antiques from France, Belgium, and Sweden, this store is simply overflowing with special finds. Don’t forget to check out the backyard to experience a quiet oasis set away from the bustle of Warren Street.
606 Warren Street
Lillie K. x The Rosery Annex
This store is the marriage between two essentially intertwined necessities for the home; plants and interior decoration. We walked away with a few too many plants & pillows and even made an appointment to have a custom design consultation!
238 Warren Street
The Spotty Dog Books & Ale
Located in the historical C.H. Evans firehouse building, this spot brings together hand-crafted ales from underground breweries and a diverse collection of books; a combination we can certainly get behind. Take advantage of the multipurpose space and grab a beer (or glass of wine) while you get started on your new novel.
440 Warren Street
Kea carpet & kilims
If you love warm and vibrant rugs carefully hand-selected and each with its own fascinating history - you must stop by this rug gallery. The founders behind the store are Azy, a contemporary rug designer, Susan, a collector of tribal rugs who has been in the business for over 30 years, and Richard, an expert in American folk textiles. With their wealth of knowledge, you’re sure to find your perfect rug with them.
238 Warren Street
The Gilded owl
Get your fix of both art and decor when you visit the product of interior designer Andy Goldsborough and art dealer Elizabeth Moore’s collaboration. Do not expect your typical retail space; expect to be immersed in the whimsical world of high design from the moment you enter the ca 1785 federal style house that hosts The Gilded Owl until the moment you leave with your new favorite piece for your home.
318 Warren Street
Behida Dolic Millinery
Walk into the world of Behida Dolic, a Bosnian hat-maker with an incredible talent for making unique hats that double as wearable art. New to her store is also a collection of dresses and jumpsuits that are bound to inspire your summer fashion.
610 ½ Warren Street
Secret Gardener
A floral hideaway in the center of Hudson, The Secret Garden calls in most visitors as they get tempted by the abundance of greenery and quaint setting.
250 Warren Street
Our Finds/ Food & Drink
Fish & Game
Co-owned by Zak Pelaccio, the chef behind the legendary Fatty Crab in New York, Fish & Game blends rustic farm-fresh ingredients with a fine-dining experience. The restaurant is open from Wednesday - Sunday.
13 S 3rd Street
Ör Gallery and Tavern
Since it’s opening, Ör has remained one of our favorite places to relax, whether with a beer, or coffee in hand. Add in its cozy fireplace and breezy terrace, and you’ll find that Ör brings its charm to every season.
35 S 3rd Street
Oak Pizzeria Napoletana
Having a wood-fired, floppy Neopolitan pizza alongside some delicious Mediterranean tapas and a great glass of wine is our perfect end to any day. Oak serves delicious pizza made with high-quality ingredients, in a bright and tasteful setting.
523 Warren Street
Supernatural Coffee
Supernatural serves inventive coffee blends and delicious baked goods, making this a great stop for an afternoon pick-me-up.
527 Warren Street
And thank you to the rest of the amazing restaurant and business owners in Hudson for their continuous commitment to creating beautiful places to eat, stay, and shop!
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