Antiques
Hailed as the premier destination for antique shopping in north-east America, Hudson is an interior designer’s paradise with everything from exquisitely curated boutiques to vast warehouses. Inside the sleek Finch, shoppers will find a blend of vintage and modern goods. Bargain hunters should explore Cottage Treasures near the Amtrak railway station.
A mecca for foodies
The Hudson valley’s abundant farmland means there is no shortage of great dining options with locally sourced produce at the forefront. Fish & Game is a fine-dining restaurant, owned by renowned chef Zak Pelaccio, and is noted for its wine list. At the opposite end of the town’s main street is Grazin’, a diner run by Dan and Susan Gibson, who traded corporate life for farming.
Beer and books
Named after a local politician and brewer, the CH Evans Firehouse can trace its roots back to 1889. In 2004 the firehouse no longer had the capacity for modern fire engines and was renovated into a retail space. Tapping into its brewing heritage, Spotty Dog Books & Ale is both a bookshop and a licensed bar. Locals can enjoy a pint of Evans’ Ale, brewed in New York’s capital, Albany.
Renovated opera house
Originally built as Hudson’s city hall in 1855, the opera house reopened in April 2017 following the restoration of its performance hall. The opera house contains New York state’s oldest surviving theatre and its renovation is regarded as a catalyst for the regeneration of downtown Hudson.
Soundscape festival
A former forge and steel foundry, Basilica Hudson is a vast space for events and gatherings. In 2015 it was awarded non-profit status and is now the location for the annual Basilica Soundscape, a weekend of music and art. Not your conventional music festival, Soundscape features cutting-edge musicians and conceptual artists.
Photographs: Philip Haber/Getty Images; Peter Barrett; Francis X Schram; Samantha Marble
