10+ Popular Hudson Valley Tours that
Should be on your Radar
Sometimes we want to go out and explore the Hudson Valley but don’t know where to start. This is the time when one of the several Hudson Valley Tours may be the best way to see it all (although it IS hard to see it all).
Hudson Valley Day Trips are a great way to see the sights without spending money on a hotel room or other accommodations. If you have the free time, then
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Why Hudson Valley Tours are a Good Idea
While the Hudson Valley is full of historic homes, that can be viewed from the outside in most places for free, there is nothing like exploring Historic Hudson Valley through a variety of Hudson Valley Tours. For a small fee, you not only have access to these wonderful places, but you will be given invaluable information about each location from knowledgeable local guides.
Several Hudson Valley tours offered include, but are not limited to:
- Outside Tours of places like, Untermyer Garden and Storm King Art Center
- Inside Tours of Museums and Historic Sites
- Hudson Valley Food Tour and/or Hudson Valley Wine Tour
- Kayaking, Hudson River and Hiking Tours
- and so much more…
The best things about the Hudson Valley region are that you’re not limited to one particular interest, thing or place. That is why Hudson Valley Tourism is such a big deal. It offers residents and visitors a way of exploring their surroundings without being pigeon-holed into one thing.
With amazing towns, such as Cold Spring, Hyde Park and Rhinebeck (just to name a few), any outing can turn into a great experience.
Hudson Valley Tours Map
Outdoor Hudson Valley Tours
Before you start your adventures taking outdoor Hudson Valley Tours, here are some essentials you should have on hand:
- Because ‘you never know’ when an accident happens, you need a small, portable First Aid Kit, like this product in your life. This is a great buy for under $15
- If you’re going to be out all day exploring, you never REALLY know what the weather will be like. Even if you think you do know, it can start raining at any time, so this small life-saver is an essential item. This is another great buy on Amazon for under $15.
- My favorite walking shoes, by far, are these because they are soft and the memory foam feels great on my feet. See the color and size choices here.
- Looking great during your Hudson Valley outings is essential and this Hudson Valley Merchandise is perfect for any outing!
– Bannerman Castle (Seasonal)
A Bannerman Castle Tour is something that should be on your to-do list! After taking a 30-minute boat ride to Bannerman Island, you will not only experience a once-in-a lifetime outing but you will learn so much about the famous Bannerman Castle ruins and gardens. I have written an article all about hiking on Pollepel Isalnd: Bannerman Castle Tour: What to Know Before you go
The walking tour options include a guided tour or a self guided tour with live music. This is one of the best Hudson Valley tours in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Both tours leave and return to Beacon.
– Historic Huguenot Street (Seasonal)
Located in New Paltz, Historic Huguenot Street is an open-air museum. The 10-acre National Historic Landmark District is filled with historic buildings. Experience over 300 years of history by taking a guided tour, self-guided tour using their free walking tour app or a private tours designated for groups. Their tour season typically end mid-December until the spring.
– Innisfree Garden (Seasonal)
As one of the most beautiful gardens in the Hudson River Valley, Innisfree Garden offers guided tours given by their landscape curator and can accommodate groups of up to 11 people. Docent-led introductory tours are included with garden admission and take place on Thursday and Saturday. The tours are offered seasonally when the garden is open. Innisfree also offers an extraordinary setting for weddings, corporate events, or other private functions.
– Nyack walking tour
Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of Nyack NY through the eyes of Edward Hopper. Starting at the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center and winding down to Marion Street, North and South Broadway, see Nyack’s small town charm while you meander past popular restaurants and cafes that line Main Street.
– Opus 40 (Seasonal)
With views of the Catskill Mountains, a visit to Opus 40 is a unique place to visit. They have two tours to choose from fro an extra fee:
- Sculpture & Quarryman’s Museum Tours (45 minutes or so). These tours tell you about the making of Harvey Fite’s masterwork and include a guided visit to the Quarryman’s Museum.
- History Tours with John Cederquist (one hour). These tours take you through all the nooks and crannies of Opus 40, the 6.5 in-earth bluestone sculpture at our center.
– Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Tour
There’s a lot to do when visiting Sleepy Hollow, but one of the most interesting, albeit out of the ordinary, things to do is to visit the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The final resting place of Washington Irving, the author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, steel titan Andrew Carnegie, oilman William Rockefeller and many more. This may be one of the most interesting and possibly unsettling Hudson Valley tours that you will experience.
The cemetery offers several tours:
- The Original Knickerbocker: Washington Irving & The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1-hour tour)
- Classic Daytime Tour (2-hour tour)
- American Aristocrats Tour (1-hour lantern tour in the evening)
- Classic Evening Lantern Tour (2-hour tour)
- Murder & Mayhem Tour (2-hour lantern tour)
– Storm King Art Center (Seasonal)
Located in New Windsor, Storm King Art Center is an open air art museum, famously showcasing enormous outdoor sculptures and other art installations. In addition to self-guided tours, they offer a Highlights Tour (45-60 minutes) and an Accessible Driving Tour (by reservation only). This wonderful location is why so many people plan Hudson Valley trips to Orange county NY. The scenic views alone make a visit to Storm King Art Center worth the trip and many flock to see the famous sculpture by Mark di Suvero. (pictured above)
– Untermyer Garden (Seasonal)
Located in Yonkers, Untermyer Garden is a great place to spend the afternoon in the Lower Hudson Valley. As one of the best things to do in Westchester County, this is a quick ride up from the Big Apple, especially upper Manhattan, and is conveniently located on North Broadway. The natural beauty of this walled garden can be seen with or without one of their wonderful tours. Tours are offered from April – October.
Pro Tip: Tours cover uneven ground and stairs (except the Easy Walking Tour) so wear sturdy shoes and is not appropriate for visitors with limited mobility.
– Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park
This historic Pedestrian Bridge can be accessed from Highland or Poughkeepsie. The Walkway over the Hudson is open year round but only offers guided group tours from March – December. Individual tours are not offered at this time. The tour featuring stories about the past, present and future of the Walkway. They offer a free mobile audio tour, though, on their website. This is a great way to learn about this amazing construction and the area around it.
Hudson Valley Tours of Historic Sites
Before you start your adventures taking indoor Hudson Valley Tours, here are some products that will help you capture wonderful memories:
- Don’t deal with a dead phone for taking pics with this great, inexpensive battery pack. I always have mine charged and on hand during my outings.
- This is not a self-stick but is a great way to capture pics of yourself (which is something photographers often lack). This bendy tripod is a great way to prop your phone or wrap it around an object.
- Keep your lenses clean with these cloths. They are a life saver!
– George Washington Headquarters State Historic Site
Located in Newburgh, NY and overlooking the majestic river explored by Henry Hudson the Washington Headquarters State Historic Site is a wonderful place to visit. George Washington lived there while he was in command of the Continental Army during the final year of the Revolutionary War. Although hours change seasonally, tours are offered year round.
– Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
The grounds of the Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site house a Visitors Center, the Presidential Library and Museum, as well as, the home of FDR. The grounds are open daily and free to explore. Tours of the home of Franklin D Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt are also available everyday (fee charged).
– Lyndhurst Mansion
Located in Tarrytown, Lyndhurst Mansion offers a variety of tour for their visitors:
- Classic Mansion Tour: perfect for first-time visitors that covers the history of the mansion and traverses the two main floors of the house.
- Backstairs Tour visits the tower and servant spaces and is perfect for returning visitors.
- Specialty Landscape Tours of varying levels of strenuousness highlight different parts of the estate and are available on weekends.
In addition to their tours, Lyndhurst Mansion also hosts various special events throughout the year that should not be missed!
– Mohonk Mountain House
With a rich and storied history, the Mohonk Barn Museum is a step back in time to the founding of Mohonk Mountain House. With items dating back to the 1800s, the museum showcases items including Victorian-era carriages, antique farm and kitchen equipment, and a 1929 Model A Ford Station Wagon. Tour are offered every Saturday and Sunday at 10am.
– New York Capitol Building
New York State Capitol Building sits perched atop Albany’s State Street Hill. This ornate building has served as the seat of New York State government since the 19th century. Tours can be taken of the capitol building. These 45-minute tours include the legislative chambers, Hall of Governors, Governor’s Reception Room, Hall of New York, as well as, historic staircases and carvings. These Hudson Valley Tours showcase the state’s rich history and government.
– New York State Education Building Tour
Located in Albany, take a tour of the historic State Education Building in Albany. The Education Building tour is led by New York State Museum staff and visitors will have the opportunity to explore the historic Chancellors Hall, Regents Room and the Rotunda adorned with murals by Albany native Will H. Low. These free monthly tours are held on select Saturdays and reservations are required.
– Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Located in Albany, the wedding of daughter Elizabeth Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton took place in the house in 1780. Once a 80 acre parcel, the Schuyler Mansion estate included an orchard, a formal garden, and a working farm. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the mansion as well as an orientation exhibition in the Visitor Center focusing on Philip Schuyler’s life.
– Union Church of Pocantico Hills (Seasonal)
Filled with stained glass windows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, this quaint church was built by John D. Rockefeller as part of the Rockefeller estate. The history of the works of art can be viewed by guided tour on Friday, Saturday and Sundays during their season. Union Church is on the National Register of historic places and is truly a true hidden gem in Westchester County.
– Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Vanderbilt Mansion became a national historic landmark in 1940 and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hyde Park. The grounds are open all year while the mansion hosts tours the majority of the year on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Take time to tour the gardens, including the rose garden – an added bonus to the house tour.
– West Point
As far as I know and have researched, tours of the West Point Museum are only offered to school groups but West Point Tours can be arranged and purchased through the visitors center. The fully guided tour includes an overview from the start of West Point in 1778 to the modern times of the United States Military Academy. I have written an article here about the free places to visit here: How to Make the Most of your visit to the West Point Museum & Visitors Center
Historic Hudson River Tours
Before you start your adventures taking Hudson River Tours, here are some products that will help you make the trip wonderful:
- Wear these great Hudson Valley T-shirts to show off your love of the area. They look awesome in photos!
- Pack all your goodies gorgeous Hudson Valley Tote Bags. Everyone will wonder where you got the,!
– Dutch Apple Cruises (Seasonal)
Known as Albany’s Riverboat, the 90-minute sightseeing cruise has 3 decks which offers sunshine and breezes or the protection of a fully enclosed deck. Dutch Apple Tours is a great way to spend an afternoon on the Hudson River.
– Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise (Seasonal)
The Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise is one of the most memorable Hudson Valley Tours. Leaving from New York City at Pier 83, you’ll pass under the George Washington Bridge and keep up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park. The fifty mile Hudson River cruise takes approximately 5 hours round trip. The outdoor deck offers panoramic views of the Hudson River while enjoying German food specials and live music.
– Hudson River Maritime Museum
Solaris, the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s 100% solar-powered tour boat sails over a dozen themed boat tours from Kingston. The best part is that all boat tour tickets include admission to the museum.
– Rip Van Winkle II Cruise
Located in Kingston, Hudson River Cruises provides passengers a first-hand view of the historic shoreline from the decks of the Rip Van Winkle II. With views of historic Hudson River lighthouses, waterfront mansions and other notable sites, the 90-minute cruise is the perfect way to spend the afternoon or during sunset, as they also offer sunset cruises.
READ MORE
Cruising the Hudson River: Experience the Best of New York’s Scenic River
Hudson Valley Wine Tours
Before you start your adventures taking Hudson Valley Wine Tours, here are some products that will help you make the trip memorable:
- Wearing a cross body bag may be the best decision when taking these Hudson Valley Tours. It’s a safe way to carry your belongings.
- Wearing comfy shoes is the way to go when taking these kinds of Hudson Valley Tours. These are my favorites!
With so many wineries lining the Mid and Upper Hudson Valley region, it’s so hard to choose just one to visit.
– Hudson Valley Bucket List
For all your group needs, Hudson Valley Bucket List has perfected Hudson Valley Tours. From tours of sunflower fields, Fall Foliage and Alpacas, it’s no wonder that they also offer a Vineyard and Wine Tour. This shuttled tour follows a Hudson Valley wine trail in the oldest winemaking region in the U.S. With a choice of 3 Wineries, this is an outing you will not soon forget!
– The Brew Bus
In addition to Brewery, Cider and Spirits Tours, The Brew Bus also offers a great Wine tour. With a variety of tours offered year round, this is the perfect company to choose for some Hudson Valley Tours. In addition to private tours, their calendar is full with exciting events.
– Wine Train Tours
The Hudson Highlands Wine Train Tour includes a train ride tour along the Hudson River and Highlands, a scenic drive over the Bear Mountain Bridge, lunch at Hotel Thayer, Guided Tour of West Point and a visit to Brotherhood Winery, America’s oldest wine makers, with a wine cellar tour and wine tastings.
Tips for making the most of Hudson Valley Tours:
- Fill your day with other fun activities and the best deals can be found on LocalFlavor.com and Groupon
- Make sure to have your car ready for this Day Trip/Road Trip with these awesome tips.
- Double check all information on each location’s website. Days and Hours of operations often change seasonally.
Until the Next Adventure…
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