An Insider’s Guide to April Events in the Hudson Valley: Social Distancing Edition
Hudson River tourism directors share things to do during the COVID-19 outbreak.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. There are a ton of things to do in the Hudson Valley each month. Even in the face of the coronavirus, there exist dozens upon dozens of ways to experience the best of what the region has to offer. While they might not be traditional per se (virtual art salons, anyone?), they are engaging, entertaining, and 100-percent #flattenthecurve-approved.
To help scout out the hottest events in the Valley, we reached out to local tourism directors from Albany to Ulster for their top picks for things to do. Check out their selections, then get planning!
Discover Albany President and CEO Jill Delaney shares her top recommendations for the month.
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Albany’s historic tours are alive and thriving online. This one peeks inside 48 Hudson, otherwise known as the Van Ostrande-Radcliff House. Built in 1728, it is the oldest surviving building in the city and is being stabilized and preserved by Historic Albany Foundation. Never been here? Never fear! A virtual tour takes viewers straight into the building to learn more about its Dutch architecture, former inhabitants, and restoration in the Hudson Valley.
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Art aficionados don’t have to bemoan the pause on visits to the galleries of the Hudson Valley. Thanks to Albany Center Gallery’s 360 tours of previous exhibits like Dorothy Englander: Then & Now, Beyond Limits, and Interact, everyone can explore the colors and textures of the shows through their computers.
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Take your history lessons to the next level with Discover Albany and the City of Albany’s virtual tour of the Albany Heritage exhibit. Captured by Hudson Reality Capture, the tour dives into Capital Region’s 400-year history and explores the city’s ties to the Underground Railroad and the Erie Canal. With a section dedicated to the city’s Dutch roots and another that’s all about Made in Albany products (think billiard balls and perforated toilet paper), the exhibit is a treasure trove of local lore online. Stay tuned for a director’s cut, which will include annotations for further explanation.
Read up on Columbia County Tourism’s highlights for things to do in the Hudson Valley this month.
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April 23, 11 a.m.
Stair Galleries hosts a special online auction at the end of April to spotlight the porcelain and earthenware collection of Mario Buatta. Pieces range from 19th to 20th centuries and include everything from tableware to trompe l’oeil cabbages. Expect to see covetable wares by Derby, Lady Anne Gordon, Mottahedeh, Spode, and Wedgewood, among others.
Take a peek at President & CEO of Dutchess Tourism, Inc. Mary Kay Vrba’s top picks for things to do in Dutchess County this month.
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Missing visits to the Hudson Valley’s historic sites? Get a virtual fix with this online tour of the former First Lady’s Hyde Park estate. With scenic views and captivating historic tidbits, the tour is a wonderful way to find escape from the comfort of home.
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Just because Beacon’s art museum is closed to the public doesn’t mean it’s closed for good. During quarantine, the venue keeps creativity alive with a complete video library filled with artist talks, book launches, and readings. There’s so much to see here that it might just take the entirety of April to get through it all.
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Is your heart a little broken over the temporary closure of The Culinary and its all-star family of restaurants? Make a quick trip to campus in the interim via informative online campus tours that explore every nook and cranny of the grounds. Afterward, stick around on the site for cooking demos with the chef instructors themselves.
Look no further for the coolest attractions and activities in Greene County during the month.
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Thanks to Thomas Cole National Historic Site, the majesty of Hudson River School artists is free and online for everyone. Listen to the talks to learn about exhibitions at the site from the curators themselves or watch the Sunday Salons to hear insights on American art and landscapes from leading scholars in the field.
Check out Orange County Tourism Director Amanda Dana’s selections for the best things to do this month.
New Windsor
Flattening the curve doesn’t mean staying glued to the couch. Instead, hit the 25 miles of hiking trails spread across the 3,000 acres at Schunnemunk Mountain State Park. With eight marked trails, the park features spectacular views of the Hudson River and the farmlands beyond.
Tuxedo
Self-isolation is the perfect excuse to stop by a new-to-you state park in the Hudson Valley. In Tuxedo, Sterling Forest is a natural gem with a whopping 20,000 acres of contiguous forest. Trails range in length from three to 10 miles, so there’s something for everyone here. P.S. Keep an eye out for the ruins, which date back to the days of the iron mining industry in the region.
Port Jervis
With more than 35 miles of hiking trails that wind through the forest and pass along streams and old logging roads, Port Jervis’s park is a delight for nature lovers in the Hudson Valley. The grounds span across 2,000 acres and feature views of the Delaware River. In other words, it’s ideal for social distancing and getting a breath of fresh air.
Goshen, Chester, and Monroe
Once a rail bed on the Erie Railroad, Heritage Trail has been converted into a pristine rail trail for Hudson Valleyites. The span is 10 feet wide and 14 miles long, making it a solid option for walkers, bikers, and runners alike. As for where to hop on, entrances can be found in Chester, Goshen, and Monroe. Along the way, the trail crosses through a wildlife sanctuary and by historic landmarks, streams, and meadows.
New Windsor
Bring the camera for this one, Hudson Valley. With views of the Hudson gorge and 2,000-foot riverfront, Plum Point was practically made for photo ops. After snapping a few pictures, take a walk along the grounds to unwind in the great outdoors.
Read up on Putnam County Tourism Director Tracey L. Walsh’s picks for things to do this month.
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Cold Spring’s Magazzino might be closed to the public for now, but its Italian art collection is alive online. In honor of its spring season, the gallery museum invites visitors to explore its works through a 360-degree tour. On top of that, Magazzino launches “Una vision globale:” Arte Povera’s Worlds, its four-part lecture series that dives deep into the Arte Povera movement.
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Trying to commit to social distancing at home? Uncover hidden corners in the Hudson Valley from the comfort of your couch with Scenic Hudson’s online portal to West Point Foundry Preserve. Visitors can read up on the foundry’s history, with 15 tour stops along the way.
A picturesque trail in Putnam County, the paved bicycle and pedestrian path remains open to Hudson Valleyites who crave a breath of fresh air while maintaining at least six feet of separation. With 12 miles of terrain that wind from Baldwin Place to Brewster, the trailway features two branches: one runs from Lake Mahopac to Goldens Bridge while the other crosses from Baldwin Place to Mahopac Falls.
Take a browse through Director of Economic Development and Tourism Jeremy Schulman’s picks the hottest things to do in Rockland County throughout the month.
Bear Mountain
With 31 lakes and reservoirs, not to mention 200 miles of hiking trails, Harriman State Park is a natural mecca in the Hudson Valley. Visitors can traverse the extensive grounds, which include rambling streams, scenic roads, and more than a few picture-perfect vistas. Dogs are allowed as long as they remain on a leash at all times.
Bear Mountain
Atop Bear Mountain, Perkins Memorial Tower tempts hikers who crave those spectacular views that can only be found upon ascent. The trek is worth it, since the panorama includes scenes of the park, the Hudson Highlands, and Harriman State Park. Bar Mountain’s museum, zoo, and merry-go-round are currently closed, but the park itself is open for Hudson Valleyites to explore.
Valley Cottage
When a walk around the neighborhood just won’t cut it, take a quick trip to Rockland Lake State Park for a change of scenery. The park is situated on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west side of the Hudson, which means it has rather magnificent views of the Hudson Valley.
Nyack
Rising up 728 feet, Hook Mountain is the second highest peak along the Palisades Ridge. The park spreads across 676 acres and features trails that accommodated walkers and bikers alike. The Long Path runs along the escarpment and connects to three other paths for hikes of varying lengths. Dogs on leashes are allowed.
Read up on Ulster County Tourism’s event highlights for the month.
Valley Cottage
When a walk around the neighborhood just won’t cut it, take a quick trip to Rockland Lake State Park for a change of scenery. The park is situated on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west side of the Hudson, which means it has rather magnificent views of the Hudson Valley.
Going stir-crazy during self-isolation? Hit the Ashokan Rail Trail to get moving and clear your head in Ulster County. Open from sunrise to sunset, the scenic trail extends for 11.5 miles between Boiceville and West Hurley along the Ashokan Reservoir and is accessible via three public trailheads: the Woodstock Dike Trailhead at 1285 NY-28 in West Hurley, the Ashokan Station Trailhead at 3045 NY-28 in Shokan, and the Boiceville Bridge Trailhead at 5080 Route 28A in Boiceville. Don’t forget to keep at least six feet apart from other trail visitors!
Sleep in an architecturally significant B&B, or book a room at a nationally known hotel. Casual travelers as well as visitors looking for luxury will find a wide range of properties to consider. There are lodging options for everyone – Try our user-friendly lodging search below and come stay with us in Orange County, NY.
