Escape To The Hudson Valley For Luscious Landscapes, Bespoke Design & Farm-To-Table Dining

Whether you're there to scale mountains, hang out in microbreweries and bookstores, or shop for bespoke furniture, the Hudson Valley has something for everyone. 

Those who prefer their exercise indoors can visit the fully outfitted gym or participate in one daily complimentary yoga, Pilates, and breathwork class. At the namesake farm, guests can sample sweet and spicy radishes and collect eggs for their omelets. Other activities are abundant: take a guided forest immersion walk, try your hand at making a mandala from foraged fauna, or pick produce on the farm for a private cooking class with the executive chef. Indoor and outdoor pools, a botany-inspired spa, and seasonally inspired restaurant are the cherries on top.

Plus, they have one of the best drink spots in town—more on that later. 

Founded in 1869, this upstate institution remains a go-to for families seeking an adventure-filled getaway. Far more than a place to sleep, Mohonk offers families a summer-camp-like experience with their all-inclusive programming. There's hardly an activity you can't do on the property, which features lake access, a golf course, hiking trails, an indoor pool, and horse stables to boot. Complimentary activities include rock climbing, guided hikes, kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, plus ice skating, snow tubing, and snowshoeing in the winter. Each stay also includes three meals a day, plus tea time. Once you've tired yourself out in the great outdoors, unwind at the full-service spa. Did I mention it's set in a Victorian castle? Rooms are decorated accordingly: elegant and old-timey. 

While comfortable beds and a convenient location may be top of mind, more and more travelers are seeking out hotels that put sustainability and social impact first. Luckily, Amex makes it easy to find hotels that do good with their Stay With Purpose initiative, a directory of properties that prioritize conservation and community building. Across the United States, Europe, and even Japan, stay-with-purpose hotels are investing in biodiversity initiatives, educating guests about local history, and offering opportunities to contribute to conservation efforts. All hotels are part of Amex's broader fine hotels and resorts collection, a curated selection of high-end hotels where Amex platinum cardholders enjoy extra perks like late checkout, room upgrades, and extra loyalty points.

Located on the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, Minnewaska State Park is home to three lakes, dozens of waterfalls, and 50 miles of hiking trails through hardwood forests and mountainous terrain. Hike, bike, swim, or even camp among the sweeping vistas. For a beginner option, try the Lake Minnewaska Loop Trail, which offers dramatic cliff views and beach access. Sam's Point Road Loop is a bit of a longer trek that ends at a dramatic rock ledge with panoramic views of the surrounding area. More advanced hikers can opt for the popular Gertrude's Nose trail, which winds through a range of terrain and ends at a dramatic nose-shaped cliff. 

Serious shoppers could spend an entire day sifting through the antiques and artisan goods that line Hudson's main street (been there), but even non-shoppers will enjoy moseying down Warren, where window shopping is practically a sport and great coffee and cocktails are never more than a block away. A few favorites:

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New York may not be known for its winery culture, but fertile farmland gives way to fruitful vineyards nonetheless. In fact, it's here where America's oldest continuously operating winery, Brotherhood Winery, opened in 1839. The Shawangunk Wine Trail offers a directory of wineries, cideries, and distilleries. Sip cider while taking in views of the Shawagunk Ridge at Angry Orchard, learn about the history of winemaking at Brotherhood Winery, or catch a concert at City Winery's Hudson Valley outpost. 

Many (if not most) ingredients are sourced from local farms, bakers, and cheesemongers. Homemade pasta and classic mains (with a modern touch) like chicken Milanese are go-to's, while a selection of inspired vegetable dishes (wood-fired radishes, delicata squash with mint & harissa) make a case for shared plates. Don't miss the grilled flatbread. 

This family-owned restaurant offers up sophisticated food made with a farm-to-table ethos. Ingredients are not only locally sourced when possible but sustainably grown, largely organic, and entirely GMO- and additive-free. The open kitchen with its signature wood-fired grill turns out entrees ranging from a braised spring vegetable plate to smoked duck breast. An inspired cocktail menu is just the cherry on top. 

The Hudson Valley is home to the Culinary Institute of America, where aspiring chefs cut their teeth. Visitors can reap the benefits at one of three CIA student-run restaurants, where fine dining comes at a fraction of the price. American Bounty serves modern American food based on seasonal and local ingredients. The Bocuse Restaurant serves contemporary and innovative French food inspired by Paul Bocuse, the so-called father of modern French cooking. Ristorante Caterina de' Medici serves regional Italian in a Tuscan-style villa overlooking the Hudson River. 

The concept of farm-to-table dining reaches its peak at Blue Hill, the restaurant at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, a nonprofit farm, education, and research center dedicated to ecological innovation. The 20- to 40-course tasting is served throughout the grounds—a meal that starts at a table may later move to the herb garden, kitchen, or even the manure shed. This serves to break up the 5- to 6-hour seating and allows guests to learn about the property's unique farming practices, like specialized wheat strains grown for the bakery. The menu is always evolving and tailored to a given guest's interests but leans vegetable forward. Past offerings include fennel sausage with pickled fern fronds, cantaloupe tears, and marinated tomatoes with burrata ice cream.

Along the Hudson River, in the shadow of the Catskill Mountains, the Hudson Valley is rich with rolling hills, gleaming lakes, and fields of wildflowers. Conditions that long ago established the region as a farming hub make it a modern destination for hiking, camping, and farm-to-fork dining. An artisan sensibility pervades the place—you'll find great antiques shopping and plenty of handmade goods, plus custom furniture and vintage clothes. Whether you're here to try an extreme sport or just find some peace and quiet, a trip to the Hudson Valley is always a restorative one.