2026_Junes Hudson Valley New York Road Trip

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< Back to Table of Contentsare tBear Mountain Bridge (background), Historic Popolopen Suspension Bridge (foreground) and Popolopen Arch Bridge (middle) cross over the Hudson River in New York.adobe stockAmerica the BeautifulNew York’s Hudson ValleyDiscover the people, places and scenery along one of the nation’s most storied river valleys.by Katie McElveen
Though it’s just 150 miles long, New York’s Hudson River Valley is filled with atmospheric small towns, historic homes and sites, remarkable natural beauty, and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Even better, scenic roadways make it easy to take in gorgeous views as the miles roll by. Here’s what not to miss.Trophy Point at the United States Military Academy at West PointI LOVE NEW YORKUnited States Military AcademyWest Point During the Revolutionary War, George Washington set up his headquarters at Fortress West Point, which is located on a high plateau 50 miles north of New York City. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson established the United States Military Academy West Point on the site. Guided tours conducted by West Point Tours include access to the cemetery, massive Gothic Revival chapel, scenic viewpoints and other areas.Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic SiteADOBE STOCKRoosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic SiteHyde ParkThis stunning site on the east bank of the Hudson harbors three significant historic homes—the 49-room estate of President Franklin D. Roosevelt; Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt’s stone cottage; and Frederick Vanderbilt’s Beaux-Arts mansion—as well as FDR’s Presidential Library, formal gardens, miles of walking trails and the rose garden where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are buried.Aerial view of Olana State Historic SiteADOBE STOCKOlana State Historic SiteGreenportFrederic Church was one of the most successful American painters in the 19^th century. In the early 1870s, he constructed an ornate, Persian-influenced mansion on a 250-acre forested bluff and named it Olana. The estate is just across the river from the home and studio of Thomas Cole, his friend and mentor in the Hudson River School. Both homes are filled with remarkable artwork.Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad bridgeI LOVE NEW YORKWalkway over the HudsonPoughkeepsieCompleted in 1889 as the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, this 1.28-mile-long walkway hovers 212 feet above the Hudson River. Once the longest bridge in the world, it’s now the longest elevated pedestrian bridge. Parking is available on both sides of the river.Exterior of Union Church of Pocantico HillsHistoric Hudson Valley / JMartoranoUnion Church of Pocantico HillsPocantico HillsIn 1948, John D. Rockefeller Jr. honored his late wife, Abby, by commissioning French artist Henri Matisse to design a stained-glass window for this unassuming stone church. When John died in 1960, his children asked Russion-born French artist Marc Chagall to create a memorial window in his honor. Chagall later designed the eight remaining windows in the church. Today, visitors are welcome to enjoy these luminescent works of art.View from Huckleberry Point Trail, Hunter, New YorkADOBE STOCKHuckleberry Point TrailHunterIt takes about three hours to hike this 4.5-mile, out-and-back trail, but the view is worth it. Set on the edge of the Catskill Mountains, Huckleberry Point offers a nearly 180-degree uninterrupted lookout over the valley.Martin Van Buren Historic SiteI LOVE NEW YORKMartin Van Buren National Historic SiteKinderhookAfter strolling through the storybook village of Kinderhook, make your way to this imposing 18^th-century home, which sits on one of the few remaining unpaved sections of New York’s Old Post Road. Free tours are offered May through October; the grounds, which are filled with nature trails, are open year-round.Aerial view of KingstonADOBE STOCKHudson River CruisesKingstonCruise past lighthouses, private mansions and spectacular scenery, all while hearing about the Hudson River’s fascinating history—who knew that the river’s lower half is actually an estuary?—aboard Hudson Valley River Cruises' Rip Van Winkle ll.WeSt Point Foundry Preserve videoWest Point Foundry PreserveCold SpringFrom 1818 until 1911, the West Point Foundry manufactured artillery for the U.S. military, as well as civilian and commercial usage. It also built America’s first two steam locomotives, ironclad ships, benches and the pipes for New York’s aqueduct system. After a seven-year Superfund cleanup, the 87-acre site reopened as an outdoor museum. Part of the experience is an interpretive walking tour through the foundry ruins and nature paths through the woodland and marsh that surround it.Ready for your next scenic road trip? Start planning with AAA.com/TripCanvas for curated itineraries, things to do and exclusive AAA Member savings on attractions, accommodations, Hertz car rentals and more.Here are more great stories for you to read!Weird and Wonderful Roadside AmericaRoad Trip: Following the Route of the Pony ExpressColonial-Inspired DishesHow Does Downsizing Impact Your InsuranceCover-America-The-Beautifulb Contentsc AAA NEWSd Visit Graceland Tennesseee Natural Wonder Ocala National Forestf Visit Ocala Marion County Floridag Pony Express Road Triph Hertz Savingsi Weird and Wonderful Roadside Attractionsj Visit Galena Countryk Root Beer Floatsl Choice Hotelsm Scenic Mountain Rail Tripsn Active and Fit Savingso Colonial Foodsp AAA Gas Savingsq Snowbirds Road Trip Return Homer AAA Ticket Savingss Hudson Valley New York Road Tript How Downsizing Impacts Your Insuranceu AAA Savingsv Local Eventsw Previous Issuesx AAA Contactsy User-guide