In addition to eating great food and shopping for antiques in Hudson, make sure to visit:
The Hudson Hall inside the historic Hudson Opera House is a venue for art exhibitions in the lobby and their schedule of theater, music concerts, dance, films and other events.It is New York State’s oldest operating theater. 327 Warren St.
The Antique Warehouse Hudson, NY: The Antique Warehouse is a 40,000 sq. ft space with many vendors selling every style and period of furniture, lighting, architectural salvage and decorative accessories. I recommend that you visit it while you are in town.
Next door is the Basilica Hudson. Located in a factory building from the 1880s, this is an art center where you can attend live music, film screenings, art exhibitions and other events like holiday markets.
Olana State Historic Site: Well-worth the visit is this mansion overlooking the Hudson River just south of Hudson. This is the home and studio of Frederic Church, the famous American artist from the Hudson River School. This is a lovely 250 acres site with a home that combines a mixture of Victorian architectural elements and Middle-Eastern decorative motifs. He was an artist and explorer who traveled the world. A highlight is touring his studio. Remember to book your reservation online before you go.
Cedar Grove: Across the river from Hudson is this National Historic Site. Cedar Grove is the home and studio of Thomas Cole. A painter, poet and essayist, Cole is famous for his paintings of the wild and untouched landscapes of the Hudson Valley. He became the leader of the artists known as the the Hudson River School, which included Asher Durand, Frederic Church, Sanford Gifford, Jasper Cropsey and more. Church actually studied with him. It is best to book your tickets online before you go to make sure you get the time slot you want. Hopefully by the time you visit, you will be able to see the completed reproduction of Cole’s studio which is being built on the original foundation, based on vintage photos, sketches and paintings. Check the calendar for special events and exhibitions. 218 Spring St., Catskill NY.
After your tour make sure to drive through Catskill to see some of the beautiful homes and walk the small downtown area.
Art Omni: This is a wonderful sculpture park plus the arts center that features special exhibitions and residency programs in art, dance, music and writing. They also have special events including Summer Open Studios, exhibition previews, artist talks, kids day camps, art labs for teens, music and dance performances and more. The visitors center and cafe is located in a beautifully designed contemporary building with exhibition gallery. 1405 County Route 22, Ghent NY.
