Attractions
New Yorker's refer to everything north and west of the Bronx as "upstate." Which is confusing because that's pretty much 99.9999% of the state. But mostly when people talk about "upstate" they mean the Hudson River Valley, which is bounded by the Catskill Mountains to the west and the Berkshire Mountians to the east.
It's one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Land of the Mohicans. Washington Irving. There are orchards, vineyards, farms. Stunning trails. Incredible views. And surprisingly some of the world's greatest art.
If you're inclined to make a trip of it, you should.
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Dia:Beacon
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This sprawling former Nabisco factory now houses the masterworks of some of the 20th and 21st Century's greats. Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, Sol Lewitt, Dan Flavin, Claes Oldenburg and others. It's one of the best art museum experiences you'll find anywhere in the world, without exaggeration.
If you're driving, the town of Beacon is a little more than midway between NYC and Hudson, on the east side of the river. Definitely worth a visit.
https://www.diaart.org/visit/visit/diabeacon-beacon-united-states
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Storm King
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Take a gorgeous spanse of rolling hills and dapple it with monumental art by the likes of Calder, Noguchi and Lin, and you've got Storm King. This art-farm-cum-sculpture-park is a unique experience. And it's just 90 minutes from Manhattan. Catch it on the way up if you're driving or make a special trip - it's worth it.
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Kaaterskill Falls
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Kaaterskill Falls is a gorgeous two-stage waterfall in the Catskill Mountains. At 290 feet, it's one of the tallest in the eastern United States. It's been a tourist attraction since the early 1800s. There are trails and paths of varying intensity surrounding the falls for those who like to do more than gawk.
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Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail Hike
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Everyone loves waterfalls. I'll wager most people don't know if they love ice caves or not. This moderate hike offers a chance to discover the latter with the reward of the former. About midway between NYC and the venue, this is a good half-day hike with a hell of a view at the top. Along the way you'll scramble through some caves and crevices that apparently house ice in the winter months.
https://www.nynjtc.org/hike/ice-caves-and-verkeerderkill-falls#dialog-hike-description
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Thomas Cole National Historic Site
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This is the colonial-era home of Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson Valley School of painting, the first wholly American art movement. You get your history and your art rolled into one. It's a twofer.
