Top 5 Hudson Valley Destinations for Both Locals and Tourists

Whether you live in the region or just dream of moving here, there are five places you must visit at least once to truly be considered someone from the Hudson Valley.

If you hang around the Hudson Valley long enough, you’ll notice something funny. Locals like to complain about tourists, but on any sunny weekend, they somehow end up at the same places as the tourists do. It’s not hard to see why. Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster counties are filled with picture-perfect views, world-class art, and enough photo ops to fill up anyone's Instagram account.

So, where are the most visited spots in the Hudson Valley right now? Here are the top five places getting the most attention from both tourists and locals.

Walkway Over the Hudson (Dutchess/Ulster)

This one always tops the list. The Walkway Over the Hudson is the kind of place you bring visiting relatives to show off the area. It’s a 1.28-mile-long pedestrian bridge that stretches 212 feet above the Hudson River, connecting Poughkeepsie to Highland. The views are unbeatable, and if you time it right, you’ll catch the trains running beneath you as the sun sets over the Catskills.

You can bike, walk, or just stand and stare at the water below. The best part is that it’s free.

Storm King Art Center (Orange County)

Just outside Cornwall, the Storm King Art Center is what happens when someone decides to turn 500 acres of rolling hills into an art museum. It’s a photographer’s dream and one of the most searched attractions in the entire region.

Visitors spend hours wandering through fields and forests filled with work by legends like Alexander Calder and Richard Serra. It’s part art, part hiking, and pure magic when the light hits the hills just right.

West Point (Orange County)

You don’t need to be in the Army to appreciate West Point. The U.S. Military Academy sits high above the river, and its stone buildings and sweeping views make it one of the most striking destinations in New York State.

Tours run regularly, and the museum is open to the public. In the fall, there's nothing quite like catching an Army game at Michie Stadium. Even if you’re just driving through, it’s hard not to pull over and take in the view. West Point is one of those rare places that manages to be both historic and scenic without even trying.

Mohonk Mountain House and Preserve (Ulster County)

If fairy tales took place in upstate New York, they’d be filmed at Mohonk. The century-old resort sits at the edge of a sparkling mountain lake surrounded by cliffs, gardens, and hiking trails. It’s a favorite for honeymooners, leaf peepers, and anyone who just wants to soak in the historic sights of the Hudson Valley.

Luckily, you don’t have to stay overnight at the expensive resort to enjoy the scenery. Day passes let you hike the preserve and explore the famous rock scrambles with views stretching across the valley. In the fall, it’s one of the most photographed places in the Hudson Valley.

LEGOLAND and Woodbury Common (Orange County)

Technically, they're two different spots, but both are huge magnets for families and bargain hunters. LEGOLAND New York in Goshen is packed with rides, shows, and colorful plastic bricks that keep kids and adults entertained for hours. A short drive away, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets offers an entirely different kind of adventure with shopping bags and sales instead of roller coasters.

Between the two, they attract millions of visitors each year. You’ll probably hear just as many languages in the parking lot as you will at Grand Central Station.

Whether you’re snapping selfies on the Walkway, wandering through massive sculptures at Storm King, or trying to hike off the brunch you had at Mohonk, it’s easy to see why the Hudson Valley has become one of New York’s most searched destinations. Locals may roll their eyes at the crowds, but deep down, we know the tourists are right. There’s nowhere else quite like it.