upstate ny | city guide
hi!!!
it properly feels like my favorite time of the year now: i see golden leaves swirling in the sky. i hear crunchy leaves beneath the feet of hurried pedestrians on the sidewalks. pumpkin pies and a million varieties of squash are cropping up at the farmers markets. we’ve traded light blankets for weighty down covers that have made getting out of bed on a chilly saturday morning seemingly impossible. but who’s complaining ? not i ;)
new york fall time also calls for a much needed weekend roadtrip upstate to visit farms, orchards, binge on apple cider and pizza, hikes to admire views of red and orange hued rolling hills, and playing card games in a cozy cabin tucked in the woods. my inner city rat desperately wanted all of that and craved 1-1 bonding time with mother earth so on i went!
this time around, i was lucky enough to get tickets to tour stone barns center for food and agriculture. let me tell you, it was just as magical as disneyland (esp for those of you who are into food sustainability) and completely worth the $20. if you don’t know stone barns, be sure to check out the chefs table episode with dan barber! depending on day, you’ll be able to tour the pasture and greenhouse, apiary, learn about thoughtful farming practices, and even grab delicious bites at their cafe and grain bar. i hands-down had the the spongiest-moistest-crisp-outer-shell baguette (basically perfection) on this side of the atlantic. the croissants were sold out by the time we were able to realize that we should’ve maybe bought twelve, but i’m sure that they were also as divine as the croissants in paris :’)
we made so many other fun memories upstate this time around, and my list of “things to do upstate” only seems to get longer every time i visit. there’s always a new restaurant or a new experience that i discover and save for the next time around. for now, here are a few places that i would highly recommend if you ever make a trip up!
xo, christine
upstate new york
google maps: here
do:
farm tours: you can go two ways and no wrong with this one. the first is to visit the gillingham’s family farm at wild roots and learn about sustainable living and living off the grid. email amy in advance so that she can give you a tour! at the other end of the spectrum is the stone barns center for food and agriculture where you can get a tour of dan barber land and learn about how they’re moving the needle and innovating on farming practices.
apple orchards: there are SO many wonderful apple orchards in upstate where you can go apple picking, grab a delicious meal, play games, and enjoy some cider or wine! at the top of my list are: westwind orchard, twin star orchards, fishkill farms, and bashakill vineyards.
hiking and the great outdoors: mohonk preserve was hands down one of the highlights of my trip because who doesn’t like sweeping views of fall trees? if hiking isn’t your thing, driving through the windy roads in the new paltz area is also another way to immerse yourself into nature. other places you can check out is harriman state park and poets’ walk park for an easy stroll.
art centers: upstate has a few art institutions that you’ve probably already seen on instagram. if time permits and you’re into art walks and galleries or performance art, check out dia: beacon, storm king art center, parrish art museum, and the fisher center at bard.
favorite eats
because the catskills region and hudson valley is pretty vast and wide, i would never recommend going out of your way to eat at a particular restaurant because each town has great dining options. i’ve pinned my favorites and places i’ve been meaning to try on my google maps *here*.
brushland eating house (bovina): an italian-ish restaurant and b&b started by duo sohail zandi and sara elbert, i’d highly recommend making reservations at this cozy spot that really feels like you’re dining in their living room.
terrapin restaurant (rhinebeck): a new-american restaurant (inside of a converted church!) that showcases ingredients from the hudson valley.
phonecia diner (phoenicia): “the place” to get brunch!
cucina (woodstock): a very intimate dining setting that serves italian fare.
kitchen sink food and drink (beacon): an easy going place to dine that has farm fresh local fare based on family recipes. if you’re in the area on mondays, check out their fried chicken mondays!
stay
hotels and lodges: rivertown lodge | woodstock way hotel | scribner’s lodge | hotel tivoli | the debruce
for groups: the hunter greenhouse | a scandinavian barn | historic hudson hideaway | rivertown guesthouse | modern a frame home | the clum house
for couples: the willow glen house
pitstops (for apple cider donuts of course!)
getting there and around
getting to and around upstate is best by car. if planning a spontaneous trip from new york city and you don’t own a car, i’ve found that peer-to-peer car rental services like getaround have been the most cost effective and convenient way to rent a car. psst! use this link for getaround to receive $20 off your next trip!
