Spring in the Hudson Valley is a season of renewal, and if it’s your first time visiting, you’re in for a wild mix of nature, culture, and pure indulgence. From riverfront towns to mountain hikes and epic farm-to-table eats, this is your no-nonsense bucket list of what to experience.
Top 10 Things To Do in the Hudson Valley This Spring (For First-Time Adult Visitors) – Hudson Valley Travel – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
1. Walkway Over the Hudson
Stroll the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge, spanning 1.28 miles across the Hudson River between Poughkeepsie and Highland. At 212 feet high, it offers jaw-dropping views of the Catskills and Hudson Highlands. It’s free, breezy, and surrounded by trails that bloom into green magic in April and May.
2. Hike to Awosting Falls at Minnewaska State Park
Spring waterfalls hit their peak at Minnewaska State Park Preserve, especially the 65-foot-tall Awosting Falls, surrounded by wildflowers and mossy cliffs. For serious views, hike deeper into the Shawangunk Ridge, part of the Mohonk Preserve trail system. Don’t miss a chance to pause at one of the many overlooks—pure Hudson Valley bliss.
3. Explore Storm King Art Center
This 500-acre sculpture park in New Windsor is one of the most iconic outdoor art destinations in the U.S. Storm King Art Center reopens each spring, letting you wander through monumental works by Serra, Noguchi, Calder, and more. Sculpture meets rolling hills and wide-open skies—this is where art breathes.
4. Wine Tasting on the Shawangunk Wine Trail
Get tipsy on some serious terroir with a tour of the Shawangunk Wine Trail, featuring boutique vineyards like Whitecliff and Robibero. Want something legendary? Head to Brotherhood Winery, America’s oldest winery, dating back to 1839. Spring tastings include patio views, new vintages, and the smell of fresh vineyard life.
5. Craft Beer + Cider Tour
Local hops and crisp ciders hit differently in the spring. Start at Plan Bee Farm Brewery for 100% NY-sourced ingredients, or hit up the Newburgh Brewing Company for live music and Hudson River views. Craving cider? Angry Orchard’s Innovation Cider House in Walden is a dreamy orchard experience (and yes, they do hard cider flights).
6. Tour Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
This one’s a cultural feast. Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow is a hilltop mansion packed with modern art, historic cars, and garden perfection. The estate opens for the season in May, and a guided tour walks you through Rockefeller family history, sculpture gardens, and panoramic Hudson River views.
7. Art Crawl + Dia:Beacon in Beacon
The Dia:Beacon museum is the centerpiece of Beacon’s art revival. Housed in a massive Nabisco factory, it features works by Warhol, Serra, Judd, and other minimalists—huge scale, lit by skylights, and downright surreal. Afterward, explore Beacon’s Main Street boutiques, vintage stores, and the Hudson Valley Brewery for a post-art pint.
8. Kayak to Bannerman Castle
Feeling bold? Paddle the Hudson to a literal ruin. Hudson River Expeditions runs kayak tours from Cold Spring to Bannerman Castle, a strange, fairytale-style arsenal built in the early 1900s. Spring is the best time for this trip—cool waters, fewer bugs, and eerie castle vibes. Some tours even land on the island.
9. Dine at The Culinary Institute of America (CIA)
Head to CIA’s Hyde Park campus and book a table at Bocuse, American Bounty, or Caterina de’ Medici. These student-run fine dining restaurants showcase spring ingredients sourced from local farms and the school’s own garden. World-class meals, casual prices, and a unique dining experience in the birthplace of modern American culinary talent.
10. Get Lost in Innisfree Garden
Called one of the top 10 gardens in the world by experts like Forbes, Innisfree Garden in Millbrook blends Asian design with wild Hudson Valley landscapes. It’s peaceful, poetic, and bursting with cherry blossoms and tulips in late April. Perfect for slow walks, sketching, meditating, or bringing a bottle of wine and losing track of time.
Stay Here: The Secluded Mountaintop Getaway
Perched high above the Hudson Valley, this modern rustic escape is the perfect basecamp for all your spring adventures. The Secluded Mountaintop Getaway blends minimalist design with cozy cabin vibes, offering total privacy and panoramic views that stretch across forested ridgelines. Wake up to golden light pouring through floor-to-ceiling windows, brew your morning coffee in the sleek open-concept kitchen, and then head out to hike, sip wine, or explore nearby river towns.
After a day of adventuring, return to the wraparound deck for sunset cocktails or unwind by the fire pit under a sky full of stars. It’s adult-friendly, stylish, and totally unplugged—but with all the modern comforts you’d want in a luxury Airbnb. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, solo recharge, or friends’ getaway, this cabin sets the scene for a spring trip you won’t forget.
