Romantic Getaways from NYC | Hudson Valley Wedding Photographer | Best Hudson Valley Trips from NYC
Here are fun, beautiful, and romantic ideas for your Hudson Valley, NY couples’ weekend
Article and photos by Hudson Valley resident + photographer Kathryn Cooper Weddings
Want to travel away from NYC with your partner, but only have the weekend? My hand-picked list of Hudson Valley romantic getaways (or just fun getaways…I’m not talking about rose petals and champagne, here) will help you escape to this beautiful part of New York State for an amazing few days.
New York’s Hudson Valley is just 90 minutes from New York City, but is a true, nature-focused escape from the stress, chaos, and concrete. As a Hudson Valley resident for most of my life (over 35 years!), and a full-time photographer, I know this 7,000-square-miles part of my state fairly well.
This weekend getaway list was generated by me, HV resident and full-time photographer Kathryn Cooper, not AI (despite all my em dashes). My list is for couples who want to see the beautiful Hudson Valley, and probably isn’t your best list for heart-shaped hot tubs; rather, here you’ll find beautiful wineries, art, hikes, waterfalls, cute towns, food, and more. The Hudson Valley is full of beautiful places like this, if you know where to look and when to go.
I’ll list a combination of towns you’ve heard of, towns you haven’t, activities, resorts, and more. So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the best romantic weekend getaways in the Hudson Valley.
The Best Romantic Weekend Getaways
in the Hudson Valley, New York
Mohonk Mountain House near New Paltz, NY, is a beautifully unique hotel, grounds, and resort in the Hudson Valley. Featured on many tv shows, in movies, and in books, it’s a super-unusual hotel that overlooks a lake, hiking trails, viewpoints, gardens, golfing, and more.
Located west of the Hudson River near the charming college town of New Paltz, it’s not a cheap stay, but even getting onto the grounds without a hotel or dinner reservation costs $35/person for hiking. It is indeed romantic, especially in October, when the entire hillsides and mountains change colors.
Hike the famous Lemon Squeeze or miles of amazing trails, walk around the lake and go paddleboarding, enjoy s’mores and tea time, see the Catskill Mountains from the hike up to the top of the mountain, enjoy a romantic dinner, and spend the days exploring the hidden paths and viewpoints from cute, covered benches dotting the property. I love photographing here because the more you explore the expansive property, the more you discover. An ice rink, porcupines and deer, canoeing, mini-golf, and more. It’s one of the most beautiful fall escapes from NYC you can think of, so book early.
Mohonk Mountain House is best for an all-in-one weekend where you don’t need to leave the resort property.
Beacon & Cold Spring, NY: Art & Shops
If you love exploring gift shops and art, these two nearby towns are for you. Both Beacon and Cold Spring, right on the east side of the Hudson River on the Metro-North train line, can be explored without a car, making them the perfect weekend getaways from NYC without a car. In fact, in both of these towns, you can walk right into town from the train station. Beacon is a definite walk uphill, while Cold Spring is just a block away.
When you get into both towns, there are quite a few restaurants, cafes, bakeries, bookshops, art galleries, and more.
Beacon: Some favorite locations of mine and my family/friends include Glazed Over Donuts in Beacon; Nansense, Afghan bowls, wraps, and burgers that have deliciously bold flavors; The Roundhouse Beacon, which is a restaurant, hotel on the little river, and wedding venue with upscale modern cuisine; and Two Way Brewing Company near the train, which always has an experimental beer, food, and games.
There’s lots of famous hiking nearby, as well as the extremely popular art destination Dia: Beacon.
In Cold Spring, the houses are adorable but the food isn’t. You’ll want to head elsewhere for grub, even though all the restaurants do indeed look adorable. Hey, I’m still waiting to be proven wrong! That said, it’s a super-cute, local town, and has a bunch of art, gardens, hikes, and design spaces a short car drive away.
What is walkable is the lovely little bookstore Split Rock Books; Long Dock Park for walks, The West Point Foundry Preserve for riverside walks and birding; Little Cold Spring and the Cornish Estate Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park (perfect for couples portraits and proposals), and the romantic little Stonecrop Gardens, which is a short drive away.
For upscale hangouts, stay at the Bird & Bottle Inn (car needed); visit the Magazzino Italian Art Museum for art, events, and Sardinian donkeys (yes, seriously); gardens, events/weddings, and a riverfront hike at Boscobel Gardens.
In the area, you can take a tour (group boat or kayak) over to the mysterious Bannerman Castle. Design centers, historic homes, parks, and farmers markets dot this area in warmer weather. For couples looking for fun weekend destinations and activities, here’s plenty to do both in and out of town.
Beacon & Cold Spring: best for those who have a car, any time of year, and want to have the freedom to access art, film, hiking, and food on their own schedule
Accord/Kerhonkson – Hiking and Relaxing around Inness Resort
West of the Hudson River are several small towns with lots of hiking and relaxing to do. One popular and romantic stay is Inness, which allows you to relax in minimalist cabins, swim in a saltwater pool, play golf and tennis, and enjoy being in the middle of the woods and fields.
Beautiful waterfalls and intense hikes are just 10 minutes down the road, including Minnewaska State Park—where I love to hike when not photographing adventure elopements and waterfall weddings! You can also pay for a day pass to Mohonk Mountain House, but you’ll have enough cheaper/free outdoor options to entertain yourself most likely. A small-town feel, old homes and churches, and beautiful scenery await.
Inness – best for a small-resort countryside weekend escape with options
Kaaterskill Falls
Call me crazy, but I think waterfalls—especially the smaller ones, and a picnic beside it or a dash through the chilly water—can be super romantic. Well, welcome to one of the coolest waterfalls ever, where you’ll feel you’re in the middle of Iceland…but really just in the Catskills, NY
There are many hikes in the area with waterfalls, streams, vistas, and more. Stay at a log cabin nearby, or at a local hotel such as Scribner’s Catskill Lodge, just 15 minutes down the road. In the wintertime, see the frozen waterfalls and rock faces, go skiing or tubing at Hunter Mountain while taking the skyride up to the top https://www.huntermtn.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/summer-activities/scenic-skyride.aspx, and warm up by the fireplace with hot apple cider. Stay in an old/updated Victorian hotel like Fairlawn Inn, and enjoy the drives.
Because this is a popular skiing area, there are tons of romantic weekend getaways in this part of the Hudson Valley, whether you’re staying in summer or winter. If you want more of a tiny town feel and don’t mind a drive, head to Woodstock for some music and cute stores, or Saugerties for local dining.
Kaaterskill – best for hiking fans who want to explore the Catskills on their own timeline
Rhinebeck
Quaint, cute, and full of nooks and crannies, I far prefer the historic town of Rhinebeck over the far more popular Kingston across the river.
Rhinebeck—with its one traffic light in the center of town—still feels like a place stuck in another era, with an old theater house frequented by A-list stars, just a few streets of restaurants and shops, an old five-and-dime with knick-knacks, amazing food, and the Beekman Arms, the oldest continuously operated inn in America.
Outside this tiny upstate NY town, there are a bunch of historic sites to see:
Vanderbilt Mansion has free beautiful paths, views, and gardens, as well as paid tours inside the mansion. I used to do concerts here as a teen and go sledding here as a kid, but nowadays I’m mostly here showing visitors this historic gem, or doing photoshoots on the lovely grounds.
Wilderstein is a less-well-known lace Victorian mansion here in the HV. You can walk the grounds, hold exclusive events here, and tour the home while looking out at the Hudson River views.
The Dutchess County Fair is a large event with your typical fair foods and attractions. Many other events happen around the area, however, including the Hudson Valley Food & Wine Festival, the Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion Show for Climate Week, various festivals ranging from crafts, lights, expos, antique shows, and more.
For food, my favorite restaurant is Terrapin. Absolutely delicious!
Rhinebeck is best for those looking for easy weekend trips from NYC by train. The town is walking/short drive accessible by the Amtrak via the Rhinecliff Station, making Rhinebeck a great romantic weekend getaway for those without a car
Wildflower Farms and New Paltz
Wildflower Farms is perfect for couples of all ages who want the privacy of cool, separate modern cabins with mountain ridge views—while still having spa, restaurant, valet, and s’mores cookouts. You can also take the train or bus to Poughkeepsie/New Paltz, and since Wildflower Farms can arrange a car service to pick you up for an extra fee, this makes it a very posh, romantic weekend trip from NYC without a car.
When you want to explore, you can rent a car from them for the day and hop on over to a hiking trail—or you can settle in for a relaxing glass of wine at Bruynswick Winery, owned by my friend Johanna and Ryan Kiernan.
Head into nearby New Paltz for dinner or perusal of the quirky shops on Main Street.
Wildflower Farms: best for relaxing, upscale romantic lodging with mountain views
Special Occasions for Extra-Romantic Weekends in the Hudson Valley
While not necessarily a specific place, there are a few unique opportunities in the Hudson Valley for those one-of-a-kind moments. Making a splash, proposing, celebrating an anniversary, eloping, or any other romantic moment demands something amazing.
Here are my ideas for luxury romantic getaways from NYC:
Go on a private hot-air balloon ride, experiencing the sunrise and morning mist over NY as it wakes up. All times of year are available, but I recommend late spring or October for the best colors and views
Head out on a private helicopter ride not far from Manhattan, where you can get a daytime or sunset heli ride over NYC, fall foliage, or anywhere within a couple hours of the area! Heli-skiing? They can do that, too. My favorite company is Wings Air in Westchester, as I’ve flown with them several times.
A luxury retreat in the lower Hudson Valley, The Ranch is a wellbeing resort unlike anything you’ll find east of California. And it’s true: Their other branch is in Malibu. From sound baths and spas to guided retreats, your long weekend at The Ranch is sure to be unlike anything else.
Additional Romantic Activities in Upstate NY
From Christmas light displays to vistas to hot-air balloons, there are many romantic and fun couples’ getaways here in the Hudson Valley. What’s your cup of tea?
Many modern hotels cater to adults-only getaways in the Hudson Valley and Catskills, giving you detached pod-like hotels such as Piaule in the Catskills, spas, and on-site restaurants for a wonderful escape for your Hudson Valley couples’ weekend
Head up to the popular town of Hudson (another train weekend getaway via Amtrak) for art, bar, romantic boutique hotels like The Maker, LGBTQ+-inclusive activities, show openings, and more.
Fancy walking around unique art outside the city? Storm King Arts Center is an unusual sculpture park set over many acres of land. Because it’s so spread out, you can hold hands and stroll from sculpture to sculpture over the lovely grounds.
Book a romantic dining experience at the world-famous Culinary Institute of America, where you have your choice of cuisines and restaurants.
Stroll around our incredible NY state parks, with waterfalls, vistas, trails, fishing, boating, and much more on your weekend trips from NYC. There are so many to explore, with skiing, swimming, camping, hiking, and more.
Want more ideas? Check out Hudson Valley Tourism, our official HVNY tourism website, and contact their office for personalized information on weekend couples’ trips.
Best times of year for your romantic weekend in the Hudson Valley
Fall or late spring are the best times of year for your weekend getaways in Upstate New York. Yes yes, of course it’s great to visit in many seasons (with the exception of November/early December, when everything is bare and brown, and the snow hasn’t arrived), but fall is the most popular season, with spring being the most underrated.
- In fall, tourists from all over flock to the Hudson Valley for the leaf colors, activity, apple picking, cider donuts, festivals, and much more. If hiking is important to you, try to go on an early Friday (or better yet, Thursday or Monday) in order to avoid the crowds. Many popular hikes close up parking due to how many guests are coming in, and oftentimes orchards are only accessible via reservation—that’s how crowded the popular spots get! Plan your visit accordingly.
- In winter, you can go skiing at resorts, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, and more. It’s typically 10-20 degrees colder in the Hudson Valley versus NYC, but can very much vary depending on pockets and valleys
- In late spring (early May), there’s beautiful blossoms on the golf courses, streets, homes, and forests, ranging from purples and pinks to whites and pale greens. The hiking has just opened up, and the waterfalls are full
- In summer, the humidity can be rough—but it’s still a beautiful time of year for sunsets, camping, hiking, u-pick farms, and tons of HV events and summer concerts all around the region
And there you go! This is just a small sampling of some of my favorite recommendations for locations, activities, and romantic getaways from NYC. This post is not sponsored in any way, shape, or form. There’s so much here in the Hudson Valley, just 90 minutes away from Manhattan. Some areas are closer, while some (closer to the Catskill Mountains, for example) are 2-2.5 hours away.
However and whenever you plan it, I hope this mini-guide helps you plan a beautiful couples’ trip that allows you to escape the hustle and bustle, of New York City, and relax among the beautiful nature and activities the Hudson Valley has to offer.
