The Hudson Valley in upstate New York is a picturesque locale that has inspired painters, poets and writers for centuries. James Fenimore Cooper considered the Hudson Valley far more inspirational than the much-romanticized river valleys of Europe. In the forward of his novel "Heidenmauer," Cooper proclaims, "To me it is quite apparent that the Rhine, while it frequently possesses more of any particular species of scenery, within a given number of miles, than the Hudson, has none of so great excellence. It wants the variety, the noble beauty, and the broad grandeur of the American stream." Close proximity to New York City has allowed the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley to be preserved and evolve as a retreat that is perfect for those looking for romantic inspiration.
Villages
- The Hudson Valley was the inspiration for Washington Irving's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The area that captured Irving's imagination is home to a host of sleepy villages, including Irvington, which was named for the author, Tarrytown and of course, Sleepy Hollow. The villages of the Hudson Valley practically scream "romantic getaway" and feature dozens of bed-and-breakfasts. These tiny river towns are easily walkable and surrounded by orchards and working farms, including the Stone Barn Center for Food and Agriculture. The villages are less than an hour from New York City by train. Sleepy Hollow boasts a turn-of-the-century lighthouse. The pristine river views of the Hudson and surrounding cliffs are protected by an unwritten rule that no building is to be erected above the tree line. A hike on well-worn trails through wooded seclusion, followed by a trip to the weekend farmers market will make for a memorable getaway, budding relationships or rekindling the spark of young love, but dinner at farm-to-table restaurants like Sweet Grass Grill (sweetgrassgrill.com) or Blue Hill at Stone Barns (bluehillfarm.com) will provide the love potion.
Bear Mountain
- Bear Mountain State Park is most popular as an autumn leaf-peeping destination. Fall foliage brings New Yorkers from the city on sold-out cruises every weekend during peak color. As a couples' getaway, Bear Mountain has a lot to offer during the other seasons of the year as well: outdoor ice-skating and cross-country skiing in the winter. When spring arrives, a prolific and colorful array of wildflower blooms are on display. A one-of-a-kind hand-painted carousel is open for long summer days. The Lodge at Bear Mountain is open year-round and features a must-see overlook, fine dining and a full service day spa. For the truly romantic, the Bear Mountain Inn has authentic stone cottages available by the night as well as rooms in the lodge. A perfect couples' weekend usually requires precise planning. At Bear Mountain, picking the weekend is the hard part; the property will take great pride in handling the details. Reservations fill up quickly in the fall and near Valentine's Day.
- Castles
- Is there anything more poetic than a castle? The Hudson Valley has its share. Unlike the Magic Castle at Disneyland, the Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown actually welcomes guests to spend the night. Built in 1910, the historic castle has 31 guest rooms available. If spending the night in a castle sounds creepy rather than fairytale, consider the Lyndhurst mansion, registered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Built in the gothic revival style, it's as romantic as it is exotic.The estate was home to captains of industry for much of its history, but today is open to the public. The entire point of a romantic getaway is to treat your love like royalty; a lushly appointed castle certainly won't hurt your cause.
Mohonk Mountain House
- The Eiffel Tower notwithstanding, the Mohonk Mountain House has everything required for the most romantic locale ever. Panoramic views among the best in the Hudson Valley, meticulous and secluded gardens that rival the gardens of Versailles, carriage rides, award-winning dining, private cottages and of course a day spa make the Mohonk Mountain House a perfect spot for amorous couples. Unfortunately, the Mountain House is not a well-kept secret and sells out months in advance during high season. Exclusive, private and luxurious, the Mohonk Mountain House will make lovers swoon and relationships bloom. All is not lost if you didn't plan your perfect weekend ahead of time; grounds passes and day passes to the spa will allow a perfect romantic day trip.
Wineries
- An enchanting trip to wine country conjures images of Napa Valley or Sonoma. However, the Hudson Valley is actually the oldest wine region in the country. The Hudson Valley was settled before the American Revolution by the Huguenots, French exiles, who brought their French love of wine with them. According to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, the Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, New York, is the nation's oldest. There are more than 25 wineries in the Hudson Valley, most offering tours and wine tastings. The bottle or case of wine taken home from that favorite vineyard will allow sweethearts to relive a perfect Hudson Valley wine country getaway. Hudson Valley Wine Country, a cooperative of the region's winemakers, provides an interactive map of all Hudson Valley vineyards.
