Take a road trip through the stunning Hudson Valley

12.09.2024 - 16:49 / lonelyplanet.com / Hudson River

Sep 12, 2024 • 8 min read

Over 7000 sq miles of mountains, rivers, forests, and farms dotted with postcard villages and opulent estates: the Hudson Valley is so vast, you need a car to see it all. 

Unlike neighboring NYC, public transit isn’t readily available throughout the region. Buses and trains stop in large towns, but driving is the only way to reach some of the Hudson Valley’s best hikes, historic sites, and tiny hamlets.

Luckily, the region’s roads are a driver's dream. Well-maintained parkways and scenic routes abound, and as long as you know what to watch out for, you can expect smooth sailing all the way to Albany. Animal crossings are common between dawn and dusk, and traffic jams clog Westchester as weekenders return to Manhattan on Sunday afternoons. Winter storms create icy driving conditions, and summer holidays get crowded with visitors. 

But don't let any of this deter you from hitting the highway - the Hudson Valley is an all-season Elysium. Hop behind the wheel to see it for yourself on these six stunning road trips.

White Plains–Chatham; 105 miles

When Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed the Taconic State Parkway in the 1920s, he imagined a scenic route where city dwellers could trade NYC for the Hudson Valley’s east side. 

The result is a two-lane lesson in New York's many identities. There’s car-packed White Plains, the hilly Hudson Highlands and Columbia County's rural pastures. The parkway, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a road tripper's delight: snaking expanses work harmoniously with the landscape, while state parks and picturesque towns offer intriguing stop-offs. 

But beware of state troopers – drivers regularly speed on the parkway, and cops aren’t shy when doling out tickets. 

The journey begins where the Bronx River Parkway ends, and within 30 minutes, the suburbs morph into Fahnestock State Park – a 14,000-acre wilderness with hiking trails galore. For an FDR-inspired detour, head 20 minutes east to the former president's estate in Hyde Park, where he was born and buried. 

Public green spaces proliferate as the road continues north, but Lake Taghkanic State Park and its 168-acre swim spot get a gold star for sunny summer excursions. Driving this truck-and-toll-free parkway takes roughly two hours. Allow half a day to explore nearby attractions. 

Nyack–Kingston; 71 miles 

Follow Route 9W as it hugs the Hudson River's western banks for a ride to artsy outposts and historic towns. The drive takes under two hours, but plan a full day to appreciate the sights. 

The road’s first noteworthy destination is in Nyack – where artist Edward Hopper (Nighthawks, 1942) was born and raised. Explore his childhood home to get a glimpse of the man behind the voyeuristic