Hudson is the perfect weekend destination in Upstate New York, with small-town charm, amazing restaurants, shopping and conveniently located with access to public transportation.
Here is our guide to everything you need to eat and drink while you're in Hudson, we share the best restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars and more!
Firstly - How to get to Hudson from New York City: via Amtrak
To get to Hudson from New York City you can take the Amtrak train from Penn Station directly to Hudson Station which is around a 2-hour journey with multiple departure times per day. Be sure to pre-book online, the earlier you book, the more you save. Ticket prices start from around USD 30 one way per person.
TIP: The train ride follows the Hudson River and offers beautiful scenery, heading north from NYC be sure to sit on the left side of the train to enjoy the best views of the river. Also as seating is not pre-assigned arrive early and be in line first once the boarding platform is announced at the station to get a window seat.
How to get around Hudson without a car:
Hudson Station is just a 5-minute walk from the start of Warren Street, which is the main street where all of the cafes, restaurants, bars and shops are located. If you're visiting Hudson for a weekend we recommend staying on or as close as possible to Warren street with plenty of options for accommodation walking distance from the station. There is more than enough to do for a full weekend within this area staying on foot.
If you do plan to rent a car while there, we recommend booking one in advance, as there are not any direct options at the train station to do so. However, if pre-booked, many car rental companies will come and pick you up from the train station to collect your car.
We recommend a 2-night stay in Hudson, close by to Warren Street if travelling without a car. There are many small charming boutique hotels in this area. If you book via our affiliate links in this post we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Here are a few options from booking.com
Top restaurants and cafes to eat at in Hudson, Upstate New York:
Have Brunch at Le Perche Bakery and Bar:
Le Perche Bakery and Bar is located on Warren Street in the heart of Hudson, enter into a cozy French restaurant and wood-burning bakery. You will be greeted with the sight and smell of freshly baked sourdough and pastries by the counter. If you wish to sit by the bakery take a seat at the bar for a drink. At the back of the restaurant, both indoor and outdoor dining options are available. The food is seasonal and the menu features locally-sourced farm-fresh goods. If visiting for brunch we recommend the avocado toast and fries.
Have Cocktails at the Maker Hotel's Maker Lounge:
On your way to dinner be sure to stop by the Maker Lounge for a cocktail. We loved this cozy romantic space located at the entrance of the upscale boutique maker hotel.
Enjoy a Farm to Table Fresh dinner at WM Farmer and Sons:
The WM Farmer and Sons is a farm to table fresh restaurant located on Front Street in Hudson open between Tuesday and Sunday nights. They serve up craft cocktails, don't miss the Golden Glow if on the menu, which was our personal favourite, featuring a local AppleJack spirit made with Hudson Apples, Lemon and Honey. It will be hard to choose between all of their high-quality main meals, we opted for the chicken liver as an appetiser and wagyu beef steak as our entree and both were outstanding. We ended the night with an apple pie and vanilla gelato, the perfect seasonal dessert coming up to Christmas.
Pick up morning coffee at Hudson Roastery:
If you're looking for the perfect spot for your morning coffee stop by Hudson Roastery, located overlooking the green space of 7th Street Park (which is also worth a stroll through). If visiting during the summer, enjoy the coffee outside on the charming white tables and chairs or in winter cozy up indoors.
Have lunch at Feast and Floret:
Dining Feast and Floret was one of our favourite meals of the weekend. Enter to what also looks like a boutique flower store where you and create a bouquet of flowers with various local Hudson Valley botanicals, priced by the piece. It makes for a beautiful dining experience being seated indoors by the fresh florals. You can also pick up some of their freshly made local honey sold onsite. In case you miss picking up a jar, be sure to try their warm flatbread with the ricotta and honey so you can still taste the honey. We also recommend the arancini balls and our highlight of the meals was the pasta. We opted for the special of the day which was a tuna lemon butter seashell pasta.
Taste the Bread at Breadfolks Bakery:
Breadfolks Bakery looked like one of the most popular stops along Warren Street, we walked past multiple times during the weekend and it was always busy. After tasting their fresh bread, we can see why. We tasted a fresh slice of the pesto and sun-dried tomato bread, but their sourdough options also appeared to be very popular. They are also a great stop for a takeaway coffee.
Stop for breakfast or a giant hot chocolate at Le Gamin Country:
We loved the retro interior diner feel of stepping into Le Gamin Country, think cozy booths at the back, vintage signs on display and a menu of french breakfast delights. We recommend the bowl of hot chocolate and lemon & sugar crepes.
Stock up on gourmet local product to take home from Talbott and Arding:
It you're looking for fresh local produces from the Hudson Valley region be sure to stop by the Talbott and Arding for some gourmet local produce to take home as the perfect souvenir from your stay in Hudson. Located on Allen St, Hudson the store is open Wednesdays through to Sunday.
Places to skip for food but you could just get a quick drink - Lil Deb's Oasis:
Before visiting Hudson almost every blog and tourist guide we read recommended a visit to Little Deb's Oasis. We can see why when you step inside to the colourful neon lights and decor that will make you feel like you're in a fun 1970s space movie. However, we found the food taste and quality along with the cocktails to be disappointing. We tasted the big lettuce salad, sushi rice salad, sticky ribs and one of the enchilada dishes, none of which stood out as worth the price. If you're planning a visit, we'd recommend just going for a beer and wine before moving along to get food elsewhere.
We hope you enjoyed our food guide to Hudson, New York. To see more of our other USA destination guides click here.
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