“River that flows both ways” the Native Americans called it. Early Dutch settlers to the south called it the “North River.” By the time George Washington camped on its banks during the Revolutionary War, however, most Americans referred to it as the “Hudson River,” named for the explorer who first sailed it in 1609.

One of America’s mightiest waterways, the Hudson has its source high in the Adirondack Mountains. Some of America’s most magnificent scenery lies along its course and much of America’s earliest history was made along its banks.

In fact, America’s rich heritage in the Hudson River Valley was recognized recently when Congress designated the entire region a National Heritage Area, recognizing its great historical significance to the nation.

Exploring the Hudson Valley today leads one back into the days when America was young. European settlement began with the Dutch, who established Fort Orange where modern-day Albany is located. New Netherlands soon became New York, as the English took over the colony. Traces of Dutch heritage can be found at Van Alen house in Kinderhook or at Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow.

The “oldest street in America,” is known as Huguenot Street in New Paltz, where refugees from religious persecution in Europe settled and built fine stone houses that can be visited today.

Revolutionary War enthusiasts can tour the New Windsor Cantonment where the Continental Army held its last camp, or Washington’s Headquarters in Newburgh where General and Mrs. Washington waited for an end to the war. Admire the view of the Hudson Highlands from fortifications at West Point, or contemplate the ebb and flow of the river’s tides from the veranda at President Roosevelt’s home in Hyde Park.

The Hudson River School of Painting flourished here and can be enjoyed at artist Frederick Church’s home, Olana, Thomas Cole’s house in Catskill, or Jasper Cropsey’s home and studio in Hastings-on-Hudson. American Romantic landscape design has its roots in the Hudson Valley and can be seen at many historic estates, including Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, Lyndhurst and Montgomery Place.

The 20th century saw the birth of the modern environmental movement here in the Hudson Valley, when citizens rose up to save Storm King Mountain from development.
Residents of the region care deeply for its’ scenic beauty, as well as its fascinating history, and are eager to share both with travelers from near and far.