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New York’s Hudson Valley has much to offer the adventurous queer traveler

When most people think about New York, they think skyscrapers, Broadway shows and the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. However, New York City is just a small part of a the huge and beautiful state of New York. One of the most sought after areas of the state is a region that begins about an hour north of NYC, and lies against the majestic Hudson River. Dotted with mountain ranges including the Catskills, the Hudson Valley is an outdoorsy and sporty queer girl’s paradise. It also happens to be the hottest place for Manhattan and Brooklynites to relocate, start families and open queer friendly businesses. The Hudson Valley is vast, so whether you want to spend your time in the verdant and abundant hiking trails, or hang out, dine and shop in cool and artsy towns, there are plenty of ways to get your vacation on here.

We’ll start in the lower Hudson Valley where visitors can visit the charming village of Cold Spring. An easy Metro North train ride from Manhattan, the weekends bring visitors from the city who are looking to gaze upon beautiful scenery, do some antiquing, and tackle the intense trails at Breakneck Ridge. If you aren’t quite looking to scale a mountain, then have a leisurely brunch at Hudson Hils, an organic cafe and bakery. The yummy food is enough of a draw (don’t miss the muffins or breakfast burrito) but the restaurant is always buzzing with happily brunching queer folks and families.

Walk down the hill and through the tunnel to catch some spectacular views of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain. Don’t forget to grab a Go-Go Pop on your way. These tasty, fresh popsicles come in a variety of flavors like Red Velvet, Mojito, Strawberries and Cream, and the store itself is super eco-friendly.

The next town over is the hip and friendly Beacon. Home to the ultra modern art museum the DIA, a must see for art aficionados, the heart of Beacon is the Main Street strip, home to shops and restaurants galore. Stop by the bakery Ella’s Bella’s which makes some of the best gluten free and vegan treats around.

For sci-fi lovers, there’s The Pandorica, a Dr. Who inspired restaurant where you can hang with fellow Whovians and nosh on some British fair. If you are a big beer fan, don’t miss Hop, which recently moved from it’s quaint little space to one that better accommodates its many fans. They boast a top notch and revolving tap and an impressive collection of bottled beers and ciders.

Head up a bit further north into the Hudson Valley and you will find the bustling city of Poughkeepsie. Not quite as charming as some of the smaller cities in the HV, Poukeepsie does have its draws. It’s home to the beautiful campus of Vassar, once an all women’s college and part of the Seven Sisters. For a spectacular view of the Hudson River and some exercise, check out the Walkway Over the Hudson, a 2.5 roundtrip journey across the expanse of the famous Hudson River. Afterward, get your tarot reading on at very queer-friendly The Dreaming Goddess.

If you are a fan of shopping and antiques, then definitely keep heading north to the historic Hudson, New York. The main strip of the small town has some impressive architecture, including the Hudson Opera House, New York’s oldest theatre. Hudson is a big draw for LGBT visitors, with many queer owned businesses, and has hosted Hudson Valley Gay Pride for the last five years. If you love the quaint, small town vibe that Upstate is known for, stop and visit Rhinebeck on the way up. It’s quintessential Hudson Valley.

A little further west, you will find the town of Kingston, home of the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center. The center is right in the center of this small and funky town and is a great resource for those traveling to the HV. If your stomach starts rumbling, swing on over to the rockabilly-esque The Anchor. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but it has some of the best burgers you will ever taste. It’s also a great place to check out local live music.

For a totally different vibe, head to close by Woodstock, NY. Yes, that Woodstock. The town made famous by the music festival maintains that crunchy, hippie vibe. A great place to unwind and take in the gorgeous Catskill Mountains, the town is full of terrific bed and breakfasts, including the gay-friendly Woodstock Country Inn. Before exploring and hiking in the Catskills, grab a filling breakfast at the art filled and organic Garden Cafe or Oriole 9.

If Brooklyn and Woodstock had a baby, it would be the hipster haven of Phoenicia, New York. Stay in the very hip Graham and Co Hotel, very close to Hunter Mountain. It combines old school bungalow style hoteling with a modern twist.

Tucked right into the Catskills, Phoenicia has a lot for the outdoorsy traveler to enjoy too. Tube down the river, kayak, check out the gorgeous Kaaterskill waterfall and trails. (Just be careful: Kaaterskill Falls are steep and require caution.)

During the winter, this area is excellent for skiing. Just a hop, skip and a jump from Phoenicia is Kate’s Lazy Meadow, a rustic and playful motel owned by out musician and B-52s member, Kate Pierson and her wife Monica.

Even with all these towns and great spots, there’s still so much more to see and do in the Hudson Valley, which stretches all the way from Peekskill to Albany. Whether you are planning a day trip or an overnight, there’s a perfect spot in the Hudson Valley to do it. For a full listing of gay friendly and owned businesses, Big Gay Hudson Valley and the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center are great resources. Also, if you have a queer-owned business in the Hudson Valley, let us know in the comments.

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