When I plan a Hudson Valley day trip, I usually mix a few things: something outdoors like a hike or a garden, something cultural like a museum or a historic site, and always a good lunch — whether it’s a sit-down with a reservation or finding a pop-up food truck at a farm. Sometimes shopping is part of the day, but only when it supports local. If I have to stop at Whole Foods, that’s an errand. But picking up a few things at Talbott & Arding after a tour of Olana? That’s a day trip.
Below are five trips I’ve actually done, laid out exactly as I did them. Not full guides, just days that worked. You could follow them as-is or use them as a starting point.
The Forge Project is a Native-led arts organization in Taghkanic, with a contemporary art collection and buildings designed by Ai Weiwei. This is not a drop-in situation, you need to book ahead.
Start the day at The Forge Project. What makes this worth a visit isn’t just the art or the architecture, it’s the experience of being there. We arrived for our 10:00 am tour, and we were greeted by Sarah Biscarra-Dilley of the Northern Chumash Tribe. She invited us to take off our shoes and handed us a cup of tea, then guided us through the space, weaving together personal history, Indigenous stories, and the art on the walls — photographs, tapestries, and paintings all of it more meaningful seen through the lens of her telling. One thing she said has stayed with me: land acknowledgment signs mean nothing unless you take action. Even if that action is just having a real conversation.
Plan on being there for at least 2 hours. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Millerton.
Head to Millerton for lunch. We ate at the Millerton Inn. The day we went, it was warm enough to eat on the porch. I had a fall harvest salad with greens, apples, squash and goat cheese.
Spend some time in town. After lunch, walk around town. My stops: Harney & Sons (the flagship store), Dutchess Trading Company , Abode Home Goods, and Oblong Books.
The Harlem Valley Rail Trail runs right through town if you want to add a walk. It’s flat, easy, and pretty.
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