Welcome to the Hudson River. Its castles, historic mansions and century-old lighthouses that recall a more romantic era. Its steep cliffs, rolling hills, highland plains and sandy beaches. Its thousands of acres of parkland. Its boating, fishing, swimming and hiking. Its peaceful shores and lively festivals. Its tiny hamlets and great cities. The number of things you can do, see and enjoy on its water and shores is almost without limit. There is still a tremendous amount of work to be done for the Hudson. But the River does flow cleaner than it has in decades. Many of the worst polluters have been challenged and stopped. Its shores are being cleared of abandoned warehouses and empty factories, opening up grand vistas and making room for new parks. People young and old are drawn once again to its banks. No single guide can tell you all there is to see and enjoy. Ours is intended as a sampler to some of the best that the Hudson has to offer within a few hours of New York City. While we were forced to leave out even more than we could include, we have listed some of the other resources that are available to help you learn more ways to celebrate the Hudson River. And you can find more information about the river from HudsonLink and Hudson River Watertrail.

Old Father Hudson Seeger - 264K

The Hudson River extends 315 miles from its source in the Adirondacks at Lake Tear of the Clouds to New York Harbor. Our guide focuses on the attractions along the River within 100 miles of New York City. All these highlights are easily accessible - either by car, train or boat. They are guaranteed to provide unforeseen delights - whether you’re looking for an afternoon’s respite or a week-long adventure. 17. Clermont State Historic Park A large wooded park on the eastern shore of the river, the Clermont Mansion itself was the home of Robert Livingston, who helped to draft the Declaration of Independence, swore in George Washington as our first President, and aided in the development of the steamboat. Includes period furnishings. Grounds offer gardens, trails, special events, and facilities for winter sports. Magnificent views of the Hudson and the Catskill Mountains. On Rt. 9G. Phone (518) 537-4240. 16. Hudson River Maritime Museum Once an important center for shipping and commerce. Rondout Creek now is home to a museum devoted to the lore of seafarers and the craft of shipbuilding. Permanent steamboat display, changing exhibits, extensive collection of model ships, oral history programs, gift shop. Ship-building workshop adjacent. On Rondout Landing in Kingston, NY Phone 914/338-0071. 15. Mills/Norrie State Park A veritable treasure trove of outdoor activities on the Hudson, with fishing, riverside nature trails, a boat basin and winter sports ranging from tobogganing to cross-country skiing. Camping facilities. Also in the park is Mills Mansion, a Greek Revival estate with precious works of art and collectibles. Rt. 9 in Staatsburg, NY. For park information, phone 914/889-4646; for mansion information, 914/889-4100. 14. Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites Roosevelt Home. Birthplace of Franklin D. Roosevelt. House begun 1826, expanded 1915. Adjacent museum and library, displays. Extensive grounds included rose garden, with grave sites of the former President and Eleanor Roosevelt. Admission $3.50. Vanderbilt Mansion. Turn-of-the-century mansion designed for industrialist Frederick Vanderbilt. Original interiors and decorations. Extensive grounds, waterfront picnicking. Admission $2.00. Hyde Park on Rt. 9. Admission $1.50. Phone (914) 229-9115. 13. Young-Morse Historic Site Italianate-style homestead (circa 1850) overlooking the Hudson. 150 woodland acres, nature sanctuary, 2 miles of trails, picnic areas. One mile south of Poughkeepsie on Rt. 9. Open Memorial Day through September. Tours of the mansion Wednesday-Sunday. Admission $3.00. No charge for use of grounds. Phone 914/454-4500. 12. Washington’s Headquarters General Washington borrowed this Dutch fieldstone house from a local family to serve as his headquarters for nearly a year and a half during the Revolutionary War. Permanent museum as well as changing tours. 84 Liberty Street, Newburgh. Phone (914) 562-1195. 11. West Point In addition to serving today as the U.S. Military Academy, West Point played a pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. Tour restored fortifications and sites, as well as cadet training displays and films. Pretty but little-known park with facilities on the riverbank, now open to the public. Off Rt. 9W, 10 miles south of Newburgh. Phone (914) 938-2638. 10. Bear Mountain State Park Almost every conceivable outdoor recreational activity can be found here - from fishing, boating, hiking and swimming to just enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty at one of several picnic areas. On Rt. 9W at the Bear Mountain Bridge. Phone (914) 786-2701. Charges for parking, seasonal activities. 9. Nyack State Park Picnicking, hiking, fishing, 8-mile shoreline trail to Haverstraw, NY - North Broadway, Upper Nyack. Phone (914) 358-1316. 8. Lyndhurst Tarrytown’s own Gothic Revival Mansion offers a look at furnishings and collections of a former New York City mayor and industrialist Jay Gould, plus a spectacular view of the Hudson. Summer evening concerts. Mid-April through October. Admission $5. Phone (914) 631-4481. 7. Historic Hudson Valley 19th-century author Washington Irving immortalized Westchester County’s River villages in his Legend of Sleepy Hollow and other works. Today, the area still retains most of its charm. Three historic restorations offer an insightful look at day-to-day life of centuries gone by. Sunnyside, Irving’s own Hudson River estate, mid-19th-century. On West Sunnyside Lane, west of Rt. 9, Irvington, NY. Phillipsburg Manor. Late 17th or early 18th century farm site, with operating granary and gristmill, exhibits Rt. 9 in North Tarrytown. 2 miles north of 1-87. Van Cortlandt Manor. Late 18th-century estate house of prominent Colonial family. Croton-on-Hudson. Croton Avenue exit Rt. 9. Phone (914) 631-8200. Montgomery Place. This 434-acre great estate overlooking the Hudson is the newest addition to Historical Hudson Valley. Includes a Federal style mansion which is open to the public as a restoration in progress. Annandale-on-Hudson. 6. Hudson River Museum Breathtaking site overlooking the river. Combines Victorian charm of 18th-century Trevor Mansion with contemporary galleries. Exhibiting 19th and 20th century American art and design. Planetarium, museum shop, craft gallery and cafe. Changing exhibits, concerts, lectures and children’s program. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10:00-5:00, Thursday 10:00-9:00, Sunday noon-5:00. 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY. Phone (914) 963-4550. 5. The Palisades Perpendicular cliffs, soaring to 500 feet, along the west bank of the River between Fort Lee, NJ and Piermont, NY. Can be viewed from the River itself, as well as from locations on the east shore between the Bronx and Dobbs Ferry. 4. Wave Hill Once home to Mark Twain, this Hudson River estate offers education programs, workshops and exhibits in addition to formal gardens, greenhouses, nature trails and a panoramic view of the River. 675 West 252nd Street in the Bronx. Admission free weekdays; $2.00 weekends. Phone (212)549-2055. 3. The Cloisters Exquisite collection of European medieval art in a northern Manhattan castle with a commanding view of the River. At Fort Tryon Park. By bus and car. $5.00. Phone (212) 923-3700. 2. South Street Seaport Museum Capture the flavor of the days when `olde New York’ was the world’s busiest port by boarding restored historic ships, walking along the maritime-theme eleven block plaza and viewing multi-media exhibits. On the East River at Fulton Street. By subway, car. Exhibit ships: $5.00. 1. Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island The symbol of liberty for so many, is so often overlooked even by many native New Yorkers, as is the port of entry for millions of immigrants in the 19th and early 20th century. Both in New York Harbor, reached by ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan at the Battery. Admission and round trip ferry: $3.25. Phone (212) 363-3200. Most sites offer admission discounts to senior citizens and children. Transportation Most points listed on this guide are directly reached by car or, where indicated, by boat. However, many points south of Poughkeepsie on the River’s east shore are within a short cab ride or walking distance of Metro-North train stations. For more information on Metro-North stops and schedules, call (212) 532-4900, or (800) 522-5624 from outside of New York City. In addition, Croton-on-Hudson, Rhinecliff and Hudson, NY are served by Amtrak. For more information on Amtrak service, phone (212) 736-4545. Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has made every effort to provide information as travel and recreation ideas. For more detailed road information consult a travel map. We welcome your input for future editions of this guide.

General Recreation Resources and Information
Parks There are dozens of open space areas along the river, ranging from tiny local scenic spots to major state and federal parks with a wide variety of facilities. Those listed here are just a sampling of what currently exists. Just about every regular stop on Metro North’s Hudson Division is within walking distance of a municipal, county or state park. Check with Metro North for weekend specials. For more information on state parks, contact the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Albany, NY 12238. For more information on a particular locality, we suggest contacting the area’s Chamber of Commerce or county Visitors Bureau. Boating Being out on the Hudson is, of course, one of the best ways to enjoy this great river. Marinas dot the River’s shores for most of its length, with some of the largest indicated here on the map. Private and public boat launch sites are more difficult to find, but check at an area marina for more information. It is nearly impossible to rent boats on the river for day trips or by the hours, but there are three up-river boats offering public trips: Commander (914) 446-7171 at West Point, the Rip Van Winkle (914) 255-6515 at Kingston, and Pride of the Hudson (914) 782-0685 hudrivad@frontiernet.net at Newburgh Landing.		Waterlife and Fishing There is a great abundance of fish in the Hudson which use this waterway as home or nursery. Over 100 species of fish swim in its waters-from shad and striped bass to eels, anchovies, perch, blue crab, sturgeon, large and smallmouth bass, sunfish and trout. No license is required in the main-stem Hudson, but one is necessary on its tributaries. Fishing from shore is popular and usually successful. However, knowledge of a local area and the tides in the river are helpful. Check with marinas for availability of easy-to-use tide charts. NOTE: The NYS Department of Health has issued a health advisory that you eat no more than one meal of fish per week from any waters in New York State. To lessen the health risk, clean, skin and fillet the fish. Remove the head and belly flap, bake or broil the fish, and allow the fat to run off. Walking/Hiking Many sites on our map include paths for some of the scenic strolls you’ll find anywhere. For those looking for challenge and adventure, the Hudson River Valley offers many excellent hiking trails, including Long Path and the famous Appalachian Trail, both indicated on our map. For more information, phone the NY/NJ Trail Conference at (212) 685-9699.

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Old Father Hudson by Pete Seeger (BMI)
Copyright 1974 Sanga Music, Inc. - Copyright 1993 Clearwater, performance 1974 Clearwater
Photo: Frances Dennie Davis - Line Drawing: Dennis Fritz - Button photo: Ted Spiegel