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Each of the communities stretching northward along the Hudson River has a personality all its own. Looking for a town with tons of art galleries? Take a look at Beacon, Peekskill, or Hastings-On-Hudson. How about one where there’s history around every corner? We’d definitely add Tarrytown and Dobbs Ferry to the list. Want an excellent dining scene? In addition to the above towns, consider Cold Spring and Croton-On-Hudson.
Below are 14 of the towns on or near the river that you should consider if you are looking to buy a home in the lower Hudson Valley. They’re almost all accessible by Metro North trains and have walkable downtowns, so exploring them couldn’t be easier.
Hastings-On-Hudson
Of all the river towns, Hastings-On-Hudson has been declared the “artsiest” of them all. (This comes from no higher authority than The New York Times.) Start off at the cluster of galleries near the intersection of Main Street and Warburton Avenue. Over the years, many artists have settled in the handsome homes that make their way up and over the surrounding hills. The loftiest ones have sweeping river views that inspired 19th-century painter Jasper Francis Cropsey. To enjoy works by this Hudson River School trailblazer, book a tour at the Gothic-Revival-style Newington-Cropsey Foundation Gallery of Art. There are also frequent exhibits at the Hastings-On-Hudson Public Library.
Where to Get Your Bearings
Before you leave the train station, fuel up at the Good Witch, run by longtime food writer Joanna Prisco. Housed in the station’s high-ceilinged waiting room, it’s an ideal spot for a cortado or a cold brew. In warm weather, they throw open the double front doors and host local musicians. If you’re here later in the day, grab some pub grub at laid-back Maud’s Tavern.
What Locals Recommend
Locals tell you to take a hike: A pair of long, narrow parks, the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail and the South County Trailway, are a great way to get your steps in for the day. If you’re in the mood for a challenge, you can hike all the way to nearby towns like Dobbs Ferry.
Notable Information
Population: 8,590
Commute: 20-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 35-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Only 3 square miles, Hastings-On-Hudson is incredibly compact. It’s a bit hilly, but most sights are easy walking distance from the train station.
Dobbs Ferry
Covering barely two square miles, charming Dobbs Ferry is considerably smaller than Irvington to the north and Hastings-On-Hudson to the south. But it’s also denser than its neighbors, giving its downtown a more bustling feel. Start your exploration at the intersection of Main and Cedar streets, where you’ll find a surprisingly array of shops and eateries set in brick buildings that seldom rise past two or three stories. Other nearby streets, mostly named for types of trees, are where you’ll find historic homes ranging in size from modest to massive. Farther from the center of town, more modern houses are set on hillsides with unobstructed views of the sunlight dancing on the Hudson River.
Where to Get Your Bearings
As soon as your train pulls into Dobbs Ferry, head straight to the old station house. Inside what was once the waiting room you’ll find Hudson Social, a favorite meeting spot for locals looking for a relaxing breakfast or brunch. In the afternoon, there’s more of a beer garden vibe at the outdoor tables. Stretch your legs afterward in nearby Waterfront Park.
What Locals Recommend
There’s a surprising number of parks in a community as compact as Dobbs Ferry. Set aside time for a stroll in 76-acre Juhring Nature Preserve, the area’s largest swath of green. Located in northeastern corner of the village, it has several easy trails blazed by local Eagle Scouts.
Notable Information
Population: 11,456
Commute: 22-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 36-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Dobbs Ferry is one of the area’s most walkable towns, with Main Street just a few blocks from the train station.
Irvington
Whole swaths of Irvington are on the National Register of Historic Places, so it’s not surprising that this river town is a treat for the eyes. Your first sight is likely to be the Tudor-style Ardsley-on-Hudson Station House, one of the two tiny train stations serving the village. Continue on to Irvington Station for easier access to Main Street, where you’ll find the steeple-topped Irvington Town Hall. As you stroll uphill past one landmark after another, don’t forget to look over your shoulder at the boats navigating the Hudson River. Ranked among the region’s "best places to live," by Westchester Magazine, Irvington has dedicated about a quarter of its land to public parks that are well-used by locals. Be sure to visit Scenic Hudson Park, where you can take in impressive views of the skyline of Manhattan.
Where to Get Your Bearings
The spot where locals tend to hang out, the Black Cat Café sits about three blocks up Main Street. This storefront eatery is at its best for breakfast, when the almond and chocolate croissants are a must, but lunchtime lures in others for its variety of wraps and other casual fare.
What Locals Recommend
The trails through the 30-acre Halsey Pond Park — part of what a century ago the sprawling 200-acre Beltzhoover Estate — lead to the ruins of what look like a castle keep. This stone-walled “teahouse” has some of the area’s prettiest views of the pond.
Notable Information
Population: 6,652
Commute: 24-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 43-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Most of the town’s main sights are on and around Main Street, a short walk from Irvington Station. You might want a car for exploring farther afield.
Tarrytown
In the 19th century, Tarrytown was a favorite getaway for New York City’s robber barons. The most eye-popping of their “country houses” was probably Lyndhurst, a Gothic Revival mansion that resembles Hogwarts. Today you can take a tour of the interior or just stroll the manicured grounds.
Since those days, Tarrytown has become what The New York Times has called the “most charming” of the villages along the Hudson River. Main Street, along a gentle slope up front the waterfront, has a bit of hustle and bustle to it, thanks to a cluster of mom-and-pop shops and restaurants and the grand Tarrytown Music Hall, a venue for live music since 1885. Many of the village’s historic homes are set along the nearby streets, but the most expensive real estate tends to be at the higher elevations.
Where to Get Your Bearings
You won’t have trouble finding a place to fortify yourself before you explore Tarrytown. Our favorite is Muddy Water, a short stroll from Tarrytown Station. The menu is divided into savory and sweet, and the cappuccino is so good it’s won awards. The seating includes some umbrella-shaded tables in the grassy backyard.
What Locals Recommend
Bring your bike, because one of the best ways to see this stretch of the Hudson River is by exploring the bike path across the breathtaking Governor Mario C. Cuomo Bridge. The roundtrip journey across this bridge — a relative newcomer on the scene — is about 6 miles.
Notable Information
Population: 11,860
Commute: 27-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 37-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: From Tarrytown Station, you’re less than a 10-minute walk from all of the eating and drinking establishments along Main Street. You’ll also find a few more options just beyond on the aptly named Broadway.
Sleepy Hollow
First, a little bit of trivia: Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” wasn’t actually named for this picturesque village. Although bits of the story are set here, including a memorable scene at the Old Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow only came into being after locals voted to change the name from North Tarrytown in 1996. The new moniker has attracted an army of Headless Horseman fans. (“It is never not Halloween in Sleepy Hollow,” wrote The New York Times.)
But after visiting this river town, many decided that they wanted to make it their home. Start your own exploration of Sleepy Hollow around the main drag of Beekman Avenue. There are charming homes on the nearby streets, many of them Colonials, Tudors, and other traditional styles on small lots that encourage a neighborly feel. A couple of condo developments have sprung up along the waterfront. They’re a stone’s throw from the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, one of the area’s most photographed sights.
Where to Get Your Bearings
About half of Sleepy Hollow’s population is Latino, and many of the eating and drinking establishments reflect this heritage. Stop by Sweet Ambateño, on Cortland Street, for pastries, pies, flan, and other sweet and savory treats.
What Locals Recommend
You step back in time when you cross the wooden bridge that leads to the 16th-century Philipsburg Manor, an open-air museum that tells the story of the region’s once-thriving mill trade. In this gorgeous setting, you learn about the back-breaking work required to harvest rye or make barrels.
Notable Information
Population: 10,955
Commute: 29-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. On Metro-North, 43-minute train ride from Grand Central to Philipse Manor Station.
Walkability: Beekman Avenue is about a mile from Philipse Manor Station, but one most things you’d want to see in Sleepy Hollow (and even some in adjacent Tarrytown) are within an easy stroll.
Ossining
Compared to its neighbors to the north and south, the river town of Ossining is a major metropolis. Its population is three times that of Croton-On-Hudson or Tarrytown. Its broad streets and imposing brick buildings are a clue to how it compares to nearby communities. But size does matter, at least in terms of the housing stock. There is an unusually wide range of homes available, from one- and two-bedroom apartments to four- and five-bedrooms houses with views of the river. And prices tend to be more reasonable than in the adjacent villages — at least until the word gets out about Ossining and its miles of waterfront.
Where to Get Your Bearings
If you’re here early in the day, stop by First Village on Main Street. This storefront café is the opposite of a Starbucks — the beans are ground locally, and the pastries are homemade. On top of that, owners Kathryn and Luis Corena are thrilled to share their eclectic playlist with you. If it’s afternoon, Bigfoot Creamery has a charming little kiosk on the waterfront that serves hand-scooped ice cream.
What Locals Recommend
Starting at Gerlach Park, take a hike along the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. This is one of the most unspoiled sections of the entire trail, with much of it looking like it did in the 19th century.
Notable Information
Population: 27,551
Commute: 35-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 45-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Because of its size, Ossining isn’t quite as walkable as most of the nearby river towns. If you’re here for the day, you might want to focus on the village’s breezy waterfront.
Croton-On-Hudson
If you’re headed to Croton-On-Hudson, chances are you don’t plan on spending too much time indoors. At the confluence of two rivers — the Hudson and the Croton — it’s a prime spot for activities like swimming, boating, and fishing. In the colder months, there’s cross-country skiing and ice skating on the nearby ponds. In warm weather, you can stroll around Croton Point Park, a 500-acre peninsula jutting into the Hudson.
Croton-On-Hudson’s Upper Village is centered around Grand Street, but this commercial strip isn’t as happening as those in neighboring villages. Its housing stock has a little bit of everything, with older and newer houses sitting side by side. As is true elsewhere, homes overlooking the water tend to be the most desirable. Express trains to New York City will get you there in under an hour, making Croton-On-Hudson an ideal commuter town.
Where to Get Your Bearings
Croton-On Hudson has had its very own coffee roaster, The Black Cow, for so long that the next generation has taken over running the place. It’s an impossibly friendly place, with mismatched furniture, paintings by local artists, and an upright piano. Try the lavender and vanilla lattes. If you have kids in town, Croton-On-Hudson has what is possibly the best ice cream shop ever, The Blue Pig.
What Locals Recommend
At the base of Croton Dam, Croton Gorge Park is easily one of the area’s most spectacular sights. You can stroll across the graceful steel arch bridge spanning the massive gorge, snapping photos of the plumes of water tumbling down the spillway.
Notable Information
Population: 8,070
Commute: 38-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 50-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak times.
Walkability: Croton-Harmon Station is more than a mile from the center of Croton-On-Hudson’s Upper Village, so it’s not an easy walk. A car might be the best way to get around.
Cortlandt
When your train pulls into the Cortlandt Station, you might be surprised that what you see are mostly trees. That’s because the town of Cortlandt, made up of a cluster of small villages and even smaller hamlets, is one of the most suburban areas along this stretch of the Hudson River. Residents come to Cortland to stock up at Trader Joe’s and other stores, but there’s no Main Street where people linger in a café or stroll from shop to shop.
But what the communities in Cortlandt share is an abundance of housing options. There are more than 10,000 single-family homes in the area. The modestly sized Colonials and Cape Cods, mostly built in the 20th century, have generously proportioned yards that make them ideal for families. The prices are generally lower than Croton-On-Hudson to the south and Peekskill to the north. Over the past decade or two, more modern homes with more amenities and higher square footage have been built in newer subdivisions around Cortlandt Manor.
Where to Get Your Bearings
If you’re headed here on the weekend, make sure to visit Savannah and Company, a homey spot in Cortlandt Manor. This southern-style eatery knows how to serve up a delicious plate of chicken and waffles or biscuits and gravy. Even traditional brunch fare like eggs benedict is kicked up a notch with the addition of pulled pork or crab cakes. If the weather cooperates, grab a table on the front porch or on the brick patio.
What Locals Recommend
Cortlandt sits far from the banks of the Hudson, which is what make George’s Island Park so appealing. The 208-acre park offers magnificent views of the river. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of one of the resident bald eagles keeping an eye out for its next meal. Trails link George’s Island Park to the Hudson River Greenway, so there are plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking.
Notable Information
Population: 20,901 in the hamlet of Cortlandt Manor, 42,380 in the town of Cortland.
Commute: 38-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. It’s a 62-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Because there’s no main drag, Cortlandt is probably the least walkable community along the Hudson River Line. You’ll definitely need your own car to get around.
Peekskill
We’ve heard people describe Peekskill as the region’s largest town and its smallest city, and both seem about right. It’s got the charm you’d expect from a town, as well as the critical mass necessary for a truly impressive dining and drinking scene. In downtown Peekskill, tables spill out onto the street and musicians start to strum whenever there’s a sunny afternoon. Wander the nearby streets and you’ll find a healthy housing supply of colonials and Victorians.
It's hard to believe that many of the town’s beautiful brick buildings were more or less abandoned by the 1990s, when the Common Council had the brilliant idea to offer them as studios where artists could live and work. Now there are more than 100 art studios, many open to the public. Creative types rub shoulders with hipsters at the dazzling Paramount Hudson Valley Theater, a movie theater dating from the 1930s that now hosts live events.
Where to Get Your Bearings
Make a pit stop at The Central, housed in the former waiting room at Peekskill Station. The massive chandelier, red brick walls, and arched windows give the main room a stepping-back-in-time feel. Operating from morning to night, there’s also an incredibly varied menu, especially for dinner.
What Locals Recommend
One of the area’s largest swaths of green is the 1,538 acre Blue Mountain Reservation, easily accessible from Peekskill. Among the most popular trails for hiking and mountain biking is the three-mile Blue Mountain Summit Loop, which has some great views from the summit.
Notable Information
Population: 23,583
Commute: 46-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 63-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Coming by train, Peekskill Station has a couple of noteworthy dining and drinking establishments nearby. But it’s over a mile from the train station to Main Street, and the walk is entirely uphill.
Garrison
The first thing you’ll probably notice about Garrison is how many of the roads that wind through the thick stands of trees remain unpaved. Locals like it that way, explaining that “there’s more of a sense of community on dirt roads.” Most homes in this hamlet of about 16 square miles are set back from the street and occupy at least an acre of land. They stay in the same family for years, meaning that there’s not a lot of turnover. Prices can be significantly higher than in neighboring communities, especially for homes with a river view.
There is no “downtown” in Garrison, aside from a small cluster of buildings surround the former train station. The community-minded Philipstown Depot Theater occupies that space and has been producing exceptional shows for over 20 years. Across the street is the Garrison Art Center, which holds renowned exhibitions, festivals, and workshops.
Where to Get Your Bearings
The much-loved Dolly’s is a welcome spot to enjoy dinner and drinks on the patio with a view over the Hudson River all the way to West Point. For a small-town place, the menu is surprisingly sophisticated.
What Locals Recommend
Be sure to visit the Constitutional Marsh Audubon Center, where a boardwalk extends into this 270-acre tidal marsh in the Hudson River Estuary. Commonly spotted birds include the marsh wren, spotted sandpiper, and Virginia rail. There is no on-site parking, so plan to get dropped off.
Notable Information
Population: 4,400
Commute: 53-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 74-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: Besides a handful of sights around Garrison Landing, there’s nowhere to walk to in this bucolic community. Plan on taking a car.
Cold Spring
One of the smallest villages in the region, Cold Spring occupies less than a square mile of waterfront real estate. On the widest stretch of the Hudson River, the westerly views of Crow’s Nest and Storm King Mountain are truly breathtaking. Thanks to past residents who had the foresight to preserve the area’s industrial-era architecture, much of the village is on the National Register of Historic Places. Because the rocky terrain prevents new development, most homes in the area have been here for years.
A stone’s throw from the train station, Main Street has the quintessential village feel. Its Neo-Classical and Victorian-era storefronts are filled with quaint shops and eateries. For a view of the river, head downhill to Dockside Park, where half the town turns out for fireworks on the Fourth of July. For more of a workout, opt for the well-known hiking trails at Breakneck Ridge or Bull Hill.
Where to Get Your Bearings
Start your morning at Cold Spring Coffeehouse for a cup of joe and some house-made pastries. If you’re looking for something more filling, the other not-to-be-missed breakfast and lunch options include the Foundry Rose and Hudson Hil’s. Weekends generally require a wait.
What Locals Recommend
Cold Spring is steeped in history. The West Point Foundry Preserve, an outdoor museum, tells the story of an ironworks that played a key role in the Civil War by manufacturing much-needed ammunition for a type of cannon called the Parrott rifle. It’s a fascinating look into the region’s proud past.
Notable Information
Population: 1,986
Commute: 56-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 81-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: If village living is what you are looking for, you’ve found it in Cold Spring. The train lets you off right at Main Street, so you don’t even need a car to explore this charming village.
Beacon
Two decades ago, the opening of a massive contemporary art museum called Dia Beacon helped this formerly downtrodden community get its groove back. Beacon reinvented itself as an artistic community complete with innovative galleries, funky shops, and excellent eateries. The evolution continues today, with several development projects already underway. The focus on art remains in full effect with the monthly Second Saturdays celebration.
Many creative folks call Beacon home, including a lot of newcomers who decamped from New York City. The housing stock here is surprisingly diverse, from suburban-looking ranches to gingerbread-trimmed Victorians. There are also new apartment complexes, several of which offer below-market-rate rentals for artists.
To experience and explore Beacon, spend a weekend here. There are a handful of boutique hotels, but the Roundhouse Beacon was the first on the scene and remains among the best.
Where to Get Your Bearings
There are numerous cafes where you can get acquainted with Beacon, and one of my personal favorites is Beacon Pantry. It not only has excellent food, but also a gourmet market and occasional cooking classes.
What Locals Recommend
If you like outdoor activities, the waterfalls at Madam Brett Park are a popular in-town destination. There are numerous other spots within an easy drive. The closest is Mount Beacon Park. When you reach the summit, you have a 360-degree view of the area that stretches from the Hudson Highlands to the Catskill Mountains.
Notable Information
Population: 13,769
Commute: 59-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. 87-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: It’s a 15-minute walk uphill from the train station to Main Street. Although you can certainly live comfortably car-free here, you may want easier accessibility to the many nearby attractions, such as Storm King Art Center.
Wappingers Falls
Named for a series of cascades along Wappingers Creek, the village of Wappingers Falls found prosperity when the first textile mills were built here in the 18th century. Today, the town’s modest commercial strip changes from East Main to West Main as it crosses over its namesake creek. Because the nearest train station is several miles away in the community of New Hamburg, Wappingers Falls isn’t as attractive to those commuting to the city. That makes it much more affordable than nearby communities, with a handful of older homes along with ranches and other midcentury styles.
New Hamburg began as a port community on the river, and the New Hamburg Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in the U.S. If you are looking for a Greek or Gothic Revival, this sleepy little hamlet of about 450 people may be for you.
Where to Get Your Bearings
The dining room at Café Con Leche is simple, because chef/owners Phil and Melodie Cordero put all of their creativity into the food. Brunch is different here than anywhere else in the Hudson Valley. Because of their Puerto Rican heritage, your omelet may be stuffed with chorizo and hot honey.
What Locals Recommend
Wappingers Falls isn’t on the river, but you can catch a glimpse of it at 301-acre Bowdoin Park. There are plenty of hiking trails and tables where you can enjoy a picnic.
Notable Information
Population: 5,522
Commute: 70-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. To the New Hamburg Station, it’s a 100-minute train ride via Metro-North from Grand Central at peak.
Walkability: A car is your best bet here. There are very few places within walking distance of the train station in New Hamburg.
Poughkeepsie
If you want to see what all the fuss is about Poughkeepsie, just look up. The Walkway over the Hudson attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Since moving to the area, I’ve celebrated many special occasions with a stroll over this former railroad bridge spanning the Hudson River. It’s not just new residents and weekend trippers who love it. Developers have taken note and have started building. It’s an exciting time in Poughkeepsie.
Poughkeepsie is the end of the line, at least when you’re talking about Metro-North’s Hudson River Line. The “Queen City on the Hudson” has everything a major metropolitan area should have, including cultural centers (like the 1869 Bardavon Opera House), must-see museums (like Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum) and two universities (Marist and Vassar). There’s a wide variety of housing stock, including fanciful Victorians and ravishing rowhouses dating from the 19th century. And there are plenty of new residences on the waterfront
Where to Get Your Bearings
Perhaps my favorite food option is Lola’s Café, beside the stairwell to the Walkway over the Hudson. The menu keeps up with the times, offering classic dishes like chili and chowder alongside newer arrivals like the fried oyster mushroom po’boy. It’s elevated diner fare at its best.
What Locals Recommend
Below the Walkway over the Hudson is Waryas Park, a ribbon of green that extends along the waterfront. There are several great eateries right off the promenade.
Notable Information
Population: 31,577 in the city, 74,751 in the area
Commute: 74-mile drive north of Midtown Manhattan. At peak times, a little over 90-minutes by train via Metro-North from Grand Central.
Walkability: At a little more than 5 square miles, Poughkeepsie isn’t the most pedestrian-centric choice. It is certainly more spread out than other river towns, especially if you’re also exploring the area outside its borders.
