Flashback Friday: Hudson, New York

In honor of the past long weekend, I wanted my Flashback Friday post to feature one of my favorite local getaway destinations, the Hudson River Valley. The region stretches 150 miles along the Hudson River from Yonkers in Westchester north to Albany. There are so many wonderful places to visit along the river but this post will focus on the weekend Brian and I spent in the area around Hudson, New York which is about a 2 hour drive from the city. http://www.travelhudsonvalley.com/

View of the Hudson River from Olana

Settled by the Dutch in the mid-seventeenth century and named after the explorer, the city of Hudson flourished with the whaling industry. As you walk through the streets you’ll notice whales on the street signs as a tribute to the whalers that spurred a thriving manufacturing and shipping community. Although the 1960’s marked the beginning of a decline in the city leaving behind abandoned buildings, recently Hudson is making a comeback as an arts and food destination.

Sleep:

We were so lucky to find such a wonderful bed and breakfast. Windle, the owner of the Inn at Hudson, met us at 11pm to let us into the B&B because we were running late and even walked over to Fish and Game, the restaurant we were supposed to dine at, and changed our reservation for us. The owners were welcoming and they served a delicious breakfast both mornings with gluten free modifications. Even though check out was at noon they allowed us to stay in the room until our dinner reservations at 5pm on Sunday. http://www.theinnathudson.com/index.html

Eat:

Our first night in Hudson we walked from the Inn to Warren Street, the main shopping road and center of the city, to enjoy dinner at Swoon. The restaurant had a fun vibe and we enjoyed the cheese plate from local farms. Overall, the food was tasty and it was a great choice for our first night in town. http://www.swoonkitchenbar.com/

The interior of Fish and Game

We initially chose to visit Hudson because of the Tasting Table article that stated “Fish and Game…could do for the Hudson Valley what French Laundry did for Napa Valley”. How could we resist trying Zak Pelaccio prix fixe, set menu? While overall the food was very good, it certainly seems to have a long way to go to earn that reputation. The dishes highlighted locally sourced ingredients and were very inventive, but there was a lack of cohesion and some odd choices in plating detracted from a couple courses.The decor of the restaurant is inviting and warm, while the front of house staff was very nice and helpful in changing our reservation. The service is excellent as the restaurant staggers the seating so that all diners get personal attention, however the kitchen was unable to accommodate my gluten allergy beyond omitting any wheat products. If you’re in Hudson, definitely try to get a reservation or at least a drink at the bar and decide if it lives up to Tasting Table expectations. http://fishandgamehudson.com/

http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/nyc/14589/Zak_Pelaccios_Fish_Game_in_Hudson.htm

http://www.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2014/01/alan-richman-fish-game-hudson-new-york-review.html

Do:

FDR’s home

A trip to the Hudson Valley is not complete without a visit to President Franklin Roosevelt’s home, museum and library. This was my second time to Hyde Park and in the last few years they’ve renovated the museum. Be prepared to spend a lot of valuable time wandering through Roosevelt’s four terms in the museum and library. Your ticket also includes a free one hour ranger led tour through Roosevelt’s childhood home. If you have time, you can drive to Val-Kill, Eleanor’s cottage which is also the only National Historic Site dedicated to a first lady. http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/

We drove by the Vanderbilt Mansion but arrived too late to take a guided tour of this gigantic home. Next time, I’d love to see the inside of the home. http://www.nps.gov/vama/index.htm

Just a small Vanderbilt home

Another historic home for this trip, Olana!

Olana is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Hudson and it was the home of Frederic Church, prominent Hudson School painter. The guided tour was informative and the docent explained the very unusual historic home. We enjoyed learning about Church and the Moorish inspired home, as well as the breathtaking view of the river below the property. http://www.olana.org/

It’s been a long time since I’ve had vodka so it was a treat to drive to the town of Valatie and check out Harvest Spirits’ Distillery. They use apples to distill their vodka and we enjoyed a tasting. The guys were happy to explain the process and some of the new products they are working on for next season (including a whiskey). On the way to Valatie, we stopped at Kinderhook for a look at President Martin van Buren’s home, Lindenwald. Unfortunately, the home is only open from May-November so we could not take the tour inside the home. We enjoyed walking around the property and reading information about Van Buren’s presidency. http://www.harvestspirits.com/ and http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/van_buren_lindenwald.html

Lindenwald

The barrels at Harvest Spirits Distillery

 

 

 

 

 

Stay tuned for other posts about day trips we’ve taken to the Hudson Valley such as Storm King and West Point!

 

Flashback Friday: Cinciville Part 2

Part two of our trip from Louisville to Cincinnati started quite precariously. It should have been an easy 90 minute drive north on I-71. However we got caught in a flash snowstorm that mom drove through like a champ! After 2 and a half nail biting hours in the car we made it to the Queen City, Cincinnati. 

Accommodations: 21C Cincinnati http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati/, home of the yellow penguin, was fabulous. The location was central and the rooms were large. Remember this boutique chain is both a hotel and a museum and we enjoyed walking around the exhibits on display.

Look who we found in our room!

Favorite Sights…

William H. Taft Presidential Home: We thought it was well worth it to take the drive to the 27th President’s home. The park ranger gave us a thorough tour of the home and I learned so much about an often forgotten about president. He should not only be remembered for allegedly getting stuck in the White House bath tub. Taft was our only president to also serve as a Chief Justice on the Supreme Court! http://www.nps.gov/wiho/index.htm

Get on the raft with Taft!!

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: This is a huge and impressive museum nestled between the baseball and football stadiums on the waterfront and across from the Roebling Bridge which looks like the Brooklyn Bridge (because they were both built by Roebling!) The museum itself is filled with a lot of information so I would suggest taking a tour that way you get the most comprehensive understanding of the history both before and after the civil war. http://freedomcenter.org/

American Sign Museum: You must be thinking I’m crazy right about now to suggest a museum dedicated to signs but it was absolutely fabulous. We took a tour and I learned more about signs than I ever thought possible. It seems farther on the map than it actually was so jump in the car and head out to this very unique museum. Take the weekday tour if possible because you get to see how neon signs are still made at their onsite shop.  http://www.americansignmuseum.org/

 

 

 

 

 

Contemporary Arts Center: The Zaha Hadid designed museum has a clear vision of modern and postmodern art. We arrived and took the elevator up with a man who turned out to be an artist and the curator of a new exhibit. Michael Stillion gave us a sneak peek tour of “Shall I Tell you the Secret of the Whole World”. We felt like VIPs and the exhibition was very impressive. The rest of the museum was very contemporary (maybe a little too contemporary. There were moments when we both looked at the art, then each other and said “huh?”) The gift shop was great! http://contemporaryartscenter.org/

Dining…

Metropole: 21C’s in house restaurant was yummy and as always the best part was sitting with the yellow penguin. The wait staff was particularly attentive to my gluten intolerance and they went out of their way to modify dishes. http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/cincinnati/eatdrink/metropole/

Boca: It was highly recommended by locals and the design of the restaurant was stunning. We liked our food and I enjoyed the fact that you could get entrees in smaller sizes. http://bocacincinnati.com/

Taste of Belgium: Mom and I enjoyed walking around the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood for it’s shopping and food. Unfortunately I couldn’t taste a waffle but mom said it was delicious. http://www.authenticwaffle.com/

Jean-Roberts Table: This was our least favorite meal of the trip. We went for brunch but the food was bland and we were disappointed. Skip it. http://jrtable.com/

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!

Oh I forgot! In Louisville we also went to the Muhammad Ali Center (http://www.alicenter.org/) Give yourself a lot of time to look through everything. You even get a chance to take off your shoes and get in the ring and box!

 

 

Cinciville was a wonderful trip and, as always, we had a blast visiting cities that have so much to offer. If you have any questions about the trip, write to me in the comments section!!

Our 12th Mother/Daughter trip was an absolute success!

 

Flashback Friday: Cinciville

I have been very lucky to go on great trips with great people. I’d like to start a Flashback Friday series to tell you a little bit about these wonderful experiences and let you know what made them exciting (and what you can probably skip).

Here’s the 411 on my most recent trip with my most fabulous traveling buddy, my mama! We flew into Louisville, Kentucky, spent two nights in the city and then drove the two hours (well it should’ve been less but we went right through a snowstorm) to Cincinnati, Ohio for another two nights. Today I’ll just post on our first part of the trip, Louisville.

Accomodations: 21C Louisville (http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville/) This was our second 21C hotel stay and probably my least favorite. However, the boutique chain is amazing as it operates as a both a hotel and an art museum with changing exhibits. Each hotel features a different color penguin that is a site specific art installation. Louisville features the Red Penguin and if you eat at their in house restaurant (which we did, yum!), Proof on Main, you can ask for a penguin to sit with you!!!

21C Museum Hotel Louisville. Changing art exhibits by emerging and veteran artists.

Favorite Sights…

Churchill Downs: Go on the tour that includes an opportunity to meet a horse. Also takeyour time in the Kentucky Derby museum (tour is free with museum admission). It’s interactive and tons of fun! http://www.derbymuseum.org/

Outside Churchill Downs where California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby this year.

Louisville Slugger Museum: Great tour and museum. We also decided it would be fun to hit a few balls in the batting cage (I couldn’t resist using Derek Jeter’s model of bat) so don’t miss out on that hilarity. FYI, you get a free mini bat for taking the tour however you cannot take it in your carry on luggage. The museum will ship it home for you if you ask at the gift shop. http://www.sluggermuseum.com/

Outside the Louisville Slugger Museum. This bat is 120 feet tall and weighs 68,000 lbs.

Mama ready to hit some homers in the batting cage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready to take a sip of our bourbon at the Evan Williams Experience! Did you know that bourbon is often referred to as “America’s Native Spirit” ?

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience: You can’t go to Kentucky without enjoying some bourbon! We didn’t have time to drive along the bourbon trail, which weaves it’s way outside of Louisville towards Lexington. Instead we took a tour right in the middle of the city at the Evan Williams visitor center. The tour includes a history of bourbon distilling and a generous tasting. You may see me drinking bourbon a bit more these days because of it. http://www.evanwilliams.com/index.php

Dining…

Proof on Main: Delicious! My mom ordered a ginger ale and bourbon based on the waitress’ recommendation. Mom said it was not to be missed! http://www.proofonmain.com/

Wild Eggs: Yummy and cheap. Perfect brunch spot. Lots of gluten free options! http://www.wildeggs.com/

Decca: Pretty good. In a great neighborhood. Cool decor. http://deccarestaurant.com/

Hillbilly Tea: A lovely brunch spot. Amazing selection of hot and iced teas. http://www.hillbillytea.com/

Mayan Cafe: Interesting and inventive Mexican food. Filling lunch spot. http://themayancafe.com/

Overall, Louisville was a cute city with yummy food and just enough to do. I highly recommend! Stay tuned for part two of our mother daughter trip I like to call Cinciville!

Just a casual dinner at Proof on Main with a red penguin!