Home Range Winery, Canaan
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7 Cool CapNY Healthcare Career Tracks for Non-Clinical Professionals
Updated: July 2025
When you walk the halls of a healthcare facility — especially the hospital — you will notice all the letters after the doctors’ names.
However, I’m happy to report that there are MANY great, behind-the-scenes health care careers that are keeping patients and community happy and healthy all across the CapNY.
Many of us non-medical workers have had to Google a long clinical acronym or ask Siri to explain the medical condition discussed in today’s 9 AM meeting. In fact, I learned today that the health care industry is also referred to as the “medical industry.” This sector includes any business that facilitates getting healthcare to patients. Think: urgent care and pharmaceuticals to insurance companies and beyond.
Those of us without clinical backgrounds have very rewarding and successful careers in the healthcare industry. And, once you are in with an organization, the opportunities are endless.
Check out these seven exciting non-clinical career paths you might want to consider.
- 1. Vendor and Contract Management, Health Insurance Provider
Neil O’Brien-Bosselman, Director, Program Management, Ancillary Contracts at MVP Healthcare has a great perspective on the wide variety of opportunities and backgrounds in the healthcare industry.
“Operational teams in the Health Insurance space are made up mostly of non-healthcare professionals who have very diverse educational and work experience. For example, my team has backgrounds in business administration, finance, and data science. Their skills and previous work history provide them with a unique approach to solving operational issues. We think outside of the box and aren’t afraid to take risks.”
Neil wants young professionals to know there is always significant growth potential in the health insurance model. It is an ever-changing world – and MVP in particular, is always hiring for many different types of professionals.
- 2. Fundraising & Philanthropy
Almost all hospitals have a Foundation or Philanthropy legs of their organization. Many projects and new equipment are likely partially or entirely funded by grants and/or community donors. These professionals excel at relationship building and community involvement in order to secure these generous gifts.
“There is an incredible responsibility that comes with supporting the community,” says Victoria Hostig, Director, Community Relations & Executive Director, CDPHP The Foundation. “The real magic happens when you meet the people who are being helped by your gifts. We take great pride in working with more than 600 not-for-profit organizations each year.”
Her advice for someone interested in this type of role: lead with a passion for giving back to the community. This job is not about giving away money. It’s about making an impact on people.”
- 3. Operations and Safety
Taylor Mickle, Manager of Operations and Safety at Ellis Medicine, started as a part-time transporter when he was an undergrad. Now, he is managing large projects within the department of mental health. “There are always new challenges that come up, and my days never feel stagnant. I often get to wear many hats, working on finance or project management to patient, staff, and environmental safety. There are so many different things in a day — I do not just sit at a desk. I am always learning something new, which allows me to grow professionally”.
His advice for anyone interested in heading down a career in healthcare…get involved in any way that you can. Try an internship or an entry-level position. Healthcare is no different than any other field; there is always a place for hardworking, dedicated professionals. When he first started, one thing that surprised him was him not having a lot of healthcare experience or a clinical background was not unique. It was actually very common!
- 4. Dining & Nutritional/Culinary Services
The thought and creativity put into food offerings in healthcare cafeterias is really impressive. Depending on the hospital, there are thousands of employees alone that eat their meals here, plus hundreds of patients who must eat well to aid in their healing. And, family members and visitors need good food while putting in bedside shifts.
“I get up every day ready to come to work. I was biology major, and, thanks to this job, I’ve discovered a real love for food service. It’s a fast-paced environment and very rewarding,” says Steven Stannard of Albany Medical Center. “Every day is different and I love the family environment. We work as a team.” “There are good benefits and the people are great,” says fellow AMC employee, Rukundo Nsanzurwanda
Food service employees also appreciate the stability and comraderie of healthcare. Chef Carol Gaggi of Ellis Hospital says, “I worked in restaurants first but they did not have any perks, like set schedules, benefits, vacations, etc. I really like the stable hours, the ability to do different jobs and of course, the people.”
- 5. Marketing & Communications
I may be partial, but I think the marketing teams have the best jobs in healthcare. If you get jazzed about being involved with just about everything, have endless curiosity, and thrive in a diverse environment – then dive headfirst into marketing and communications in the healthcare space.
In my first year at Ellis, I was part of four major advertising campaigns that included eye-opening focus groups, an autopsy (yes, you read that right, I asked to see an autopsy), large scale public relations efforts, and over 20 sponsorships and community events. And remember, I have absolutely zero clinical experience or background. I have often left a meeting with a list of ‘things to Google’ so that I could quickly sound somewhat knowledgeable on what a pulmonary embolism is or what acute care entails. But all of these moments and experiences are what continue to make my job so exciting.
- 6. Project Management and Business Development
Cailin Burke, Sr. Project Management Specialist at St. Peter’s Health Partners started her healthcare career in the Volunteer Dept. and quickly took on more and more responsibility. Now she helps lead different key business initiatives at St. Peters Medical Associates in partnership with a variety of different service lines and medical practices. “Healthcare is an incredibly rewarding industry to work in and is unlike any other industry I’ve experienced. It’s fast paced, ever-changing and demanding. The best qualities to embrace as a healthcare employee is patience and resilience.” Like many of us in healthcare the reward is always greater than any challenges. Even ‘behind the scenes’ work like project management makes a significant impact on the care patients receive and their experience.
- 7. Organizational Development and Human Resources
An enthusiastic Gen Z in the infancy of her career, Naresha Murray, Organization Development and Training Coordinator at Ellis, is involved in duties way outside of the realm of HR. In her “official” role, she manages the Employee Orientation program, which exposes her to all areas of the organization. As one of the first faces our newest employees see when coming on board, she welcomes and guides them through their first days as part of the Ellis family.
Naresha is also part of the Code Gray Response Team. I was surprised to hear that anyone would choose to be involved in this crisis diversion group. As part of the response team, when a Code Gray (violence in the workplace – primarily in the ED or on our Mental Health Units) is called, she, along with a team of other employees, work to diffuse the situation. It’s a high adrenaline change of pace for her from her usual to-do list. “The balance of having both keeps me challenged, motivated, and continuously growing. I love that I have the opportunity to be a part of something that I had once assumed was only appropriate for those with a clinical background”.
These are only seven non-clinical career paths one can take within the healthcare industry, there are so many more and at different levels of an organization. Just remember to have an open mind, absorb all that you can, be flexible, ask questions, and know that wherever you are and whatever you are doing in this industry, you are making a difference in the lives of patients and your community. Oh, and, whether it be a hospital or an insurance company, they are ALWAYS hiring!
- Written by: Leah Lapointe
The Covered Bridges of Washington County
Updated: July 2025
Want a picturesque drive to some of the most charming and photo-friendly spots of CapNY?
Roll down your windows and head out to Washington County, where five covered bridges await you.
Please note that there can be spotty cell phone reception in some of these areas, so download or print maps and directions before you go. Click here for directions on how to do so on Google Maps.
Directions: Go 2 miles south of Salem on NY 22, then left onto Rexleigh Rd. for 1.5 miles to the bridge. GPS: N43° 08.045? W073° 21.369
The southernmost of the covered bridges of Washington County, historic Buskirk Covered Bridge is uniquely located over the Hoosick River between both Washington County and Rensselaer County. Featuring a Howe Truss design, the covered bridge is 152 feet in length and open for vehicular traffic. Built in 1857, this bridge is one of the earliest Howe Truss bridges still standing in New York State.
Directions: The bridge is in Shushan at the intersection of CR 61 and CR 64A. GPS: N43° 05.476? W073° 20.681
Shushan is a hamlet located on the Battenkill River between Salem to the north and the Eldridge Swamp State Forest to the south. Although the community is small, it actually contains two historic covered bridges, located just 2.3 miles away from each other.
The Shushan Covered Bridge is right in the heart of Shushan, and while it isn’t open to vehicular traffic, the Shushan Covered Bridge Association, Inc has converted it into a museum. This 161-foot long bridge features a Town Lattice Truss structure, and it was built by the Stevens Bros. in 1858.
Directions: Located 5.6 miles north-east of Jct. of Rt. 22 on Rt. 313. Then turn left onto Eagleville Rd. to the bridge. GPS: N43° 04.986? W073° 18.775?
The Eagleville Covered Bridge is located 2.3 miles east of the Shushan Covered Bridge. To reach the bridge, follow County Road 61 from Shushan to Eagleville Road. The 101-foot long Eagleville Covered Bridge was built in 1858 by Ephraim W. Clapp, and it is open to vehicular traffic.
Directions: Go 2 miles south of Salem on NY 22, then left onto Rexleigh Rd. for 1.5 miles to the bridge. GPS: N43° 08.045? W073° 21.369?
The Rexleigh Covered Bridge spans the Battenkill River in Salem. Visitors can drive over this covered bridge by following Rexleigh Road, and if you’d like a photo, you can park by the side near the picnic tables.
Built by Reubin Comins and George Wadsworth in 1857, this historic covered bridge features a Howe Truss design and is 107 feet in length. It was prefabricated in Troy, transported to Salem, and then pieced together at the current site. The bridge has been repainted and repaired multiple times over the years, and it is now owned and managed by Washington County. An easy way to reach the bridge is by driving through Salem along NY-22 from the north.
Directions: This bridge is on the grounds of the Slate Valley Museum; click here for directions.
Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Adirondacks, Granville is a small town that has been nicknamed the Colored Slate Capital of the World thanks to its unique red slate quarries. The major role that the slate industry played in the community’s development is celebrated at the Slate Valley Museum. This is where you’ll find the Slate Covered Bridge.
The Slate Covered Bridge is a long pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Mettawee River and connects the museum to Rathbun Avenue. The bridge’s roof is made of slate while the rest of it is a prefabricated steel superstructure. This 120-foot long covered bridge built in 2000 is a local landmark that allows visitors to look up and down the waterway.
Thank you to New York State Covered Bridge Society for your wonderful information. Visit their site to find covered bridges all across New York.
CapNY Essentials: A Guide to Black-Owned Businesses and Black-Led Organizations
Support 250+ Capital Region Black-owned business and black-led organizations by shopping, hiring, posting, contributing funds, volunteering, and learning more about what they do.
Click on the map, below, and you’ll find restaurants, moving companies, marketing and creative firms, artists, transportation services, and much more. This list is far from complete, and you can help develop it! Use this form to add businesses.
Downloadable Map
NOTES: Click on the square in the upper right to open a larger version of the map.
When you’re in the larger map, you can see a list of all of the businesses by clicking on the text that says “…X more” (to the left of the map graphic). Business names will appear, and you can click to get its information and location.
Printable Lists
To read more stories about BIPOC-owned businesses, organizations, and leaders across the region, click here.
Shout out to Shanekia McIntosh of ItheAbstract, Ashleigh Kinsey of AKDesign, and Ada Harper of 5!8BLK for their help creating this list. Photo credit: Soul Fire Farm
8 Hot Digital Gaming Companies Flourishing in CapNY
If you thought that cutting-edge game development only exists in large metros such as Seattle or LA, think again!
CapNY has more than two dozen game development companies in Albany, Troy and Saratoga Springs, with new companies springing up in other cities, too.
- A Thriving Industry
Digital gaming companies in the Capital Region are thriving. Fantastic programs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and other area colleges are producing gaming grads and entrepreneurs every year. Over 450 people worked in the region’s digital gaming cluster in 2020. The numbers are growing each year. Here’s a glimpse at 8 of these super-hot digital gaming companies.
Velan Ventures was founded in 2016 by Guha and Karthik Bala. (They were also the founders of Vicarious Visions, back in 1991.) They’re firm believers in the power and importance of the Capital Region’s gaming industry boom. The brothers purposefully built their headquarters in downtown Troy. They wanted their employees to be in walking distance to everything the city has to offer. Velan’s first game, published by Nintendo for Nintendo Switch, was the mixed-reality Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. They are in the process of launching a new title that will be published by EA. The new project brings fresh, innovative technology coupled with competitive, online game play.
WB Games NY is a division of entertainment powerhouse Warner Bros. They are located right around the block from Velan Ventures in Troy. The WBNY studio provides engineering / middleware expertise to support online game play for popular WB titles including Mortal Kombat 2, Injustice 2, and Shadow of War.
This woman-owned studio founded in 2005 specializes in educational games. They are located a block away from WB Games NY in downtown Troy. 1st Playable Owner, Toni Saulnier, is an RPI alumni. Saulnier actively supports and hosts community initiatives such as Teen Game Workshop. 1st Playable’s notable titles include Club Penguin, Cards against Calamity, Cooking Mama and Disney’s Frozen: Olaf’s Quest.
Founded by Brian Corrigan in 2012, the studio is located in Saratoga Springs. They exclusively support “PlayerUnknown’s Battleground” for PUBG. PUBG is among the most popular games in the world. They specialize in game feature design, UI/UX design, Unreal Engine development, and web service development. A true example of the ecosystem’s organic growth, Corrigan got his start at WB Games NY (formerly Agora ).
WolfJaw Studios, founded in 2018, is a block away from Network Next (see below) in downtown Troy. They provide online game services, player engagement and companion services for AAA game publishers. (AAA is a term used for games with the highest development budgets and levels of promotion.) Among their clients are Electronic Arts (EA), Epic, and Santa Monica Studios. Founder Mitch Patterson is an entrepreneur-at-heart. He even had a stint helping start-up companies as the former director of the Tech Garden in Syracuse, NY.
This Schenectady-based custom software firm has a burgeoning game development division. They build back end distributed services, integrations with web- and console-based AAA game clients, and disaster solutions, suspicious activity monitoring and other solutions. Jahnel Group is headquartered in the new Mill Artisan District. They are avid supporters of providing pathways into software development careers. Their Forward Motion Development program provides skills training to individuals with an aptitude for the industry.
One of downtown Troy’s newest digital gaming firms is Network Next. They offer a “neutral marketplace” to developers whose games are carried by networks that competitively bid for them. This frees developers from being bound to a single vendor. Company owner Glen Fiedler moved the company from California to Troy, NY, after seeing the rapidly growing potential that the Capital Region’s digital gaming companies cluster offers.
David Reali LYF Supply: CapNY Entrepreneur
David Reali is a 34-year-old, Schenectady born creator who now lives and loves Troy, NY. He is the creator of LYF SUPPLY and UPLYFTED, clothing brand and his passion project.
LYF SUPPLY is a brand that has evolved from a hat and embroidery brand to a lifestyle choice, representing Reali’s guiding principle: garments that reinforce the idea of self love.
David Reali of LYF SUPPLY shares his experiences as an entrepreneur. Reflecting on working from home, and the impact of COVID-19 on work and his vision for a makers Troy Night IN.
- Tell us more about LYF SUPPLY
Even if the items themselves don’t refer exactly to self love, hopefully those who are familiar with my story know that this brand operates and lives on the confidence I have in myself and my ideas and my passion for creating opportunity and expressing yourself via art in some form.
I recently began a brand extension called UPLFYTED, thrifted items, upcycled into 1-of-1 pieces. They include LYF SUPPLY signature embroidery in addition to some really cool transformations. I also provide embroidery for many of the local businesses in Troy that sell their own DOPE A** MERCH. So check them out (Superior Merchandise, Little Pecks, Joan Kelsey Silver Lining, YESFOLK TONICS, POOR DEVIL PEPPER CO., etc).
I am also currently working on music. I won’t go too in depth on that yet, but I will have some really great tunes lined up for everyone’s enjoyment.
- What does your workplace look like, and is it working for you?
I currently work in my home in a very, very small room. I have two machines now. For my larger orders, I take my equipment to Electric City Barn in Schenectady. It has a lot of room and I get to socialize with other creatives and the staff there. That’s what I miss when I’m working from home constantly. Working from my home gets to be a bit stressful because my workspace only has room for one embroidery machine. I plan to invest in a commercial embroidery machine that will require a lot more space than I have.
Electric City Barn has a space for screen printing and I am currently learning that skill. Long story short, my space is working but I really need to be in a bigger space that accommodates everything. I am blessed though because I could still be working in an office, which I dread. So shout out to the universe for putting me in position.
- How are you coping with the reality of the pandemic?
Reality hasn’t set in yet. The lack of socializing has made it very difficult to focus on work and creativity. It reminds me of being a kid again though. I was the only boy in my family and also the youngest. A lot of my time was spent creating stuff and ideas, typically with my wrestling toys, etc.
Back in the 90s, the best part about things not being as advanced as they are now was our need to create our reality within our limited amount of space. And we had time available due to curfews, bedtime, etc. So in a way, I’ve been going back into my mind finding that kid that would re-enact the battle of Fort Wagner from the movie “Glory” in his living room. Or plan out an entire Pay-Per-View wrestling event with all of my wrestling toys. That always gave me something to look forward to when I got home from school. I would be in school thinking about my makeshift wrestling event literally all day (lol).
With these circumstances, I try to allow myself to be that kid again, but with access to the internet, an embroidery machine and a sense of self awareness that may not have existed then. Also, lots of Facetiming with Fam and my girlfriend!!
- Have you started adapting and/or innovating your business model to operate under these conditions? Please explain.
That is still something I am working on. Luckily my operation has been via my online store so sales haven’t been really interrupted. But I am aware that after all of this madness is over that LIFE will be different so LYF must become an evolved version of itself.
I have proposed the idea of TROY NIGHT IN which is a take on Troy Night Out but in this instance, creating a one stop shop for people to have access to every creative person, small business, etc. in the form of a live feed which gives a direct to consumer, pop up-like event using social media. The plan is to do pop-ups once a month, independent and collaboratively, and free from any groups or affiliations that we would have to get permission to do so but the Coronavirus happened.
Having a place online where people can get direct contact and access to the creator and their services and goods would be very convenient and user friendly for the consumer and help continue to build the creative economy here in Troy despite the circumstances. I am open to suggestions as to how to make that work effectively.
- How have you seen the local creative community band together to support one another during this time? Do you feel like there are additional resources/tools/strategies that you need to succeed under this circumstance?
Honestly, it is amazing at how fast everyone came together to support one another during this time. It has been great seeing people and other businesses really show support for one another by posting each others stuff. I hope that all of this love and generosity continues when this is all over because this showed us how resilient we can be and also how much we actually do love and need each other. As far as support, I have seen a lot of different business grant opportunities by way of Facebook and other mediums.
Understanding your consumer is always important. A lot of my customers may have lost their jobs or have their income cut, so I have created discounts on products and reduced the cost of embroidery services for regular clients because I know it’s hard and I rely on them for my well being. I also had to take some time and rid myself of shame of selling items despite the fact that we are in quite difficult times. I’ve still gotta make a living and while doing so, I help when and where I can.
We are only week two into this and I haven’t suffered enough yet to offer anything outside of what I have already done pre-Coronavirus, but I would say to reach out to others, get help when needed. Allow yourself to evolve, even if it means letting go of something/someone/somewhere to make room for what you need.
- Are you thinking about ways that you’ll change the way you do business in the future?
Absolutely. With all of this social distancing, it makes me really miss the ability to be around people. I get inspired by people randomly. Whether it’s a beautiful face, or song by a local artist I accidentally stumbled into while getting a drink or my current friends, I miss being inspired by people so I want to use that inspiration and include people in the communication aspect of LYF SUPPLY. I want to tell the story better and more clearly, from a multi perspective instead of just my own because as I said, I am inspired by people and LOVE.
- Do you see any long term changes to the way people work coming out of this situation?
HELL YEAH! Honestly, that’s all I have been thinking of. Especially the workers who are deemed ”essential.” I really hope they are getting paid what they are worth now and moving forward. Hopefully during this period, people can find a passion or something that they can freelance at and create opportunity for themselves.
2020 has been dookie so far but I do hope that people who have the spirit for entrepreneurship take a chance. No, take several chances, to see the world from a different perspective and become something more than what they may have settled for.
Sitting in an office for eight hours a day for five days a week is becoming obsolete. This time is proof of that, because if it weren’t the case then work that needed to be done in an office setting would be on complete pause right now. Work is not on pause because it doesn’t have to be. For those with office jobs who are working from home, take time to reflect and think about who you are and what you want for yourself. There is so much opportunity available but there is so much more opportunity that has yet to be created and discovered. Now’s the time to explore.
- Can you share a final note of positivity with our readers?
Bet on yourself. Invest in yourself. Love yourself. Hold yourself and others around you accountable. Always be curious. Go after more than what is just available to you because there is a great chance that there is always more than what others are offering. No one is going to do it for you so you have to do it.
For those who are transitioning from a job to their own thing, the hours you’re putting into what you’re working to get away from should eventually cease and not exceed the hours you put into what you’re working towards. ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVE IT!!
West Indies Natural Food and Grocery: CapNY Black-Owned Business
Paulette Clarke has run West Indies Natural Food and Grocery in Hudson, NY for 19 years. Their takeaway menu features homemade beef and chicken patties, oxtail stew, seriously amazing chicken curry, rice and peas, and many other dishes from Paulette’s country of origin, Jamaica.
- West Indies Natural Food and Grocery
At West Indies Natural Food and Grocery there is great takeaway plus a wide selection of West Indies spices, sauces and specialty food products, and kombucha and drinks in the cooler.
Paulette Clarke came to the United States when she was 18, and raised five sons in Hudson. There used to be a broad mix of residents in Hudson, she said. Lately, though, “New Yorkers bought up the real estate. My customers have moved out to Albany, and Kingston and other places.”
- An Influx of Visitors
Warren Street is lined with galleries, restaurants, antique stores, and luxury boutiques. It has the distinct advantage of being within walking distance to the Amtrak train station, which makes it a popular destination for New York City residents.
However, this influx of visitors has not been a boon to the West Indies Natural Foods and Grocery. New Yorkers, Paulette said, “don’t come into my store. I want to say, ‘I don’t bite.’ I wish that people would just come in and look around. They don’t even have to buy anything. If someone comes in, it makes the store owner feel good. Don’t just walk by. Don’t ignore my store.”
Paulette is discouraged by the lack of attention her business has gotten from newspapers. She said, they “take pictures of every white business around me. They skip right over me.” Her friend Winston Dunn agreed, saying, “It’s not been easy. Not easy.”
- Connect with West Indies Natural Food and Grocery
CapNY Transplants: Chrissy and Ben Traore, See and Be
Chrissy and Ben Traore met while working in a New York City restaurant. Soon, they were commuting upstate on weekends for a cooking gig. To their great surprise, they began dreading going back to Brooklyn during the week.
“We’ve always worked 70 to 100 hours a week,” Chrissy said. “And the city and the expenses just added stress to all of that.” Something had to give. So, by 2017, they settled in Cairo, a small, rural town in Greene County, about ten miles outside of Catskill.
- The Compound
Together, Chrissy and Ben Traore founded See and Be Kitchen and Cafe. Their funky, functional, multi-building “compound” met all of their dreams. There’s a prep kitchen inside of a storage container (they insulated it themselves) and outdoor wood-fired oven for baking bread. Plus, there’s a chicken house and pen, and café / retail shop. Additionally, outdoor seating plans are in the works, in the shaded, rustic grounds
- See and Be’s Breads and Business Plan
Ben began baking bread in Burkina Faso, a West African country near Ivory Coast and Ghana. He uses a sourdough base for all of his products, including gorgeous croissants, pastries, and a full line of breads. The starter is fermented for 48 hours, making a refined and gorgeous loaf that even gluten-sensitive customers can digest (yep, this writer can vouch for that — and it’s fantastic).
The baking life isn’t easy. Ben goes to bed by 6 or 7pm, in order to tend to the wood-burning oven by 2am every day. Chrissy has pivoted their baking and food businesses from farmers markets to wholesale distribution, and now to online ordering and curbside pickups during COVID. Oh, and did we mention that Chrissy and Ben Traore also have an 18-month-old son in the mix now? These bakers are BUSY!
Chrissy utilizes Ben’s breads in all of her food creations, including a weekend sandwich selection. You can place online orders here, and pick them up at See and Be from Wednesdays through Saturdays.
“We’ve always taken things one step at a time,” said Chrissy. “We have room to grow here, and space to breathe. I want to let people know that they should not be afraid to try something new. We’re building something that is ours.”
100+ Breweries Distilleries Wineries and Cideries in CapNY
CapNY has a dazzling array of craft beverage venues and makers that, IMNSHO, rival anywhere in the U.S. To help you explore, we’ve created a downloadable Google Map below. So grab your friends and take a tasty trip to a new, nearby locale. Choose your vibe. Urban warehouse. Creekside patio. Rural vineyard tasting room.
The Map
There are 110 in all, with something in nearly every CapNY city, town and county.
CapNY Road Trip: A Hudson River Drive In Greene County
Itching to get out of the house, my kids, boyfriend and I piled into the car and ended up on a COVID-friendly afternoon of hiking and driving along the Hudson River on Route 385 in Greene County, from Coxsackie to Catskill.
Heading out for a Hudson River drive In Greene County we suggest packing a lunch and a blanket, or grab some curbside-delivered food. We didn’t get out of the car except to hike, and never came closer than a hundred yards of another human.
A Hudson River Drive In Greene County
What It Is: A picturesque 12-mile drive along Route 385, from Coxsackie to Catskill
What You’ll See: River Views, Riverfront Parks and Hikes, Forest Walks, and Three Quaint Historic Towns
Directions: Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 21B Coxsackie / Ravena. Follow US-9W S/Rte 9W S, then bear left onto Route 385 South / Mansion Street, to another left onto Reed St. Historic District (you’ll see a sign) in Coxsackie. If you miss the sign, just put “Reed Street Coxsackie” or “Reed + Mansion Store, Coxsackie” into your GPS to get you there.
Things to See and Do in Coxsackie:
Coxsackie’s Reed Street Historic District – make a slight left on Route 385 to stay on Mansion Street, and follow onto Reed Street, to see a lovely collection of Italianate buildings, as well as a great view of the Hudson River.
Coxsackie Riverfront Park, South River St. and Betke Blvd., Coxsackie. Boat launch, green space for picnics (with plenty of room for social distancing), beautiful view of the Hudson.
Four Mile Point Preserve, 169 Four-Mile Point Rd, Coxsackie. Kid-friendly walk, with longer trail options and river views. Click here for trails map.
Coxsackie Take Out / Curbside Delivery:
The Cask and Rasher, 245 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, NY 12051, 518-731-PINT (7468)
Coxsackie General Store, 45 Reed Street, Coxsackie, (518) 731-7200
Things to See and Do in Athens:
Athens Historic District — turn off of Route 385 onto Second Street when you enter the town of Athens, and drive through the side streets to see gorgeous, historic homes and storefronts.
Athens Riverfront Park, 4 North Water Street, Athens — Take Second Street to the river, and you’ll find a park with plenty of room for strolling, picnics.
Hudson Athens Lighthouse – You can see this gorgeous little lighthouse from Athens Riverfront Park.
The Willows at Brandow Point, 480 Rt. 385, Athens — Hike through wildflower fields and then down through forested land until you reach the river.
Cohotate Preserve Trail, 450 Route 385, Athens — An easy, one-mile walk in the woods, with access to Hudson River.
Athens Take-Out / Curbside Delivery:
Black Horse Farms, 10094 Route 9W, Athens, 518-943-9324. Fresh produce available; click for list.
Things to See and Do in Catskill:
Downtown Catskill, Main Street, is a quintessential Hudson River town, home to the founder of the Hudson River School of painting Thomas Cole, and legendary home of Rip Van Winkle.
Dutchman’s Landing Park, Lower Main Street, has boat launches, plenty of room for safe picnicking, and beautiful views of the Hudson River.
Beattie Powers Place, Prospect Ave. & Bridge St., Catskill, NY 12414. An 1837 Greek Revival mansion, with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Olana.
RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary, 84 Dubois Road, Catskill. 2 miles of trails follow an old farm road past a 28-foot observation tower, then narrow as they meander through forests and skirt RamsHorn Marsh.
Catskill Take Out / Curbside Delivery:
Avalon Lounge, 29 Church Street, Catskill, NY 12414, 518-719-1640. Great Korean food — try the Kimbap (Korean sushi rolls) and the Bulgogi. Actually, it’s ALL good! Cocktails to go, too.
La Conca D’Oro, 440 Main Street, Catskill, 12414, (518) 943-3549. Best red-sauce Italian north of New Jersey (I don’t say that lightly!). My favorite is the zuppa de pesce. It’s delicious, and the servings are huge — you’ll eat for a week.
Wasana Thai, 336 Main Street, Catskill, 12414, (518) 943-9134. Delicious, made-to-order Thai for over 20 years.
