How to Spend 48 Hours in CapNY

CapNY offers the perfect blend of small city charm and rustic nature. The region is a vast area that ranges from the foothills of the Catskills to the foothills of the Adirondacks, and in between those 90 miles are cities, towns, countrysides, forests, mountains and lakes, all with their own unique flares.

Photo: Samascotts Garden Market, learn more below!

Your Summer Rompin’ HQ

The area provides a wide variety of things to do, eat, and drink, and is located just three hours away from New York City. Definitely don’t overlook the Capital Region when planning your next weekend romp this summer. And if you do plan on visiting, here is a 48-hour itinerary to help map out your trip. 

Day 1

Late Afternoon: Arrive in Hudson, NY

If you’re coming from downstate, Hudson is the perfect first stop on your CapNY trip. Hudson sits on, given its name, the Hudson River, and is a quaint small city with an artsy vibe. If you’re a fan of antiquing and interior design, you could spend a whole weekend just here, going up and down Hudson’s main street, Warren Street, to all the shops and boutiques. 

Shop at The Antique Warehouse
When you see the HUGE warehouse that kind of looks like it’s abandoned – DON’T RUN AWAY! This is what’s inside. The Antique Warehouse

Not on Warren street, but definitely a must-see, is The Antique Warehouse, a literal warehouse, filled with furniture, decor, art, and architectural pieces like windows and pillars. Do a little shopping before checking into your hotel.

Check into your hotel!

If you’re in Hudson, you gotta keep with the interior design trend, and stay at The Maker, a beautifully designed boutique hotel, clad in leather, velvet and fringe, making for a luxurious and stylish stay. You won’t have to stray far for dinner, as The Maker has an incredible restaurant right at the hotel. Their restaurant sits in a glass conservatory, and focuses on seasonal plates with a local emphasis. They also have a separate menu in their candle-lit lounge, which serves more casual fare, as well as craft cocktails, wine and local beer. 

The Maker Hotel

Day 2

Morning: Stop at Bartlett House for breakfast

Once you’ve left Hudson, drive 20 minutes to Ghent, NY, and make sure to stop at the Bartlett House for breakfast. The Maker’s in-house cafe serves Bartlett House’s pastries, but why not go right to the source. Grab a coffee, one of their breakfast sandwiches made on a freshly baked English muffin, and a croissant, because why not? You’re on vacation. 

Check out Art Omi
After breakfast, take a 6 minute drive to Art Omi, a 120-acre outdoor sculpture and architecture park and gallery, where you can enjoy beautiful art pieces while also taking in some fresh air and upstate NY nature. You could easily spend half a day exploring the park, but you can also make it a shorter 2 hour stop, where you stick to one area. Art Omi is completely free, which is always a plus, but donations are encouraged. And make sure to wear your walking shoes, as it’s a nature walk as much as it is an art gallery.
Afternoon: Stop for a snack in Valatie, NY
The feline manager

After checking out Art Omi, head up North towards Troy, NY. If you’re hankering for a snack after all that walking, you can make a pitstop in the town of Valatie on the way. Stop at Golden Harvest Farms for one of their famous apple cider doughnuts, rated the best in the Capital Region, which they have year-round. Or go to Samascotts Garden Market, which has delicious homemade ice cream, and also happens to be a plant nursery. Lap up some ice cream in their greenhouse while you peruse their great indoor plant selection. And make sure to greet their very helpful feline manager.

Arrive in Troy, NY for lunch

Troy is a newly revitalized city that also sits along the Hudson River, just north of Albany. You could say Troy has a bit of a Brooklyn vibe, but it truly does have its own unique personality. Depending on what time you arrive, you might be able to hit Troy’s popular farmers market, right in the heart of its downtown, which runs from 9 am to 2 pm every Saturday. The farmers market not only has fresh fruit and vegetables, but also a ton of food vendors serving up all kinds of cuisines. If you miss it, no fret, as there’s plenty of restaurants in the cute downtown. 

Grab a coffee and walk around Washington Park
Do it for the gram at Superior Merchandise Company

If you need a pick-me-up afternoon coffee, make sure to stop at Superior Merchandise Company. I recommend their iced latte with oat milk, it’s my favorite in the Capital Region. And while you’re waiting for your coffee order, you can shop the store’s perfectly curated, vibesy assortment of candles, glassware, clothes, and stationery. Enjoy your coffee on their back patio or walk a few minutes to the historic Washington Park. The park is gated, as it is one of the few private parks in New York State, however, the cobblestone streets and houses around the park are stunning. So much so, the HBO show Gilded Age filmed there. 

Get lunch at Nighthawks

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants in downtown Troy. If it’s before 3 pm, you can’t beat Brunch at Nighthawks, a farm to table restaurant with an often changing menu depending on what’s in season, although their popular burgers are always available to order, veggie ones as well. And they always have at least one vegan option on their Brunch menu. Other options for lunch include the al pastor tacos from La Capital Tacos and the beef bulgogi from Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen

Pick up a bottle of natural wine
Twenty-Two 2nd Wine Co.

If you’re a fan of natural wine, make sure to stop at Twenty-Two 2nd Wine Co. The boutique wine store offers a great selection of unique, small-production, naturally-made wines from around the world. I especially love their selection of orange/skin-contact wines. 

Early Evening: Drive up to Saratoga Springs

Once you’ve had your fill of Troy, take the 30 minute drive North to Saratoga Springs. It is still a beautiful little city, featuring a walkable downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants, idyllic parks, and is in close proximity to lakes and hiking trails. Check into your hotel, like the newly renovated The Adelphi Hotel, which sits right on Broadway, in the heart of downtown Saratoga. Freshen up and get ready for a night on the town. 

Grab dinner at Hamlet and Ghost

Walk over to Hamlet and Ghost, a popular haunt in Saratoga Springs, that serves craft cocktails and modern American fare. Be sure to make a reservation, as it is very busy most nights, and for good reason. I’m partial to their oysters, and grass-fed burger with duck confit fries, but their vegetable small plates are also incredible, like their broccolini with cured egg yolk, mint, and tonnato sauce.

Night: Go to 9 Maple Ave for an after-dinner cocktail

After dinner, walk across the street to 9 Maple Ave, an intimate moody 1880’s area bar with a wide selection of liquor. Order their Espresso Martini, it’s amazing, while you listen to live jazz.

After 9 Maple Ave, you could go next door to the nightclub, The Nite Owl, for some dancing, or go bar hopping down Caroline Street, which is right around the corner, and lined with bars, many featuring outdoor patios or rooftops, so you can enjoy the warm summer nights. 

Day 3

Morning: Morning: Grab coffee and a quick breakfast

Wake up early, and nurse that hangover with a quick coffee and breakfast from the nearby Saratoga Coffee Traders or Uncommon Grounds. Saratoga Coffee Traders have great, quick, made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, and Uncommon Grounds is often voted as the best bagels in the Capital Region. 

Pack a lunch for later from Putnam Market

Stop by the Putnam Market to get all the makings for a picnic lunch, I recommend ordering a sandwich on their baguettes, you won’t be disappointed. They also have a great selection of cheeses if you want to pack the makings of a charcuterie board. Check out of your hotel, grab some sunscreen, and head out for a day on Saratoga Lake. 

Go boating on Saratoga Lake

About a 10 minute drive from downtown Saratoga is Saratoga Lake. The idyllic lake is a popular spot in the summer months for boating, hanging out on the beach, or eating at one of the many restaurants that line its coast. Charter a pontoon boat for a half day (9 am to 2 pm) at Vivi E Basta Rentals, or rent kayaks, also at Vivi’s or at The Kayak Shak, which is located just upstream on a creek that feeds right into the lake. Enjoy a day in the sun and water, and if you still have some time before traveling back home, snag an Adirondack chair at Dock Brown’s Beach Bar for a cold drink to end the day.

Victoria Diana is a writer, director, and stand-up comedian born and based in Schenectady, NY.

CapNY Eats: 5 Droolworthy Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants

Updated: July 2025

The plant-based food industry has boomed in recent years with myco-protein chik’n and beet burgers that bleed, branded with names like Beyond and Impossible suggesting we’re scaling new heights.

The pandemic only sharpened growth with renewed interest in health conscious eating, efforts to reduce animal consumption (hello, meatless Mondays), and awareness of strained farm-to-table supply chains coupled with new direct-to-consumer options. Suddenly, plant-based options surged on mainstream restaurants’ simplified, post-pandemic menus and customers continue to feed the demand for meatless options when dining out.

Downstate, we’ve seen a Michelin star and James Beard award nominations for a vegan restaurant, chef and veg-driven hospitality group. Upstate, CapNY is enjoying its own share of the action with more growth in the vegan/vegetarian dining scene in two years than the last ten. And they aren’t they aren’t doing it lightly. From the growing vegan list, we’ve picked five eateries putting flavor, fermentation and local farms at the forefront of their plant-based creations.

This article is presented through a content collaboration with ACE and CapNY. Visit them on Instagram at @upstatecreative!

Bar Vegan

From Lark St. Poke to the Loft 205, sibling owners Will and Mary Phan have opened downtown spots that earn a loyal crowd. But after closing their popular college bar, LAX, during the pandemic, Will was inspired by vegan restaurant Avant Garden in Manhattan and reinvented the LAX space as a vegan restaurant, including an entirely vegan bar. Partnering with a local florist, the place has been beautifully transformed with shiny white subway tiles, leafy planters and trailing vines, and the menu offers shareable plates that won’t break the bank. From a kitchen carefully separated to avoid cross contamination with the Loft restaurant upstairs, try the sweet potato tempura sushi roll, edamame potstickers filled with a luxurious edamame puree (choose steamed or fried), stuffed avocado and bang bang cauliflower florets. All wines and spirits are vegan or organic.

Bar Vegan | 205 Lark Street | Albany | IG

Take Two Cafe, Photos: Susie Davidson Powell

Take Two picks up where much missed Shades of Green on Lark Street left off years ago. Owner Chelsea Heilman has created a gorgeous garden-inspired oasis on Schenectady’s State Street where foot traffic is high and it’s hard to miss her hand-painted sidewalk tables. An avid traveler, Heilman serves a chickpea curry, inspired by one from Iceland, along with a replica avocado-pesto-feta-walnut toast and a tofu scramble breakfast burrito with chorizo, chile, and homefries both inspired by cafes in Melbourne, Australia, and Colorado.

Among the most labor intensive ingredients is Heilman’s faux lox salmon. Carrots are given a 32-hour bath in a seaweed, soy and caper brine for umami bite – perfect to pile on a bagel with vegan cream cheese. Stop by and join an all-day crowd pouring in for sandwiches and vegan pastries. Fix your coffee as you like: A counter refrigerator is jammed with all the plant milks from oat to almond.

Take Two Cafe | 433 State Street | Schenectady | IG

Meadowlark Catering – from the team behind Wizard Burger and Burrito Burrito (Albany) and Takk House (Troy) – is now hosting their tasteful plant-based cuisine at pop-up events at the Takk House.

These Dining at Takk experiences give the owners an opportunity to craft new menus based on the most current harvest, and gives guests a taste of what they’re all about! Head to the Meadowlark website to check out details for their next experience.

Meadowlark Catering | Troy

Wizard Burger, Photos: Susie Davidson Powell

It’s hard to overstate the craftiness behind the Wizard’s vegan creations. If you visit the Wiz on social media, you’ll find burger abominations flying off on intergalactic, space odysseys. Go in person and this purple-hued counter service spot has added a line up of boozy and non-alcoholic cocktails and an additional room in which to enjoy them surrounded with curios from plant terrariums to crystal balls.

Whether you go for lunch or happy hour, the team behind Wizard Burger has all their nighttime cravings on the menu. Get the Mumbo Jumbo – an Impossible burger topped with house chili, battered onion rings, tater tots and jalapeno-garlic crema – or a crispy chik’n Raptor, but don’t forget battered pickles on the side. Those with a sweet tooth might choose the Impossible Strawberry Snail with an Impossible patty and raspberry jelly on a glazed donut by tiny Strawberry Snail vegan bakery. 

Wizard Burger | 74 N. Pearl Street | Albany l IG

The Juice Branch, Photos: Susie Davidson Powell

Painted all the colors of a tropical island, it’s no surprise George Salter’s juice bar is an uplifting place to hang out whether you visit his Warren Street, Hudson location for an antioxidant packed smoothie or hop the Hudson river to Catskill. In Catskill, you’ll find Salter whipping up his lunch du jour, teased a day ahead on social media. It might be crisply fried oyster mushroom sandwich or plant-based Smack-n’Cheez. Sink into a barrel chair in the window, dip into a book on juicing or the benefits of tea, and Salter will hand deliver plates. Pick from more than twenty-four smoothie combos, add boosts from ginger, elderberry or MCT shots. Munch on nutella and banana or avocado toast topped with hard-boiled egg, hemp and chia or fuel up with an acai or peanut butter banana bowl. (Note: Cash or Venmo only in Catskill)

The Juice Branch | 65 W Bridge Street | Catskill | Phone: 518.947.0920
The Juice Branch | 719 Columbia Street | Hudson | Phone: 518.291.2612

Written by: Susie Davidson Powell

Hudson’s Mayor Kamal Johnson is Making History

Updated: July 2025

Thinking back to his 2019 election night victory, Hudson, NY Mayor Kamal Johnson says “we made history,” with a smile.

Actually, he’s made history twice…

Hudson’s history making Mayor Kamal Johnson holds the title for both the youngest and the first Black mayor of Hudson After a term filled with stark and intense challenges and polarization, Mayor Johnson is ready for more time in office.  The effects of 2020’s pandemic and widespread protests boldly highlight the platform Mayor Johnson has championed since the beginning of his career.  Police Reform. Accessible Housing. Equity. The list goes on*. 

Mayor Johnson and I met for a conversation that was easy-going as the mayor himself. We talked about his passions, his platform, and his journey from a young man with little direction to directing local politics.  I asked him how citizens reacted when his campaign went door-to-door.  “Who is this kid/guy?” he chuckles.  The answer is sure to inspire.

In his office, Mayor Johnson displays framed degrees from Columbia-Greene Community College and SUNY New Paltz. He also hangs a letter denying his graduation from Hudson High School.

“It was the first time I was told I wouldn’t be able to do something,” he states.  “So I buckled down, doubled-up on classes, and graduated.”  Of course, the task wasn’t so simple.  Faced with family issues at home and the weight of self-doubt, Johnson found motivation from teachers and in popular culture. 

“One of the first teachers to tell me I was smart also told me not to be a waste of talent.”  He goes on to quote 1993 film, A Bronx Tale: “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”

Dubbed “The Mayor” in his 11th grade English class, Mayor Johnson gained early recognition for his commanding presence, polite charisma, and natural ability to engage a crowd.

“In class, I always went above and beyond for presentations,” Johnson recalls.  “Classes were always rowdy.  But when I presented, everyone was silent and listened.  I realized I could communicate in an effective way.”

Unofficially holding office at Hudson High School, a teenaged Johnson redefined talent as he discovered his own.

“I was like, ‘Maybe I have something here.’” He smiles, remembering his days as a political novice.  “When you grow up, you don’t think that’s an actual talent.  You think a talent is to sing, or play basketball, or something like that.  But to be able to capture people’s attention is a talent.”

That’s what Mayor Johnson heard 4 years ago when he petitioned for youth center improvements at a Common Council meeting.  He approached the Council several times after a visit to the local youth center that once served as his safe haven.  The center was without programming, maintenance, and basic infrastructure. 

“They said I had great ideas, but I had to be part of the process.”

By 2017, Johnson could list several years of youth work in the experience section of his resume.  He started mentoring in high school through a partnership program with the nearby elementary school.  From there, he proceeded work at community after school programs and the Hudson Youth Center.

Always a popular counselor, Johnson related easily to the kids, especially those dealing with socio-emotional stress.  Children gravitated to Johnson’s youthful personality and ability to handle tough situations with compassion.  He quickly realized his gift for youth empowerment, and it become his passion.

“Something was telling me, ‘This is the lane for me’.”

Determined to protect Hudson’s youth, Johnson stood in front of Council and sought restoration of a beloved and vital community institution.  He needed a seat to make change.  At this point, the only thing between him and that seat was an election.

“I was tired of hearing I needed a seat, so I ran for Councilman in a ward that’s 5% minority.”  He won and went on to chair the committee that oversees the Youth Center, proving passion can surpass barriers to enacting real change.

During his two years as councilman, Johnson’s eyes opened to several other sectors of Hudson that were desperate for despair.  He knew that to truly achieve equity and security in the city he loves, he needed to take the final steps toward his dream of becoming mayor.

“I knew the only way I could tackle these issues is if I’m at City Hall full time.”

Even with his goal in sight, Johnson compared his options.  He understood this election would come with higher costs than his last. 

“At the time, I was at a transition in life where I was comfortable and had a full time job I love.” Was he ready to give up comfort for campaign chaos and more responsibility?  “Do I really want to put myself out there?” he wondered. 

Johnson’s nerves teetered from anxious to excited to scared when he first seriously considered running for mayor. “After all,” he says, “this is the dream.”

Then, one day in therapy, he said to himself, “I have this hole in me.  If I don’t find out if I can fill it, I’m going to be old, sitting around, telling my grandkids, ‘I was going to do this or that.’”  He refused to let that happen.  With a clear vision of his legacy and the story he wanted to tell, Johnson knew what he had to do. 

“I put my name in the hat, and we made history.”

For Hudson Mayor Johnson’s election represents progression toward a more equitable society were everyone’s issues get attention. 

For Johnson, his election means two things:

1) He did not let his community down. 

“There were little Black kids coming up to me in the streets.  They said, ‘Our parents say you’re going to be the next mayor.  Is that true?’ and I say, ‘Yeah. That’s true.’” 

This sounds like an adorable encounter, but interactions like these remain the most pressured points of Johnson’s campaigns.  “It started to get to me.  What if I don’t win?  Am I letting all these people down?”

2) He can continue to cultivate a community that feels like family and structure a city that Hudson citizens can proudly call Home.

 From beginning to end, 2020 tested Mayor Johnson’s capability.  What a way to start a dream job!  Fresh on the scene and equipped with enough enthusiasm to permeate the city, nothing could hold Johnson back from stepping into the role he was destined to take.

A Great Moment in Leadership

“Around the time George Floyd was murdered.  That’s the first time I was nervous to speak in front of a crowd.”

Last summer, as Black Lives Matter protests spread across the nation, Mayor Johnson adjusted to viewing the situation through a political lens.

“It was the first time I was nervous because I’m an activist,” Johnson says.  “I have the Black community saying ‘You represent us!  Don’t forget, just last year you would have been on the front lines.’”

Amid uncertainty and with little time for contemplation, Johnson confidently sprang into action. 

“I needed to get in front of this.  I needed to get the community together.  They’re protesting, I’m protesting.” He organized a protest and invited public servants and police officers to speak.  To conclude the event, Johnson set a community standard. “If you trust me and what we’ve said today, you’ll be home by 9PM.  If you trust your community leaders, that’s what you’ll do.”

He remembers declaring the curfew after a day of discouragement.  “All day people were telling me, ‘Don’t do it.  It’ll ruin your career!’” At 9:15PM, “Hudson was a ghost town,” Johnson recalls, triumphantly. He did it.  He gave Hudson’s people room to express themselves and kept them safe.  They trusted him. “That was probably my biggest moment of leadership.”

A prime point of Mayor Johnson’s advocacy is also a key ingredient to his recipe for success: Mental Health. “It’s equally as important as your physical health,” he explains.  He goes on to describe mental health as both necessary and taboo, especially in low-income communities of color. “Growing up, mental health isn’t always seen as normal to address.  Your life is hard.  Your neighbor’s life is hard.  So is your best friend’s.  Everybody is going through some sort of trauma.”

From seeing his single mother struggle to witnessing his brothers’ incarcerations, Johnson is no stranger to the stresses of inner-city life.  He recounts growing up numb to life’s pain. “Trauma has a way of settling.  You look at someone die and you don’t feel anything because you’re used to it.”  He continues, “But that’s not how it’s supposed to feel.  There’s supposed to be some kind of emotion.” The long-term effects of his experiences started causing sleepless nights.  ‘I could never sleep.  I would always think, ‘All these things happen in life.  Seeing your home get raided.  Seeing your friends die.  All these things just seem so normal.” Suddenly, an epiphany.  “None of this is normal.”

This life-changing realization prompted 2AM Google searches for local therapists, which lead to Johnson’s first therapy session a week later.  Johnson has been reaping the benefits of therapy ever since.  He says it helps with his confidence and interactions with his family.  “It became an outlet,” he says.  “I would go in, unload my whole week, and then unpack certain things.”  Therapy exposed hidden sources of his anxiety and depression.  “I started realizing a lot of things in life that bothered me.”

Mayor Johnson smiles when he thinks back to his preconceived notions about therapy.  “I thought it was some ‘white people stuff,’” he exclaims with a laugh.  Johnson hopes to erase the stigma of mental health maintenance and alter the perception of therapy in minority communities.  “That’s why it’s important for people like me to go,” he says.  He wants people like him to know, “It’s not what it’s like on TV.”

What does Johnson think about mental health now? Without hesitation, he proclaims, “It’s the most important.”

I asked Hudson’s history making mayor one last question: Do you say a mantra before entering tough situations?  “Not really.  I just go over the possibilities, exhale, and go in.  As long as I speak from the heart, it will go well.”

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.

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.”

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.”

Exploring Art Omi with Kids

Visiting Art Omi with kids makes a perfect day-trip destination for families with children of all ages. Here, more than 60 large-scale works of art are presented in open fields or tucked between the trees along twisting nature trails.

Art Omi is a 120-acre sculpture park — an ideal spot for any child who needs more room to run than an art museum allows. It also promises more visual delights than a traditional nature hike. Located 20 minutes outside of Hudson, Art Omi is a must-visit for fans of Storm King, a 500-acre outdoor museum in the lower Hudson Valley. Art Omi’s smaller size makes it more manageable if you’re visiting with kids. Best yet — unlike Storm King, it’s free to the public.

An adult could cover the entire Art Omi loop in an hour or so. But exploring Art Omi with little kids can make it impossible to cover a lot of ground. Art Omi’s Explore Map will lead you directly to all the interactive exhibits on the grounds. Kids love to weave through Will Ryman’s Pac-Lab, a technicolored Pac Man-inspired maze. Peek inside Beverly Pepper’s Paraclete, a steel pyramid structure. And overlook the wetland pond from the swing inside Matthew Gellar’s Babble, Pummel, and Pride II. From there, it’s worth looping around the pond to seek out a few sculptures along the woodland trails. Make sure to strike a pose beside Biana Beck’s untitled sculpture, which captures the essence of a sassy young child.

For creative kids with a deeper curiosity in the sculptures they see, Art Omi often offers hands-on learning programs to encourage children to study and create their own art. Workshops are often led by teaching artists. Check their website for current offerings.

Arrive early:

The grounds of Art Omi open at 9am daily. On a sunny Saturday or Sunday, it can fill up fast. Keep in mind that once the parking lot is full, the park is at capacity. Any additional visitors will need to return after the lot empties out a bit. Parking on the road is prohibited and violators may be ticketed or have their cars towed.

Prepare for unpaved trails:

Although we saw a few all-terrain strollers in the park, it seemed like it would be easier to get around with a wearable baby carrier. And although bicycles are permitted in the park, it looked like rough terrain for novice cyclists. For ease, we’d advise families to wear weather-appropriate footwear and explore Art Omi by foot.

Food is allowed:

The best thing about an outdoor art museum is that your kids can snack to their hearts’ content. While the café is closed until further notice, picnic blankets and lunches are welcome here.

Bring a four-legged friend:

Dogs are welcome in the park from 9am to 4pm, as long as they are kept on leash at all times.

Bartlett House is just a few minutes away in Ghent – a former railroad hotel that was transformed into a warm inviting restaurant with an incredible culinary experience featuring seasonal plates “inspired by the bounty of the Hudson Valley”. In nearby Chatham, you’ll find The People’s Pub — a unique spot with a cool community and diverse menu. If pizza’s your thing — Baba Louie’s in Hudson offers online ordering and curbside pick-up of their pizzas, salads, and pastas – including a kid-sized buttered pasta plate.

Exploring the less traveled (and less expensive!) Catskills, in and around Greene County. Farms, drive-in movies, kids, food, beer, shopping, home design, and real estate. Brooklyn DoubleWide