Thirteen of Upstate NY's coziest bars and restaurants – from the Hudson Valley to the Catskills. Think bars and restaurants that master winter ambiance with wood stoves, candlelight and fireplaces — plus thoughtful cocktails and soul-warming food. Good for chunky sweaters, winter boots, couples and friends trips.
Set on six private acres with deeded Ten Mile River access, Nook House is a 1940s hideaway reimagined for modern living. Behind its rustic stone entry and storybook exterior, this three-bedroom retreat blends craft, comfort, and Catskills character in a way that feels both grounded and design-forward.
As autumn settles over the Hudson Valley, it’s the perfect season to trade city streets for river views, crisp air, and a quiet cafe Upstate. Whether it’s a first foray north of the city or a return to a familiar haunt, these five destinations offer an easy escape — all reachable by train, no car required. From design-minded getaways in Cold Spring and Beacon to the storied charm of Sleepy Hollow, this guide highlights five effortless day trips from NYC.
Perched high above the Muddy Kill Creek in Stone Ridge, Fern Hollow is a newly built home that combines mid-century modern inspiration with reclaimed details and artisanal design. The result is a modern treehouse that feels both elevated and approachable, with dramatic glass walls overlooking the creek as it winds through the wooded landscape. Thoughtful craftsmanship, from vintage terrazzo floors to custom cabinetry repurposed from a 1960s library, infuses warmth and character throughout.
The Smithwood House is a newly built, one-of-a-kind modern home set in a wooded landscape, designed with a striking architectural profile and a sense of refined detail. Clean lines, soaring windows, and thoughtful accents come together in a layout that feels both bold and livable. Inside, every element has been carefully considered, from custom built-ins to sleek appliances, creating a home that balances contemporary form with everyday comfort.
Set on five wooded acres with views over Hunter Lake, PerryWood offers a private retreat framed by forest and water. The double A-frame rises through the trees, its walls of glass and vaulted ceilings bringing the surrounding landscape fully into the home. Light shifts across the wood-clad interiors, while decks and pathways extend living spaces into the treeline, creating a sense of calm and continuity between indoors and out.
Set at the end of a long private drive, The Catskill Overlook rises on steel and concrete pillars, its glass-and-concrete form elevated above 13.4 wooded acres. Walls of glass frame mountain ridges, while soaring ceilings with exposed beams and polished concrete floors create interiors that feel both sculptural and serene — a home defined as much by its architecture as by its natural surroundings.
Camp Woodridge stretches along the westerly shore of Lake Placid, tucked beneath Loch Bonnie Mountain. Framed by mature trees, the property opens onto private lake frontage with sweeping views of the Adirondack High Peaks. A wood-clad main cabin and a newly built guest cabin anchor the grounds, together offering three bedrooms and three bathrooms that balance shared gathering space with private corners for retreat. The lake and mountains form a quiet, ever-present backdrop, and the setting feels both intimate and expansive, offering a sense of retreat without ever losing sight of the surrounding natural beauty.
Set at the end of a tree-lined allée with cascading waterfalls, this modern farmhouse is nestled into landscaped grounds overlooking the Bovina Valley and distant ridge lines. Defined by its seamless connection to nature, the home opens to wraparound porches, bluestone terraces, and French doors that frame sweeping views. Beyond the main residence, the property unfolds into gardens, outdoor rooms, and guest spaces — a Catskills retreat designed for both quiet living and convivial gathering.
Built in 1889, the Beacon Firehouse is a landmark of the city’s historic core, distinguished by its mansard roof, original bell tower, and arched windows. Once central to Beacon’s civic life, it retains much of its original craftsmanship – from ornamental plasterwork to finely crafted woodwork – alongside modern infrastructure. Today, its scale and adaptable layout position it for a new chapter, from cultural or community use to boutique hospitality, all within steps of Main Street’s shops, restaurants, and galleries in one of the Hudson Valley’s most active small cities.