Hudson draws anyone looking for history, culture and local shops
Historic architecture, a thriving arts scene and busy restaurants fill Hudson, the county seat of Columbia County. Hudson was one of America’s first incorporated cities, and it was almost the capital of New York. Today, Hudson's residents are determined to preserve historic buildings and give them new life by opening a restaurant in a restored bank building or a boutique in a Warren Street storefront. Paul Barrett is an Associate Real Estate Broker with Houlihan Lawrence, but he’s also a Hudson historian, a member of the Hudson Preservation Commission, President of Hudson Hall and a member of the Hudson Development Corporation. “Hudson continues to evolve and change,” Barrett says. “It goes through many different phases, all good. I’ve been here full-time for 22 years. It’s amazing to see the transitions it’s gone through, all of these great homes and buildings being bought and restored and being put back to good use.”
Centuries-old architecture cared for by residents
Hudson is nicknamed “the dictionary of American architecture” because of the varying home styles throughout the city. “Hudson is extremely architecturally rich,” Barrett says. “Its greater concentration is in 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Most of the downtown area is a historic district. It’s carefully guarded and watched by the Historic Preservation Committee, but the HPC does want to see things happen. We love to work with homeowners in keeping their homes looking nice and in improving them.” Many homes have Italianate, Colonial Revival, Greek Revival or Queen Anne designs. There are Cape Cods toward the city’s outskirts and multifamily properties that have sold for around $200,000 to $500,000. Townhouses and homes closer to Main Street range between $500,000 and just under $1 million. The most expensive properties, selling for $1 million to $2 million, usually have over 2,000 square feet and are along coveted streets like Warren and Union. “Although Hudson is an urban experience, everything that surrounds it is the countryside,” Barrett says. “You can have the best of both worlds, even if you live minutes from Hudson.”
Boutiques, antique stores and restaurants in restored buildings
Vintage clothing stores and antique shops dot Warren Street, but the busiest spot is The Antique Warehouse. The warehouse is full of items carefully selected by the store’s team. Forts Ferry Farm Shoppe sells fresh produce grown in northern Albany. Talbott & Arding stocks gourmet cheese and charcuterie board options. Anyone who wants a full grocery store can visit the Aldi, ShopRite or Walmart off U.S. Route 9. “We have superb restaurants,” Barrett says. “You’ll never get a bad meal in Hudson.” The city has popular restaurants, from Governor's Tavern to Lil' Deb's Oasis. Barrett highlights Banque as a must-visit. “Banque is a wonderful, restored Colonial Revival bank building that has been turned into a restaurant,” Barrett says. “A chocolatier is running it, and it’s a beautiful environment. ... It’s an example of what is going on in Hudson. It’s the passion, in this case, of a chocolatier who wants to be a part of the Hudson scene.”
Driving or taking the train to major hubs like Albany
Many people work from home or own businesses in Hudson, but anyone who needs to commute to Albany can take a 45-minute Amtrak train ride from Hudson station to the state capital. “We’re the third-busiest station in the corridor, second only to Penn Station and Albany,” Barrett says. “It's also very convenient for anyone who wants access to New York City. You can just get on the train in Hudson and be at Penn Station in two hours.” Albany International Airport is 50 miles away, or a roughly hour-long drive. The fastest route to Albany for drivers is Interstate 87, which has tolls, though some people prefer taking Route 9 to Interstate 90. Columbia Memorial Hospital is on Columbia Street, so residents don’t have to travel far for primary and emergency care.
Students blossom at Hudson Senior High School
Niche gives the Hudson City School District a B-minus. The C-rated Montgomery C. Smith Intermediate School teaches prekindergarten through fifth grade. Hudson Junior High School receives a B-minus and shares a campus with Hudson Senior High School, rated B-plus. In 2025, the high school received the Whole Kids Garden Grant, which will go toward creating a school garden so kids can learn about nutrition and growing fresh food.
Spending time at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park or Oakdale Park
Residents visit Henry Hudson Riverfront Park to take in the views of the historic Hudson Athens Lighthouse or launch boats onto the water from the park’s boat ramp. Oakdale Park is tucked behind the Hudson Department of Youth, with a small beach along Oakdale Lake, a skatepark and a playground. The places of worship are also often monuments of history, like Saint Mary’s Church, established in 1848. Barrett recommends visiting the Olana State Historic Site, south of the city, where famous artist Frederic Church built an ornate home with sprawling views of the rolling terrain below.
Petting dalmatians and enjoying live jazz
The FASNY Museum of Firefighting is one of the largest firefighting museums in the world. Visitors can attend annual events like The Bob McKinney Memorial Fire Prevention Event: Dalmatian Day in September, when visitors can pet dalmatians and learn about fire safety. “Hudson Hall is a major cultural center for the city,” Barrett says. “We’re renowned for our opera series, and we’re also known for our jazz festival.” The Jazz Festival happens every October in Hudson Hall and other venues throughout the city.
Being aware of snowy winters and flood zones
Being a part of the Hudson Valley means snowy winters. Residents are expected to clear their sidewalks, but the city deploys snowplows to maintain the roads. Street parking is often limited to one side of the street after a snow emergency is declared. The Hudson River could flood, possibly affecting the Amtrak tracks and nearby roads.
