6 Under-the-Radar Main Streets to Visit in the Hudson Valley

Looking to indulge in a day of shopping, food, and fun, but need a break from the hustle and bustle of the Hudson Valley’s bigger, more popular destinations? Head to these six hidden gem Main Streets.

The Hudson Valley is full of quaint towns with charming Main Streets—these six are some of our favorites.

Millerton

Main Street

Fun & Culture

Millerton is synonymous with Harney & Sons, a tea powerhouse with both its headquarters and tasting room in the Dutchess village. After enjoying a cuppa, head up Main Street to The Moviehouse, an independent theater showing mainstream films, art flicks, and documentaries. If you have proper footwear, stroll along the Harlem Valley Rail Trail (the entrance is right on Main) after a snowfall—the blanketed trees and sweeping mountain views are magical.

bike
Photo by Pamela Barr
Harney & Sons
Courtesy of Harney & Sons

For a Bite

Wandering Harney & Sons around lunchtime? Pair a rich tea with a selection from the bistro menu, which features inventive salads, Japanese-inspired tater tots, savory sandwiches on sourdough or sunny flax bread, and coconut curry. Millerton is also home to another national beverage brand: Irving Farm, a leader in the small-batch, sustainable coffee movement. The inviting café is a great place to unwind with a java in one hand and a sandwich in the other. Beyond these drink havens, we recommend The Oakhurst Diner, a farm-to-table destination with seasonal ingredients, from classics like pancakes and bacon to eclectic options such as dumplings, banh mi, and huevos rancheros.

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Irving Farm
Courtesy of Dutchess Tourism
Oakhurst Diner
Courtesy of Dutchess Tourism

Shopping Scene

Abode Home Goods: Inspired by a career in design, owner Susan Maloney curates a collection of local and sustainable kitchenware, candles, essential oils, glassware, and pottery.

Antiques: Millerton is brimming with rare finds and collectibles at Hunter Bee, Montage Antiques, and the 4,500-square-foot Millerton Antiques Center, home to 37 dealers.

Demitasse: Shop eco-friendly jewelry, baby gifts, homeware, and more at this petite boutique owned by a husband-and-wife team.

Oblong Books: Peruse novels of all genres from hyperlocal and international authors. Around the corner is Oblong Jr., where kids can pick out a new bedtime read.

Oblong Toys & Books
Courtesy of Dutchess Tourism

The Dutchess Trading Company: Find home goods, antiques, and gifts at this recently revitalized storefront.

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Westerlind: Stock up on all the outdoor clothing and equipment you’ll ever need for an escape into the Hudson Valley wilderness.

Westerlind
Courtesy of Westerlind

Saugerties

Main and Partition Streets

Fun & Culture

Check out a matinee at the Orpheum Theater by Upstate Films, a circa-1908 nonprofit showing Hollywood blockbusters, indie and foreign films, classics, and new releases. Artsy folks can get their fill of contemporary pieces by Hudson Valley artists at Emerge Gallery & Art Space and the Jane St. Art Center—both host physical installations, frequent group and solo exhibitions, and auctions. The Perfect Blend Yarn & Tea Shop offers needlework classes (and artisanal tea) to those looking to improve their knitting or crocheting skills. There are plenty of drop-in and specialty sessions for beginners and pros alike, plus trunk shows, yarn selections, pints ‘n’ purls (like sip and paint but with yarn), and more.

Saugerties
Courtesy of Ulster County Tourism

For a Bite

Hawaiian-inspired crêpes—from sweet hazel maií to savory Huli Huli pork—abound at Ohana Cafe. If you go to Olsen & Company, get the grilled cheese with Gruyere and fig jam (and make sure to add that salty, toothsome prosciutto). Stop for a creamy latte at Bluestone Roasting Co., and on Sunday, head to Salt & Fire for a heavenly brunch featuring shrimp and grits, orange pecan-crusted French toast, and eggs and duck-confit hash.

Shopping Scene

Bosco’s Mercantile: Shop stylish blankets, the apothecary section, upscale kitchen and dining goods, and loungewear.

Foxglove General: Each season, you’ll find a curated selection of men’s and women’s apparel, fresh flowers and houseplants, and nature-inspired gifts.

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Inquiring Minds: Inside this large corner bookshop—which doubles as a café—is an impressive variety of genres from Hudson Valley life and activism to art history and kids’ lit.

Little Blueberryy: Come for the trendy permanent jewelry and charm bar and stay for a yoga class and to shop for aromatherapy items, comfy clothes, and skincare.

Meraki Boutik: Stop at this designer boutique for a selection of minimalist jewelry, casualwear, and statement pieces.

Saugerties Antiques Center: Wander around a variety of vendor stalls selling mid-century modern and Victorian furniture, art deco lighting, vintage jewelry, and antique garden décor.

Catskill

Main Street

Fun & Culture

This part of Greene County is home to Rip Van Winkle, a notorious napper whose tale is memorialized in a statue on Main Street, where you’ll also discover Foreland, an 85,000-square-foot modern art campus with multiple galleries run by local creatives. Then check out The Open Studio, a gallery for free-range pieces and exploratory genres. Save time for the endless shopping and stick around for live music at the Avalon Lounge.

Catskill
Photo courtesy of Foreland

For a Bite

Meander down Main with a scone, crumb cake, or focaccia in hand, thanks to the small but substantial Toko Provisions. Café Joust is a plant-forward café with great shakes, cold-pressed juices, and hearty sandwiches. Warm up with a drink at Left Bank Ciders (hard cider), Hemlock (cocktails), and Return Brewing Outpost (craft beer). Get dessert to-go at Catskill Chocolate Co., which is filled with dozens of bonbons and truffles made with fair-trade chocolate.

Shopping Scene

Antiques: Stop by the Catskill Antique Market, Catskill Collectibles, Sister Salvage 2.0, and Swamp Angel Antiques for all your vintage needs.

Ceramics: Find your next favorite mug, bowl, vase, planters, and more at pottery storefronts Fisheye Ceramics and L&M Studio.

Citiot: Part coffeeshop, part gift shop stocking both local goods and European gifts.

Kaaterskill Market: Gorgeous homewares from dozens of local makers. We especially love the expertly crafted woodwork and baskets, plus candles and skincare products.

Made X Hudson: A slow-fashion boutique with a non-alcoholic bar.

Objects ‘n the Round: Textile artist Christin Ripley tirelessly marble-dyes hats, scarves, throws, bags, pillows, and even furniture to spruce up your home and wardrobe.

Stay Forever: A giftshop that’ll keep you happily scouring for hours. You’ll find everything from stationery and funny stickers to Jellycat plush toys and whimsical kitchenware.

Cornwall

Main and Hudson Streets

Fun & Culture

We love Cornwall for its outdoor splendor in every season. Take a kayak tour on the Hudson to get up close and personal with Bannerman Castle. And one of the grandest mountains in the Highlands, the aptly named Storm King, has a few trailheads off Hudson Street. Downtown, on select weekends and intimate evenings, Vet Rep Theater hosts dramas, comedies, and plays performed and written by veteran artists; the 16-seat parlor fills up fast.

Cornwall
Photo by Megan Ashcroft

For a Bite

There are a bunch of eclectic and global eats to choose from, like Sakura, a hot spot with Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Hawaiian dishes. Pepettini, an upscale Italian restaurant, serves seafood, house-made pasta, and a variety of wines. Looking for American classics? Fiddlestix Cafe plates excellent chicken and waffles and perfectly fried challah French toast. Locals flock to 2 Alices Coffee Lounge for its inventive espresso drinks, sandwiches, and soups. And if you’re staying late, check out Storm King Lounge and Fare, a kitschy bistro with bar bites, modern entrées, and late-night music.

Shopping Scene

Cornwall Coffee Co. & Mercantile: Pop in for a latte and stay a while to peek at the high-quality apothecary, homeware, and workshop tools.

East of Oregon Records: Jam out to an array of genres on vinyl, from new indie and alternative tunes to jazz and pop classics.

Good Books: A solid spot for new and old favorites and author meet-ups.

Madison Avenue Fine Children’s Boutique: Find kid’s clothes and accessories, plus unique toys.

MOD: Update your wardrobe sustainably at this vintage boutique, where the specialty is custom denim.

Paper Heart Pixie: Your go-to for cute baby goods.

Nyack

Main Street and Broadway

Fun & Culture

The birthplace of renowned realist painter Edward Hopper, the Hopper House Museum & Study Center has 20th-century contemporary art (including Hopper’s early work) on display, plus memorabilia, a reimagining of his childhood bedroom, and rotating exhibits. On Thursdays, head to the Main Street parking lot to stroll through the Nyack farmers’ market, which features local produce, pantry foods, and artisanal crafts. End the day at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, a swanky club featuring well-known jazz artists and groups, tribute bands, piano bars, and open mic nights.

Nyack
Courtesy of Visit Nyack

For a Bite

Go global for lunch at Art Cafe (Mediterranean), Karenderya (modern Filipino), or the Corner of Ukraine. Grab a cup of joe and European-inspired pastries at Salonnière Coffee Bar or Didier Dumas. Stop by Scott & Joe for an international sampling of cheeses, wines, and provisions. And, if you’re visiting on a weekend, stop by DPNB Pasta & Provisions for fresh, seasonal pasta dishes that rival Italy’s shops.

Shopping Scene

Big Red Books: Beyond a charming red door, enter a world of bestsellers, classics, new releases, and indie books.

Bridge Street Botanical: Elevate your home with exotic tropical and desert house plants, pretty planters, artisan baskets and pottery, and aromatherapy.

Hickory Dickory Dock: This beloved mom-and-pop shop specializes in whimsical clocks and imported German home goods.

Main Street Beat: If you’re into vinyl, check out this extensive collection.

Maria Luisa Boutique: A colorful clothing and accessories boutique that supports sustainable, ethical, and woman-owned brands.

Pickwick Bookshop: Selling new, used, and antiquarian texts since 1945, Pickwick is literally bursting with books. Peruse the wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling stacks to find your next favorite.

Kinderhook

Hudson and Broad Streets

Fun & Culture

The birthplace of the eighth U.S. president, Martin Van Buren, this Columbia County gem is also the location where Benedict Arnold recuperated (in a home on Broad Street) after being wounded in the Battle of Bemis Heights in 1777. Art lovers should visit the acclaimed The School: Jack Shainman Gallery, which houses everything from grand installations to circa-1600s Spanish collections, and stop by the September Gallery for intimate group exhibitions and eye-catching pieces from resident artists.

Kinderhook
Photo by Olympia Shannon

For a Bite

Beyond its American history, Kinderhook is best known for its reinvented 1870s-era Kinderhook Knitting Mill. Once a thriving industrial-age textile mill, the building is now home to two eateries and a handful of shops. Morningbird Cafe dishes out casual brunch plates with a southeast Asian twist (we love the scallion pancake grilled cheese and mushroom katsu curry). If you’re hanging around town after 5 p.m., grab a delicious Indonesian- and Dutch-inspired dinner at sister restaurant The Aviary. Other spots of note are Broad Street Bagel Co. and Saisonnier, a gastropub serving artisan wines, craft beer, and charcuterie.

Shopping Scene

Damsel Garden: Get your fill of fresh-cut seasonal flowers and beautifully arranged garden bouquets.

Home by Nicole Rose: A shoppable showroom with a colorful selection of custom upholstery, wallpaper, and homeware.

Kinderhook Books: A general-interest bookstore with plenty of novels to explore plus frequent workshops and classes.

OK Pantry: Stop for ethical culinary goods, such as olive oils, non-alcoholic bevs, baking mixes, and jarred imports.

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