Wikimedia Commons | Photo by Daniel Case
With delicious food, artisanal wineries, and shoppable streets, the lively Orange County town of Warwick is perfect for a day trip.
Warwick is old-fashioned in a good way. As the small town thrums with a sense of liveliness and excitement, it never lets go of its comfortable, slow pace. On weekends, residents and visitors compete for parking spots outside of retro storefronts and low-key eateries, sneaking glances into open windows as they slowly roll down quaint roads. As far as day trip destinations go, the Orange County spot provides a much-needed reprieve from bustling commercial centers and speedy highways. It invites visitors to take a breath, go on a walk, and forget about everyday life, even if only for a little while.
Ready to explore Warwick for yourself? Don’t forget to tag us @HudsonValleyMag on Instagram if you snap photos while you’re there.
9 a.m. – Fuel up with a homemade breakfast at Fannie’s Â
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why not start your trip eating homemade bread and local eggs cooked the way you want at this cozy eatery? Pair your breakfast with Fannie’s signature latte, made with cardamom, organic maple syrup, and topped with the perfect peak of whipped cream. If lattes aren’t your thing, choose from the many drink options like espresso, hot tea, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and signature breakfast cocktails like Bloody Marys or mimosas.
28 Railroad Ave, WarwickÂ
845.986.3447
10:30 a.m. – Take a quiet stroll through Warwick’s Stanley Deming ParkÂ
Less than a quarter mile from Fannie’s is a picturesque park with beautiful scenery of Warwick. The recently renovated playground is an ideal spot for kids to run off their energy while parents sit back, read a book, or take in the sounds of nature.
Park Way, Warwick
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12:30 p.m. – Grab a bite to eat at Eddie’s RoadhouseÂ
This eatery’s menu changes weekly, so there is always something new to try. Eddie’s currently offers 12 craft beers and eight fresh burgers, including the creative Street Corn Burger, topped with Mexican street corn, spiced black bean, Oaxaca cheese, and cilantro crema. If that’s not your thing, try the Stix Burger, with chipotle aioli, bacon, potato stix, and pepperjack cheese. If you want to eat on the lighter side, go for one of the flavorful salads prepared with local produce and topped with the house-made IPA vinaigrette.
18 Main St, Warwick
845.986.7623
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2 p.m. – Sip wine samples at Applewood WineryÂ
Whether you are in the mood for wine or hard cider samples, this winery has the full package. Tastings are $15 a person with the option to choose from over 12 types of wines and six types of ciders. Pair your samples with a cheese board or an Applewood-fired pizza from the café, which is open weekends from March through November.
82 Four Corners Rd, Warwick
845.988.9292Â
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4:30 p.m. – Walk down Main Street in Warwick
The charming central street is filled with more than a few places to explore after sipping some mid-afternoon samples. The Candy Apple Shoppe is the place to visit if you have a sweet tooth; with more than 40 varieties of candy apples to choose from, you’ll be hard pressed to select one from the peck. There’s also Fizzy Lifting Soda Pop & Candy Sop, a time machine that sends customers back to the days of soda jerks and barbershop quartets.
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6 p.m. – Eat an Italian dinner at Grappa Ristorante in Warwick
Start dinner here with one of the cold or hot antipasto, or one of each if you’re feeling particularly ambitious. For the main course, choose from a pasta dish like cavatelli broccoli rabe, an enticing plate of homemade pasta sautéed with sausage, broccoli rabe, olive oil, and roasted garlic. If you want a chicken dish, stick with pollo florentina, which comes topped with prosciutto, spinach, and a blanket of melted fontina cheese that is finished with a decedent white wine and herb sauce. By the end of dinner, you will feel like you’re in Italy.
22 Railroad Ave, Warwick
845.987.7373
9 p.m. – Spend the night at Cider Mill InnÂ
The former dairy farm and apple orchard is now home to a restored 1865 Victorian farmhouse bed and breakfast. Just a 15-minute drive from the heart of Warwick, this inn starts at $150 a night. The B&B features luxurious down comforters and plush terry robes. The bed sheets are from Comphy Co., the same company that supplies sheets to the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons.
207 Glenwood Rd, Pine Island
845.258.3044
