Woodbury Common Day Trip: What to Do Near the Outlets

A view of the Moodna Viaduct in Cornwall, just 15 minutes from Woodbury Common. Adobe Stock / J. Novack

Have you traveled from far and wide to shop at Woodbury Common? While you’re here, explore a slice of the Hudson Valley via local dining and destinations.

The Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, located in a pocket of Orange County enveloped by mountains and roadways, draw countless visitors to the Hudson Valley region, promising popular products at a fraction of the cost. Some international shoppers have even been known to fly in with empty suitcases to fill with their purchases.

If you’ve made the trip to the outlets, why not stick around and explore the surrounding area? We’ve compiled a list of things to do and places to eat that are all within 15 minutes of the Common. Just a short drive away, visitors can explore Orange County in towns like Chester and Cornwall.

Destinations

Eat and Shop at Jones Farm

Cornwall
Wednesday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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This family farm in Orange County is nothing if not a local staple, with baked goods, produce, shopping, dining, and farmland fun to spare. Start off by selecting from the display case of cookies and goodies at the inhouse bakery, then head upstairs and #ShopLocal in Clearwater’s Gift Shop, which boasts a range of “the finest selections of gifts, home décor, and personal accessories in the Hudson Valley.” Of course, no visit to Jones Farm is complete without saying hello to the chickens and ponies out front.

Walk the Lazy Hill Road Trail

Chester
Open daily, dawn to dusk

Looking to get a little taste of the outdoors? Take a walk up and down this path enveloped by rich verdure and mountain views. The trail extends a little over five miles, but you needn’t follow the trail to its end if you’re tired or in a time crunch. Best of all, it’s just a stone’s throw away from Village Hands (listed below), so be sure to stop by the café before or after your trek to refuel. Remember to leave no trace; parks should be just as clean after visitors spend the day as they are beforehand. Click the map below for directions to the parking area.

Related: Did You Know Velveeta Cheese Has Orange County Roots?

Books and Bites at Kulture Café

Harriman
Tuesday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

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Less than five minutes from Woodbury Common is this café and bookstore chock-full of good reads and coffee beans. What’s more, this Black and Latinx-owned business serves up a scrumptious array of tapas and Caribbean patties with fillings like beef, jerk chicken, jackfruit, and pumpkin. Come for a new paperback, then leave with a full belly.

Visit the Moodna Viaduct

Salisbury Mills
Open daily, dawn to dust


The Moodna Viaduct, constructed between 1906 and 1909, is a massive railroad trestle surrounded by stunning views. In warmer months, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic, and the walking trails onsite are open year-round. While you’re in this neck of the woods, check out the town of Cornwall, with excellent bites, a cute café, and more outdoor destinations. Click the map below for directions to the Moodna Viaduct parking area.

Tour the Russel Wright Design Center

Philipstown
Tours available May – November, Friday – Monday

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Admittedly, this destination is slightly more than 15 minutes away, but we’re willing to make an exception given that it’s such a treasure in the Hudson Valley. The Russel Wright Design Center, often referred to as “Manitoga” (an Algonquin word meaning “place of great spirit”), was the home of famous industrial designer Russel Wright. The building is just as much a work of art as it is a home, reflecting Wright’s predilection for harmony between structures and their surrounding landscape. Tours are available May through November and require advanced registration.

Spot Sculptures at Storm King Art Center

New Windsor
Hours vary by season

 

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If you come to the Hudson Valley to shop, you’re probably going to Woodbury Common—it’s a no-brainer. Similarly, if you’re visiting to see art, you can’t leave without a stop at Storm King. The 500-acre outdoor sculpture museum speaks for itself, with works by some of the most prominent sculptors of the last century situated on a manicured lawn of rolling hills. Hours of operation vary by season, so be sure to check the website ahead of time.

Related: What to Do During a Day Trip to Storm King Art Center

Shop ‘Til You Drop in Sugar Loaf

Sugar Loaf
Hours of operation vary by business


Keep your shopping spree going by perusing the shops on Sugar Loaf’s main drag. While the Common boasts a wide variety of outlets, there’s nothing like shopping local. Stop at J. Hengen for one-of-a-kind contemporary ceramics; Merrily Paper for candles, soaps, and stationery; and Bliss Co-op for handmade goods by women makers in the Hudson Valley, just to name a few of the many incredible storefronts in Sugar Loaf. If you’re thirsty after all that shopping, head to Tin Barn Brewing in Chester or Drowned Lands Brewery in Warwick—both breweries are less than five minutes away.

Restaurants

An Artistic Taste

Harriman
Wednesday – Sunday

 

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Thanks to the creativity and culinary excellence of Chef Andre Robinson, An Artistic Taste has quickly become one of the hottest places to dine in all of Orange County. Robinson describes the restaurant as “modern American, globally influenced”; we describe it as a local gem where tastebuds are given the royal treatment. The menu rotates to accommodate seasonal ingredients, so if it’s a taste of the Hudson Valley you’re looking for, make it An Artistic Taste. After your meal, head next-door to The Cake Lady for a sweet treat—Gordon Ramsay of Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares once called her carrot cake “the best he’s ever had.”

Cosimo’s Brick Oven Pizza

Central Valley
Open daily


If time is of the essence—or, if you’re in the mood for really good Italian food—stop by Cosimo’s, which is walking distance from Woodbury Common. The restaurant follows the philosophy that “the quality of every meal is only as good as the quality of the ingredients,” and the appetizers, pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches stand as a testament to that principle.

Dottie Audrey’s

Tuxedo Park
Thursday – Monday

 

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What would we do without Dottie Audrey’s? It’s the kind of place where there’s a little something for everyone, any time of day, with some of the yummiest coffee and victuals in the area. The French toast is an absolute must-try for a.m. dining (plus, it’s big enough for two to share). At lunch or dinnertime, order a sandwich and a cup of soup—our personal favorite is the creamy tomato bisque.

Related: 2 Hudson Valley Towns Named Among Most Beautiful in America

Fiddlestix Cafe

Cornwall
Thursday – Tuesday

 

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For a simple, delicious breakfast or lunch after shopping at Woodbury Common, Fiddlestix is where it’s at. The diner is family-owned and -operated, offering a menu of standard American fare as prepared by Chef Bats. (Word to the wise: The drip coffee is superb if you have a craving for something caffeinated.) You’ll leave with a full belly and a full heart, whether you’ve a hankering for “Strawberry Fields Forever” – that’s a strawberry cheesecake-stuffed French toast – or something more savory like “The God of Thunder,” a spicy glazed fried chicken sandwich topped with bacon, tomato, house slaw, melted provolone, and blue cheese.

Iron Chef

Central Valley
Open daily

 

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How about dinner and a show? That’s what it can feel like you’re getting at Iron Chef, where a professional chef prepares your meal in front of you with a Broadway performer’s showmanship and a magician’s sleight of hand. And yet, this says nothing of the food, which is unsurprisingly delectable given that this hibachi and sushi fusion restaurant is owned by restaurateur David Chen. While you truly can’t go wrong when ordering, it’s hard to pass up the hibachi dinner, which comes with your choice of protein as well as clear soup, salad, fried rice, vegetables, and two pieces of shrimp.

Village Hands

Monroe
Open daily, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.


It’s hard to drive by Village Hands without stopping in for a latte and a pastry. The coffee drinks are just that good, and they pair perfectly with the menu of confections, breakfast basics, sandwiches, and more. If you’re looking for something that’s simply delicious, opt for the avocado toast topped with pickled onions and a side of home fries. Equally tempting are the varieties of croissant sandwiches, paninis, and “Village Hands’ Famous Salads,” such as beet salad with pears, walnuts, goat cheese, and mixed greens with a house dressing.

Related: What to Do in New Paltz: A 24-Hour Guide to the Creative Hub

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