Taste the Tradition: Hudson Valley Maple Syrup Season

We may be dealing with some serious winter weather, but there's a light at the end of this cold, snowy tunnel- we know for certain that spring is on its way because our local maple syrup producers have started tapping their trees!

That’s right- it’s maple syrup season, and that means plenty of opportunities for you to experience the maple syrup harvest yourself! 

Local maple producers throughout the region are inviting you to come visit and enjoy their exciting hands-on programs exploring the journey of maple syrup from the tree to the table.

Did you know that the process of making Maple Syrup hasn't changed much since colonial times? Producers begin by drilling a small hole in the trunk of the Sugar Maple tree and inserting a small tube.

The clear, slightly sweetish maple sap collected from these “taps” is then boiled down to create the beautiful amber syrup we all know and love.  Would you believe that it takes more than 40 gallons of sap to produce just 1 gallon of syrup?  

New York is now the second largest producer of maple syrup in the US, and this proud tradition is gaining more momentum in response to consumer demands for healthier options.  Did you know that ounce for ounce Maple Syrup contains more calcium than milk, and more potassium than bananas?  Sweet!

Come and taste the tradition.  Check out these exciting maple syrup events happening this March and take part in the delicious heritage of the Hudson Valley maple syrup harvest.  Spring is on its way, and there’s no sweeter way to celebrate the season!

Kids’ Day in the Sugarbush at Mohonk Preserve  March 11th

Join the Mohonk Preserve for a short hike leading to a sweet treat.  Learn how to make maple syrup the traditional way.  This fun and educational woodland excursion includes an easy 1-mile hike so be sure to wear boots. Reservations are required. 

Ashokan Maple Fest March 18th
Join in for an all-day pancake breakfast hot off the girl with Ashokan Maple Syrup. Learn to tap a tree, make syrup and more. Live music with Jay and Molly, hiking and fun for the entire family.

Open House at Catskill Mountain Sugar House  March 25 & 26     

A fun open house where visitors can see how maple syrup and other related products are made, this family oriented event is sure to delight visitors of all ages. Visitors can sample and purchase the maple products in addition to participating in a variety of interactive activities to make your visit more memorable.  

Demonstrations at Corey’s Fall Harvest Farm  March 17-18 & 24-25

Visitors will enjoy tours of the sugarbush and demonstrations of how the sugar shack operates as well as a sweet treat: samples of different grades of syrup will be offered and all maple products will be available for purchase.

Log Cabin Sugarhouse at Marty’s Maple Farm  March 18, 19, 25, 26

Gather in the cozy log sugar house and watch as syrup is made using a wood fired 2'x6' evaporator.  Explore the variety of maple equipment on display and a live tapping demonstration.  Enjoy free samples of syrup with maple popcorn, apples in maple syrup, maple tea, lemonade and maple donuts available for purchase.   

Of course, the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is at the center of it all!  You can come and enjoy all of these Hudson Valley maple syrup season events because we’re offering some sweet deals.  Want to experience the season without sapping your savings?  Visit www.hudsonvalleyresort.com today!

Hands-On History: Explore our Local Antique Shops

Antiquing has become a popular pastime in the historic Hudson Valley Catskills and many travelers enjoy the opportunity to discover tangible treasures from the past which speak to our region’s rich cultural history.

You never know what you'll find hidden among the shelves of a great country antique shop!  From vintage clothing, furniture and jewelry to pre-industrial farm implements, tin toys, old-fashioned technology and unusual curiosities, our local antiques and collectibles dealers have something for everyone.

So where to begin?  Our guests simply love these nearby antique shops and vintage dealers- they’re just minutes away and you’re sure to find a special treasure you’ll cherish for years to come.

Old Brick House Antiques 
5858 Route 209 Kerhonkson, NY 12446 (845) 626-5206
Interesting, fun, relaxing shopping experience with something for everyone to enjoy. Antiques, collectibles and home accents. Americana, art, country, ephemera, furniture, glass, primitive and textiles. Open daily, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. or later. Year-round, except Wednesday.

Rose Hill Antiques
5066 Route 209 Accord, NY 12404 (845) 626-7155
Buying and selling antiques and collectibles. 1500-square-feet of 19th and early 20th Century antiques and used furniture. Something for everyone.

The Vintage Barn
174 Lower Whitfield Road, Accord, NY 12404 (845) 706-5796
Antiques and collectibles, vintage housewares, ephemera, toys and more.  Open most weekends, noon - 5 p.m., or by appointment. Closed December - April.

Downtown Antiques 
23 Main Street Accord, NY 12404 (845) 706-1070
Primitives/rustic to decorative for home, cottage and garden. Cupboards, ironstone, lighting, art and more. Open Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and by appointment.

Want more to explore?  Head to the nearby town of New Paltz where you’ll find a half-dozen more exciting shops to check out, including The Antiques Barn, Medusa Antiques, Horsefeathers, and more!

Antiquing is a great way to spend the day while visiting the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa, where there’s always something new to discover just around the corner.

With a full-service health spa on site with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms as well as tennis, basketball and more- you'll feel a world away just 90 miles from NYC.  Give us a call today, and we'll help make the most of your stay.

Rocking the 'Gunks!

The brilliant white profile of The Shawangunk Ridge is widely recognized as one of the finest climbing centers in the US, considered by many to be the Yosemite of the East.

Known in climbing circles simply as “The Gunks”, this world-famous 12-mile long escarpment is home to more than 1200 ascent routes which entice climbers with colorful names like “Space Invaders”, “Twilight Zone”, and “Pumping Pygmies”.

Many of the classic routes first established by Fritz Weissner and Hans Kraus have become legendary in rock climbing circles; for some, negotiating epic 'Gunks ascents like High Exposure, Gargoyle, and Gelsa are practically a right of passage.

Flocking to the 'Gunks in record numbers to enjoy related activities like bouldering, mountain biking, and hang-gliding, climbers of every skill level are invited to experience the Shawangunk ridge for themselves.

Not only a haven for Climbers, the Shawangunk Ridge boasts thousands of acres of unspoiled natural beauty and scenic views for all; even a comfortable stroll through Minnewaska’s carriageways or a quick stop at one of many roadside overlooks can be a richly rewarding experience!

You won't believe just how affordable a hotel in the Gunks can be!  Located just minutes from the ridge, the Hudson Valley Resort and Spa offers climbers and their families resort accommodations at “rock bottom” prices.

With a European health spa, fitness center, game room, tennis & basketball courts on site, the Hudson Valley Resort truly has something for everyone. Give us a call today, and we'll help make the most of your stay.

Hudson Valley Craft Cider Trail: Sixty Gorgeous Miles, Six Spectacular Cideries

Upstate New York is the 2nd largest and the oldest apple producing region in the US so it’s no surprise that the area is leading the nation in a craft hard cider renaissance!  The Hudson Valley is home to more than a dozen unique cideries and we’ve put together a local Craft Cider Trail for our guests to explore this apple season.

Did you know that cider was once the most commonly consumed beverage in America? From the colonial era to prohibition, cider was enjoyed by all as a safe and delicious alternative to potentially contaminated water sources.

By fermenting the juice of New York’s abundant apple crop, growers were able to preserve their produce year-round as an off-dry alcoholic beverage known as cider.  During Prohibition, however, growers were unable to produce or sell their cider because of federal regulations against alcohol.

Resourceful orchard owners began offering “sweet cider” for sale instead-  by selling their unfiltered apple juice blends before fermentation occurred, growers were able to bypass these government restrictions.  This allowed growers to remain in business and preserve their precious orchards until Prohibition was repealed.

Since then, America has developed a bit of a cider identity crisis.  The modern association of the word “cider” with the non-alcoholic unfiltered apple juice originally known as "sweet cider" is really a misnomer.  While sweet cider is still produced and enjoyed today, it bears little resemblance to the delicate drink known as cider which our forefathers imbibed.

But with new legislation in place that makes it easier for New York orchards to produce and sell “hard” cider, the venerable beverage is making a big comeback- and the Hudson Valley is leading the way. Our local Ulster County cider producers are using traditional methods and fresh local apples to craft world-class ciders for visitors to explore and enjoy.

Cider is so deeply rooted in our region that nationally recognized cider producer Angry Orchard recently chose to establish their flagship Innovation Cider House just 30 minutes away!

We’ve put together a local craft cider trail which makes it easy for our guests to explore the region’s thriving cider culture this autumn- 60 miles, 6 cideries; a loop through beautiful country scenery with gorgeous Shawangunk and Catskill views showcasing the regions finest craft ciders.

1. Westwind Orchard Cidery

215 Lower Whitfield Rd, Accord, NY 12404 (845) 626-0659 

Westwind Orchard Ciders are produced with traditional methods using true cider apples from their own orchard in the shadow of the Shawangunk Mountains. All of their ciders are unfiltered, bottle conditioned, and contain no added sulfites or sugar. The ciders are fermented with wild yeast and are naturally effervescent.   Serving ciders Saturday 11-8 and Sunday 11-6.

2. Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider

3012 NY-213, Stone Ridge, NY 12484 (845) 687-2587

Combining the resources of two orchards and a lifetime of learning and advocacy, Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider produces a line of exceptional ciders which showcase a robust new-world flavor with style and character which draw on classic European techniques.   Their new tasting room has opened at Stone Ridge Orchard and welcomes visitors every day of the season from 9-6.

3. Brooklyn Cider House

155 N Ohioville Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561 (845) 633-8657

Offering ciders born out of traditions from Spain, France, and America which are made as naturally as possible from apples hand picked on Twin Star Orchards.  These ciders are expressions of place, meant to be gulped not sipped.  Some are bubbly, some are dry, and some have a hint of natural sugar, but all are meant to celebrate the simple pleasures.  The tasting room is open and pouring free samples of hard cider Friday through Sunday, 11-7.

4. Bad Seed Cider Co.

43 Baileys Gap Rd, Highland, NY 12528 (845) 236-0956

Bad Seed seeks to advance the craft cider industry by mixing old and new techniques with craft beer influences. Making ciders from 100% fresh pressed apples they grow on a 6th generation family farm- no alchemy used. After all, this is cider not science. You won't find an endless list of chemicals, artificial sweeteners, and excuses on the label because they don't use them.   The Tap Room is open Saturday - Sunday, 12-6, with tours ending at 5.

5. Kettleborough Cidery

277 New York 208, New Paltz, NY 12561 (845) 255-7717

Reviving America’s first and greatest beverage- small-batch hard cider made from 100% hand-selected Hudson Valley apples.  Kettleborough Cider House was founded by the Dressel family, who have been growing apples in New Paltz for four generations- so they know that great hard cider begins with great apples.  Their ciders are on the leading edge, bringing back the unique, complex, and downright delicious beverage our ancestors knew and loved.  The tasting room is open Saturdays & Sundays in September and October from 10-5.

6. Yankee Folly Cidery

69 Yankee Foley Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561 (845) 255-0999

Two hundred and fifteen acres of orchard with 40 varieties of apples and eighty years of orchard experience.  That's what they started with.  Now they have some of the best hard cider out there; off-dry with a crisp apple taste- not that sweet cloying stuff.  At Jenkins -Luekins Orchard, first they grow the apples and then they make the cider.  Heirloom, hand-selected apples hand pressed to create a unique blend.  Real cider, at its best.  Bottles available at the farm market, Monday-Friday 9-6, Saturday and Sunday 9-7.

The Hudson Valley Resort & Spa is your first and last stop along our Craft Cider Trail, where you'll enjoy clean, comfortable and affordable accommodations in a peaceful setting with gorgeous Catskill views, a full-service European health spa with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, tennis and basketball on site and more!  Give us a call at 845-626-8888, and we'll help you make the most of your stay.    

Please note: these producers are not affiliated with the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa.  Guests are encouraged to call ahead to confirm availability and hours of operation.  Please enjoy responsibly.  Do not drink and drive. 

Growing With Pride: Exploring Our Local Farm Markets

The Hudson Valley is home to a thriving farm-to-table culture with fresh local ingredients in abundance from the first days of spring through last days of fall.  The region's rich fertile soil and fresh mountain air have kept our farmers growing with pride for more than 300 years!

No trip to the Hudson Valley would be complete without paying a visit to a local family owned farm to sample the fruit of their labor! Our guests love visiting these rustic local farm markets, each offering a variety of fresh produce just minutes away.

Kelder's Farm Market
5755 Route 209 Kerhonkson 12446 (845) 626-7137
Rondout Valley's largest U-Pick farm with over 100 acres of seasonal fruits and vegetables for you to enjoy as well as friendly farm animals, prize-winning Homegrown Mini-Golf, a massive kid-pleasing jumping pillow, and a famous record-setting giant garden gnome. U-pick fruits and vegetables from asparagus to zucchini. Farm market, greenhouse, petting zoo, field trips, school tours, corn maze, mini-golf. Open year-round, seasonal hours. 

Saunderskill Farms
5100 Route 209 Accord 12404 (845)-626-2676
The second oldest operating farm in the US offering U-Pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pumpkins. Vegetables and fruits in season. Flowering annuals and perennials and herbs. Check out their bakery offering fresh-made sandwiches and soups.  Market items include maple syrup, honey, jams, jellies, gifts and holiday items. Horse-drawn hayrides in the Fall. Daily except Mondays 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

Westwind Orchard
215 Lower Whitfield Road, Accord NY, 12404   (845) 626-0659
One of the area's most historic apple orchards. Everything grown at Westwind Orchard is certified organic. It's also a great place to come experience the history of the Rondout Valley, relax and enjoy the day. Also serving thin crust wood fired pizza on nonna's authentic pizza dough and handcrafted hard cider when available. Open for pick-your-own apples, raspberries and pumpkins every Saturday and Sunday mid-August through October. 

Sheeley's Farm Stand
2752 Lucas Turnpike Accord 12404 (845)687-4497
Organic grown produce. Greenhouse open in May for bedding and vegetable plants. July - September 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Want to more to explore?  There are dozens of growers within a stone’s throw of the resort, producing more than 17 million pounds of fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, butter, milk and cheese, maple syrup, beer and more every year!

Visiting a local farm-stand is a great way to spend the day while visiting the Hudson Valley Resort & Spa, where there’s always something new to discover just around the corner.

Offering a full service health spa with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam rooms, aerobic and strength training fitness centers, tennis & basketball & more- you'll feel a world away, just 90 miles from NYC.  Give us a call today, and we'll help make the most of your stay!