Need a weekend escape, preferably enhanced with farm-to-glass craft beverages? Set your sights and make a clean getaway to Orange County.
Orange County is just 50 miles from New York City, and its green oasis has become the unofficial playground for both Hudson Valley residents and city dwellers alike.
Draws such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, Storm King Art Center and LEGOLAND New York or dreams of epic shopping hauls at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets are reason enough to visit, but once you get a taste of the robust craft beverage scene, you’ll want to return again and again to experience more of the region’s diverse terroir and earth-friendly wonders.
Read on for a trio of artisan-focused, low-impact adventures for outdoor enthusiasts, families or those just looking to spend a few days away with friends. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or you’ve visited dozens of times, there is always something new to discover in Orange County!
Itinerary 1: Earth-Friendly Sips + the Great Outdoors
Enjoying the great outdoors and making choices to actively support local businesses that celebrate the environment is a way of life in Orange County. Farm-to-glass wines, spirits and beers are par for the delicious course.
To drink wine, cider or spirits, head to the Warwick area and Warwick Valley Winery & Black Dirt Distillery—grape and fruit wines and the acclaimed Doc’s Draft Hard Apple Cider have been the draw here for more than three decades. In 2012, the team expanded its offerings with the addition of Black Dirt Distillery, a 4,000 square-foot distillery where tempting New York State elixirs are handcrafted, often with fruit grown on the property.
The rustic post-and-beam tasting room serves up their full range products with a view of the sprawling orchard and pond, plus there are scratch-made seasonal sandwiches, salads and pizzas at the onsite Pané Café.
Nearby Applewood Winery encapsulates tried-and-true Orange County style and values. Family owned and operated since being founded in 1994 on one of the oldest farms west of the Hudson River, Applewood offers estate-grown wines, ciders, house-made cocktails and seasonal light bites in a comfortable, bucolic setting. Creative events are constantly on rotation (trivia, comedy, charcuterie workshops and more), so check the website and plan your visit around an event, or reserve a cabana and take in the setting.
Make Jayne St. Distilling Co. in Florida a stop for meticulous seasonal cocktails with housemade syrups and mixers fresh from the fields, and unexpected twists like brown-butter washed vodka. The cocktail menu rotates frequently with fresh new options, earning it a cult following of thirsty regulars.
The farm-sourced Drowned Lands brewery was crowned best brewery in New York State just two years after opening. The brewery draws its creativity from the abundant natural resources of Warwick, and embraces innovative methods of brewing, like fermenting beer in large oak barrels. Housed within a reimagined century-old former boys’ reform school, the space now offers a harmonious blend of history and modern comfort. Guests can sip and unwind on the patio overlooking the Wawayanda Creek.
DON’T MISS: Take advantage of the area’s iconic scenery and book a guided kayaking experience on the Hudson River with Storm King Adventure Tours. The Sunrise Tour and the trip to Bannerman’s Island are particularly popular so be sure to reserve in advance.
Between visits to iconic indie beverage spots, get your fill of local goodness at the bountiful Warwick Valley Farmers’ Market (Sundays 9 am to 2 pm), where there is fresh produce, live music, kids’ activities and chef demos. For a meal you won’t forget, head over to Blooming Hill Farm, known for its eclectic breads and produce (more than 200 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables are grown there), or stay for one of their gourmet feasts sourced from the fields.
LAY YOUR HEAD HERE: There are a handful of stunning B&Bs that evoke the farm-to-table splendor of Orange County. Stagecoach Inn in Goshen, established in 1747, honors its legacy while providing all of the modern amenities to make for a memorable stay. Come for the history and relish the luxurious, gracious grounds and chef-driven menu at the in-house Dobbins Tavern.
Itinerary 2: Family-Friendly Tastings, Eateries and Spaces
Exploring Orange County’s beverage scene with a crew of kids in tow is easier than it may sound. Centering your activities so you spend more time discovering and less time driving helps keep your carbon footprint in check.
Angry Orchard is a draw for both kids and adults, with a 60-acre orchard in Walden and an array of family-friendly games (like cornhole), live music and tours. Just check the website ahead of time for age requirements. No reservations are required at the Cider House, and guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and folding chairs and kick back as long as they want.
Visitors get a chance to try “tasting room only” ciders, plus other widely available ciders made from estate and locally grown fruit. There are kid-friendly bites and flights for adults, plus local beers and spirits.
Newburgh Brewing is also a kid-friendly stopover, with concerts, games and spaces for the little ones to unwind while parents dig into seasonal beers and mainstays. Plus, there’s live music on the weekends and comfort food like poutine, empanadas and smash burgers to pair with their creative offerings. (Try the year-round MegaBoss IPA, an American brew with eight hop varieties). Visitors can also tour the brewery, housed in one of Newburgh’s century-old manufacturing buildings.
Orchard Hill Cider Mill and Soons Orchard in New Hampton is a must-stop for any apple-loving family. The family-owned and run Soons Orchard was founded in 1910 and has been winning over customers for decades with the fresh cider, donuts and local products sold at their farm store. Families can enjoy an array of harvest activities such as u-pick and hay wagon rides in the fall. Soons also runs wildly popular farm-to-table dinners, with family-style serving and communal seating. Built on the legacy of Soons, Orchard Hill Hard Cider offers adults critically acclaimed hard cider and Ten66 Pommeau made from apples plucked fresh from the orchards and fermented to perfection.
DON’T MISS: The historic Pierson’s Farm in Middletown was originally settled in 1790 and is now run by a seventh-generation member of the Orrin family who transformed the farm’s 270 acres into a fun agricultural experience for the whole family. From U-Pick pumpkins and sunflowers, a fun zone that includes slides and a barrel train, seasonal hayrides and corn mazes to a farm store that features farm-raised meat, eggs and poultry, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Little adventurers will be eager to take part in activities like gem mining and rubber duck races—not to mention the epic jungle-gym!
Next, make your way to Echo Fields in Westtown, a top agritourism destination in the region. With a sprawling 10-acre activity field, hayrides, corn mazes, live music, and an indoor activity barn—perfect for rainy days—it offers fun for all seasons.
LAY YOUR HEAD HERE: There are a handful of stunning B&Bs that evoke the farm-to-table splendor of Orange County. Stagecoach Inn in Goshen, established in 1747, honors its legacy while providing all of the modern amenities to make for a memorable stay. Come for the history and relish the luxurious, gracious grounds and chef-driven menu at the in-house Dobbins Tavern.
For an ultimate kid-friendly experience, you’ll want to head to LEGOLAND, with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions over 150 expansive acres. Kids can find things to learn and places to explore for days with seven LEGO-themed lands, so don’t rush the fun! Plan a stay at LEGOLAND Hotel, designed for kids with themed rooms, family-style breakfasts and family entertainment every night.
Middletown’s pet-friendly Candlewood Suites is designed for families, with a pool and onsite market, and adult must-haves like EV chargers, complimentary coffee and a fitness room.
Itinerary 3: Weekend With Friends
Sometimes a few-day getaway with friends is necessary for a reset. Orange County offers everything you need for a low-impact, high-energy excursion, from locally made beverages with a side of live music, great food and games, to shopping and one-of-a-kind experiences you won’t soon forget.
Plan to spend some time exploring City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery, a vineyard, winery, restaurant and event space all rolled into one. There are tours and tastings, a Mediterranean-inspired menu, and opportunities to create your own wine blend with the help of City Winery’s vintners, but real magic happens at their full-day music and wine festivals, karaoke nights and concerts with some of your favorite performers. There are innumerable opportunities to create lasting memories here!
If terroir-driven cocktails are part of the plan, check out the Spirits Lab Distilling Company. One of the newer arrivals to the drinks scene in the Hudson Valley, Spirits Lab is perched steps from the Hudson River waterfront in Newburgh, the city’s historic district. Inside, there are small-batch spirits and premium bottled cocktails crafted from locally grown grains and botanicals. For a dose of history, pop across the street to visit General Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War.
Experience a taste of Newburgh’s nightlife at the Silk Factory where they serve up creative farm-to-table fare, locally sourced beers and wines, and popular live music and tribute bands.
DON’T MISS: The West Point Museum contains the most extensive collection of military artifacts in the country showcasing centuries of history—from ancient Egypt to George Washington’s pistols and an impressive assortment of battlefield relics. After, stop by the Zulu Lounge on the roof of The Thayer Hotel for killer cocktails and views of West Point and the Hudson River. Arts aficionados should head to Sugar Loaf Art & Craft Village, a hamlet of artists, artisans and unique shops teeming with local treasures. Then unwind with a sunset drive along the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, a corridor that parallels the Delaware River and offers dramatic views and some of the prettiest vistas in the county.
LAY YOUR HEAD HERE: For the ultimate indulgence, wind down at the Glenmere Mansion, which reflects the luxury of the Gilded Age on 150 acres of farmland overlooking the Catskill Mountains. The hotel boasts majestic marble-columned porticoes, a stunning modern art collection, formal gardens, pool and tennis, bocce and croquet courts and a sumptuous spa. Dine at the Supper Room, a seasonal gourmet restaurant onsite, or refuel at Frogs End Tavern for an informal, locavore meal and locally sourced libations.
Ready to stay awhile? Visit pickocny.com or follow us on Instagram @pickocny for even more inspiration and up-to-the-minute events.
PHOTOS: Courtesy Orange County Tourism
Header Photo: Angry Orchard
