Things to do / Travel Guide
The general rule of the Catskills and the Hudson Valley region is that the closer to New York City (New York City) you are, the more expensive things are; the farther away, the cheaper. This trend is true across the board, as accommodations, food, attractions, and so forth, are all thus affected. Things are changing in many areas, but they still have a long way to go to approach New York City's rates.
In any case, travelers to the region won't necessarily have to shell out too much; especially as many of the activities with which to occupy oneself in the region are free. Admiring the view from atop a mountain, or cycling from town to town, are unforgettable experiences won't cost you a dime.
Transportation in the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Region
The choice of public transportation in the region is between the bus companies and Amtrak. The two local bus companies in the region are Short Line and Adirondack-Pine Hill Trailways. Of the two, Short Line is the more extensive while Trailways is less expensive - you can get a ticket from New York City to Woodstock for under $25. Taking the train is a more expensive, but more convenient public transportation option. It's scenic to boot, traveling along the river, and sometimes skirting its banks.
Accommodations in the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Region
If you're planning on staying in Tarrytown or Sleepy Hollow, both a bit less than an hour's drive from New York City, expect to pay between $150 and $200 for a room in a good hotel, and up to $300 for the best hotels. Poughkeepsie's prices are about $50 cheaper on average, while Kingston and Catskill are cheaper still.
The Mohonk Mountain House and Preserve, the highest-end accommodation in the region, costs between $300 and $700 a night, the most expensive rooms being those in the turrets with the best views.
In the smaller cities and towns in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, you'll find many bed-and-breakfast establishments (B&Bs), some as cheap as $90 a night, others with rooms costing about tripe that. While it's true that the B&Bs farther south are more expensive, even in these areas you'll be able to find more reasonable rooms. High-season for these B&Bs is usually from June-October, when prices are generally $10-$20 more expensive than in off-season.
The cheapest accommodation in the region naturally comes in the form of campgrounds and motels. Campgrounds cost anywhere $15-$45, depending on the quality and amount of amenities; at the more expensive ones (like the Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds in Saugerties) there may be a laundromat, kids activities, and even a library. Motel rates in the region generally run about twice as expensive as most campgrounds.
Dining in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley Region
Generally speaking, you can order an entrée in most restaurants in the region, save for perhaps the upscale ones in the larger cities, for about $15-$20. The classy establishments can charge up to triple that for their highest-end creations. Dining is a bit more expensive in Tarrytown, a bit less so in Kingston.
Prices at the farmers markets are, contrary to what you might think, often more expensive than those at the local supermarket. Of course, the food's quality is said to be better at these markets, so it's worth the extra charge.
Attractions and Activities in the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Region
Attractions in the region are in general reasonably priced. A three-hour sailing excursion on the Hudson costs about $50 a person. Entrance to a museum is between $3 and $10, to one of the grand old residences in and near Tarrytown is about $10. Of course, many of these are actually free; and it is a good idea to check museum websites, as many offer a day or several hours each week free of admission charges.
The major activities in the region are hiking, biking, and scenic driving, which don't cost a penny to partake in, save for transportation expenditures. For those who want to kayak the Hudson River, there are a number of outfitters lining the river's shores from north to south. Kayak tours with a guide generally come at $75 for a half-day, $125 for a full day.
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