The Valley of Hudson River, USA

Not far from New York-that noisy and cosmopolitan city-is the valley of the river Hudson, a paradise where one can get away from the hectic life of the big city. The valley's charm is enhanced by the wild Catskill Mountains located at its western end. The 507 km long Hudson River runs through eastern New York State, defining the border between New York and New Jersey at its southern end. The river's name is associated with English maritime explorer Henry Hudson, who discovered it by accident in 1609. Flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, the Hudson River is the largest river in the world. The Hudson is full enough to float ships on and has played an important role in the US economy in the past. 

In 1825, the canal between the Hudson River and the Hudson River was built. Hudson and Lake Erie in 1825, making it the second longest canal in the world, thus creating the conditions for New York's connection to the Great Lakes and further growth in trade. On the Hudson are the Chelsea Piers, once a stopover for many ships and today a sports and entertainment center. Here in 1912 was to arrive the luxury liner of tragic fate, the Titanic.

The beauty of the valley inspired a host of landscape artists who founded the American landscape art movement in the mid-19th century. The "Hudson School of Painting" was founded, whose representatives included Thomas Cowell, Ashle Durand, Frederick Edwin, Albert Bierstadt and others, who created brilliant masterpieces of the Hudson Valley's different seasons. In the 19th century, the valley and its inhabitants were the subject and inspiration of Washington Irwin, the first internationally recognized American author. Even as a teenager, he visited the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains, which had a captivating effect on his boyhood imagination.

Although the intervention of man's hand has not passed the extraordinary scenery, the towns in the valley of the river. Hudson are one of the top tourist destinations in the United States. Warwick, located 80 miles from Manhattan, is the home of Dutch writer, artist and humanist Frederick Frank( 1909-2006).The magnificent 24-acre garden holds nearly 70 sculptures in metal, wood, stone and glass. The Olana Mansion, by the renowned landscape painter Church of the Hudson School, sits on a hill overlooking the river and the Catskill Mountains. The house itself is built in the Persian style with many of the design sketches done by Church himself.

He spent the last 20 years of his life here with his family and created some of his finest landscapes in this enchanting valley. In the town of Germantown is the lovely 18th-century estate of Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of New York, who took George Washington's first presidential oath upon his inauguration. The lavish house of Frederick William Vanderbilt and his wife Louise Anthony is also located in the river valley. Hudson. Built between 1896-99, it is set amidst 600 acres of manicured lawns, quaint gardens, woods and many ancillary buildings. With its 54 rooms and views of the river. Hudson, Vanderbilt House has entertained many guests.

Franklin Roosevelt's house, among the 1,200-acre 1826 estate in Hyde Park, is remarkable. This home was very dear to him because he and his wife Eleanor put a lot of love into creating the gardens, interior furnishings and design. The extensive library, music room, entry hall with paintings from the Roosevelt collection are something unique. Everything in this home has been preserved as it was on the day of his death in 1945. The Roosevelt Home is a National Historic Landmark. There are many more mansions of the rich and famous in the Hudson Valley-the Rockefeller, the Van Cortlandt, the Phillipsburg, and the Washington Irving.

Hyde Park is also home to the Culinary Institute of America with its four excellent restaurants-American, French, Italian, and the Apple Pie Café. Their lounges are sumptuous, cooking and serving is under the direction of renowned chefs, and reservations are required to visit.

The valley of the Hudson River has been the arena of many battles for independence. Near the George Washington Bridge over the river. Hudson, on November 16, 1776, General Washington watched the British capture the fort in northern Manhattan. Nearby is another historic landmark, Stony Point Battlefield, where General Anthony Wayne surprisingly defeated the English in July 1779. There is a small museum here recounting the events of that glorious time. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point, located on a picturesque hill above the river, has been training army officers since 1802. At the West Point Museum, one can see a rich collection of weapons, battle art, uniforms and dioramas. In the town of Newburgh, the Washington Headquarters, located in the Hasbrouck House, is of interest.

Located along the Hudson River, Riverside Park South was completed in 2008 and features interesting sites related to the area's railroad history. Among the tall grass, lovely rose bushes and weeping willows are many benches for relaxing and picnicking. A restored locomotive can be seen here, which is permitted to be boarded. The other two parks "Riverside" and "Hudson River" are extensions of  "Riverside Park South" and offer much entertainment.

There are many bridges over the Hudson River, so a stroll through the valley is a must, combined with a crossing on one of them.

The Hudson River’s Valley of is one of the oldest wine and grape growing regions in the country with a tradition dating back to 1677. There are wonderful wineries and the wine festivals are an exciting overhead.

Fascinating in all seasons, the valley of the river. Hudson is well worth a visit.