The fall season is here, and it will be much more tempting to take a leisurely walk now than in the heat of the summer. Some of the finest places to do so are the downtown areas that are in or around the Hudson Valley. There are many exciting aspects about exploring these downtowns, such as supporting local businesses, trying a new restaurant or bar, finding some entertainment venues and absorbing the cultural environment of that area.
My family and I took our annual trip up to Saratoga Springs recently, and we’re always drawn to their downtown area because of how much it offers for its visitors. With everything there is to try when there, it’s almost like a miniature city, and you’ll want to stay out until the late hours exploring it.
Luckily, we have such places like that in our vicinity. There is much to see in these downtown areas, so I can’t include everything, but hopefully what I include in this story will entice you to go out and visit them.
Nyack
One of the best choices for a downtown to explore is that of Nyack. While there, you can try one of their many bars, like The Pour House or Bourbon Street, but one I highly suggest is Harbor Hill. It has three floors, with the first being the main restaurant and bar, the second being a party floor, and the third being a private lounge. With there being three floors, this bar has a lot going on and carries a lot of lively spirit, so a visit here might entice you to stay out another hour or two.
If you don’t want a sit-down dinner, but are looking for a quick bite in between all of the activity, grab a slice of pizza at either Tarantella’s or Turiello’s before you head back out on the town.
If you turn right from Main onto South Broadway, you’ll quickly hit the Pickwick Bookshop, a store overflowing with books both old and new. Considering we’re in a world where a big book retailer like Borders isn’t impervious to going out of business, it’s a comfort that small bookstores like Pickwick keep going, which has been around since 1945.
Another local business you’ll want to check out on South Broadway is Hickory Dickory Dock, a store that specializes in seasonal goods. One of the best times to go is around Christmas, when they have a seemingly endless assortment of beautiful crafts with which to decorate your home.
Piermont
If you’re in Nyack, but decide to try someplace a little more quiet, just a few minutes south is the town of Piermont, situated right along the Hudson River. Although one of the main draws would be the many spots at which to view the river, the area excels in its many restaurant options. The charm of these restaurants comes with how different they are from each other.
If you would like to dine while having an excellent view of the river, Pier 701 is the place you need to visit, and is located on Piermont Avenue. The river and the town of Piermont add to the beauty of each other, which is more than enough reason to try this restaurant sitting along the water.
At 14 and Hudson, which is also located on Piermont Avenue, the restaurant and bar provide a very comfortable feel to customers, and the perfect lighting shines off the glistening wood of the interior’s furniture. If you’re hungry when visiting, but wish to go for something light, pull up a chair at their spacious bar and order a drink and an appetizer.
For something with an enchanting, old-fashioned type of setting, you have to go to Confetti Ristorante and Vinoteca on Ash Street. There’s an extensive menu from which to choose your starters and entree, and the relaxing environment adds considerably to a wonderful night out with your friends and/or family.
Tarrytown
If the mood strikes you to make a trip across the Hudson into Westchester County, spend the afternoon in gorgeous Tarrytown. One thing you should do, if you have enough time, is take in a show at the Tarrytown Music Hall on Main Street. Having gone there myself a couple of times in years past, it’s a theater with significant charm, and has inhabited the area since 1885. When walking in, you can really get a sense of the history of performances that has built up inside the theater for over 100 years, which adds to the richness in the experience of watching a production at this music hall. Catching one of its shows should be on your list if you’re planning a trip there.
When looking for a place to dine, you have several options on Main Street. One top option is the Tarry Tavern. You can go there for either lunch or dinner, but for dinner, however, there are two menus from which to choose your meal: the Tavern menu and the Market menu, the latter of which has appetizers and entrees influenced by the season and local produce. Besides the indoor dining area, there are also some tables outdoors where you can eat and watch the activity of Main Street.
Ridgewood
When venturing into Bergen County, one town you should consider on your visit is Ridgewood. Being a lover of independent bookstores, I highly suggest that you check out Bookends on E. Ridgewood Avenue. It’s a quant, little store that has much to offer in the way of books for all ages. They also have an events schedule that includes many guest speakers. They have had notable figures visit, such as Hilary Rodham Clinton, Joan Rivers and Steve Forbes, and in the coming weeks, the store will welcome other notable individuals, such as former New York Yankee Mariano River, actress Danielle Fishel (“Boy Meets World”) and actor Ron Perlman (“Son’s of Anarchy”).
Many great pizzerias are established in downtown areas, and Ridgewood isn’t any exception. Brooklyn’s Coal-Burning Brick-Oven Pizzeria is off of E. Ridgewood Avenue on Oak Street if you want to get a delicious slice.
If you’re a lacrosse player, Ridgewood has its own Lacrosse Unlimited store, which is also on E. Ridgewood Avenue. Although it’s not a fall sport, you can still have fun playing a few games in the earlier part of the autumn season while the weather is still comfortable, so take advantage of what this store has to offer.