Shopping, antiquities in the Hudson Valley

Certainly not for six-lane highways and huge shopping centers. They're everywhere. No, it's because the region boasts such an impressive array of antique shops, crafts centers, art galleries and specialty stores where visitors can pick up unique and beautiful items at far below big-city prices.

Artists and artisans have long flocked to the valley to live and work in one of the most beautiful areas of America. From Tarrytown to Chatham, Warwick to Woodstock, Suffern to Saugerties, Monroe to Rhinebeck and all up and down the valley, their wares are on display at a variety of shops far too vast to be mentioned here.

If wines are what you're looking for, take a taste of the Hudson Valley. It's the area's oldest winemaking region, dating back the French Huguenot settlers of the late 17th century, and its many wineries produce a variety of vintages (mostly white, but some red and sparkling varieties).

While a leisurely shopping excursion/drive through the valley is an excellent way to spend a day at any time of year, many vistors like to check out the crafts fairs which showcase the area's wares. Among the most popular are the Woodstock-New Paltz Arts and Crafts Fairs over the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends at the Ulster County Fairgrounds in New Paltz and the antiques and crafts fairs at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.