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Family Summer Fun in Lower Hudson Valley

Located just 30 miles north of New York City, the Lower Hudson Valley offers a wealth of family attractions and activities easily reached by car, train or boat. Trust us, there is far more than just amazing real estate in the Lower Hudson Valley. With a mix of historic sites, walkable villages, outdoor adventures and homemade culinary treats, there’s always something to do. Whether you hike the Appalachian Trail or stop for destination-worthy homemade ice cream, let’s just say, a visit here will check off many of the boxes for a weekend getaway in the Hudson Valley.

Sail boats on Hudson River

Sail Through Art History, Various locations

For a unique experience, embark on a Hudson River voyage aboard historic sailboats to benefit Nyack-based Rockland Center for the Arts and the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center. Join fellow artists and friends for a three-hour sunset sail on wide-decked authentic working historic sailboats, the Clearwater and the Pioneer. Each cruise will feature a different expert speaking on topics such as Hudson River School paintings, the bridges, Edward Hopper’s love for boats and the ecology of the Hudson River. Participate in raising the sails and learn from the crew what it is like to live onboard. The Hudson River Clearwater Sloop, a majestic 106-foot long vessel christened in 1969, will leave from Piermont for two sails Aug. 23 and 24 by the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The Pioneer, a restored 1885 iron-sided schooner owned by South Street Seaport Museum, will leave from Haverstraw for two sails on Sept. 15 to Croton Bay north of Hook Mountain. Bring your own art supplies, sketch books and cameras and make your own art on board. Anyone ages 14 and older can participate. Tickets are $70 (for Hopper House or RoCA members) and $85 for nonmembers and can be purchased at www.edwardhopperhouse.org/sail.html or by calling Edward Hopper Museum at 845-358-0774.

Hikers at Tallman Mountain State Park, Sparkill, New York

Tallman Mountain State Park, Sparkill, New York

New York’s state parks offer countless opportunities to explore the Hudson Valley’s natural environment, escape the everyday grind and experience exciting new adventures. Tallman Mountain State Park, a 687-acre state park in Rockland County, New York, located adjacent to the Hudson River in the Town of Orangetown just south of historic Piermont, offers a running track, tennis courts, playfield, cross country skiing, a walking trail, hiking and picnic areas. parks.ny.gov/parks/119/details.aspx.

View of Hudson River from high in Hook Mountain State Park, Upper Nyack, New York

Hook Mountain State Park, Upper Nyack, New York

Nyack’s proximity to the Hudson River makes it an ideal recreational destination for sailing, kayaking and fishing, while nearby Hook Mountain draws cyclists and hikers throughout the year with over 675 undeveloped acres for hiking, biking and picnicking. Located behind Rockland Lake State Park, the park system can be accessed from the end of North Broadway in Upper Nyack. Open dawn to dusk. 845-268-3020; www.nynjtc.org/park/hook-mountain-state-park.

Bellvale Farms Creamery, Warwick, New York

Bellvale Farms Creamery, Warwick, New York

Few traditions are as timeless as indulging in a tasty ice cream treat on a hot summer day. Though ice cream stands, shops and chains are plentiful throughout lower Hudson Valley, there are a few standouts that use handmade or locally sourced ice cream for their traditional favorites. Bellvale Farms Creamery, established in 1819, churns out fresh ice cream thanks to the dairy farm’s cows, offering a dozen or so flavors daily, each incredibly rich and heavenly. Located on 450 acres atop Mount Peter only 50 miles from New York City, the shop is a “must stop” even for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. The lines can get quite long on extra-hot days, but patrons don’t mind taking in the stunning valley views while they wait. 845-988-1818; www.bellvalefarms.com.

Entrance to Stony Point Battlefield and Lighthouse, Stony Point, New York

Stony Point Battlefield and Lighthouse, Stony Point, New York

Rockland County was once home to members of the Delaware and Lenape nations and a key position for General George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, where Gen. Anthony Wayne defeated the British in a surprise attack on July 16, 1779, is the location of one of the last battles of the American Revolutionary War in the northeastern colonies and a National Historic Landmark. With a lighthouse (the oldest in New York state) and on-site museum, visitors can learn about the history of the battlefield and lighthouse through exhibits and interactive reenactments, demonstrations and family activities on weekends through Oct. 845-786-2521; parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/8/details.aspx

Freshly popped popcorn at Warwick Drive-In

Warwick Drive-In, Warwick, New York

For a one-of-a kind experience, catch a flick at one of the region’s family-favorite outdoor entertainment spots: the Warwick Drive-In. Established in 1950, the theater continues to show top films to movie-loving Hudson Valley patrons. This open-air theater has three screens, each of which show double features seven days a week in the summer. The snack bar offers burgers, fries, nachos and mozzarella sticks as well as candy, popcorn (of course!) and ice cream. Pets are welcome, though be sure to keep them on their leash when outside. Credit cards are accepted for tickets: $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and ages 4-11; and kids under four are free. For movie times and more info, call 845-986-4440 or visit www.warwickdrivein.com.

Young girl on a horse at Juckas Stables, Pine Bush, New York

Juckas Stables, Pine Bush, New York

Discover the fun and tranquility of horseback riding with friends and family while taking in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley countryside on a trail system spanning 117 acres of breathtaking farmland, forests and lakes. Established in 1965, Juckas Stables specializes in trail rides for all ages and abilities. The family-owned and operated business also hosts summer camps and a kids’ overnight camping trip. Look out for the snapping turtles sunning themselves on the rocks and other Hudson Valley wildlife. Visitors can also check out barnyard animals, a fun diversion for the younger set. For more information, call 845-361-1429 or visit www.juckasstables.com.

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South Mountain Road: An Artist’s Playground

In the second part of our two-part series on Snedens Landing and South Mountain Road, we look at South Mountain Road and how it has evolved over recent generations.  My firm currently has four properties listed for sale there, and it renewed my interest in the area’s historical provenance and its attraction for artists and creatives.

As we discussed in our last blog, for those looking to purchase real estate in this part of the Hudson Valley, many were torn between Snedens Landing and South Mountain Road.  My observation is that the South Mountain “Roaders” tend to have an adventurous spirit and a passion for the rural landscape.

Life as a Roader

374 South Mountain Road is just 40 minutes to New York City and listed for $1.299 million.

374 South Mountain Road is just 40 minutes to New York City and listed for $1.299 million.

Like Snedens Landing, South Mountain Road has consistently attracted a distinctive artistic community of writers, actors and artists, from poet Maxwell Anderson- whose home we currently have listed- to composer Kurt Weill and his wife, singer/actress Lotte Lenya.  Other members of this informal artists’ colony include director and producer John Houseman and painter Henry Varnum Poor. In the late 1970s Mick Jagger lived on South Mountain Road.

As background, South Mountain Road is a historic road on the northern border of New City. The name is not directional, however, as there is no North Mountain Road- it gets its name from being on the south of the mountain, which by the way, was the name of a Broadway show, written by South Mountain Road resident, Maxwell Anderson. The road itself winds against the mountainside and has historic roots back to the Revolutionary War. Homes are tucked away on the hillside in a country setting.

637 South Mountain Road is a custom-designed all brick home available for $1.425 million.

637 South Mountain Road is a custom-designed all brick home available for $1.425 million.

The road also has ties to the most important art show in American history- “The Armory Show” of 1913 in New York City- which introduced European Avant-garde art to America including Fauvism Cubism and Futurism.  Prior to that, Americans were used to Realism, certainly nothing experimental.  Two local Rockland residents were responsible for coordinating this show: artist Arthur B. Davies and South Mountain roader and sculptor John Frederick Mowbray-Clarke.

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of working with the Mowbray-Clarke family, representing them in the sale of their family homestead to Ramapo Township as green space.

635 South Mountain Road is a modern home perched high against the hillside, available for $1.395 million.

635 South Mountain Road is a modern home perched high against the hillside, available for $1.395 million.

In my Snedens Landing blog, I mentioned that I recently found an article from July 1952 for Park East magazine by Pamela Whittaker, where she details the lifestyles of Snedens Landing and South Mountain Road.  It was interesting to see her note that those “qualities which stem from similarities in occupation and age make the South Mountain Road colony similar to that in Snedens.  Otherwise the two are quite different and definitely separate, mildly but inactively interested in each other.”

It is also interesting to note that in 1952 she observed that South Mountain Road was capable of considerable expansion, being physically larger than Snedens Landing.  It appears that South Mountain Road at the time grew as a sort of bohemian version of Snedens.  “There was a more pronounced emphasis on the arts and crafts as such than ever obtained in Snedens, and much time was spent discussing things artistic and philosophical.  Many Roaders combined their craft abilities with the rustic life and built their own homes and furniture, wove their own materials, and went in for chickens and gardens and canning.”

430 South Mountain Road is an elegant variation of a Romanesque-style stone home, defined by its stone arches, two towers and a tall hip roof, available for $2.595 million.

430 South Mountain Road is an elegant variation of a Romanesque-style stone home, defined by its stone arches, two towers and a tall hip roof, available for $2.595 million.

While you generally will not find that type of rustic existence anymore, the spirit of bohemian art is still alive and well on South Mountain Road, just as a love for art in all its forms and community is still cultivated in Snedens Landing.  It leaves one to wonder how much both areas will change in another 60 years.

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Snedens Landing: Then and Now

 

Once upon a time, for artists and celebrities already maintaining a residence in New York City but looking to purchase an additional property near the hustle and bustle of the city, they chose either Snedens Landing in Palisades or South Mountain Road in New City.  The virtues of both enclaves have been extolled as far back as the 1900s.  In fact, I recently came across an article on the topic from July 1952 for Park East magazine. In author Pamela Whittaker’s descriptions of both markets it is evident that as much as things change, they also stay the same.  In fact, the article and its descriptions of the lifestyles could have been written today.

In this two-part series we will look at Snedens Landing and South Mountain Road and compare the nuances of each area’s lifestyle and how they have changed over the years.

Life in Snedens Landing

Seven Oaks

Seven Oaks is one of the oldest estate properties in Snedens Landing and on the market for the first time in 38 years for $4.8 million.

Today, Snedens Landing is many things to many different types of people including a retreat for the artistic.  As Bloomberg recently noted:  “Hollywood and Broadway elites from Laurence Olivier to Ethel Barrymore set up residence here, and celebrities have been coming, and going, ever since….Full of winding roads and dead-end streets, Snedens is the kind of place where the homes have names ….There is little more in the way of commerce than a library and a post office, and much of the area falls within historic districts, with several homes on the National Register of Historic Places. The draw is the seclusion and natural beauty, and the prize is the Hudson and woodsy land around.”

Snedens also offers a community center with farmers market and a great local food market and cafe just outside the residential area on Route 9w. And as we looked at in a recent blog, Snedens Landing also has been the childhood home to many a future star.

In reading Pamela Whittaker’s description from 1952, it is amazing how much has stayed the same.  She paints a picture of an area whose beauty and serenity – and its privacy- appealed to artists.  “Snedens’ hours are haphazard…What commuting there is generally has no precise schedule, and for that reason is by car rather than by bus or train.”  This is very much still the case, as Snedens remains accessible mainly by bus or car, which just adds to its air of privacy and mystique.

Cliff House is a romantic and private Hudson Riverfront home in Snedens Landing, currently on the market for $2.495 million

Cliff House is a romantic and private Hudson Riverfront home in Snedens Landing, currently on the market for $2.495 million.

An interesting change Ms. Whittaker noted at the time was that Snedens began as a more communal area, “young families pooled food and money to get by, and gave each other frequent and lavish parties…” By the time she wrote the article in 1952, she noted many residents were more involved in their careers and parties were less frequent.  I think she would be interested to see that in present day Snedens has come almost full circle, with that spirit of community distinctly in the air.

In part two of our blog series on Snedens Landing and South Mountain Road we will look at how life on South Mountain Road has evolved over the years.

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Making a Life and a Career in the Lower Hudson Valley

New York’s lower Hudson Valley is a region known for its views, from the Hudson River’s shorelines to the region’s bucolic parklands. It’s nothing short of inspirational. That’s why more than 30 years ago I chose to build my career helping others find their dream homes in Rockland and Orange counties.

I created this blog, “Hudson Valley Views,” to share my love of this market and the insights my team and I have gathered over the course of three decades. Every month, we will share on our thoughts on house and home, from why real estate is a solid foundation for building wealth to how to best showcase your art collection.

By way of introduction, the lower Hudson Valley covers many charming towns and communities including Nyack, Piermont, Grandview, Palisades, Sneden’s Landing, New City, Tuxedo Park, Warwick, Goshen, Cornwall, Greenwood Lake, Pierson Lakes, Suffern, West Nyack, Blauvelt and Tappan – to name a few. I’d like to take you on a tour of just a few of the areas we serve through some of our most special listings.

Nyack: A Town with a View

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Nyack is a quaint and charming town, with views so lovely, only an artist could do them justice. In fact, at 641 North Broadway, the views are so striking local artist Edward Hopper painted them. Hook Mountain provides the backdrop to this home, situated on one of the largest privately owned parcels on the west bank of the Hudson north of the George Washington Bridge. History also plays a role in this home’s unique appeal: the British came on shore during the Revolutionary War, as documented in a letter to George Washington.

Sneden’s Landing: History and Beauty

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Sneden’s Landing, also known as Palisades, is becoming increasingly popular. Its history dates back to the 1680s, but many modern-day celebrities have called it home, from Bill Murray to Al Pacino and Angelina Jolie. Walking through town, it is easy to understand the appeal. Cliff House, for example, is just 25 minutes to New York City, perched on a hill overlooking the Hudson with a small rocky cove below. The lifestyle here is tranquil. A surrounding park runs 12 miles along the Hudson River.

Tuxedo Park: A Gilded and Gated Community

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Tuxedo Park, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a refined and private gated community that dates back to the 1880s. Less than an hour from New York City, its residents will tell you it offers respite from daily life. The residence at 4 Ridge Road is perfect example of historic, classic Tuxedo Park architecture, built in 1898 and lovingly preserved and maintained with an air of stately grace. The ballroom, added in the early 1900s, has antique sconces and parquet floors, and echoes back to an elegant time in American history.

My team and I look forward to continuing to share our views of the Hudson Valley in the coming blog articles.

Richard Ellis, Managing Member and Real Estate Broker

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