For no reason in particular, I’ve always had this curiosity about the Hudson Valley. So I finally decided to stop wondering and planned a trip!

I’m originally from New York State—but the other side. I went to Syracuse University with a dream of eventually landing in New York City. I even spent a summer living in the NYU dorms during a buying internship at Bloomingdale’s, convinced that was what was happening.

When I didn’t get a full-time offer, I was devastated. Looking back now, it feels like one of those moments where life kindly redirects you long before you understand why.

I ended up building a beautiful life in San Francisco that I genuinely love. I adore the juxtaposition of old and new, the Victorian homes (and apartments) that have been beautifully cared for, the endlessly inspiring creative community, the farmers markets, the ocean, the trails, the mild weather that lets you hike or run almost any day of the year.

Still, this little curiosity about the Hudson Valley has been in my mind for the past couple of years. I’d heard about the mix of high and low antique shops everywhere. The abundant farm to table food. The small towns and farms. And I wondered if there really was a place with great taste and understated ease like that.

I’m here to say, it was even better than I expected!

Old-world charm around every corner, but not in a way that felt curated for tourists. In fact, no chains are allowed in downtown Hudson. There were restored homes and buildings that didn’t try to overly modernize the architecture (which I appreciate). Antique stores packed to the brim. Restaurants that catered to the senses without being pretentious. Artists, makers, bookstores, gardens, wineries, and cideries everywhere.

It had an understated confidence that I found incredibly refreshing. The pace was different, too. No traffic. No busy sidewalks. No waiting in lines.

Everything felt just a little slower, steady, and intentional. More than once, I caught myself thinking, I could actually see myself living here one day. It felt familiar somehow—like the small-town ease of where I grew up, but layered with incredible food, design, and craftsmanship.

Maybe I will. Maybe I won’t. Time will tell (and so would probably a trip there during the winter).

The truth is, I don’t know if this experience meant anything beyond spending a few laidback days eating, wandering, hiking, and catching up with my sister and two of my closest girlfriends.

Maybe it was just a recognition of the kind of life I continue to feel drawn toward building—a slower pace, beauty that isn’t performative, craftsmanship that has stood the test of time, environments that feel considered, and communities that value quality over constant newness.

Whether that’s the Hudson Valley, San Francisco, or somewhere else entirely, I’m excited to keep following the curiosity.

What I Packed: