When most people think of upstate NY, they envision the Catskill Mountains. Lush with natural beauty, friendly folks, and rich with famous attractions like The Woodbury Commons and Storm King Art Center… there’s one Hudson Valley jewel that often gets overlooked despite its stellar reputation.
Today, we’ll highlight Pine Bush, a hamlet located in Crawford—and only about 2.5 hours from NYC. From incredible local dining to surprisingly convenient distance from several major cities, we’ll show you why it’s one of the most lovely spots in the Hudson Valley to call home considering.
What to do in Pine Bush: 8 Reasons it’s the hidden gem of the Hudson Valley
Despite its small size, there is much to do in Pine Bush. From phenomenal family-owned restaurants, numerous festivals throughout the year, and a full-sized grocery store, there’s more than enough to keep you busy in this bicentennial Hamlet.
Number 1: Tons of paranormal activity
Yep, not only is Pine Bush The UFO Capitol of the WORLD (move over Area 51), the Hamlet is full of haunted locations! The local Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum offers historical insight into the remarkable paranormal activity of the area, exhilarating haunted tours, and even skywatches for those who want to have their own UFO story to tell!
Number 2: It’s still the Catskills—and that means impressive views
Farmland and mountain residential areas offer beautiful views of, and easy access to, the mountains. For those who love hiking, visit Minnewaska State Park (locally referred to as “Sam’s Point”), where you can explore multiple hiking trails of varying difficulties and distances. You can visit the ice caves in the cooler weather, and if you love Waterfalls, their Verkeerderkill Falls Trail Hike is a must-see.
Number 3: World-class dining right in your neighborhood
Pine Bush is home to many fantastic restaurants, including the award-winning Oriental House, a beloved Japanese/Korean fusion hibachi restaurant owned by the same lovely couple for over 30 years. If you prefer pubs, the Longstreet Tavern offers delicious food, great drinks, and even paint and sips!
Speaking of spiked beverages, Pine Bush is less than 10 minutes from Angry Orchard, where you can tour their Apple orchards, enjoy tastings, and get to know your neighbors during special events. And, if you’re craving a great piece of pizza, Pine Bush has FOUR parlors for you to choose from.
Number 4: Fun annual festivals celebrating arts, music, and great food
Along with their 1st Friday events with live music, Pine Bush hosts multiple famous festivals throughout the year. Most notably, Alien Day, the Harvest Festival, and town-wide yardsale day are beloved celebrations that bring people from all over Hudson Valley together to support local artisans, farmers, authors, artists, and food trucks!
Number 5: Less than an hour from major Hudson Valley attractions
Pine Bush is less than an hour from Legoland in Goshen, roughly an hour from the world-famous Woodbury Commons in Highland Mills, and less than 40 minutes from multiple art museums like Storm King Art Center and Dia Beacon.
Number 6: Close to several major Hudson Valley cities
When you’re ready to venture out of the cozy Hamlet, Pine Bush is less than an hour from several major cities like New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, Beacon, Middletown, New Windsor, and Montgomery (to name a few.)
When you want to visit the city, you’re about 2.5 hours away by car, but you can also travel by train. Two popular stations are the Beacon Train Station (which takes you directly to Grand Central) and the Middletown Train Station (which takes you to Penn Station with a single transfer in Secaucus.)
Number 7: offers a close-knit community—or lots of privacy
One of Pine Bush’s greatest strengths is its versatility. It offers many options, from private woodland properties, on multiple acres of land, to beautiful neighborhoods full of friendly people and walking access to Main St.
Number 8: Great for Wine Lovers
Along with numerous farms that fill the local full-sized grocery store with fresh produce and high-quality cuts of meat, Pine Bush hosts exceptional family-owned vineyards:
If you’re looking for a lovely evening full of fantastic wine, beautiful views, and friendly knowledgeable sommeliers, you can’t go wrong at these highly-recommended vineyards.
Great for anyone looking for country life without cutting themselves off from city convenience.
As you can see, Pine Bush is a preternatural wonder of a place. With so much to do without the bustle of major cities or busy roads to disturb your peace, this is a dream spot for families, singles, and anyone who enjoys finding things to do on their terms.