23 places 9 towns $16 one-time
The Hudson Valley's independent shops sell what they love, stay in business by building a community around them, and seem to surprise people who know the place exists. Bruised Apple Books in Peekskill has stacked used records and books to its ceilings since 1993. Oblong Books in Rhinebeck has grown under the same family for forty-nine years and still hands out staff-recommendation cards. Inquiring Mind in Saugerties holds forty thousand titles and is the town's gathering spot. Beyond the bookstores, you'll find vinyl and vintage, kitchen supplies and consignment furniture, plants and cheese and artisanal candles across nine towns. Most cluster in the valley's main villages: Hudson, Kingston, New Paltz, Rhinebeck, and Woodstock.
What we thought of each of these 23 places is in the guide. $16 for all 460 places.
Bruised Apple Books in Peekskill has sold used books, vinyl, and cassettes since 1993. Narrow aisles stacked to ceiling make browsing the entire point.
Read more about Bruised Apple Books Website for Bruised Apple Books (opens in a new tab) Map of Bruised Apple Books (opens in a new tab)
Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe in Saugerties is the largest independent bookstore in the Hudson Valley with 40,000 titles, vinyl, and games since 2003.
Read more about Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe Website for Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe (opens in a new tab) Map of Inquiring Mind Bookstore & Cafe (opens in a new tab)
Oblong Books in Rhinebeck is the Hudson Valley's largest independent bookstore, run by father and daughter since 1975. Monthly author nights draw writers.
Read more about Oblong Books Website for Oblong Books (opens in a new tab) Map of Oblong Books (opens in a new tab)
Rough Draft in Kingston serves Counter Culture coffee and cocktails in a pre-1774 stone house at a unique four-corner Revolutionary-era intersection.
Read more about Rough Draft Bar & Books Website for Rough Draft Bar & Books (opens in a new tab) Map of Rough Draft Bar & Books (opens in a new tab)
Spotty Dog Books & Ale in Hudson fills an 1889 firehouse with books, ale, and art supplies, run by a descendant of the original firehouse family.
Read more about Spotty Dog Books & Ale Website for Spotty Dog Books & Ale (opens in a new tab) Map of Spotty Dog Books & Ale (opens in a new tab)
Water Street Market in New Paltz: restored historic buildings housing two dozen shops, an arthouse cinema, and free Monday movies and Tuesday live music.
Read more about Water Street Market Website for Water Street Market (opens in a new tab) Map of Water Street Market (opens in a new tab)
Candlestock in Woodstock has hand-poured candles since 1969. The eight-foot Drip Candle Mountain from 50-plus years of burned wax is worth the stop.
Read more about Candlestock Website for Candlestock (opens in a new tab) Map of Candlestock (opens in a new tab)
Clove & Creek in Kingston sells Catskill and Hudson Valley-made goods since 2016. Sister stores opened in Hudson and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Read more about Clove & Creek Website for Clove & Creek (opens in a new tab) Map of Clove & Creek (opens in a new tab)
Since 2019, Grazery in New Paltz offers cheese, made-to-order sandwiches, and local cider. It grew from the plant shop that opened that year.
Read more about Grazery Website for Grazery (opens in a new tab) Map of Grazery (opens in a new tab)
Kingston Consignments on Front Street fills 7,000 square feet with consignment furniture and dealer booths in a former beauty-supply building since 2017.
Read more about Kingston Consignments Website for Kingston Consignments (opens in a new tab) Map of Kingston Consignments (opens in a new tab)
Oblong Books & Music in Rhinebeck pairs handwritten staff recommendations with a vinyl section, and the book-and-record pairing is worth your time.
Read more about Oblong Books & Music Website for Oblong Books & Music (opens in a new tab) Map of Oblong Books & Music (opens in a new tab)
Vinyl, CDs, and used books at Rhino Records in Kingston, a tight Uptown storefront run by Rick Lange since 2014. Staff know the inventory inside out.
Read more about Rhino Records Website for Rhino Records (opens in a new tab) Map of Rhino Records (opens in a new tab)
Free to read
The last shop in Rhinebeck with a real chocolate case, running the same recipes and register since 1994. Three actors who grew up on its candy bought it in 2014 rather than watch it close, and it still feels like it did then.
Heads upSmall shop with limited seating; expect a line on weekends. The narrow storefront means wheelchairs may find entry challenging. Street parking on Market Street; metered lot nearby.
Read more about Samuel's Sweet Shop Website for Samuel's Sweet Shop (opens in a new tab) Map of Samuel's Sweet Shop (opens in a new tab)
The Corner Counter in Red Hook has sold provisions since the 1860s. Cheese counter and Hudson Valley drinks draw customers here.
Read more about The Corner Counter Website for The Corner Counter (opens in a new tab) Map of The Corner Counter (opens in a new tab)
The Golden Notebook in Woodstock, opened 1978 and reopened 2010, stocks books and Penguin Classics. Staff recommendations come from people who read them.
Read more about The Golden Notebook Website for The Golden Notebook (opens in a new tab) Map of The Golden Notebook (opens in a new tab)
The Vintage Shop at Water Street Market in New Paltz: two floors of vintage furniture, clothing, and antiques from multiple dealers.
Read more about The Vintage Shop at Water Street Market Website for The Vintage Shop at Water Street Market (opens in a new tab) Map of The Vintage Shop at Water Street Market (opens in a new tab)
Bluecashew Kitchen Homestead in Kingston sells well-made kitchen tools and home decor in the Stockade District, after relocating from Rhinebeck in 2017.
Read more about Bluecashew Kitchen Homestead Website for Bluecashew Kitchen Homestead (opens in a new tab) Map of Bluecashew Kitchen Homestead (opens in a new tab)
Eastdale Village in Poughkeepsie packs 60 acres of shops, restaurants, and apartments into a walkable grid with a rotating farmers market at the center.
Read more about Eastdale Village Website for Eastdale Village (opens in a new tab) Map of Eastdale Village (opens in a new tab)
Hudson Valley Vintage in Red Hook combines antique furniture, vinyl records, paint supplies, and workshop space in one East Market Street storefront.
Read more about Hudson Valley Vintage Website for Hudson Valley Vintage (opens in a new tab) Map of Hudson Valley Vintage (opens in a new tab)
Hand-embroidered cushions and stationery from independent shops around the world at Newt in Kingston, opened in the Stockade District in 2022.
Read more about Newt Website for Newt (opens in a new tab) Map of Newt (opens in a new tab)
Rhinebeck Mercantile in this 1946 department store passed to two sisters in 2023. They kept the tradition of treating a clothing sale like a conversation.
Read more about Rhinebeck Mercantile Website for Rhinebeck Mercantile (opens in a new tab) Map of Rhinebeck Mercantile (opens in a new tab)
Well-organized vinyl, CDs, and cassettes spanning classic rock to jazz at Rhino Records in New Paltz. Owner has been trading records since 2004.
Read more about Rhino Records (New Paltz) Website for Rhino Records (New Paltz) (opens in a new tab) Map of Rhino Records (New Paltz) (opens in a new tab)
Riverden Shoppe in Hudson combines new and vintage apparel, mixed-era jewelry, and hard-to-find European perfume like D'Orsay, not mall brands.
Read more about Riverden Shoppe Website for Riverden Shoppe (opens in a new tab) Map of Riverden Shoppe (opens in a new tab)
In the guide
The names and the practical detail above are free. The guide adds what we thought of each place, how we rated it and what to watch out for, including the ones we'd tell you not to bother with. It does the same for the other 437 places in the other categories.
You pay once. Access doesn't expire, and anything we add or correct later is included.
HudsonKingstonNew PaltzPeekskillPoughkeepsieRed HookRhinebeckSaugertiesWoodstock
Antique Shops & Boutiques Art & Sculpture Parks Breweries Cafes & Bakeries Estates & Historic Homes Family Activities Farmers Markets Farms, Orchards & U-Pick Live Music Venues Nightlife & Indoor Fun Restaurants & Treats Swimming & Beaches Theaters & Performing Arts Trails & Outdoors Waterfront & Attractions
