Hipster Heaven: New York and the Hudson

Welcome to Brooklyn! Manhattan is to the west, on the other side of the East River. Because the city has been represented so many times in TV shows and movies, even first-timers know what's coming, so get ready to experience the very best of New York: the Chrysler Building, MoMA, Central Park, Broadway, the New York Public Library, Barney Greengrass... Plus pop into Red Hook, which was one of the most important ports in the United States in the mid-19th century and has been transformed from its Al Capone days to organic boutiques. It feels like a seaside resort with plenty of seafood restaurants.
DUMBO – Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass – is a mix of high-tech companies and art galleries and a hub of urban energy. And then there's Manhattan Bridge, one of the ultimate New York icons. Coney Island is in the far south of Brooklyn. For half a century, it was popular for its beach and theme parks: Luna Park, Dreamland and Steeplechase Park… Millions of visitors flocked there, but its popularity sadly declined after the war. Today, the crowds are back and Wonder Wheel and the historic wooden roller coaster Cyclone are back up and running and Nathan's Famous Frankfurters are still selling their world-famous hot dogs. Coney Island is the perfect distillation of American pop culture. Between Coney Island and Manhattan Beach, vodka and pelmeni are telltale signs of the Jewish and Russian communities that gave Brighton Beach its nickname - 'Little Odessa'.

Included in the itinerary - Williamsburg and Bushwick. Enjoy a walk with one of our local guides through Williamsburg, a bohemian neighbourhood that has an eclectic mix of people: indie rock musicians and up-and-coming artists rub shoulders with Hasidic Jews, descendants of Italian and Spanish immigrants, African Americans and more. Graffiti and street artists are everywhere and so too are their vivid and colourful masterpieces. Visit the flea market, where you can indulge in an impulse buy. The stalls are full of things that you never knew you needed. Brownstone houses and public buildings tell the stories of the working and middle classes in Bushwick.

Collect your hire car and head to Hudson (two hours). Spend two nights in an old cinema transformed into a charming hotel with a stylish design, featuring white walls and open spaces; the furniture might look eclectic, but it has been carefully chosen to create the perfect atmosphere. The rooms and their luxurious bed linen are wonderful. Cast iron stoves in the communal areas provide a rustic, warm feel. The house bar is intimate and run by helpful staff who are always on hand to mix a mean cocktail.
En route, stop at Mountainville at the Storm King Art Centre, which features an exceptional collection of outdoor contemporary sculptures over nearly 500 acres of prairies and forests. Alexander Calder (The Arch, 1975), Henry Moore (Reclining Connected Forms, 1969) and Richard Serra (Schunnemunk Fork, 1991) are prominent sculptors, but the works of Magdalena Abakanowicz (Sarcophagi, 1989), Alexander Liberman (Adam, 1970), Mia Westerlund Roosen (Muro Series X, 1979) and many others are also superb.

For a long time, Hudson had a well-deserved reputation of being down-at-heel, but that's long gone. The city is a conservation area owing to the diversity of its architectural heritage. It's like a time capsule of the types of buildings seen since America began. Nearby, there's an impressive example of New World architecture. This is the house that Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900) built in Olana with architect Calvert Vaux (1872). It's a large mansion and features an amazing combination of Victorian, Persian and Arabic styles, with stunning views of the Hudson, Catskills and Taconic Mountains. In addition to the furniture, over 40 pieces of art by Church and other painters have been preserved in situ.

Head to Phoenicia (one hour). Spend two nights at the foot of Hunter Mountain. The hotel's look is inspired by nature and the panelling and floorboards play a key role in the design. All the rooms are fully functional and have a kitchenette and bathroom. There's a swimming pool and badminton court in the garden, and bikes are available for guests. There's a glorious laid-back vibe centred around outdoor life... with the many hammocks proof of this. Go green and explore this beautiful area on foot or by bike. Leave your nerves behind and enjoy the thrill of a zip wire. Canopy tours provide unexpected viewpoints and amusing situations galore. The chairlift is the perfect option for those wanting a more laid-back approach to exploring. And the main street is only a few minutes away from this green haven.

Not far from Phoenicia is Woodstock. The small town is named after the most famous rock festival ever, the Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969, which (one for fact fans) was actually held over 60 miles away in Bethel. Woodstock has always been an important centre for the Arts, and the Hudson River School, folk revival and Arts and Crafts movement have all played key roles in this. Bob Dylan's 'Basement Tapes' and The Band's 'Big Pink' albums were recorded here.