If the Hudson Valley conjures a bygone era in American History of important Revolutionary War battles, an important transit hub of steamboats and rail between New England, New York City, Montreal, and the Great Lakes in the 19th century, and a beleaguered recent past beset by demographic and economic challenges in the late 20th century you wouldn’t be mistaken. But as the saying “Everything Old is New Again” goes, the Hudson Valley is having a rebirth bolstered by a variety of cultural moments and economic realities. With creative artists and NYC families increasingly priced out of the Big Apple, adventurous chefs seeking to be closer to the source of the farm-to-table revolution, and a growing emphasis among urban millennials and families seeking to unplug and find occasional refuge in pastoral pursuits, the broader Hudson Valley (which encompasses the region north of New York City to the state Capital of Albany) has experienced a renaissance as of late.
As a personal update, we had our daughter (first child) in December of 2019. We were fortunate that both Baby and Mom were both doing well. By early February 2020, our travel itch resurfaced and needed to be scratched. Thanks to the support of loving grandparents who were excited to take care of Baby for one night without us, we were ready for a quick parents getaway. With the invaluable advice of countless friends, we decided to do a quick trip away from Baby for a night; however, one that was within reasonable driving distance of home (that way we could quickly come back, if needed). We chose Beacon, NY given its location along the southern Hudson Valley (shorter driving distance from the greater NYC metropolitan area) as well as its plethora of activities for a 24 hour jaunt even in the heart of winter. We really enjoyed our introduction to the Hudson Valley at Beacon and would definitely come back in the warmer months to pursue more outdoor activities and explore further north.
On hindsight, we were very fortunate to have even taken this trek as within a few weeks of this trip, COVID-19 began its relentless advance into the NY/NJ/CT area and America as a whole. While the world is continuing to be and has indelibly been changed by COVID-19, one day we hope we will all feel secure enough to travel again. When that time comes, we will all tread lightly. And if your road leads you to Beacon, NY, we hope these recommendations make that excursion a little better. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the families who have lost loved ones as well as all the health care workers, first responders, and supply chain workers who work tirelessly to keep us healthy, safe, and nourished.
Mexico City: debunked. (a.k.a CDMX - Ciudad de Mexico; a.k.a Mexico City DF - Distrito Federal). Unfairly burdened by the stereotypes of Western media as a crime-filled megalopolis, one truly will find those tropes to be laughable after a first-hand experience in the heart of Mexico. What you will find is that the most populous city in North America (second-largest in the Western Hemisphere) is actually a world-class city that actually nurtures some of the most creative minds in the world. You can go on a true food and art bender here as the city is blessed with architectural, artistic, and culinary geniuses influenced by the cultural traditions and tapestries of Latin America, Europe, and, of course, all of its rich history from its pre-Columbian era. While tourism to the city is increasing, it is still relatively "under-the-radar"; it was what Iceland was 10 years ago. Yes the city has a few unsafe areas and some heavy traffic, but it is no different than New York City or Atlanta in that regard. We found the neighborhoods we explored to be safe and used Uber liberally. Given the false narrative that follows Mexico City, it is often eschewed by travelers for other locales in Mexico. But as much as the swanky resorts and crystal blue waters of Cancun, Tulum, and Los Cabos beckon your wanderlust, a walk through the wide avenues and green spaces of Mexico City will not only give you an unforgettable metropolitan experience in a world class city at an affordable price (compared to its contemporaries), it will shatter your preconceived notions of the city and the country itself. As a bonus, if you are an American traveler, it would be a short flight from much of the continental US without a significant time change.
We would recommend at least 3 full days in Mexico City on your maiden voyage (let’s be real, once you come here you probably will want to come back in the future). For reference, we spent 3.5 days as a family trip with our parents. While the city can be explored in any particular order based on your interests, we will start the series with 36 Hours in Polanco, one of the swankiest and upscale neighborhoods in all of Latin America. While there are high-end boutiques, luxury hotels, and a multitude of embassies here that blend with other major world cities, it also hosts some unique items for your travel checklist: some of the world's best restaurants and museums as well as its location along the doorstep of Bosque de Chapultepec (one of the largest urban parks in the world). If you are headed to CDMX, come explore Polanco with us.
