134. Summer Like A Local: Visit Columbia County

New York City has the energy, but Columbia County has the air.

Two years moving here from just 20 minutes south in the Hudson Valley, host Mat Zucker still feels like a bit of a "cidiot" sometimes—always eager to explore more of the incredible 635 square miles of valley, hills, farms, and villages right in his backyard.

In this special episode, produced in collaboration with Columbia County Tourism, Mat serves up a very personal seasonal guide.

Whether you're a foodie chasing the ultimate farm-to-table breakfast slot, an outdoor enthusiast hunting for hidden trails (and accessible restrooms!), or a shopper looking to bring a piece of the Hudson Valley home with you, we’ve got you covered.

Best of all, you won't just hear from Mat. This episode features a collection of local voices dropping in via "audio postcards" to share their own favorite spots and neighborhood pride.

Thanks for the audio postcards to: Chef Jonas at Serre (Hudson); Emily at Woodlife Market (New Lebanon); Matthew at Hillsdale General Store (Hillsdale); Bill from Kinderhook; and Emily at Clermont Historic Site.

Consider this an open invitation from an entire county that’s ready for its close-up. Below are the places and links mentioned:

Part 1 For Foodies:

Cafes and Coffee Shops:

• Kitty’s (Hudson)
• The Maker Cafe (Hudson)
• Little Rico (Hudson)
• Wylde Hudson (Hudson)
• Moto Coffee/Machine (Hudson)
• Supernatural Coffee + Bakery (Hudson)
• Lev & Ida’s Sandwich Bar (Hudson)
• Quinnie’s (Claverack)
• Bartlett House (Ghent)
• Fork & Whisk Cafe & Bakery (Chatham)
• Cook & Larder (Hillsdale)
• Twisted Sisters Coffee House (Hillsdale)
• Otto’s Market (Germantown)
• Cupps Coffee (Germantown)
• Briskette & Birdie (Canaan)
• Blueberry Hill Market Cafe (New Lebanon)

Country Diners:

• Dan’s Diner (Spencertown)
• Dove’s Diner (Ancram)
• Hudson Diner (Hudson)

Breweries, Distilleries and Wines:

• Neverstill Wines Tasting Room (Hudson)
• Cooper’s Daughter Spirits at Olde York Farm (Claverack)
• Roe Jan Brewing Co. (Hillsdale)
• Hillrock Estate Distillery
• Suarez Family Brewery (Clermont)
• Hudson- Chatham Winery (Ghent)

Finer, Fancier Dining:

• Serre at The Maker (Hudson)
• Bimi’s Canteen & Bar (Chatham)
• Shadow 66 - French (Ghent)
• Feast and Floret (Hudson)
• Klocke Estate (Claverack)

Farmer’s Markets

• Hudson - Saturday 9am-1pm
• Copake-Hillsdale - 9am-1pm Saturdays - Roeliff-Jansen Park
• Germantown Farmer’s Market - Saturdays 10am-1pm - Palantine Park
• Kinderhook - Saturday 830-1230pm

Food shopping & Markets:

• Hawthorne Valley Farm Store (Ghent)
• Talbott & Arding (Hudson)
• Samascott Garden Market (Kinderhook)
• Kinderhook Farm Market (Valatie)
• Tierra Farm Store (Chatham)
• Woodlife Farm Market (New Lebanon)

Part 2 - For Outdoors Types:

• Columbia Land Conservancy Map
• CLC Greenport (Greenport)
• CLC Borden’s (Chatham)
• CLC High Falls (Philmont)
• Clermont Historic Site
• Roeliff-Jansen Park (Hillsdale)
• Olana (Hudson)
• Harlem Valley Trail
• Empire State Trail
• Martin Van Buren Historic Site (Kinderhook)
• Art OMI (Ghent)
• Lake Taghkanic State Park (Ancram)
• Hudson Ferry Co. (Hudson)
• Harrier Hill Park (Stottville)
• Catamount Adventure Park (Hillsdale)

Part 3 - For Shoppers:

• Hudson Antiques Warehouse (Hudson)
• Quittner (Germantown)
• Old 1811 Antiques (Chatham)
• Finch Hudson (Hudson)
• Lili & Loo (Hudson)
• The Quiet Botanist (Hudson)
• Blue Moon Chocolate & Gifts (Valatie)
• Books & Cake (Hillsdale)
• Hillsdale General Store and HGS Chef (Hillsdale)
• Berkshire Pottery (Hillsdale)
• OK Pantry (Kinderhook)

Thank you, Columbia County Tourism , and guest editor Brett Barry of Silver Hollow Audio and host of Kaatscast: The Catskills Podcast.

Come visit.

Photo: Andy Wainwright

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