The Time Nyack offers you a luxe escape on the Hudson River just an hour out of New York City.
I have the perfect getaway for New Yorkers needing a late summer escape or a fall leaf-peeping session on the water. The quaint village of Nyack in Rockland County, New York is just 19 miles North of the Manhattan border on the west bank of the Hudson River. Originally home to the Tappan Indians Native Americans, and then Dutch settlers and colonials, the town is historic, picturesque, and diverse (about a third of the population is non-White).
Over the years Nyack has attracted a mix of musicians, artists, writers, and New Age folks who want to be close to the city but free of its hustle and bustle, and earned it the epithet of “art and soul on the Hudson.”
When you arrive in Nyack you’ll appreciate the walkability of the town, the distinctive and charming low-rise architecture — from Classic Revival to Queen Anne to early 20th-century industrial — and the gently hilly terrain that affords pleasant views of the water, and foliage that turns miraculous colors in fall.
Nyack’s role as a commercial center in the history of the mighty Hudson River (it was once a hub of shipbuilding, quarrying and manufacturing) means that many of the buildings are lavish and idiosyncratic, and uniquely reflect the wealth or individuality of their original owners. T
he civic buildings are also stand-outs: Couch Court, the Old Stone Church, Shadowcliff mansion, the Carnegie-commissioned Nyack Library, and the stunning Tudor-style Nyack YMCA are all beautiful and commanding edifices.
Some notable women have called Nyack home: “First Lady of American Theater” Helen Hayes, 20th-century literary giant Carson McCullers, and of course the force that is Rosie O’Donnell — who no doubt appreciated the town’s atmosphere and the privacy it afforded them. McCullers spent the last 20 years of her life in a lovely house on South Broadway, and O’Donnell owned Hayes’ glorious Italianate waterfront mansion “Pretty Penny” until fairly recently.
Today the village boasts a thriving arts, crafts, dining, and retail scene. There are many good options for dining, drinking, and shopping, as well as a year-round farmer’s market, galleries, theatres, and Rockland Center for the Arts. Edward Hopper House and Art Center is a must-see — the great realist American painter also called Nyack home and the charming garden of the house is the scene for jazz concerts on summer evenings.
Where to stay:
For my visit, I was hosted by The Time Nyack. This property is part of Time Hotels’ “lifestyle hospitality” concept masterminded by the same team that brought us the Dream Hotels. So you can expect a savvy and sophisticated design aesthetic equal to their properties in Manhattan. But this time, the property is a luxe urban warehouse conversion with a boutique hotel vibe.
The 133 spacious guest rooms and suites bring an urbane loft sensibility to the river town and make the perfect base for a romantic getaway, a business trip, or even a wedding! Some suites are styled as lofts; others have balconies with river views. All of them feel rather like chic NYC apartments but with room service, luxury linens and bathrobes, and Bigelow bath amenities.
So if you are celebrating a romantic milestone you’ll appreciate these touches as well as the custom-designed furnishings with accent pieces that make you feel you’re in your “dream” love nest. And if you are in the market for a wedding space, the Ballroom is a fantastically flexible space for the reception of your dreams.
For on-property dining, BV’s Grill by Bobby Van dishes up delectable entrees, and the wine and cocktail list at the Lounge Bar has everything in a bottle or cocktail shaker you could ever want. At BV’s Grill I gorged on wild mushroom flatbread, fish tacos, and seared salmon. The menu is all about American comfort food and you’re bound to find something that pleases you — from steak to seafood to vegetarian options.
You won’t get snooty Manhattan service, though. The servers are extremely friendly and unpretentious locals who are proud of their riverside oasis. This is a place where you can relax and forget about the big city for a while. And with the continuing warm weather, the spot to do this is by the outdoor pool. Enhance your staycation by ordering a pina colada or glass of rosé poolside.
And be sure to take advantage of the hot tub. If you must feel guilty about your culinary indulgence at BV’s (hello, parmesan truffle fries!) there is a small but serviceable fitness room on property. And you can also borrow bikes from the hotel’s gift shop and get around town with some easy exercise.
On the water:
Since you’re staying on the shores of the Hudson it makes sense to get out on the water (weather permitting) because Nyack is located on one of the most beautiful stretches of the river. We went out on a 54-foot Beneteau sailboat with the lads from Nyack Boat Charter and I had a ball.
The captain may let you take the wheel, or you could just sit back, relax, enjoy a complimentary IPA or local wine, and take in a spectacular summer sunset, or the majestic glow of the fall foliage along the shoreline to the stunning promontory of Hook Mountain. An excursion with Nyack Boat Charter will literally put the wind in your sails!
How gay is Nyack?:
The short answer is: Very gay! Locals in the know refer to the town as “Rainbow Ridge.” Gay Pride Day is celebrated in June and has been going strong and with the municipal support of locals since 1999. Organized by Rockland County Pride Center, Nyack is the heart of Rockland County’s LGBTQ scene with the Rockland County Pride Center located in Nyack. You can find out more about the community and its calendar of events at rocklandpridecenter.org. Read more about the history of Gay Pride Rockland here.
Getting there:
It’s less than an hour by car or you can take buses (operated by Coach USA) from the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal in New York City. For rail options take the Metro North Hudson line from Grand Central or the Hudson Link which connects with Hudson Line trains from GCT at Tarrytown and with Harlem Line trains from GCT at White Plains, details here. Some fit folks even bicycle up — but you do need to be fit!