It’s no secret that the Hudson County area is a happening place to live, work, and play — something to do every day of the week and a new place to eat popping up on the reg. But when you’re trying to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, allow us to introduce a different Hudson: Hudson Valley, NY. Recently we checked out the area around New Paltz, New York and stayed at a local bed and breakfast called Watergrasshill Bed and Breakfast in the neighboring town of Gardiner. Read on to see more about the bed and breakfast and some must-sees in the New Paltz area:

Alana Colucci opened Watergrasshill in June of 2018, after leaving the publishing industry in New York {and yes, she was formerly a Hoboken resident!} for a new life of hospitality and more serene lifestyle. The backstory: Back in 2016, Alana was considering a career change and decided that she had to make the jump into entrepreneurship.

Having grown up in Gardiner, New York, she decided to return home to start a B&B business was something that was more than just a fleeting thought. As luck would have it, her grandpa owned a farmhouse set on 16 acres of land and her parents, her mom, a local florist, + her dad, a contractor, had recently bought it from her grandparents. After a whimsical trip to Watergrasshill in the county of Cork in Ireland where she was inspired by the local b&bs {and the town’s namesake} Alana brought a business plan to her parents to create the bed and breakfast, took over the mortgage, and the rest was history.

And in the last few months, Watergrasshill has become quite the landmark. This 4-bedroom B&B with new amenities and old-world charm offers group retreats, bridal showers, special farm-to-table dinners {and breakfasts, daily!}, as well as its first wedding which went down not to long ago — the vows and the ceremony hosted in the property’s barn.

Adorable kitchen at Watergrass Hill – perfect for farm-to-table meals.

READ: Things to Do in the Hamptons {Weekend Getaway}

The kitchen at Watergrasshill B&B in itself is something to write home about. Alana shared that they opened up the smaller kitchen space and built it out with a custom table and new appliances, as well as a seating area for guests to enjoy. Each morning, she makes and serves breakfast to her guests {our morning’s sustenance consisted of freshly-made banana bread, yogurt and fruit parfait, and an egg + potato skillet}. Coffee and tea are available and everything is lovingly curated for guests, including handwritten notes to her guests for their stays.

Gardiner is just about a stone’s throw {say 10-15 minutes} from the hip and unique town of New Paltz, as well as a ton of distilleries, cideries, and wineries in the Hudson Valley. In the fall, the area is optimal for pumpkin and apple picking rounded out with some wine and cider tasting, but truly any time of year is picturesque and cozy.

^That fall foliage view out our bedroom window tho.

Each day it was a short ride away to get to anything we were wanting to explore, and BOY is there a lot to do. The options are endless {and there are so many different towns to check out}.

A few spots you must visit if you stay in the area:

For breakfast/lunch:

Main Street Bistro

Located at 59 Main Street in the heart of downtown New Paltz, Main Street Bistro serves breakfast and lunch in a comfortable and casual environment. On any given weekend, there will be a wait which only proves how popular it is! Generous portions, friendly staff, and the Veggie Benedict is a must-try.

Cafe Mio

This bustling cafe in Gardiner has a nicely-sized menu filled with eggs and toasts — and some fun twists {read: lavender lattes to start, above!}. It’s pretty busy on weekends, so make sure to come prepared to wait. The open kitchen concept is enjoyable if you’re into parking it at the bar.

Karma Organic Cafe

This is a vegan spot perfect for breakfast or lunch if you’re completely animal-free {or just LOVE hitting up a vegan spot!}. They have everything from cream of mushroom soup to cashew-based chocolate chip cookies to avocado toast to to-go deli dishes such as faux chicken salads and beyond. The menu isn’t fancy, but it’s hearty and will shock even the biggest of meat-lovers who dine with very tasty dishes.

Vineyards:

Robibero Vineyards

robbibero vineyards new paltz new york weekend getaway

The Robibero Vineyard both grows grapes on its property and sources grapes from other New York State vineyards {and then creates its own wines}. It’s a small, picturesque spot with sprawling vineyards and beautiful views. Bonus: It’s dog-friendly!

White Cliff Vineyard

Another vineyard not far away, White Cliff Vineyard is a rustic spot verlooking the Shawangunk mountains in Gardiner, NY. Taste some vino in the tasting room, chat with the locals, and enjoy a stunning view on the well-maintained grounds. The wine is great, with flavorful options for all palates, and yes, it’s also dog-friendly.

Distilleries and Cideries:

Angry Orchard

This cidery has generous cider pours, corn hole, and it’s the spot where the famous brand came to life. Located in Walden, NY, it’s a fun stop Orchard that brews its own cider & serves it from the barrel plus samplers & bites from food trucks.

Coppersea Distillery

There’s nothing like the cozy vibe of this whiskey and brandy distillery; it’s inside a teeny barn and totally worth the trip, even for the faint-of-spirits heart. But seriously, if you’re not into brandy or other more intense whiskeys, still go. The inside of the barn is totally instagrammable, if that’s your thing:

Dinner/Drinks

Garvan’s

This newly-opened Irish pub and restaurant offers an amazing ambiance and delicious eats. It’s pretty large so a reservation shouldn’t be too difficult, but it’s definitely an uber or car-ride away {there’s parking if you do drive}. Try to get seated on the first level, as that’s where the action [read: bar] is as well as rustic decor.

Huckleberry

If outdoor fire pits are your thing, Huckleberry is the place to go. Note: It’s an unspoken rule/vibe that pretty much everyone here is from Brooklyn. The food is decent, but the drinks are the thing to write home about {complete with cozy fireside seating} — especially the warm spiked cider.

There are so many more spots to explore, this really is just the tip of the iceberg. We also hiked the Mohonk Preserve, walked around town and popped into shops, and so much more. Truly, the most wonderful weekend getaway in the New Paltz area. We’ll be back very soon.

Have you been to New Paltz or Gardiner?

Interested in staying the Watergrass Hill B&B? Email Alana at [email protected].

See More: Weekend Getaway: Northern Catskills, NY

Where should we head to next for our getaway series? Leave a comment below!

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What’s Going on With the NYC Congestion Pricing Plan?

by Stephanie Spear + Samantha Impaglia February 20, 2025

Stephanie Spear + Samantha Impaglia February 20, 2025

The New York City congestion pricing plan has been an ongoing saga for New Jersey and New York drivers. The plan was first announced in 2021, halted weeks before it was set to take effect in June 2024, and a revised plan was officially implemented in January 2025. The plan has been met with much criticism from drivers and State officials alike. In most recent news, President Donald Trump announced plans to end congestion pricing in February 2025. The Hoboken Girl is sharing the most recent information on congestion pricing and what the next steps are after President Trump’s announcement. Read on for the latest updates on the New York City congestion pricing plan.

Status Quo

January 5th, 2025 was the first day of the new congestion pricing plan. Before its implementation, the plan was the subject of extensive debate between supporters and detractors, public transit advocates, taxpayer groups, and even the states of New York and New Jersey.

The plan created a toll structure that mandated a $9 congestion pricing fee for all non-commercial vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. Despite the controversial nature of the plan, the goal is to raise $15 billion for MTA system improvements and to reduce gridlock in midtown and lower Manhattan.

Per the New York Times, observers noted reduced vehicular traffic in the zone and anecdotally faster bus trips since the congestion pricing plan began.

What's Next

On Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 President Donald J. Trump announced that he would end the congestion pricing plan. In a letter sent to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed the agency’s rescission of its approval of the toll program.

The Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) is a program managed by the Federal Highway Administration that is designed to help state and local governments underwrite changes to highway tolling programs. The VPPP is an essential element of the NYC Congestion pricing plan. By rescinding the approval for the VPPP, the congestion pricing program is essentially rendered null.

A statement issued by the Department of Transportation included the following information about Secretary Duffy’s rationale:

“As detailed in the letter, the Secretary is terminating the pilot for two reasons. First, the scope of the CBDTP is unprecedented and provides no toll-free option for many drivers who want or need to travel by vehicle in this major urbanized area. Second, the toll rate was set primarily to raise revenue for transit, rather than at an amount needed to reduce congestion. By doing so, the pilot runs contrary to the purpose of the VPPP, which is to impose tolls for congestion reduction – not transit revenue generation.”

The MTA has filed a lawsuit to preserve the congestion pricing plan, per a press release. Governor Hochul has also expressed her dedication to keeping the plan in place, as evidenced by her comments during a joint appearance with the chair of the MTA. “We're in fight mode within seconds of us getting this notification. Our MTA was prepared. We knew this could come and filed a lawsuit within minutes. I'm very confident we will be successful. And I also want to say, the cameras are staying on. We are keeping the cameras on. Lights, cameras, action. They're staying on,” she said.

NJ Governor Phil Murphy has long been a critic of the pricing plan, and issued the following statement following President Trump’s announcement:

“I want to thank President Trump and Secretary Duffy for their efforts to halt the current congestion pricing program in Manhattan’s Central Business District.

While I have consistently expressed openness to a form of congestion pricing that meaningfully protects the environment and does not unfairly burden hardworking New Jersey commuters, the current program lines the MTA’s pockets at the expense of New Jerseyans.

Although we have had a difference of opinion with our colleagues in New York on congestion pricing, we have always had a productive relationship with our neighbors across the Hudson. I look forward to continuing that spirit of partnership for the benefit of the entire Tri-State Area.”

See More: 11 Amtrak Train Trips via Newark Under 4 Hours

In the meantime, the tolling will remain in effect for drivers. Observers say that the situation presents a unique legal question about the role of the federal government. In a Gothamist article, a lawyer for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) expressed skepticism about whether the administration’s decision would hold. Attorney Eric Goldstein told Gothamist, “ The courts impose a very high burden when the federal government seeks to reverse course and completely do a 180 turnaround simply because administrations have changed. They've got to prove that their rationale is legally justified, and it's hard to see how they can make that case.”

This post will be updated with any further information.

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Watergrasshill Bed & Breakfast {A Weekend Getaway to New Paltz}

A few spots you *must* visit if you stay in the area: