Travel Spotlight: Kinderhook, New York

If you're like me, you probably consider "upstate" New York to be pretty much anything north of NYC and its very close suburbs (and from my extremely non-scientific research, this actually seems to be somewhat accurate). There are some really beautiful, cozy, artsy towns and villages upstate, and at the end of the summer we spent a few days in one of my favorites: Kinderhook.

Kinderhook is often overshadowed by its fancier neighbor, Hudson. I personally find Hudson to be a bit overrated; the stores along Warren Street, the main shopping and food district, are very exclusive (think, the kind of places where you need to make an appointment to go in and shop). It's definitely fun to window shop, but this girl likes to real shop, and it isn't happening in Hudson!

Luckily, the two towns are only about 20 minutes apart, so you can have the best of both worlds and stay in the middle. The cute boutique hotels are going to be located in the towns themselves, but there are tons of rental homes in between. This is the route we go, as a pool on any vacation is a must for our kids. The kids get to swim all day, mom gets to shop in both Hudson and Kinderhook, and everyone is happy. Hooray!

Kinderhook is tiny, which makes it the perfect place for a weekend escape or a day trip from other towns upstate. There's really only one (tiny) street in the center of the village, but it's packed with great places to eat and shop.

Broad Street Bagel Company is a delicious place to grab a bite to eat. The sandwiches are enormous and can easily feed two people for lunch. The options for bagels and spreads are seemingly endless, the vibe is very cool and relaxed, and the prices are reasonable, especially given the size of the bagels.

The village is also home to one of the best independent bookstores I've ever visited. Kinderhook Books is a gorgeous space; there's nothing that feels retail-y about it, save for the price stickers on the items for sale (they're subtle, though). It's housed in a creaky old house and designed to make it feel like you're reading in someone's cozy living room, especially on the second floor. There are also literary-inspired gifts and antiques for sale, and they host silent book clubs with wine in their secret garden-like backyard (I KNOW).

The Attic is the place to go for consignment shopping. It's mostly filled with clothing and accessories, but they do have some home items as well. Lots of unique items, and the prices are fantastic.

Finally, be sure to visit The Cross Eyed Owl, which just might be the quirkiest little gift shop you'll ever see. It is absolutely filled to the brim with ALL of the things, including local goods, toys, stationary, and home goods. It's in a very unassuming location in a development that looks a bit like a warehouse, so keep an eye out. We missed it the first time we drove by.

If you're a history buff, Kinderhook does not disappoint. Martin Van Buren lived here for many years, and you can visit his home or see his burial site in the village cemetery. Although it's privately owned and not open to the public, you can also see the Benedict Arnold house; rumor has it that he was brought here to recover after being wounded in battle. It's on the main street into and out of Kinderhook, so it's almost impossible to miss if you're visiting the area. Fans of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" will enjoy visiting the Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse.

Public transportation is scare in this area, so you'll want to have a car with you. It's also pretty flat and there isn't a lot of traffic, so biking is another great option. Enjoy!