Let’s set the scene: you are anticipating a one-of-a-kind shopping experience at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which is home to hundreds of esteemed designer outlet stores that offer an abundance of deals and savings opportunities. You’re going to be in the beautifully scenic Hudson Valley region — an idyllic locale to slow down and seize the winter season. You’re wondering what you can do nearby that would make your trip to Upstate New York even more worthwhile, and that’s where we come in. Here are the three best things to do near Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
1. Stop and smell the carrot cake at Jones Farm:
One of the best things to do near Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is to stop by Jones Farm; a picturesque farm in Cornwall, NY. This gem of a farm is one of the few surviving farms in the Hudson Valley, and with the Schunemunk Mountain in the distance, you can feed the chickens and ducks and enjoy the farm’s homegrown vegetables, new cafe, freshly baked goods from Grandma Phoebe’s Kitchen, and their positively charming shops.
For starters, you can bask in their farm-to-table experience since they serve up breakfasts and lunches that are wholesome, fresh, and delicious. Whether you are devouring their Buttermilk Pancakes with blueberries or chocolate chips for breakfast or savoring their Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich for lunch, the farm’s homemade, local ingredients are going to be an undeniable treat. And of course, it is imperative to save room for dessert; their carrot cake is known to be some of the best carrot cake in New York, and it’s even labeled as deadly on their menu. (Sold!) Other traditional bakery favorites include their assortment of Linzer Tarts, Banana Chocolate Chip Bread, Sour Cream Pecan Streusel Coffee Cake, and a variety of mouthwatering cheesecakes.
The shops at Jone’s Farm is another must-see, and they’re certainly a throwback to a more simpler time. (I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love the cottage core aesthetic.) Jones Farm converted their old dairy barn into Clearwaters Gifts Shop; one of the largest gift shops in the region that features unique furniture pieces, home decor, personal accessories, fine quality soaps, seasonally scented candles, children’s toys, clothing, and jewelry. The farm’s special Gallery and Frame shop features antique prints of the Hudson Valley and West Point, and local photography is displayed as well. The valley’s very own artist, Terri Clearwaters, has her notable work lining the gallery walls; her oils, watercolors, and pastels illustrate the serene nature that is always found in Hudson Valley. Jones Farm also has a Country Store, which is a foodie’s dream. You can shop for homegrown produce and all-natural, gourmet foods like Coyote Kitchen Jams and handmade quiche from Pika’s Farm Table. The Country Store also carries delectable grocery staples like raw local honey, local eggs, Adirondack Maple Syrup, and New York State Cheese.
The hours of operation for the bakery, gifts shop, and store are Wednesday to Sunday from 8am-5pm, and the cafe’s hours are Wednesday to Sunday from 8am-3pm. The Frame Shop’s hours are by appointment.
2. Visit the Iconic Angry Orchard:
One of the best things to do near Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is to visit the iconic Angry Orchard in Walden, NY, which is home to their beautiful orchard, several orchard experiences, and of course, their famous assortment of ciders and other tasty snacks.
You can book numerous experiences at Angry Orchard. The Stone Barn Tasting Experience is a one hour tasting of the local ciders from Walden, and the 30-minute Production Tour and Tasting is a great opportunity to learn all about the cider making process, the production space, and the history of cider. Now if you really want to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of cider, you can partake in their Barrel Room Premium Tasting Experience, which takes you on 40-minute journey; you can delve into the inner-workings of cider production, master the art of tasting and evaluating ciders, and sample exclusive Angry Orchard selections. You can also rent a private fire pit for two hours on their gorgeous 60-acre orchard where you can relax amidst the peaceful surroundings and stay nice and toasty during the heart of winter. (Ah, so calming.)
The Cider House is another staple at Angry Orchard since they showcase drafts that are currently on tap; plus, you can build your own flight and even take these legendary cans and bottles to-go to enjoy at home. From a seasonal standpoint, gotta seize the season is my motto, you can order their Hot Winter Cider and Flaming Hot Cider. Their Hot Winter Cider is comprised of their cider that’s warmed up with traditional apple cider and brown sugar (for just a small fee, you can get it in a blue souvenir mug), and their Flaming Hot Cider features their cider that’s warmed up with traditional apple cider, brown sugar, and a shot of Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey. The Cider House kitchen offers fun treats, too, like their pulled pork sandwich, Southwest Chicken Dip that’s served with tortilla chips, and an Orchard Board that has assorted meats, cheeses, house-made jam, garlic toast, and fresh fruit. (Yum, yum, yum.) The Cider House is open year-round, and their operational hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 2pm-8pm, Saturday from 11am-8pm, and Sunday from 11am-6pm.
3. Explore the Artistic Roadside Polich-Tallix Sculptures:
One of the best things to do near Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is to explore the artistic Roadside Polich-Tallix Sculptures off of Stone Castle Road in Montgomery, NY. On your way to Angry Orchard, you can glimpse these fascinating, larger-than-life sculptures, and the artist studio is directly across the street where you can see even more mesmerizing sculptures out front.
Polich-Tallix is a renowned foundry — a workshop for casting metal. According to an article published on Artsy, Polich-Tallix is representative of the art world that the public rarely sees or hears about; however, the sculptures made here populate credible museums, plazas, and other public spaces. “Foundries like Polich Tallix operate around the world to take artists’ grand ideas from renderings or sketches to full-blown artworks,” the article states. “Few artists have the space, equipment, or resources to execute such ambitious sculptures in their own studios. So when they receive commissions for public artworks—or just simply want to make casts of their sculptures in materials like bronze, steel, or iron—they call upon the services of a foundry or a fabrication studio.”
The Roadside Polich-Tallix Sculptures are steeped in a rich history and are most definitely a sight to behold as you pass through the lovely Hudson Valley.
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, nestled in Central Valley, NY, just so happens to be near some must-see attractions that are wholeheartedly worth a visit to the Hudson Valley region. You can stop by Jones Farm and revel in everything they have to offer, unbelievable carrot cake included, visit the iconic Angry Orchard, and explore the artistic Roadside Polich-Tallix Sculptures. New York State is sure to give you the wondrous winter escape you didn’t know you needed.
