Olana

The hilltop estate of Frederic Church, one of the most famous and well-known painters of the Hudson River School, is must if you’re visiting Hudson or Rhinebeck. At its center is a whimsical, red-brick villa composed of myriad styles (Victorian architecture meets Middle Eastern flourish), and it has one of the most spectacular views of the Hudson Valley. Today the site is a designated National Historic Landmark and one of the country’s few artist homes-estates that remains intact. You can walk around the property unguided but admission to the house is via pre-arranged guided tour only. Check the website for details.