TRAVEL GUIDE | CABANA TRAVEL | CABANA MAGAZINE

Following years in New York at the top of the magazine trade, Deborah Needleman left press days and subways in Manhattan and moved upstate to the picturesque Hudson Valley. The former editor now tends to her beautiful gardens and weaves exquisite baskets. She shares her favorite places and spaces in Upstate New York, including one of the most delicious restaurants in America.

BY DEBORAH NEEDLEMAN | CABANA TRAVEL | 26 MARCH 2024

My Favorite Place to Stay: World's End Farm, Esperance

While not a hotel or inn, you can book a stay at this rural idyll to immerse yourself in a personal project or participate in one of their week-long workshops in floral arranging, soap making or pottery. World's End is a 100+ acre communal living experiment near Albany, NY, run by the artist and florist Sarah Ryhanen, where they make their coveted Saipua soap, raise sheep, and grow acres of flowers and vegetables.

The lovely and rustic accommodations are certainly not what we normally think of as ‘luxury’, but they are honest and beautiful.

My Favorite Restaurant: Stissing House, Pine Plains

A couple of years ago, the celebrated chef Clare de Boer (co-owner of NYC’s King and Jupiter) purchased Stissing House, an 18th-century country tavern, and turned it into not only one of the most delicious restaurants in America, but one of the warmest and most convivial. You need to book well in advance.

My Favorite Museum: Magazzino, Cold Spring

Thanks to collectors Giorgio Spanu and Nancy Olnick, the little town of Cold Spring along the Hudson River boasts a museum containing one of the best collections of mid-century Italian Art, mostly from the Arte Povera movement. They have recently opened a second building next door for exhibitions of Italian art, pottery and glass, along with a really good Italian cafe. You can eat outdoors among the vegetable gardens and Sardinian donkeys.

My Favorite Shop: Plain Goods, New Preston

Housed in the town’s historic former post office, Michael de Perno and Andrew Fry have culled the best in clothing, homewares and antiques from around the world in this perfectly curated shop. They also remake vintage clothing and have their own line of sweaters and shoes. Their vision is pure, rigorous, and also romantic, and the wares are perfect for life in the countryside.

My Favorite Antique Shop: Battle Brown, Hudson

Warren Battle is the loveliest shop keeper - charming, knowledgeable, unpretentious, and possessed with an impeccable eye for interesting, storied pieces of folk art, Americana, landscape paintings and pottery. Every piece seems a world in itself, containing an interesting history and backstory, and an idiosyncratic sensibility on the part of its maker. On the same street, you'll find many other wonderful antique shops, including Red Chair and Stair Galleries.

My Favorite Food Market: Talbott and Arding, Hudson

One owner is a renowned cheesemonger and the other a renowned cook, and the duo have stocked this spacious shop with the most delicious food, sweets and kitchen items. Whether you’re looking for a gift, outfitting yourself for a picnic, stopping in for a quick bite, or looking for farm fresh ingredients for cooking, you cannot fail to be delighted by their offerings.