Hudson River
7 Days
It's an area rich in history, a destination vibrant with culture, bursting with culinary delights, and teeming with arts and entertainment. New York City, the Hamptons, and the charming towns along the Hudson River have played pivotal roles in American history and each continues today to represent its own story through its people, cuisine, and activities.
From pristine beaches, historic waterfront homes, quaint antique shops, and charming boutiques to pulsing city life, Michelin-starred restaurants, and cultural entertainment, the towns and villages surrounding the metropolis of New York and up the Hudson River beg to be explored. Let Usher be your home for the week as you discover timeless haunts and the latest fashions, all via the beautiful New York waterways.
A HAMPTONS ARRIVAL, MUSEUM EXPLORATION, A BAY STREET THEATER SHOW
Arrive in the quintessentially Hamptons village of Sag Harbor today, where you'll be greeted by Usher's crew and transported to your home-away-from-home for the week. Centrally located, Sag Harbor offers a rich selection of cultural and natural activities in a unique, centuries-old setting.
After you settle in to your stateroom, set out to explore this charming town with a visit to the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, which offers a comprehensive glimpse into the rich history of this former whaling port and writer's colony. Let your crew book a guided tour of the Marine Park, or explore on your own before sitting down for lunch at one of the many restaurants, bars or even gourmet and specialty food stores which offer umbrella-shaded al fresco seating during the summer months.
In the evening, catch a comedy show, musical or special event at Bay Street Theater. This 299-seat, not-for-profit playhouse is considered by many to be on par with Broadway and draws numerous accomplished New York City professionals for its nightly performances
SHOPPING, POLO, AND A SUNSET CRUISE
Usher will depart early this morning, headed west through the Long Island Sound to the upscale town of Greenwich, Connecticut.
After a light breakfast on the aft deck prepared by your professional chef, tender ashore for a stroll along Greenwich Avenue, which is often described as a "mini Madison Avenue." If you've had your fill of the fashion house shops and specialty stores, your crew can arrange for a personalized hike along the peaceful walking trails at the Audubon Center.
In the afternoon, relax with a spa treatment at any one of Greenwich's many spas. Your crew can also arrange for you to enjoy your spa service onboard. Alternatively, don your cardigan or floppy hat and head out to sip champagne and stomp divets with a match at the Greenwich Polo Club.
As the sun begins to set, board Usher's chase boat Splinter and embark on a sunset cruise where your crew will navigate points of interest while you enjoy wine, cocktails and a delightful array of hors d'oeuvres.
SCENIC CRUISING, NEW YORK CITY LIFE, STARS AND SKYLINE
After a leisurely breakfast on the aft deck, curl up on a lounger on the bridge deck this morning as Usher gets underway to today's destination: The Big Apple. Enjoy a glass of champagne or a creative cocktail with hor d'oeuvres prepared by the chef as you take in the stunning East River views and New York City skyline as we cruise to Chelsea Piers.
Upon arrival, enjoy a stroll around Manhattan that begins in one of the most central and diverse neighborhoods in the city. New York has so much to offer that your day can be customized to include any activity. Finesse your golf swing or enjoy a private lesson steps from the yacht at the Chelsea Piers Golf Club, catch a Broadway show, peruse the shops on 5th Avenue, get a slice of pizza in Little Italy… Just about every activity or cuisine is within arm's reach and our crew can help facilitate the logistics.
Back onboard this evening, toast to the stars as the Manhattan skyline lights up in behind you.
CAPTURE THE MEMORIES, WALK THROUGH HISTORY, UNWIND WITH A MOVIE
Get your camera ready for beautiful panoramas this morning. The scenic cruise from Lower Manhattan to West Point takes approximately four hours. The crew will prepare an al fresco barbecue luncheon on the sun deck while you capture the view along the 315-mile Hudson River.
We'll anchor beside West Point in the afternoon. Established by Thomas Jefferson in 1802, the 16,000-acre federal military reservation is home to The United States Military Academy. History buffs will not want to miss a tour of the Academy or Museum while golf enthusiasts can play a round at the West Point Golf Course.
This evening, gather in the formal dining room to share stories of the day's activities over a gourmet meal prepared by your professional chef. Enjoy a movie selected from the extensive library from the 80-inch flatscreen television in the main salon.
HISTORIC BARRACKS, LARGER-THAN-LIFE SCULPTURES, SUNSET CRUISE
Usher will get underway early this morning for the historic town of Newburgh,New York. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by a driver who will whisk you away to Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site, where General George Washington and the Continental Army stayed until the Treaty of Paris was signed, ending the Revolutionary War. It was here that Washington rejected the idea that he should be king and made other decisions that shaped the American Republic.
Afterwards, travel to Storm King Art Center to visit the finest outdoor sculpture park in the country. In the afternoon, enjoy a spa visit or spa service onboard before boarding Splinter for an evening sunset cruise complete with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.
HISTORY, CULTURE, AND CULINARY DELIGHTS, VANDERBILT MANSION
Spend the day exploring more of what Newburgh has to offer today. Centrally located, the town is home to a rich selection of both culture and history and boasts the second largest historic district in New York State.
Travel to the nearby town of Hyde Park and visit the home of 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt or stroll through the 211 acres of park land at the Vanderbilt Mansion Historic Site. Hyde Park is also the home of the Culinary Institute of America, a residential college devoted to culinary and pastry arts. The crew can arrange for a guided tour before you sit down for a late lunch overlooking the herb and rose garden at their on-site Italian restaurant, Ristorante Caterina de' Medici & Al Forno Trattoria.
Alternatively, traverse the Hudson River aboard Splinter or via ferry to visit the Dia Art Foundation museum in Beacon. Located in a huge factory, Dia:Beacon presents the Dia art Foundation's collection from the 1960s to present and is one of the great contemporary museums in the country.
As you return to Usher late in the afternoon, unwind on the sun deck with a refreshing margarita served from the margarita machine before sitting down to an al fresco dinner on the main deck aft.
MORNING STROLL, ARTISTIC INSPIRATION, NATURE'S BEAUTY
After breakfast of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, you'll get underway this morning for the historic city of Hudson. Usher will be berthed at Historic Catskill Point, which features an open-air cobblestone plaza, a waterfront park overlooking the Hudson River, and a maritime museum.
Enjoy a late morning stroll exploring the two square miles of downtown with its many antique shops, historic buildings, restaurants, cafes, and diverse boutique shops lining the cobblestone streets.
In the afternoon, visit Olana NY State Historic Site, the farm of landscape painter Frederic Edwin Church. This 250-acre naturalistic landscape looks to the Catskill Mountains is one of the artist's great works and remains today one of the most intact artist-designed landscapes. The large-scale composition includes a working and ornamental farm, meadows, outbuildings, native woodlands and a lake, along with five miles of carriage roads for experiencing the dramatic views. At the end of the day, step from one of Church's great paintings back into reality, where you'll sink into your comfortable stateroom inspired by nature's magnificent beauty.
BACK TO THE CITY, GOURMET BRUNCH, FOND FAREWELL
We'll depart early this morning for our return to Chelsea Piers. Upon arrival, spend the morning with a relaxing spa service or exploring Chelsea Piers, Chelsea Market and High Line. The High Line is a public park built on a historic elevated freight rail that passes above the streets of Manhattan.
After a leisurely gourmet brunch and many toasts to memories of a lifetime, Usher's crew will accompany you to your airport transfer or hotel. The crew will have collected footage from your visit for you to relive your New England charter experience and await your new charter in a new, exciting destination aboard Usher.