Hudson Valley Travels: Celebrity Sightings in Hudson, New York

When you think of the historic Hudson Valley town of Hudson, New York, what springs to mind? Maybe you've heard about Hudson's well deserved reputation as the "antiques capital of the Northeast," or perhaps you've read about Hudson's fine restaurants, theaters, art galleries and eclectic clothing and home furnishing stores. Last year, "Travel and Leisure" magazine featured a profile about Hudson Valley towns, including what to see and do in Hudson.

With so much going on in Hudson, it seems like the happening place to be in the Hudson Valley. It's no wonder then, that the area draws its fair share of celebrities who can be spotted taking in the sights along Hudson's main street area called Warren Street.

Seeing Stars in Hudson, New York

Where do stars like to hang out in Hudson? During the height of the Hudson, New York antiques craze, it was possible to see high profile celebrities like Bette Midler and Whoopi Goldberg stop by the many high priced antique stores on Warren Street to shop for unique treasures for their homes. Martha Stewart, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have also been spotted in Hudson.

However, the recession has dimmed the enthusiasm for the luxurious and expensive, and fewer celebrities can be spotted in Hudson stocking up on priceless antiques. In the past few years, more and more celebrities have been seen at the Hudson Opera House on Warren Street in Hudson. Recent events and fundraisers at the Hudson Opera House have attracted celebs like Parker Posey and Mary Stuart Masterson.

Filmmaking in the city of Hudson can lead to celebrity sightings. Many years ago, my family remembers watching the movie "Odds Against Tomorrow" being filmed in Hudson with Harry Belafonte. The films "Ironweed" starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep, and "Nobody's Fool" starring Paul Newman, shot several scenes in the streets of Hudson. These days, more independent filmmakers are filming in Hudson, New York, and scenes from the movie "Meskada" were shot in front of the Columbia County Courthouse. "Meskada" actors Rachel Nichols and Nick Stahl (star of the hit indie film "In the Bedroom") could be seen filming scenes around Warren Street, Hudson.

My Celebrity Sightings in Hudson, New York

I've had a few celebrity sightings in Hudson, New York, and they've been memorable. A celebrity sighting in Hudson quite near to my heart was Karen Allen. I spotted her walking along Warren Street on a bitter cold December evening a few years ago during the city's Winter Walk celebration, probably on her way to a trunk show of her knitted creations (Allen is an actor and an accomplished knitter).

Karen Allen was more petite than I'd imagined and she was also blonde, which was quite a contrast to her dark haired roles, such as Marion in "Raiders of the Lost Ark." When I was growing up, I always admired Karen Allen's acting talent and she was the very model of the kind of actor I hoped to be one day. So it was nice to actually see her as one of my celebrity sightings in Hudson, New York, if only for a moment on the street (in an ironic twist of fate, when I got home that cold evening, what should be playing on television that night but "The Perfect Storm," starring Karen Allen...)

Super model Shalom Harlow was a fun celebrity sighting in Hudson. I was walking down Warren Street one fall day, toward the river, when I recognized the identity of the rather androgynous woman walking in front of me: it was the famous high fashion cover model Shalom Harlow. The Shalom Harlow I had seen in a magazine earlier that day was ultra glamorous in an evening gown and makeup; this Shalom Harlow looked more like an urchin dressed down in no makeup, uncombed hair, a drab olive colored sweater and baggy pants. I couldn't believe the contrast between high fashion Shalom versus Hudson Shalom (I guess that's what they mean by the phrase "model off duty").

Shalom Harlow still gave off that indescribable aura of fabulousness, and from the way she sashayed down Warren Street, stopping to chat with street vendors and peer in the shop windows, I wondered if she wanted to be recognized as "Shalom Harlow." I seemed to be the only person with any clue as to her fashion model identity, and I smiled as she headed in to the most expensive antique gallery in town.

Soap opera stars seemed to really enjoy summer weekends in Hudson, New York, and I've made several celebrity sightings of stars from the now defunct soap "As the World Turns." Gene Shalit of "The Today Show" lives in the area and I've seen him at the local Amtrak station at lower Warren Street in Hudson, taking the train into Manhattan. Al Roker has a house in Columbia County and sometimes comes into Hudson, and fellow "Today Show" star Ann Curry was rumored to have eaten at Hudson favorite, Mexican Radio restaurant.

The recession has curbed the desire for expensive antiques, but the quirky and cool little city of Hudson still has so much to offer visitors, including celebrities and public figures. So next time you're weekending in this popular Hudson Valley town, keep your eyes open: you might have your own celebrity sighting in Hudson, New York.

Sources:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1461249/

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/escape-to-new-yorks-hudson-valley