June 23, 2025

Introduction to Warwick, NY

Perched near the New York–New Jersey line in Orange County, the Village of Warwick anchors a rural-chic pocket of the Hudson Valley known for rolling farmland, mountain ridges, and three small villages stretched across eight hamlets.

About 6,500 people call the Village home—part of a larger town of roughly 32,000—so it still feels personal enough that baristas remember your order.

Historical Significance of the Village

Stroll down Main Street and you’ll bump into landmarks like the General John Hathorn Stone House, built in 1773 and still standing proud just outside the Village limits, a reminder that Warwick’s militia once drilled here during the Revolution.

Getting Around Warwick and Vernon

Most travelers cruise into town along NY-17A or Route 94, but if you’re hopping between Warwick and Vernon Valley in neighboring New Jersey, the back-road drives over Pochuck Mountain are half the fun.

Downtown parking is free on Sundays, and the local trolley loops between the Village of Warwick, Greenwood Lake’s waterfront pavilion, and Vernon NJ events all summer—handy when you’re carrying apple cider donuts or a bottle from Peck’s Wine & Spirits.

Popular Attractions in the Warwick Valley

Visit Local Wineries and Vineyards

Ask any traveler to list the best things to do in Warwick, and “winery-hop” usually tops the list. Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery pours estate cider, artisan brandy, and flights at its Last Whisky Bar while live music drifts over the orchard lawn every Saturday and Sunday.

A quick detour lands you at Bellvale Farms Creamery—Tripadvisor reviewers rave about both the ice cream and the ridge-top view of the Valley region.

Prefer grapes? Demarest Hill and Clearview Vineyard let you sip Chambourcin among rows of vines that look like a scenic postcard.

Enjoying the Arts: Galleries and Exhibitions

Warwick’s creative streak shows up in storefront windows—even the local bank rotates sculpture displays.

On Albert Wisner’s community lawn, you’ll often find outdoor “Form and Figure” shows, while Amity Gallery presents themed exhibitions ranging from plein-air landscapes to abstract lavender-hued canvases.

Pop into the Cooperative Gallery on Main Street for small-batch pottery and boutique jewelry before catching an opening at Peck’s Wine Cellar, which moonlights as a pop-up gallery on first Fridays.

Outdoor Activities: Parks and Nature Trails

Hike the agricultural ridgelines above the Vernon Valley, then grab a picnic spread for Mountain Lake Park’s lakeside pavilion or the rail-trail that traces the old Lehigh & Hudson River line around Warwick.

Cyclists map loops past Bellvale’s farmland and the black-dirt onion fields of Pine Island, while kids beg for pony rides at Winslow Therapeutic Center.

For a lower-key afternoon, stake out a blanket under centuries-old maples at the Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park on Greenwood Lake—fishing, paddleboarding, or just people-watching the weekend boat parade.

Seasonal Events and Festivals

Warwick Valley Events Calendar

From April through leaf-peeping season, the events calendar is thick with farm dinners, artisan lavender fairs, and the Lakeside Farmers Market’s Saturday chef demos on Greenwood Lake.

The Warwick Historical Society layers in walking tours of 19th-century storefronts, and you can trace a self-guided landmark map that links everything from the old gristmill to Hathorn’s stone farmhouse.

Party in the Park: A Community Celebration

Summer really starts once Party in the Park spins up on a late-June Saturday night. Locals dress up, lawn chairs ring Lewis Park, and food trucks queue beside the bandstand for an open-air gala that began as a potluck back in the 1990s.

Proceeds go toward museum restorations, but most folks just come for the live swing band under café lights.

Live Music and Entertainment Options

If the weather turns, you’ll still hear guitars echoing off timber beams in Warwick Valley Winery’s taproom, blues sets at Pennings Farm Market’s cider barn, and jazz trios tucked into an 1830s inn downtown.

The Drowned Lands Brewery—crowned New York State’s best brewery in 2022—books folk-rock on its heated patio once the hops are harvested.

Family-Friendly Activities

Apple Picking and Orchard Visits

Apple picking is practically a fall rite of passage here.

Pennings Farm Market lets you wander seventy-plus acres, fill a wagon with Honeycrisps, then reward the crew with farmhouse-pressed cider, warm apple-cider donuts, and a turn in the hillside playground.

Masker Orchards ups the game with drive-through rows—perfect for toddlers napping in the back seat—and Bellvale celebrates harvest with twilight vineyard walks that end in house-made creamery sundaes.

Farmers Markets: Fresh Produce and Local Goods

Wake up early Sunday for the Warwick Valley Farmers Market on South Street; stalls brim with Hudson Valley honey, artisan cheeses, and cut-flower bouquets grown a mile up the road.

If you miss it, swing by the Lakeside Farmers Market the next morning for farm-fresh eggs and greenhouse tomatoes against a backdrop of sailboats bobbing in Greenwood Lake.

Either stop pairs nicely with browsing homes for sale in Warwick, NY, if you’re dreaming about living in Warwick.

Picnic Spots Around Greenwood Lake

Pack a blanket, a jar of local pickles, and that just-uncorked bottle of Warwick’s Riesling, then aim for the pine-framed coves on the lake’s western shore.

Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park has shaded tables, a pavilion beside the beach, and front-row sunset seats for July fireworks.

Up the road, hidden pull-offs let you sneak in a quick swim before lunch and dinner in the village.

Dining and Nightlife in Warwick

Best Restaurants and Cafés on Main Street

Main Street hops day and night: start with a maple-latte at the café inside the 1924 railway depot, linger over lunch and dinner at Grappa Ristorante’s sidewalk tables, then chase dessert with Bellvale Creamery’s award-winning Black Dirt Blast.

Locavores hunt seasonal tasting menus at Fetch or the historic Iron Forge Inn, where chefs weave Hudson Valley produce into every plate.

Brewery and Distillery Experiences

For hop heads, The Drowned Lands nails farmhouse ales that taste like the surrounding black-dirt farmland.

Down the hill, craft-beer pilgrims post up on the lawn outside Pennings Brewery, while cider geeks analyze orchard terroir at Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery’s Last Whisky Bar.

If spirits are more your style, sample lavender-infused gin at Orange County Distillery’s rustic barn before grabbing a growler to go.

Evening Entertainment and Live Music Venues

Once twilight hits, you’ll find open-mic nights at the Albert Wisner patio, fiddle jams beneath Pennings cider-house string lights, and karaoke at a no-frills tavern beside Greenwood Lake marina.

Pennings even rolls out hay bales for “Movies in the Orchard” when the August Perseids streak overhead—just bring bug spray and a blanket.

Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Visit to Warwick

Planning Your Itinerary

Plot your weekend by cluster: wineries in one loop, orchards the next, downtown galleries between espresso breaks, then a sunset climb to Bellvale’s ski-area lookout.

Mixing indoor tastings with outdoor trails keeps you flexible if New York State clouds roll in.

Tips for a Memorable Family Experience

Book lodging early—summer cottages and the village inn both sell out on foliage weekends. Keep snacks handy for the kids (those apple cider donuts travel well), and remember that most orchards allow leashed dogs.

Final Thoughts on Visiting Warwick

Whether you’re here for vineyards, live music, or that elusive lavender selfie, Warwick and Vernon share a laid-back vibe that turns first-time visitors into repeat guests.

Come curious, leave full, and plan your next swing through the Hudson Valley before you hit the thruway home.