When it comes to wellness activities in Ulster County, there is no shortage of options. We teamed up with Jakob Roze, founder of RozeFit, a local concierge personal training practice, to get the inside scoop on the best things to do while embarking on a wellness weekend escape.
Start Your Morning with Movement
Ulster County is home to some of the most pristine topography in the Hudson Valley. There is no better way to honor your body and the local landscape than by taking a hike to some of the best vistas in the area.
Head up to the still untouched Hamlet of Cragsmoor, New York, and begin your adventure at Sam's Point. The Preserve is located on the highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains. It is part of the most southerly section of the Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Just half a mile up an old windy carriage trail, you will be greeted with one of the best vistas in Ulster County. Sip your second cup of coffee and sit in silence for a moment while you honor your health and the surrounding natural beauty.
Native to the area, personal trainer Jakob Roze can't recommend this special place enough! His clients always rave about the recommendation once they experience the beauty of Sam's Point first-hand.
Feast with a Farm-to-Table Meal
After building up an appetite, head over to Henry's at the Farm Restaurant. Buttermilk Spa + Farm's very own farm-to-table restaurant. Located at 220 North Road in Milton New York, you will be greeted by a stunning property that is home to a beautiful historic inn, spa, and not to mention, an animal sanctuary, plus a fully functioning farm.
The restaurant has a stacked brunch menu that includes seasonal bounty from the on-site farm and locally sourced produce from farms around the Hudson Valley. Henry's restaurant will leave you feeling fully satiated. Don't forget to stroll through the grounds of the property and experience a little piece of paradise tucked away in the Hudson Valley! You may even meet an alpaca or two!
Settle In
After fueling up at Henry's take a drive over to Ulster County's newest Resort, Wildflower Farms. Set on 140 arcadian acres in Gardiner, New York, Wildflower overlooks the Shawangunk ridge with 65 bespoke accommodations tucked beneath sweeping tree canopies and nestled within low-lying fields of wildflowers. It is the perfect place to spend the last half of your adventure-packed day.
The property offers a plethora of activities to choose from, and if wellness is your focus - Wildflower has you covered. The on-site spa called Thistle has an extensive menu of treatment options. Experience "Body Botany" for example - Inspired by the natural rhythms of the farm, this treatment blends the healing warmth and sensory restoration of steamed herbal poultices with a deeply therapeutic myofascial treatment of low, slow, deep massage.
Or, if you still have some vigor left, book a concierge personal training session with Jakob. His sessions are fully tailored to your physical abilities and areas of focus. Your friends can join the workout as well!
After exploring the endless possibilities at Wildflower, no wellness weekend would be complete without another nutritious meal. The on-site restaurant called Clay includes a rustic new American menu that pairs seasonally grown vegetables from local farms with well-sourced animal proteins for a dining experience that celebrates the region’s bounty.
Alternative Itineraries
Of course, this wellness weekend itinerary is just one of many for a perfect trip Upstate. Ulster County is home to many health-conscious restaurants and activities, which Jakob highly recommends.
Silvia's in Woodstock offers refined and nutritious dishes. Butterfield in Stone Ridge offers artisanal and delicate meals.
If you want to recenter, the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing offers meditation classes and weekend retreats. Or perhaps you want to embark on an extensive hike through Mohonk's endless miles of mountain trails.
Whatever strikes your fancy, Ulster County has a wellness option for you!
