Hudson to Charlotte train

Hudson is a fashionable, accessible city in the middle of New York's Hudson Valley. Set at the foot of the Catskill Mountains along the Hudson River, this once-sleepy village is now a hip destination for New Yorkers to hit up on weekend getaways.

Stroll down Warren Street to soak in some of Hudson's small-town charm, and hunt for treasures in boutiques, antique shops, and book shops. Seriously, the antiquing in Hudson is no joke. The Antique Warehouse alone is 40,000 square feet of one-of-a-kind furniture and architectural elements.

Thanks to its location in the agricultural mecca of the Hudson Valley, Hudson is an incredible spot to visit for foodies. There are more farm-to-table restaurants than you can count, and there is a five-star coffee shop at nearly every turn.

It's easy to get to Hudson from anywhere in the Northeast if you have your own car, which is ideal if you plan on bringing home some antique furniture. It's also super affordable to take the train to Hudson, and getting there from New York City takes only two hours.

A mecca for fans of speed in general and for NASCAR in particular, Charlotte is a burgeoning urban center that still retains its southern charm. Even if you are not a hardcore fan of NASCAR, it is still worth taking the time to check it out. Housing more than just plaques dedicated to legendary drivers, the museum also features high-tech exhibits, as well as racing simulators to keep you enthralled. If cars are not your thing, the bustling Uptown area, which houses the city’s top museums such as Discovery Place or Mint Museum Uptown, will offer a day’s worth of interesting facts to enjoy. When you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of Uptown, Freedom Park, located about three miles north of the city center, provides a natural refuge where you can recover.

Charlotte’s food scene is brimming with life, as modernized Southern staples take the city by storm. Perhaps the best place to enjoy the tastiest Southern dishes in town is at Price’s Chicken Coop. If you are looking to enjoy some fine barbecues, Midwood Smokehouse or Noble Smoke might have what you need.

Charlotte’s busiest bus station is at W 4th St in the heart of the city, offering bus trips by several carriers like Greyhound and Jefferson Lines to other cities such as Richmond or New York. The city is served by three Amtrak lines: the Crescent, the Carolinian, and the Piedmont. Travelers can catch these trains at the station on Tryon St in Lockwood. The main airport of the city is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is the sixth-busiest airport in the country. It is located 6 miles from the city center.