A girls’ weekend with some of the women you hold most dear in this world should come around more than every ten years, but the last time we got away for a weekend–sisters and Mom–was when my Mom turned 60! And late January was her 70th birthday. We’ve decided it will become a yearly thing going forward. (I haven’t told Steve that yet.)
We chose the Hudson Valley because it’s a perfect meeting place for those of us in South Jersey and those of us in the Boston area. Almost exactly 3.5 hours for both. Hudson Valley is this idyllic place that feels very removed with its winding forest roads, and red barns, and icy (this time of year) streams but yet it’s dotted with pretty sweet little towns that have seriously cool restaurants and bars. It’s should be a destination on your list if it isn’t already!
We only got to two of the little towns because the Airbnb was way too hard to leave. (And thank you so much to those of you who wrote in with suggestions when I asked on DM. You guys are amazing with recommendations.) We went to Hudson for a few hours one night. Rivertown Lodge is amazing. That was a stand out of the night. And, it was sort of made for the Carmody women when we walked into the lobby to find an enamel pitcher style carafe with bone broth in it for the taking.
The lobby with its fireplaces, bookshelves, checkers, jazz music streaming. It felt a little bit Wes Anderson, we agreed, in the best way possible. People were actually reading books. Just sitting there reading books! Such lunacy!
I got a switchel cocktail (actually, three of us did. Do you think my Mom would pass up an opportunity to get apple cider vinegar in cocktail form?). I even noticed a turmeric cocktail. I’m not lying. This place was speaking my Mom’s language.
Minna in Hudson had the most amazing textiles. And this roll-on perfume that I absolutely loved and now cannot remember the name of. Should’ve bought it!
My sister Kate and I actually slept up on that loft. It was so fun. 
The other bedroom where my sister Meghan and my Mom slept.
Baked oatmeal made by my Mom. We each took a meal, snacked in between, and then went out twice.
Staying put in a wintry Airbnb was just perfect. Listening to music, drinking wine, and lounging (so much lounging! But how often do you really get the opportunity to do that much of that?!?) much of the weekend?! It was so fabulous.
There was also a heated pool. One of the nights we stayed in it for 3 hours. The big decision that evening was to go out or stay in. We decided to stay in, and the only reason I left the pool was to make French onion soup. There was also a lot of laughing. A lot of it.
One more HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this beautiful woman.
The last morning after we packed up to leave our Airbnb, we went to brunch at The Amsterdam. Highly recommend this place. We shared the pastry basket and then I had eggs benedict with Grandpa’s sausage. Yum. It’s a really cool place, and Rhinebeck is adorable! I’m eager to visit the Hudson Valley again in the summertime.
What a fun girls weekend! I think I need a getaway with my girlfriends too! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
this looks like an absolutely incredible weekend celebrating your mom!! she seems so vibrant and cool and i know you guys loved the girl time!! and that cute house!!!
she is totally vibrant and cool 🙂 thanks brittany!!!
A getaway with your Mom and sisters? Oh my, that sounds like the BEST IDEA EVER. I’d love to go away with my mom and sister for a weekend. Alas, they live on a different continent, so that’s hard to do… but I might suggest it next time I see them (in March! CANNOT WAIT!)
I think that a ” Yearly Girls Get-a-Way” is a bit much !
Love to you all !
Dad
kate and i will take you on another camping trip to make up for it.
Bone broth in the lobby?!? Amazing. Do you and your sisters have matching leggings? 🙂 Glad you will be making this a yearly event. Your mom is such a treasure!! I love vacationing vicariously through you,
ha, yes, matching leggings!
Looks so fun! Am I crazy or are you missing a sister? Definitely adding the Hudson Valley to my Bucket List!
you are not crazy! our sister erinn had something come up last minute and couldn’t make the trip 🙁
AHHHH so jealous! A heated pool surrounded by snow?! That sounds AMAZING! What a fun, beautiful time with mom + sisters!
Oh this sounds (and looks sooo perfect)! Once we’re back out of the baby stage again i was seriously consider this (if only my sister didn’t live in vancouver). Also, I am still thinking about your instagram post and how i need it not to take up so much space in my life.
This is incredibly beautiful. My hatred for winter runs deep, but seeing it in pictures like this makes me want to dive right in.
How fun!!
This sounds amazing, and as a mother of only girls, I can’t wait until they are older and we can take these kinds of adventures together. We recently found out that we are expecting our fourth (and definitely last!) baby, another girl. My husband adores our girls and none of them are only girly – nor am I. They are all still young, but are active and love to be outside, and adore doing stuff with their dad. My husband already loves our soon to arrive daughter, but he is also mourning (for a lack of a better term) the father/son relationship that he will probably never have. I know that you are one of four girls, and I want to ask how your family has navigated this as you all grew. As much as I want to do girl’s trips, I don’t want him to feel excluded. Any advice from you or your mom? Thanks!
congratulations!!! my dad LOVED being a father of girls. whenever he’d get a comment that hinted at disappointment over not having a boy he’d always say something about how happy he was to have girls! (none of us were terribly girly either.) while we did do this girl’s trip–and at least one more before when my mom turned 60–we’ve done a lot of dad/daughter things over the years. my sister kate and i took him camping for father’s day one year, and through my ENTIRE childhood, every memorial day we did a dads + kids (no moms!) camping trip. on top of that, he’s hinted at wanting to climb mt. whitney with his girls… so maybe that’s next! also, we’ve vacationed as a family with my mom AND my dad a bunch of times–camping, the jersey shore, and lake winnipesaukee (steve and my dad get along really well; i joke that my dad likes steve better than he likes me). we definitely can’t make all of the trips be just for the girls. that wouldn’t be fair! i promise your husband… good things are to come!
I found this page when I searched for Hudson Valley girls’ weekend ideas! I am in the Boston area and trying to find a spot to get together with a friend from NYC and a friend from Saratoga, so it seems like a good location. I am also one of four sisters 🙂
Just wondering if you wouldn’t mind sending me the listing for the airbnb? Looks amazing!!
Hi Bridget!
I’m a longtime reader of your blog. I’m planning a trip to celebrate my 40th and my mom’s upcoming 70th and I am considering the Hudson Valley. If you’re still happy to share your listing for this airbnb, I’d be grateful. Happy New Year to you and your family!
I know this post was from a while ago but this house looks amazing! Are you able to share the listing?