From apples to art, books to breweries, southeast Washington County’s got it all!
This area’s rolling hills and fertile soil provide the ideal environment for agriculture, which is the heart of our community. Agricultural activities in this region include dairy farming, fruit & vegetable production, livestock raising, and more. Additionally, the processing, distributing and selling of these products provides jobs for many residents and helps ensure fresh, quality food for locals and visitors alike!
Explore our pre-planned Washington County Experiences exploring the different ways agriculture impacts our lives (and tastebuds!) Or, visit one of our many farm stands or farmers’ markets to pick up some locally-grown produce,
Next in our ‘A Day In’ series, we explore several charming towns in southeast Washington County, New York. Let’s explore White Creek, Cambridge, and Shushan!
White Creek, New York
An adorable township tucked away in the foothills & forests of the Taconic Mountains, White Creek, NY is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. With both Mount Tom State Forest & Chestnut Woods State Forest nearby, opportunities for exploring the forested hills are endless.
Just over the border from Vermont, White Creek is home to the White Creek County Store. Their specialty deli sandwiches, soft-serve ice cream and grocery selection have made them a local favorite. For a walk through local history, visit the Quaker Cemetery down the road!
Further along County Rd. 68 exist several incredible local farms. First in line is Willhy Farms, a delicious bakery that supplies many local eateries with baked goods throughout the year. Next is Perry’s Orchard, a popular u-pick apple orchard that also carries cider, beef, honey, maple syrup and more!
Then, you’ll find Happenchance Farm, whose farm stand sells a variety of farm-certified organic produce!
Closer to Route 22 and across the Hoosic River from Rensselaer County, NY rests a major southeast Washington County intersection. At its center is Benson’s, a local hotspot with a seasonally-open dairy bar offering a variety of ice cream flavors.
After that, get your art fix & visit the close-by Mt. Nebo Gallery. Take home some art from well-known folk artist Will Moses, a fourth-generation member of the renowned Moses family! Next, swing by the Moses Farm & Vegetable Stand to stock up on healthy greens, vegetables, fruit and flowers.
Don’t forget to stop in at the Eagle Bridge Antique Center to explore their large & eclectic selection of antiques and collectibles.
Then, make a small detour over to the Buskirk Covered Bridge, the only inter-county covered bridge in New York State. Straddling the line between Washington Rensselaer Counties, it’s one of four historic covered bridges still standing in Washington County!
Cambridge, New York
A short but scenic drive up Route 22 puts you in the center of Cambridge, NY. Surrounded by lush forests, open farmland, and dramatic hillsides, Cambridge has developed into an artistic community with nature & agriculture rooted deep in its core. Check out our deep dive into the town in our “Life on Main Street” series!
From classes & workshops at Hubbard Hall to events at the Cambridge Central School, there’s always something happening around town!
There are many ways to enjoy your time in Cambridge! Discover unique, locally-made consumable goods at the Cambridge Food Co-op. Kick back & relax for a bit at the Argyle Brewing Company’s Cambridge Depot Tap Room & Beer Garden. Or, stop by between 8 a.m. and noon on Sunday mornings to pick up freshly-baked, heavenly donuts from King Bakery Donut Cart!
Cambridge is also home to several storefronts selling art & antiques. These include the Cambridge Lantern Works and Copper Trout Gallery, the Cambridge Antiques Center, Blacksmith Antiques, and Black Widow Gallery. Along the historic main street, you can also find the Cambridge War Memorial, gazebo, and green-covered footbridge nestled in a lovely park next to the Cambridge Public Library.
Discover the magic in the pages at Battenkill Books, an independent bookstore selling books, gifts, cards, maps, toys & more. Also be sure to check out Deluge Design Stained Glass & Gifts and Over the Moon Beads for other unique, locally-made items! Or, discover unexpected wonders for your home & wardrobe at Forget Me Not Consignments.
Additionally, many Washington County businesses sell their work online and at local pop-ups, so visit our site to discover more amazing creations! This includes artisans like Golden Earth Designs, Matt Chinian, Mark Tougias, ThirstyCat Fountains and more.
On the other hand, if you’d like a more outdoorsy excursion, visit the Woodlands Cemetery or the Cambridge Community Forest!
Need to take a breather? Then get some holes in at Ondawa Greens, or check out the Cambridge Valley Livestock Market to see how business gets done in agricultural America.
Further, why not take a scenic drive with a delicious payoff? Visit New Skete Monasteries. To support themselves, the New Skete Nuns make divine cheesecake, available in their gift shop and nationwide on Goldbelly. Meanwhile, the New Skete Monks raise German Shepherds, train dogs and lead workshops!
Read our blog post about visiting New Skete here.
Shushan, New York
Small but mighty, Shushan, NY is a hamlet of Salem, but with plenty of attractions to make it a destination in itself!
The Shushan Covered Bridge Museum was converted into a museum displaying locally-used period machinery and farm implements. The Eagleville Covered Bridge is not too far away, so consider visiting both in one trip!
If you need to stock up on essentials and basic groceries, visit the family-owned Yushak’s Market in central Shushan! Just around the corner lies a hidden gem: The Georgi on the Battenkill. Part public park, part museum, and part swimming hole, The Georgi is a local-favorite swimming hole as well as a popular location for destination weddings.
Just down Route 61 lies some of the most incredible views of Washington County’s farmland – as well as some of the most unique ways to experience it first-hand.
Check out Redgate Lodging, a great base from which to explore southeast Washington County! Nearby, critically acclaimed realist painter Christopher Pierce occasionally opens his Shushan studio for public exhibitions like our Open Studios Trail.
Where Route 61 meets Route 22 lie a number of small lakes. Generations of Americans have spent their summers at the Lake Lauderdale Campground, though you can also get a slice of the lake lifestyle by visiting Lake Lauderdale Park.
With the Goose Egg and Batten Kill State Forest and Eldridge Swamp State Forest nearby, there’s plenty of outdoor recreation available no matter the time of year!
Once you’ve worked up an appetite while adventuring, grab a bite to eat at the Burger Den, a community staple. Then, visit Old Book Surfer at 2823 NY-22 to browse a unique curated selection of new and used books, vinyls & CDs.
Discover More of Washington County’s Best
No matter how you prefer to spend your time, White Creek, Cambridge, & Shushan offer a variety of intriguing options to pique your interest!
With so many ways to see, taste, and explore the beating heart of New York agriculture, a visit to Southeast Washington County is sure to be the highlight of your trip.
