The hamlet of Accord, NY in Ulster County may be small but itโs an idyllic getaway for those seeking pastoral scenery, farm-fresh food and drink, and townie bars where you can mingle with locals and visitors alike. It’sย a pastoral paradise nestled between the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskill mountains,ย a place where scores of city expats and weekenders have made second then primary homes.
First things first, though, itโs pronounced โACK-ord.โ Second thing: Accord is small, and best enjoyed as a home base along with the amenities of surrounding towns and hamlets (Stone Ridge, High Falls, Kerhonkson, and even New Paltz). That said, weโve rounded up some places to dine, drink, and spend the night for a perfect weekend getaway in Accord, full ofย of good eats and green acres.
Saturday
Take the scenic route through Ulster Countyโs winding historic countryside along Route 209 but arrive to town by noon to ensure you donโt miss one of the areaโs best kept secrets: pierogies at Helenaโs Specialty Foods in an unlikely parking lot with Taylor Rental and Napa Auto Parts. For around $10 (bring cash) you can order up a dozen authentic pierogies, handmade onsite using the owner Mariaโs Ukrainian and Polish family recipes. Flavors vary from traditional potato and cheese to potato and buffalo chicken, or even in-season fruits and veggies.
After youโve had your fill, pop across the street to explore the agritourism wonder that is Kelderโs Farm. You canโt miss Gnome Chomsky, who for a while enjoyed the title of the worldโs largest gnome. Kelderโs offers a petting zoo, u-pick flowers and fruits, a farmerโs market, a ginormous jumping pillow (i.e. trampoline), mini golf, and about a dozen other things to do with the kids or with your date.
When the pierogi coma sets in, head over to Stonehillโs Farmhouseย and settle into one of the farmhouseโs four thoughtfully designed guest rooms, each outfitted with organic bed and bath linens, natural bath amenities, a smart TV, minibar, and more. But try to resist taking a nap in those luxury linens just yetโthereโs exploring to do.
Though part of Accordโs charm is its rurality, there are a handful of locally owned shops worth a visit. Browse handmade pottery at Stone Window Gallery on Main Street, Accord; aromatic soaps and gifts at Heart and Arrow Handcrafted (Upper Whitfield Road), and furniture and finds at Rose Hill Antiques on Route 209. Or, walk the southern portion of the O&W Rail Trail, which runs from Accord to Kerhonkson. This 3.5-mile stretch is also great for mountain biking, as it winds through wooded areas alongside the Rondout Creek.
For dinner, enjoy casual dining in a laid-back atmosphere at Stone House Tavern with a local-when-possible menu that satisfies nearly every palateโfrom soups and salads, to hearty entrees, to vegan dishes. Stick around to enjoy a post-dinner pint, or head to nearby Kerhonkson to experience Rough Cut Brewingโs delicious craft beer.
Sunday
Spend the next day farm-hopping. After enjoying breakfast at the farmhouse, venture to Saunderskill Farmsโ farm stand and general store to grab a cup of coffee and peruse their selection of local honey, maple syrup, fresh-baked goods, and other take-home treats. They offer light fare, sandwiches, soups, and such, for lunch, too. This is a community gathering place, so expect to scoot your way past neighbors and PTA members catching up on the latest town happenings.
Thereโs much to do at Westwind Orchard in summer and fall, from apple and raspberry-picking to just hanging out at a picnic table to soak in the rustic sights, while you sip a glass of their small-batch, craft cider made onsite from apples raised in their biointensive orchard. Westwindโs new restaurant and tasting room remains open year-round, dishing up artfully plated, authentic Italian cuisine like Gnocchi con Funghiโpurple gnocchi with black trumpet mushrooms ($19). Westwind owner Fabio Chizzola is a stickler for traditional ingredients from his homeland, importing an array of cured meats and other delicacies directly from Italy for the real deal. Basically, this is not an eggplant parm kind of place.
Next door, youโll find another farm-to-glass establishment: Arrowood Farm Brewery. This sustainable farm brewpub is solar-powered and largely self-reliant, cultivating a portion of its own hops and grains. Resident farm animals (pigs and sheep) chow on the spent grain from the brewing process while doing their part to rid the fields of pests and provide natural fertilizer for crops. Pull up a seat at the bar, or in a hammock outside during the warmer months, and end the day with a fresh-poured pint from their seasonally changing list. Cheers to the weekend.
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