Hudson, New York has quietly become one of the Northeast's best small-town escapes. Two hours up the river from Manhattan, this Hudson Valley city of roughly 6,000 packs more antique dealers, design shops and restaurants into a few blocks than towns ten times its size — and its Warren Street strip is lined with Victorian and Federal-era buildings that trace how American taste evolved through the 1800s.

The trick is timing. Peak foliage hits Hudson around mid-October, when the surrounding woodlands turn orange, amber and gold. It's the ideal backdrop for a weekend of browsing antiques, and because the town is compact and walkable, you can enjoy the leaves without much driving.

A roundup from TravelAwaits highlights ten standout Airbnbs in town, and the list is a useful snapshot of what's on offer. For the best position on the main drag, the Hudson Joy Townhouse puts you right on Warren Street with a chef's kitchen and a vinyl listening corner. Groups of up to six should look at the three-bedroom in the up-and-coming Depot District, close to breweries and 7th Street Park. Couples get the Romantic Warren St Penthouse, which pairs 10-foot historic ceilings and a wood-burning furnace with a light-flooded minimalist interior.

Design lovers have plenty to choose from too. Old Hudson's Maison and the Cozy Modern Farmhouse were both styled by the pros at Zio and Sons — the former a French-countryside-style townhouse with a cast-iron tub, the latter a three-bedroom sleeping five with a generous back patio. The Chic Parisian Apartment sits inside a renovated 1800s brick building in the historic district, while the 1840s Brick Federal layers exposed beams and antique furnishings over modern comforts. History buffs can sleep in a Victorian mansion built in 1865 for former mayor Joshua T. Waterman, complete with original floors and Italianate detailing.

Two picks stand out for practical reasons. Families wanting their own outdoor space should consider the Hudson Charm House in quiet Greenport — a rare standalone two-bedroom with a fenced backyard. And the budget-friendly Pied-a-Terre, a studio inside a 1700s home with a private deck and wide views, is walkable from the Amtrak station. That last detail matters: you can do this trip entirely without a car, arriving from New York City or Boston by rail.

Why it matters: Hudson is one of the few small towns where you can skip the rental car, walk to dinner, antique shops and your accommodation, and still get a proper hit of fall colour. Pick your rental based on how you travel — location for first-timers, space for families, design for the aesthetes — and book soon, since mid-October weekends in the Hudson Valley fill up fast.