09/12/2026
Who wouldn’t want to spend a whole week discovering Woodstock’s fabulous range of places to shop and eat? My favorites? Well, Peace, Love, and Cupcakes, of course. They recently moved into the building that was the coffee house that Bob Dylan lived above, and came down the stairs to do informal performances for anyone who would listen, before he became famous. Try the Janis Joplin cupcakes. Make sure you check for open days and hours, and get there early because they really do sell out. Or how about The Golden Notebook, a marvelous bookstore with nooks and crannies to explore, and a very special children’s section. Topka is my favorite gift store, featuring the same Woodstock chimes that hang outside the sliding doors at Lilac House. So restful. And let the kids drag you into Tinker Toys. Chances are you’ll walk away with something that you intend to play with yourself, and the kids will have to wrestle it away from you. It goes on and on. Clouds gallery, a marvelous art gallery with handmade treasures that you might actually be able to afford! Vintage shops, shops that feature Tibetan goods, tie-dye garments from the days of the first Woodstock festival, an artisanal French chocolatier, oh my God, you actually can’t even do it all in a week. But stop by the Oriole 9 for breakfast or brunch, with real hollandaise sauce on the Benedict’s and great huevos rancheros, Garden Café for wonderful fresh meals, and please don’t miss Tinker Tacos if you appreciate handmade tortillas and mezcal cocktails at the affiliated bar. Don’t miss out on this perfect upstate village. And of course you will want to stay at Lilac House. There are still some Autumn stays available, but the season is filling up fast, since the meteorologists are predicting an unusually colorful fall.
