Fodor's Expert Review Olana State Historic Site

In the 1870s, Hudson River School artist Frederic Church built this 37-room Moorish-style castle atop a hill with panoramic valley and river vistas. Architect Calvert Vaux came up with the design of the house, to which the artist applied his own eclectic touches. The interior is an extravaganza of tile and stone, carved screens, Persian rugs, and paintings, including some by Church. The house, about 4 miles south of Hudson, is open for guided tours, which run about 45 minutes; reservations are strongly suggested.