Growing Up in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley has taught us natives to love our area. We have an art or music festival each weekend, drive in movie theaters, world class food and hiking, and so many unique things that cannot be found anywhere outside of the one and only Hudson Valley.

1. The only way to see a movie on a summer night is to go to the drive in.

The Hudson Valley has so many drive ins from Overlook to Hyde Park that it makes residents feel like the "norm" is to see movies outside, not realizing that it is only a Hudson Valley thing.

2. There are views everywhere you turn.

From The Hudson River, to the Mountains, to gardens, to Mansions, there isn't a place that you couldn't find something beautiful in the Hudson Valley.

3. Summer = Music Festivals.

From Taste of Country, to Mountain Jam, to Bethel Woods, any music lover would be in heaven in the Hudson Valley in the summer.

4. Great restaurants because the best chefs in the world train right down the street.

World famous Culinary Institute of America is located in the center of the Hudson Valley, resulting in dozens of mouth watering restaurants in the local area.

5. World class hiking close to home.

From the Appalachian Trail, to Mount Beacon, to Breakneck Ridge, The Hudson Valley is home to some of the best hiking in the United States.

6. Local businesses are the real MVP.

You can put your Applebees or Dunkin Donuts somewhere else because our small businesses trump everything.

7. The Walkway Over The Hudson.

The longest pedestrian bridge in the world is located in The Valley over the Hudson River.

8. I'm [FILL IN THE BLANK] hours north of NYC.

When trying to explain where you live to outsiders, your go to comparison is how far out of NYC you live.

9. Apple picking.

Everyone knows that the best apples in the fall come from New York, but New Yorkers know that the best Apples come from the Hudson Valley.

10. There is a cute small town behind every corner.

From Cold Spring to Beacon, there is a beautiful and unique small town within 10 minutes at all times.

11. WE ARE NOT UPSTATE.

For Long Islanders, anything North of Manhattan is considered Upstate New York, But we all know for a fact that we are about as downstate you get before hitting New Jersey.