Looking for an escape from the bustling city of New York? From waterfall hikes to antique hubs and beach towns, there is no shortage of destinations for the perfect day outside of Manhattan. Here are some of my favorites that are accessible without a car.
1. Beacon, NY – 1 hour 20 minutes by Metro-North
Located in Dutchess County, Beacon offers a great art scene and a variety of restaurants. Start off your day by grabbing a coffee from Bank Sq. Coffeehouse, only a few minutes walk from the station. From there, visit Dia Beacon, a modern art museum located in a former Nabisco box factory. Afterwards, walk along main street and check out the local businesses and antique stores.
For lunch, stop by Hudson Valley Food Hall for a variety of cuisines that will satisfy any craving. If you’re in the mood for a drink, Denning’s Point Distillery on Main Street offers tours and tastings on Fridays and Saturdays.
The Beacon Farmers Market is held on Sundays and has an impressive array of vendors, including Little Loaf Bakeshop, Trax Coffee, and Cooperstown Cheese Company. Another Sunday activity is the Beacon Flea Market, open from April to December.
For the nature-lovers, spend the afternoon hiking Mount Beacon, located about 35 minutes from the station. Alternatively, book a tour via ferry or kayak to the island nearby to visit Bannerman Castle, constructed in the early 1900s by the family that owned the private island and later donated to New York State.
If you can afford to splurge for dinner, the Kitchen Sink Supper Club offers a rotating chef menu and is open on Fridays and Saturdays (and Sundays in the summer!). With only one seating a day, the chef uses local ingredients and serves food in a communal area. Prices start at $90 per person.
2. Cold Spring, NY – 70 minutes by Metro-North
Cold Spring is a beautiful town on the Hudson River, known for its abundance of antique shops and quiet atmosphere. Spend the afternoon walking down Main Street towards the river, and duck into various shops and stores along the way. Don’t miss Poor George for vintage finds, and Old Souls had a wide range of home decor and outdoor activity products.
For the outdoorsy, a kayaking tour is the perfect mid-day activity. Visit the incredible Bannerman Castle located on Pollepel Island, and enjoy the views of Cold Spring from the water!
There are also a variety of hikes along the Hudson that are accessible from the village. If you are interested in history, stop by West Point Foundry Preserve on the way out of town – an area where steam engines and ships were produced during the Industrial Revolution. Afterwards, visit Moo Moo’s Creamery for the best ice cream in town and enjoy the views of the Hudson from the waterfront.
3. Untermyer Gardens, Yonkers, NY – 40 minutes by Metro-North to Greystone station
Untermyer Gardens is the perfect place to spend an afternoon away from the city. For the perfect day in the garden, pack a picnic lunch and set up a spot somewhere on the beautiful grounds. The property is a 46 acre former estate that is now a public garden, and there are multiple areas to explore including a Rhododendron Walk, a Ruin Garden, and a Roch and Stream Garden.
To get there, take the Hudson line from Grand Central to the Greystone Metro-North station. Then walk 20 minutes to the entrance of the gardens. For more information on directions, go to the Untermyer Gardens Website.
4. Tarrytown, NY – 30 minutes by Metro-North
Tarrytown is a beautiful historic village on the Hudson River, known for its rich history and quaint street running through the center of town, full of ice cream shops, restaurants, and antique stores.
To embrace the historic nature of the town, consider a visit to the fairytale estate of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. Nearby, you’ll find the town of Sleepy Hollow, home of the Headless Horseman legend. A tour of Lyndhurst Castle is the perfect way to spend some time here, especially since USA Today named it one of the “10 Best Historic Home Tours”. Walk the streets lined with historic houses, and participate in some of the Halloween events if you are visiting during the month of October.
Despite the small size of the town, the dining options are endless. My favorites include Taco Project for a quick lunch, or Sweet Grass Grill for a sit-down dinner. Afterwards, check out the Music Hall for live music, or grab a cocktail at RiverMarket Bar & Kitchen.
End your day with a sunset walk along the river in Pierson Park, with stunning views of the Mario Cuomo bridge, before heading over to Main Street Sweets for some ice cream.
5. Milford, CT – 1 hour 45 minutes by Metro-North
Craving a buttery lobster roll and a quiet beach to enjoy it on? Then Milford, Connecticut is the perfect day trip for you. To get to the main part of town, walk for 30 minutes from the Milford train station to Silver Sands State Park. During low tide, visitors are able to walk along a sandbar to Charles Island for some bird watching or swimming.
In order to satisfy your seafood craving, check out Stonebridge for that delicious lobster roll or Founders House for a drink and some fresh oysters.
There are endless towns to visit from NYC for a day or even a weekend. To read more about our suggestions for hidden gems and undiscovered neighborhoods, check out Five More Minutes Travel!