Craving a peaceful escape with just the right mix of nature, art, and charm? The Hudson Valley offers easy day trips filled with riverfront strolls, cozy cafés, and scenic trails.
If you are in a hurry, I recommend:
Unique Hudson Valley Day Trips:
1. Albany, NY
Albany is the capital of New York state, and rich in history and heritage. What was once a small Dutch settlement over 400 years ago, is now a growing technology hub with wedding venues, unique shops and a craft beverage trail that highlights local breweries.
Albany attractions include the New York state capital building, a $25 million facility built in 1899.
The Albany Institute of Art and the New York State Museum offer world class exhibits, while heritage sites include historic homes and churches. Among other attractions and activities, you can kayak or cruise down the Hudson River, hike at the Albany Pine Bush state park, or explore underground in the expansive Howe Caverns.
2. Bannerman Castle
Bannerman Castle consists of the 1901 ruins of an abandoned castle-themed warehouse on the Hudson River’s Pollepel Island.
The 6.5 acre island has seen just five owners since the American Revolution.
The Bannermans purchased the island from its second owners in 1900, and soon after began construction on the replica Scottish castle, which was to house the arms and ammunition that Bannerman recycled as the family business.
The Bannerman family donated the island to the State of New York in 1967 and it remains today under the care of the Bannerman Castle trust.
Visit the island for guided or self-guided walking tours, kayak tours, special farm-to-table dinners or theatrical events and movie nights.
Pollepel Island, NY 12518, Phone: 845-203-1316
3. Beacon, NY
Beacon is known as the Hudson Valley’s hippest city for its unique combination of contemporary art museum, hiking, dining and nightlife. Mt. Beacon is Hudson Valley’s highest summit, and Beacon’s Main Street traverses the base of this hill. Dia: Beacon is the world class contemporary art museum that’s found in this small town, and serves as the driver for Beacon’s burgeoning arts scene.
The warehouse gallery space opened in 2003 and is managed by the Dia Art Foundation, which focuses on art from the 1960’s to present day.
Main Street is home to several art galleries and retail shops, as well as cafes, restaurants and bars.
Outdoor enthusiasts will want to hike to the top of Mt. Beacon for a view of the surroundings, and a visit to the foundation of an old casino, now in ruins.
4. Catskill, NY
Catskill is a quaint town in the Hudson River Valley known as the setting for Washington Irving’s classic 1819 novel, Rip Van Winkle. The American landscape painter Thomas Cole began visiting in 1825, and his paintings founded one of the 19th century’s most significant art movements, the Hudson River School. The area retains its outdoor charm.
Top attractions include the Kaaterskill Falls, among the highest in New York state at 260 feet, the peak of Catskill Mountain, offering stellar valley views, and the Hunter Mountain Ski Resort.
Main Street is dotted with Victorian homes and window-front shops, and is home to a historic church and the 1910 Greek-columned courthouse.
5. Cold Spring
Cold Spring’s storied history dates back to the Civil War as an invaluable artillery center. Today, this quaint Hudson River Valley village offers art galleries, shopping and dining on the banks of the Hudson River. Kayak the river of view the water activities and the nearby Storm King Mountain from Dockside Park, stroll down Main Street for charming retail shops, restaurants and cafes, or head to the hills for a hike in the Hudson Highlands State Park.
History enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to the West Point Foundry, a museum and archeological site. Visit the 1832 Hudson House Inn for lunch or dinner.
Romantic Hudson Valley Day Trips:
6. Crailo State Historic Site
The Crailo State Historic Site is a Hudson River Valley museum dedicated to the history of the Colonial Dutch in the area.
The historic home in Rensselaer once belonged to Kiliaen van Rensselear, who built the fortified home in 1707. The home was further fortified with gunports around 1746 and an addition was built in 1762.
Also referred to as the Yankee Doodle House, it is allegedly the site where Richard Shuckburgh wrote the famous song during the French and Indian Wars of 1755, making fun of colonial soldiers who joined forces to fight with the British.
In the 19th century, the home, since remodeled in the Federal style, served as a boy’s school.
It was donated to the state of New York for use as a museum in 1924.
9 1/2 Riverside Ave, Rensselaer, NY 12144, Phone: 518-463-8738
7. Hudson
Hudson, New York is a small, walkable city on the Hudson River.
From its origins as a whaling port in the 1700’s, Hudson evolved as an industrial town and has since grown into a thriving hub for the arts and culture and a farm-to-table restaurant movement.
The City is host to examples of major American architectural movements of nearly every era, from the Nantucket townhomes of the 18th century, to Federal style facades, to sprawling Victorian estates and 20th century Arts and Crafts bungalows.
Over 200 independently owned shops line Front Street in the commercial district.
Hudson is known as the place to go for antiques and collectibles, and is home to Design Hudson, an annual showcase home tour that takes place each May.
8. Hyde Park
The Hudson Valley’s Hyde Park is the home of the Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Site. The area includes Springwood, the lifelong home of President Theodore Roosevelt.
The home includes Roosevelt’s presidential library and museum among the 300-acre site. The 1938 Top Cottage retreat is a smaller Dutch colonial structure built by Roosevelt to escape the crowds at Springwood.
Nearby is Val-Kil, a cottage occupied by Mrs. Roosevelt, and the only National Historic site dedicated to a First Lady of the United States.
The Vanderbilt Mansion occupies a 211-acre property filled with Italian gardens and old growth trees.
The mansion exemplifies early 20th century English county living in America.
The museum explores the lives of the domestic staff and the home’s relationship to the surrounding community. The surrounding small town offers unique attractions, quaint boutiques and world class restaurants.
Family Hudson Valley Day Trips:
9. Kingston
Kingston, New York was the state’s first capital in 1777. That same year, in the Battles of Saratoga, it was burned to the ground. By the early 19th century, the discovery of natural cement in the region, and accessibility by rail-line and canals led the small town to thrive.
Today, this history is preserved in three separate historic districts.
Examples of each American architectural period are preserved in the Dutch colonial, Federal, Greek revival, Victorian, Italiante and Art Deco structures. Tour the homes, ride an antique trolley through the historic district, visit the museums and art galleries, or cruise the Hudson River all from Kingston.
10. Lake Minnewaska
Lake Minnewaska is located within the Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York’s Ulster County. The lake is among three bodies of water in the area, surrounded by waterfalls, hardwood forests, and the rocky, rugged terrain of the Shawangunk Mountain ridge.
Visitors enjoy hiking, cycling and technical rock climbing and bouldering on land, as well as scuba diving, boating and swimming in the crystal clear waters. A minimal tent-only campground provides restrooms with showers, a pavilion and cooking area. Bird conservation areas protect the important migratory corridor for owls, warblers and peregrine falcons. Naturalists often lead guided programming on weekends.
5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446, Phone: 845-255-0752
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- Q: Where is New York's Hudson Valley located?
- A: The Hudson Valley spans the Hudson River for 150 miles between Albany to the north and Westchester to the south.
- Q: What is the Hudson Valley known for?
- A: The area is known for its orchards, farms, lakes, restaurants, and vineyards, as well as its rich American history dating back to the early 1700s.
- Q: How can you take a day trip to the Hudson Valley from New York City?
- A: Day trips are as simple as hopping on a Metro North from Manhattan for hiking, swimming, touring, or dining.
Best Time for Day Trips in the Hudson Valley, New York
- April to June – Ideal for mild weather, blooming gardens, and exploring historic estates.
- September to October – Perfect for vibrant fall foliage, apple picking, and scenic drives.
- July & August – Warm summer days great for hiking, river cruises, and outdoor adventures.
- November – Enjoy cooler weather and fewer crowds at cultural and historical sites.
- December to March – Cold but charming for festive markets, cozy retreats, and winter hikes.
Map:
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