Hi my fellow New Yorkers,

I need to escape the city and get a real dose of beautiful fall foliage. Where are some of your favorite day or weekend trips to immerse yourself in fall?

Also, would prefer to take an AMTRAK train as opposed to renting a car. Is Vermont a really long trip? Some hiking would be great!

THANKS!

I would take the train to Rhinecliff, taxi to Rhinebeck and stay at the Beeker Arms

I think radiofanatic means the Beekman Arms. Not Beeker the loveble, goofy scientist's assistant from the Muppet Show.

Take Metro North to the quaint village of Cold Spring for a day trip. It's a 1-1.5 hour gorgeous ride along the Hudson. The train drops you off a block from town. It has lots of cute antique and craft shops and cafes. And beautiful views of Bear Mountain Park & West Point (which will be FULL of colorful trees).

I do and thanks for the giggle - I love the Muppets!

Thank you, Radiofanatic and Suzanne, for your suggestions!

Just wondering if there is any hiking in either of these places -- Rhinebeck or Cold Springs.

Any other ideas are welcome.

--Betty

I know I've seen lots of hikers around /just north of Cold Spring--Breakneck something?

Look at these ideas in the area
http://www.visitputnam.org/activities/hiking.html

topping

TOPPING, please, for more great fall trips and hiking suggestions from NYC.

Thanks!

Yes, Breakneck Ridge is a GREAT loop hike...it's a couple miles north of Cold Spring. It has its own train stop (not all trains stop there though...you'd have to check schedules). There are actually several hikes in that area, but BNR is probably the best. You can see all the way to the city from the top of the Ridge on a clear day. There's some cool ruins along the trail.

Fore more info:
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/location/ny/ww_newyork4.htm

The hike around cold springs really is great. You can walk to a trail that leads up to the ruins of a mansion that burned down at the turn of the last century . . . it's just stone foundations and chimneys now, beuatiful in the autumn leaves. In case Betty or anyone else for that matter was wondering, southern vermont is a GREAT place to get away . . . except for the train bit. Never taken the train there, but the bus is possible. It's about 3 1/2 hours by car. Staying in Manchester VT might be an easier option to get to if you brought bikes . . . explore route 7A and the hiking trails around the Equinox center. If you have a car, my favorite B&B is called "Whimsey Farm" . . . very authentic farm home with not too many frills but still extremely comfortable. Google them to find the #, they don't advertise. From there by car you can explore Benninton, the Green Mountains, and Williamstown, MA which is not far away, for fine dining at Mezze and arty films at Images.