We'll be in NYC mid-Sept. Thought a day trip to Hudson Valley would be picturesque. How/where can we do a day trip- no car. Train, then, I suppose (or by boat?). Is there a destination where we could have a nice ride up, pretty scenery, and then wander around a town for a bit, then head back?

Was picturing just a single destination that's easy to get to, and fun to explore for a bit, lunch, then back to the city.

The Rockefeller estate, Kykuit, is very accessble by train from NYC.

http://www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites/kykuit

I'm not aware of any cruises that go up to the Hudson Valley from the city, but it's easy to take a trip up there by train. You can go as far as Poughkeepsie, about 100 miles north of the city. Mid-September is a great time to go.

I love Kykuit. Bannerman's Island is another unique thing to visit.

The Walkway Across the Hudson begins in Poughkeepsie.

I'd just say that it's much easier to explore the area by car. you can rent from Hertz at North White Plains (about 30 minutes north of the city) if you don't want to drive in and out of Manhattan.

You can also take Amtrak to Hudson, and Warren Street is a reasonably close (uphill) walk from the station, which is about 2 hours north of Manhattan, and there are frequent trains that stop there. Just be aware that the area around the station isn't so picturesque, but once you get up into downtown, it's quite charming, and there are several really good places to eat and a lot of interesting shops.

This used to be called the Dayliner. Takes you up to Bear Mountain.

Timing is everything for foliage. Mid-Sept is most likely too early for lots of color. Mid October is surer bet.

http://www.circleline42.com/new-york...ails.aspx?id=7

Bear Mountain is a great park - and yes, there are quite a few bears.

But note that the boat trip is only available weekends. And that Bear Mountain is - very far above the river and the whole are is heavily wooded and hilly.

For a train trip you can do you town or one sight (perhaps with cabs added to the train).

But if you rent a car you can see much more.

I especically love FDR's home at Hyde Park - and there are several other historic homes well worth exploring.

http://www.drvoyageur.com/guides/nyctrips-kykuit.html

Check this out for the Rockefeller estate.

Another favorite is to take the MetroNorth Hudson line train to Cold Spring, a cute town located right on the river with perhaps the most dramatic scenery along the Hudson River. The river narrows here and the land rises, so it seems like the mountains just sink into the river--the Hudson at its most fiord-like. Cold Spring has some cute shops and antiques places and a few places to eat--easy to be amused for a half day or so if you don't have a car.

Where would you recommend to have lunch in Cold Spring ellenem?
For a day trip from NY would you recommend Tarrytown or Cold Spring?

Great ideas, thanks! Kykuit sounds like what I had in mind. Some questions:

--Looks like you take MetroNorth to Tarrytown- can you catch a cab there easily? Advance rez needed for cab?
--Do you all prefer the classic tour, or the Grand? Seems like we should go for the Grand as long as we're going.
--If we stroll back to town after the tour, is that a nice walk, or better to cab back? (maps says it's a mile.) Places to eat in town before taking the train back?

Cold Spring sounds good too, will put that down for the next trip!

I have no current recommendation for eating in Cold Spring--it's been a few years.

IF you're relying on public transportation, I'd also recommend a day trip to Cold Spring. The train lets you right off in the heart of the town. It's a delightful way to spend a day....assuming, of course, the weather cooperates.

As for dining possibilities, I can strongly recommend to restaurants--Cathryn's Tuscan Grill right in the center of town and the Hudson House, adjacent to the Hudson River.

And, yes, as previously noted, the views of the Hudson there are outstanding.

If you are in Cold Spring then it's an easy / short 2nd train ride up to Poughkeepsie where you can visit the walkway over the Hudson.

www.walkway.org/

They just recently opened an elevator that connects the walkway to the area near the train station which makes access from the train much much easier. The rest of Poughkeepsie is not worth any time, but the walkway definitely is.

We had a very good meal in Poughkeepsie, Crave, http://www.craverestaurantandlounge.com. It's right at the steps to the walkway.

a perfect day trip to a destination that offers a whole day of activites would be heading to Nyack on the Hudson. We are a small village sitting on the Hudson River, besides being quaint and picturesque it is only about 1/2 hour out of the city. You can take the metro north train and then cab or bus over the bridge to Nyack, or just a bus from NYC which goes directly into Nyack. We have loads of stores, restaurants, a great park where you can get a great view of the building of the new bridge, Nyack is also the home of the house that Edward Hopper grew up in, which is now a museum. It will be a great Day!!