Montreal-Hudson Valley-Brooklyn
May 24th, 2019 | 07:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
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Montreal-Hudson Valley-Brooklyn
Hello friends,
We've not traveled in 5 years since we had our two kids. Big anniversary this year so we're taking a week (7 nights) without the kiddos. Flying from Chicago ORD. Looking at the following general itinerary and wondered if you sage folks had any comments about the reasonableness of it (i.e. can we do it all?).
July 15- fly ORD to Montreal
Questions--
1- Is this itinerary too packed?
2- Would it be wiser to just rent a car and drive the entire distance from Montreal into, say, Albany? Then catch the train from there? Or should we take the train the whole way and perhaps call Lyft or look for shuttles from the train stations into the brew pubs?
THANK YOU. Any other advice you have is most welcome.
Cheers!
We've not traveled in 5 years since we had our two kids. Big anniversary this year so we're taking a week (7 nights) without the kiddos. Flying from Chicago ORD. Looking at the following general itinerary and wondered if you sage folks had any comments about the reasonableness of it (i.e. can we do it all?).
July 15- fly ORD to Montreal
-3 nights in Montreal-
July 18- take Amtrak Adirondack train from Montreal into NY state and deboard perhaps in Albany to rent a car and continue down the Hudson Valley and hit a couple of breweries / cider houses (hard cider)- 2 nights in Hudon Valley, perhaps at two different destinations-
July 20- Pick Adirondack train back up in Poughkeepsie and take it into Manhattan to avoid the hassle of bringing a car into the city- 2 nights in Brooklyn-
July 22 fly out of NYC back to ORDQuestions--
1- Is this itinerary too packed?
2- Would it be wiser to just rent a car and drive the entire distance from Montreal into, say, Albany? Then catch the train from there? Or should we take the train the whole way and perhaps call Lyft or look for shuttles from the train stations into the brew pubs?
THANK YOU. Any other advice you have is most welcome.
Cheers!
May 25th, 2019 | 03:57 AM
#2
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 21,940
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I think your plan works as long as you accept that you won't have much time in the Hudson River Valley and NYC.
You could take a Metro North train instead of Amtrak from Poughkeepsie if that schedule works out better for you.
I think a one way car rental from Montreal to the US might be complicated. We live in VT so have always just driven our own car.
We haven't been to many brew pubs in the Hudson River Valley -- we have plenty to explore in VT. We have gone to the Hyde Park Brewing co. several times and like the beers and food. It is right across from the FDR Historic Site if that is of any interest.
You could take a Metro North train instead of Amtrak from Poughkeepsie if that schedule works out better for you.
I think a one way car rental from Montreal to the US might be complicated. We live in VT so have always just driven our own car.
We haven't been to many brew pubs in the Hudson River Valley -- we have plenty to explore in VT. We have gone to the Hyde Park Brewing co. several times and like the beers and food. It is right across from the FDR Historic Site if that is of any interest.
May 25th, 2019 | 10:06 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,659
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I have taken the Adirondack many times from Montreal to points south. The train to Albany takes much longer than driving the distance or even taking the bus—crossing the border and slow tracking in Quebec are what make it long. This said, if knowing this doesn’t bother you, it is a scenic train ride and the cost is good—sometimes park rangers board and talk about the history of the region in the cafe car, an added bonus. If you’re up for it, Albany-Rensselaer isn’t a bad option as a place to get off as that’s where Amtrak does a longer stop due to changing engines before continuing to NYC. If the length of the train ride sounds too much, but you’re concerned about border issues and rental cars, one alternative might be to bus from Montreal to Plattsburgh NY (maybe 2 hours with border) and renting a car there.
Of note, there are quite a number of trains daily that go from Albany to NYC, so you’re not limited to the Adirondack.
Of note, there are quite a number of trains daily that go from Albany to NYC, so you’re not limited to the Adirondack.
May 25th, 2019 | 01:51 PM
#4
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12,332
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If you do want to consider the bus from Montreal the 2 co's that run this route are Greyhound and Adirondack Trailways. See if one of those stops at Albany airport where it will be easier to get a rental car. The options at the Albany (Rensselaer) train station are limited at best - not sure if even Enterprise has a desk there.
May 25th, 2019 | 08:06 PM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
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Thanks everyone! Great advice!
For some reason, my husband is now suggesting we flip the trip and START in Brooklyn, then take the train up out of the city into Hudson Valley and into Montreal.
Any thoughts as to whether it's better to train down into the US or up into Canada?
Thanks again!
For some reason, my husband is now suggesting we flip the trip and START in Brooklyn, then take the train up out of the city into Hudson Valley and into Montreal.
Any thoughts as to whether it's better to train down into the US or up into Canada?
Thanks again!
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May 26th, 2019 | 04:26 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,659
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I actually prefer taking the train starting in Montreal, as the tedious part (the border and slow travel time in Quebec) is taken care of first and then you have the lovely scenery of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to look forward to. The only benefit I can think of for those starting in New York is for those doing the whole length of the route in winter—not relevant in your case (starting in Montreal at 10:15, it’s dark by the time one enters the gorgeous Hudson River Valley, while starting in New York at 8:15, you get all of the scenic part in daylight.)
May 27th, 2019 | 06:22 AM
#9
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 21,940
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I don't think it would be a problem to switch the order you'll visit the cities The Adirondack leaves NYC earlier in the morning which would be less relaxing, but you don't need to take that train for the first part of the trip in the Hudson River Valley.
