One hour day trips from Manhattan...
 

For next weekend. I have some friends, two couples, going on Friday for a few days. They are staying near Times Square. Can you suggest a fun one hour short trip out of the city to maybe see the country in its fall glory? I think they would want to go by train, either out of Penn Station or Grand Central. I think they just want to leave the city for a little while and see some country.

I was thinking Darien CT? But not sure if that has much to see...

I'm not sure how far you're really going to get on mass transit from NYC on a weekend in an hour. Most of the suburban towns really are meant for those with cars.

I might suggest their best bet is to rent a car and drive across the GW Bridge to Palisades Park. Alternatively, try the Cloisters.

Frankly, I think you can easily feel like you're in the country in some parts of Central Park.

Take a 40-minute train ride to Tarrytown, NY and visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Mansion in neighboring Pocantico Hills. It's one of several worthwhile sites in the area.
Check out www.hudsonvalley.org.

The trouble with going by train an hour out of NYC is that it puts you right in the middle of the suburbs. And while there are certainly several things to do - witout a car you're at the mercy of local taxis (that have to be called for) or buses - which are few and far between - esp on weekends.

I believe that Circle line used to run a boat up to Bear Mountain - but don;t know if they still do - or at this time of year. That would give them easy sightseeing and transit in one.

Or - the Cloisters is another good idea. Once you'rein the Park it certainly looks like the country.

A couple of other options:

the Zoo or the botanical Garden in the Bronx

Wave Hill Mansion in the Bronx

This is something we occasionally comment on, how if you live in New York, or even Chicago, an hour does not even really get you out of the city. One of the advantages of a small town city like Boston, is that a one hour trip gets you to the ocean or really out into the countryside. Not really a response, I know, just a random comment. Nytraveler gave you some useful suggestions.

An hour will get you out of NYC and into some great areas -- Sleepy Hollow, Hudson Valley, northern Westchester County; Fairfield county etc. Trouble is once you are there, you need a car.

Maybe they should consider renting a car for the weekend? That would open a lot of possibilites.

Debi

I guess I'm trying to figure out the logic of spending the money to go TO New York and get a hotel there, then leave to go see some countryside. This would be different if they were going to be in New York for a week or two, but just a "few days"?

Patrick, now that you mention it...it seems like the OP meant a trip lasting one hour out and back to see fall color. Maybe they should just get on a Metro North train out of the city and head north for a while -- get off train and turn around and get a southbound train back in the city.

Debi {and again, thanks for the heads up on 25% off AA deal last May}

I'll have to totally disagree with socialworker concerning his/her comments about what it's an hour out of New York City. Obviously, he/she doesn't live here. Just drive one hour north of the city and you are in a different world. One of the joys of living in this area, we feel, is that we have the best of both worlds--the excitement of the city and the tranquility of the Hudson Valley.
I repeat my suggestion to spend the day at Kykuit, the Rockefeller Mansion.

I agree with Howard's suggestions. I also think a trip to the Cloisters in the Bronx or NY Botanic Gardens (where the Chihuly exhibit will be finishing it's run) would work just as well.
http://www.nybg.org/chihuly.php

I walk in Central Park will also do it.

Cloisters or Botanical Garden are good ideas.

If you really want to get out of the city, you could take Metro-North to Greenwich. There are shops, restaurants, a museum and park and a beautiful hotel (Delamar) with a lovely restaurant on the Mianus River, all within walking distance of the train.

Might be longer than an hour, but a train trip up to West Point for some hiking, tailgating, football is a great fall activity.

There are actually alot of places you can get to in about 60 to 90 minutes on Metro North. I like the idea of Kykuit. Metro North also organizes weekend excursions that include bus shuttle transport, so you should look at the Metro North web site for some other ideas. Trips used to go to Sleepy Hollow, the Vanderbilt Mansion (near Poughkeepsie), and even the CIA (where you can have a wonderful gourmet lunch and enjoy the view). Greenwich is probably the loveliest town in Connecticut that's easily accessible from Manhattan. I'd probably urge you to avoid Amtrak, which is very expensive, but you can get to Hudson in 2 hours by Amtrak and it's a lovely, walkable town with a lot of galleries and antiques shops, and the ride up the Hudson Valley is nice.

Check the NY Waterway site. They offer a cruise up to Sleepy Hollow & Kykuit, and the foliage along the Hudson should be lovely (if it's not too late).

I didn't really care for Kykuit, but Sleepy Hollow & Washington Irving's home are lovely.

Just out of curiosity Suerich...are you the same person that posts [or used to post] so much good info on walking tours on AOL NYC board?

Debi

Nope, not me.

Thanks all. I agree that for their short time there they might prefer just going to Central Park. I think they will miss the Botanical Gardens and the CH (can't spell it) exhibit. Is that glass exhibit traveling to somewhere else? I would LOVE to see it.

the foliage an hour north of the city will be past its peak, and given the lousy weather forecast for this Friday and Saturday, there will probably be even more leaves down. I saw the Chihuly exhibit last week, and the leaves had barely begun to turn at the BG, which surprised me, so this weekend the foliage might be pretty good closer to Manhattan.

If they go the NYBG, tell them to also stop in the home gardening garden (across one from one of the cafes), because at least as of last week, it was still in full flower, unlike the rose garden, which was past its prime. (although I was amazed there were still roses blooming at all.)

Take the Metro North to Dobbs Ferry (from Grand Central). There's a Chart House restaurant right off the train station. Very little walking involved. The restaurant is right on the Hudson River and you really get some nice scenery and a little leaf action just north of New York City. Very picturesque and fun.

Take Metro North to Connecticut and get off in Southport.

Easily the most beautiful town in CT.