Hi,

Please recommend a scenic route for driving down to NYC (actually Long Island) from Albany? We'll be doing that late Sept.

We only have about 5 to 6 hours to do this trip. (If there are a lot of interesting to do, we might take more time.) Which road to take? Some years back, we drove to the Catskill from NYC and we probably took the less optimal road, so the Hudson river was behind trees and other obstructions the whole way. Couldn't see anything. Don't want to make that same mistake again.

* Also, what are nice places to stop to sightsee or for lunch? Any place that serves regional food? What are the food specialties of this area?

* Where to see exemplary scenery from the Hudson River School of Art? Short hikes?

* Worth it to stop by that Rockefeller mansion? Possible to see the grounds w/o seeing the mansion?

* Diaeacon--contemporary art museum. Worth a stop?

Sorry for so many questions. Please help us plan a great trip! Thanks!

I'm no expert on this area, but one stop I'd consider would be the Storm King Art Center. I've always wanted to go there.

http://www.stormking.org/

hawksbill, that art center looks very interesting. I'd never heard of it. Thanks!

It isn't the fastest way to go, but the Taconic is a nice drive and will get you into the NYC area via Bronx River Parkway or Sprain to 287 to NY State Tway.

http://www.nycroads.com/roads/taconic/

There are 2 direct routes from Albany to NYC area.

1. I87/NYS Thruway (toll road)
For most of the route there are exits every 15-20miles, and highway rest areas
about every 30miles. It's not what I call a particularly scenic route, but it does pass through pretty countryside.

2. I-90 to Taconic. Time wise this is really not much longer, if any, than the NYS Thruway although top speeds are slower (don't go over 60mph). It is a more scenic route - gentle rolling hills. Since it is a rural parkway there are really no services along the way except at an occasional exit. Exits every 10miles or so, but no place directly on the route to stop right at the highway. From Albany to Queens will take you 2 1/2 to 3hrs, depending on traffic as you approach the city.

There are several look out/parking areas with nice views of the Catskills. You will not see the Hudson from either route (until you cross the Hudson on the NYS Thruway at Tappan Zee.

There are a couple of state parks along the Taconic - One in Columbia county and one in Dutchess/Putnam (Fahnstock). The AT runs through Fahnstock but it's not the best stretch of trail so I'd say skip it.

I've left off the details about getting to Long Island via either route. If you need details reply back here.

That's the driving details.

As for stops along the way. Consider taking a stop at the 'Gunks (Shawangunks) cliffs above New Paltz (NYS Thruway Exit 18?), for a nice walk/view of the Hudson Valley & Catskills. The Gunks are famous for rock climbing. It'll take you about 30min to get from Exit 18 to the Gunks.

Food specialties? How about Dunkin Donuts. Just kidding, although they are ubiquitous. As are delis and pizza joints.

The Dia Beacon is an interesting museum. If you like modern art then you'll probably like the Dia. If you like large scale art, then ditto. By large scale I mean sculptures things like twisted metal structures 50' long, rooms filled with 30 variations of the same basic painting, etc.

If you go to the Dia, take I87 to I84 across the river to Exit 11 Beacon. From there you could head 10miles further East on I84 and pick up the Taconic rather than backtracking to the Thruway.

Gotta run now. Perhaps others will chime in with suggestions. I'll check back if there are more questions or I come up with more ideas.

Thanks, all, for your responses. You all seem very knowledgeable about the area, esp. J62. I better get a good map and trace all your directions on it.

From googling, I found this interesting guide to trails that show the same sceneries as painted by the Hudson River artists. Anyone tried it before?
http://www.thomascole.org/trail/

Also, is the CIA worth stopping by for lunch? Need advance reservations? Or other places where we can get local foods?

Thanks!

YES, The CIA is worth stopping for lunch. Better call ASAP, may be too late for reservations.

If you really want to go to Long Island (you don't say where) you're better off heading east before you get to the Bronx - otherwise heading east is a major pain. (You want to go over the Throgs Neck bridge from east Bronx - not head all the way to the Triborough - assuming you mean Nassau or Suffolk.)

Make sure you head over to the Hutch at some point - take the Cross County Parkway if you have to - to avoid getting sucked into the busiest parts of Bronx/Manhattan.

For scenic drives, I'd take either 9W along the west side of the Hudson River or a combination of 9, 9g and 9D on the east side of the river.
The options for sightseeing are many. To name a few: FDR's home and museum and the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, West Point, Kykuit (Rockfeller Mansion).
One correction on J62's otherwise very good posting: There are many, many exits off the Taconic, not just one every 10 miles.

PS: Two excellent websites about the Hudson Valley:
www.hudsonvalley.org
www.hvnet.net

I agree with HowardR that a combination of US9W and US9 and NY9D would be the scenic if you want to view the Hudson.

If you want to see scenery depicted in Hudson River School paintings, I recommend you visit Olana, the home of Hudson River School painter Frederick Church, just south of Hudson, NY and across the river from the town of Catskill (one hour from Albany).

Once you reach Westchester County, you can pick up one of the expressways that will take you into Long Island.

Actually, depending on where on Long Island you're going (how far east) you might consider using the ferry between Bridgeport, Ct. and Port Jefferson. That would take you a different route east of the Hudson River Valley mostly on route 8 in Ct. I find that route not only scenic but a lot less traveled and not as windy as the Taconic. (If you get directions from Albany to Bridgeport, you'll get the route).

But if you have the time, I do think a stop at at least one of the places mentioned is worthwhile. I think CIA makes sense if you're foodies and want to have lunch there (and the timing works). If you're interested in the Hudson River School, Olana is definitely worth a visit. The Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit, is also beautiful but the tours are at least 2 hrs. long and at certain times and may not fit your schedule.
http://www.hudsonvalley.org/content/view/51/109/

Thanks, all, for your great suggestions!

How about the Vanderbilt mansion? It's part of the National Park system, and we have the annual pass so we could drop in for free. And take as much or little time as we want.

Thanks.

By all means, the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park is a fabulous look at the wealth of the early 20th century, especially considering that this was a small party house for them, used primarily in the summer when the breezes from the river cooled off the house.

If I only had to pick one place to see in the Hudson Valley, it would be a tossup between the Vanderbilt Mansion and Olana.