I am going from NYC to Montreal by train in May - the Amtrak Adriondak route. Id like to stopover somewhere which is i) convenient if you havent got a car and ii) has things to see.

New York - Penn Station, NY (NYP)

Yonkers, NY (YNY)

Croton-on-Hudson, NY (CRT)

Poughkeepsie, NY (POU)

Rhinecliff, NY (RHI)

Hudson, NY (HUD)

Rensselaer, NY (ALB)

Schenectady, NY (SDY)

Saratoga Springs, NY (SAR)

Fort Edward, NY (FED)

Whitehall, NY (WHL)

Ticonderoga, NY (FTC)

Port Henry, NY (POH)

Westport, NY (WSP)

Port Kent, NY (PRK)

Plattsburgh, NY (PLB)

Rouses Point, NY (RSP)

St-Lambert, QC (SLQ)

Montreal, QC (MTR)

Ive read about Hyde Park (getting out at Poughkeepsie) as I would love to see the FDR home and library/Vanderbilt house, but Id also like to see some nice scenery. Ive heard about Kykuit for the Rockefeller House, the Catskills, Adriondaks, Finger Lakes, Lake Champlain and Lake Placid and Saratoga Springs, but obviously need to narrow it down! I presume some are easier to get to than others but its difficult to know just from a map. Im on a budget so cant fork out tons of money on spa treatments or a fancy hotel or inn, and dont think car hire is worth is for this short time. But I would like to see a bit more than just the view from the train. Id even consider leaving NYC on another mode of transport, eg bus, and picking up the train further uypdate, but there seem to be too many nice places to see! Im coming from Europe, so maybe something 'typically NE America' - rather than European, would be nice!
Any suggestions? Thanks!

If you don't have a car, you're going to be out of luck in most of these places.

I know that downtown Hudson is walkable, and there may even be an inn within walking distance of the train station, so that's at least one possibility, but it's a fairly expensive town. There are certainly lots of good restaurants downtown. However, there's not much to do except shop if you don't have a car.

I hate to say this, but you'd probably do better in Albany than anywhere else on this list if you don't have a car, though may be Saratoga Springs would be a possibility.

But my honest advice would be to go see some sights in the Hudson River Valley as day-trips from New York (or at least on your way upstate). You can get close to Kykuit by train, and Metro North (our local commuter railroad) does have some tours that go there and to the Vanderbilt Mansion and that area.

I also should warn you that I've done the trip to Montreal a few times, and it's a long, horrible experience, though certainly cheap.

Some people would agree with the Fodor's editor that The Adirondack route is a horrible experience, but I would be on the "disagreeing" camp. Yeah, it's long (much longer than driving), sometimes late and it's faster to take Greyhound, but if you accept that and bring plenty to do, parts of the ride I find quite lovely (especially in May when it stays light outside later) especially going through the Adirondacks and abutting Lake Champlain and George. The Hudson River in the early part is quite lovely too.

I've passed through Saratoga Springs (which seems charming), and think that might work. The train station is a bit out of town, so you'd have to take a taxi to the central area. Northbound buses to Montreal stop in Saratoga also. Also on the bus/train ride north Albany has some lovely architecture, is definitely visitable without a car and certainly is off-the-beaten track USA. I've passed through there numerous times... might not be the charm you're looking for, feels a bit worn-around-the-edges to me, but could be interesting to you as such.

I've thought about spending a weekend in Plattsburgh out of curiosity (live in Montreal) without a car... I haven't yet figured out if there's an old walkable centre to that town though.

Have fun! DAN

Thank you for that advice. Gosh. Im not feeling so enthusiastic about my trip now Ive read your comments! Ive asked about car hire but you cant do it between the usa and canada - id have to drop it off at the border. Ive taken the Amtrak before (I crossed from Chicago to Oregon on one over a few days) so I know it can be slow. But I didnt realise the bus is quicker for this route - is that bookable in advance too? Do you recommend a company? Ive heard of a company called Trailways, but Im concerned about whether these are reputable companies - Ive must have watched too many dodgy scary films - as I thought as a woman on her own it may be more comfortable to go by train. I am keen to see some nice scenery though -so I dont want to fly.
Good to know that some of the Hudson Valley is accessible as a day trip from NYC- I may do that.
Hmm...following your advice, Im thinking I may be better off staying the extra day at my friends' house on the New Jersey Shore. (Except I dont like the idea of Atlanic City and dont know quite what thats like in reality!)

I think the train ride up the Hudson is beautiful. I've never taken it further north than Saratoga, but it looks like it runs right along Lake Champlain for a good portion of the ride, which I'd expect to also be beautiful. I assume you're flying out of Montreal, not the US, so like you said renting a car doesn't really work (the drop off fee is huge). Bringing a US rental car into Canada works fine as long as you bring it back to the US before you drop it off (at least for a US citizen).

As already mentioned, commuter trains run on the same tracks as Amtrak between Yonkers and Poughkeepsie, so that can be used to get to any of the intermediate towns between the two.

As you already researched, FDR's home & library in Hyde Park is near Poughkeepsie (about 8 km), but you'd need to take a taxi. A Vanderbilt mansion (mainly used as an autumn home I think) is also in Hyde Park, as is Eleanor Roosevelt's home (which is worth seeing just for how different it is from FDR's family home), but none of them are walkable from the other, so again, you'd need to take cabs, or rent a car (but you'd need to take a cab even to get to the car rental office). Samual Morse's home (of Morse code fame) is also about 4km from the train station, and a couple of other Hudson River mansions are just north of FDR & Vanderbilt. Still, I consider the area scenic (though I may be biased since I live there). The FDR and Vanderbilt mansions both sit with views of the river and the Catskill Mountains off in the distance. There are a few restaurants and some art galleries near the train station (and the site where New York ratified the US Constitution is within walking distance), but for most of the historic sites you'd want to take a cab.

Rhinecliff is about 4 km from Rhinebeck, a cute little town with some shops, restaurants, and an old inn. Again though, you'd need a cab to get from Rhinecliff to Rhinebeck (and I'm not sure how plentiful cabs are up there since it's kind of an out of the way place).

Saratoga is also a nice place for local stores and restaurants (and much larger than Rhinebeck). It was a big summer resort in the late 1800s, with a bunch of stately old homes and other buildings from that era. 50 years ago the train station was right in the middle of town, but has long since been moved to about 4km west of downtown, so once again you'd need to take a cab to get into the city.

Rouses Point looked like a cute little town when I drove through a few years back, and according to the map the train station is actually in the middle of town, but I have no idea if there is anything to actually do once you are there.

Happy travels with whatever you decide.

Greyhound (or Trailways) on the New York City-Montreal route is not something I would hesitate to do as a lone female traveller from a safety point of view. However, the bus is definitely far less interesting than the train from a scenic point of view, as you see mostly highway. (While you really pass by some lovely parts by train.)

Incidentally, if you've already been from Chicago-Oregon by train, this journey is very short in comparison. 10 hours by Amtrak (8 hours by bus). I say, bring a good book, sudoku, knitting, the time will pass and there'll be some lovely scenery in between. Split the journey up if you like by staying in Saratoga Springs (4 hours NYC-Saratoga by train, 6 hours to Montreal).

Best wishes,

DAN

Hudson NY would be a nice stop-over.
The main street- Warren Street is one old building with antique stores or art galleries and cafes and restaurants. There is the old historic Hudson Hotel also.
We used to spend a lot of time in Rhinebeck and alwasy included a day in Hudson.
I believe the train stops down at the end of Warren St but if it does not, it is not far.
This is a small article about the area, in case you have not been there yet.

http://tinyurl.com/2r5mue

That should have read, Hudson street is one old building etc After another

I've taken the train from NYC to Montreal twice and I loved the ride both times. The train follows the Hudson River and Lake Champlain, which I found beautiful. I like riding trains and have ridden many in the US, Canada, Europe and Mexico. I found this route lovely and relaxing. However, the last time I went was probably ten years ago, so perhaps the service and condition of the trains have changed since then.

I stoped over once to visit friends in the area of Port Kent but it seemed there wouldn't be much to do there without a car.

I definitely wouldn't take a bus. Buses in the US are pretty bad. Even if train service has deteriorated it would still be much more pleasant than the bus.

I think it would help if you explained exactly what you're doing on this trip. Does your friend live in Atlantic City? There are parts of the Jersey shore that are beautiful but AC is not nec. the prettiest place. How long will you be in NYC? Would you consider driving part of the way?

Traveller,
In the early 1990's I did this train route. I had expected the "there's something about a train" like experience that was featured in the Amtrak commercials.

As mentioned, parts of the trip were scenic. But, most of the trp was forgetable.

Perhaps things have changed, but the train itself wasn't one of the fancy Amtrak trains with the parlor car and dining car, but the standard Amtrak train. Dark interiors and a less than appealing "cafe" car. I think my food options were hot dogs and turkey sandwich.

The only reason to take the train would be cost considerations. If cost isn't your priority, than I would suggest you stay the extra day.

Dear Traveller,

Don't give up on the train trip! We have traveled by train in Europe and the US - even have gone over the Copper Canyon train route in Mexico. We always had naysayers trying to change our mind.

But we enjoy the train - esp the scenery and the relaxed atmosphere. On our last long train trip in the US we left Ft Worth, Texas and ended up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and that was one LONG train trip. One of the legs was from NYC to Canada as you are hoping to do.

It was winter and the scenery was not as beautiful as it will be in May, but we still enjoyed it.

If I were planning your trip, I would zero on on the destination that appealed to me the most. For example, Saratoga Springs is an interesting place & we have stayed there in a B&B.

Next step, find an Inn or a B&B within your budget and begin an email correspondent. Tell the people what you are trying to do and ask for suggestions. Ask about transportation to and from the station and what is available locally. Many people will volunteer to pick you up - or at least give you ideas.

We have found people to be amazingly helpful in our travels; I'm sure you will find the same.

If you've traveled Amtrak, you are aware that it's not like a European/British train experience, but we traveled by train in Italy 2 years ago and felt like the trains were about the same, except for frequent departures of course. (Be sure to carry food & drink!)

Have a wonderful time. Feel free to email me if you have more questions.

As a seasoned rail traveller, I agree that the best scenic views are north from NYC to Albany along the Hudson River. You will want to sit on the left side of the aisle here for the river and mountain views, and further up north of Whitehall along Lake Champlain sit on the right side of the train aisle for views of Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of Vermont.
If you are planning to detrain and spend the night somewhere along the way without a car I would suggest detraining at Port Henry where Amtrak offers a scheduled van service to Lake Placid in the Adirondacks. Search oot fodors for postings about LP. You can find many hotels and restaurants in Lake Placid as well as arrange day trips to Mount Whiteface.
Also, I may also suggest if your trip is in late May, you can detrain in Port Kent, NY and adajcent to the train station is the Lake Champlain ferry to Burlington, VT. The trip takes an hour each way and there are hotels and restaurants in Burlington easily reached by taxi.The ferry only runs from mid May to Late October each year so check this site for schedule:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/25pmzs
Like the other posters have said, many of the sights are accessible only by car some you will be limited to the cities or taking a tour bus to some of the others.

As you will have gathered the US is not very well supplied iwth any sort o public transit outside of a few major cities. Plane and car are used for most everything. The northeast corridor is not awful for trains - but Amtrak is notoriuosly slow, and most trains are old, dingy and don;t really offer food (prepacked sandwiches etc.)

Have never taken this train (we drive to Canada - which is fsater AND prettier) but the southern part of the Hudson can be very pretty. And i n May the trees will be getting their leaves and flowers starting to make a decent display.

My favorite places fairly close to the city are FDR's home and Vanderbilt Museum in Hyde Park. But you do ned to rent a car - or count on several taxis (in an area with very few).

I would suggest either taking a day trip from NYC to the lower Hudson as reco'd above - or stop in Saratoga. If you rent a car there you can stay in Saratoga Springs - a very pretty old town with a great Racing Museum as well as 1850's mansions (this was a summer resort for the nouveau riche and still has New York racing every August), have a look and ride on Lake George - and then continue the next day by train.

Thanks for all the information! I know the trains arent luxurious, but Im prepared for that (although Ive never got into sodoku for some reason!) I do love trains and so am not fearing that part too much. I wont go for the bus option as I dont want to see highways!
Ive also seen another posting which points out that travelling that weekend, especially the Monday, is going to be awful because its Memorial Day. One of the Inns I wanted to stay in in Hyde Park is way over my budget for that weekend anyway. I tried the contacting the Inns for more information but they too recommended a car. Im therefore going to consider a day trip up the Hudson from NYC, with the possibility of the Port Kent or Lake Placid options - which sound lovely.
My friends dont live nr Atlantic City, but somewhere nr the sea. I imagine it may be busy that weekend there as well! Thanks again - either way, I love NY city and also upstate so Ill like any options, Im sure!

I didn't say this before, but it's also something to consider. The cost of Amtrak to Hudson is wildly expensive (as much as $80 round-trip on a weekend). That also might impact your decision. Proportionally, the leg from NYC to Albany is much more expensive than the long, long trip from Albany to Montreal.

update on tripbr /> yes the scenery was beautiful, and the train was clean and spacious and the service very good on board (from the snack bar and the train manager guy). However the train was delayed 3 hrs to start with, then on crossing the Canadian border suddnely ground to a hault and remained in one spot for 3 hrs then started going at, lterally, 10mph. I could have walked quicker....!
I arrived in Montreal at midnight...instead of 6pm. I felt exhausted, cold from the over air-conditioned carriage and my instinct was - never again. Amtrak, you need to get your acts together! Ive taken regional trains in and out of NYC (NJ Transit, Metro North) and they have been excellent. Trains in Canada are excellent. Amtrak isnt Im afraid! I know you all warned me though, so I cant complain!