Total Days: 2 Days | Accommodations: B&B in Town | Transportation: Metro-North train (no car needed) | Traveled: Solo | Type of Trip: Getaway from the city | Highlights: Mountain hikes, antique and vintage shops, riverside views and quirky pubs
Just 80 minutes from Grand Central on the Metro-North Hudson Line, Cold Spring is one of the easiest escapes from NYC. You’ll step off the train right at the riverfront, just ahead of Main Street packed with vintage shops, cafés and historic charm. No car required, which makes this an easy weekend reset.
Cold Spring takes its name from George Washington himself, who praised the spring water soldiers used during the Revolutionary War. Today, it feels like stepping into a preserved 19th-century village with hiking trails and Hudson River views at every turn.
DAY 1
At a glimpse: Main Street strolls and landmark visits
Travel agenda: Hop off the train and head straight into Main Street. Then spend the morning wandering a mix of treasure-filled warehouses and smaller curated boutiques.
For lunch, stop at Doug’s Pretty Good Pub for a craft beer and their peanut butter burger. Sounds strange, but it’s a Cold Spring rite of passage. Then take a leisurely hour long walking loop to The 1865 Office Building, a historic landmark that captures Cold Spring’s small-town character. From there, Uber the short distance to Boscobel House and Gardens, a beautifully restored mansion with sweeping river views and walking trails through manicured gardens.
After checking in to your Inn or B&B, have dinner at Cold Spring Depot, set inside a restored 1893 train station. The patio is especially cozy at night as trains still pass by, adding to the atmosphere. However, for something more romantic, book a table at Cathryn’s Tuscan Grill.
Tip: Main Street shops usually close early (around 6 pm). If shopping is your priority, do that first and save your riverside walk for sunset.
DAY 2
At a glimpse: A Hudson Valley hike and French bistro send-off
Travel agenda: Grab coffee at Cold Spring Coffeehouse and head out for a hike. Breakneck Ridge is the most famous trail here but it’s steep and challenging. As an alternative, take the Washburn Trail on Bull Hill.
Once you are back in town, refuel at Hudson Hil’s Café, a local favorite with hearty breakfast-all-day dishes (the pancakes are legendary). Then, spend your final hours exploring more antique and vintage shops along Main Street. Cold Spring Antiques Center and Once Upon a Time Antiques are local staples.
Before heading back to the city, grab an early dinner at Le Bouchon, a cozy French bistro, or enjoy a pint and live music at Grasso’s. Finally, time your walk back to the train station with sunset. The riverfront benches have one of the best views in the Hudson Valley, with Storm King Mountain glowing across the water.
Fun Facts & Helpful Info:
- Cold Spring’s entire Main Street is on the National Register of Historic Places. The town’s 19th-century architecture has been featured in films like Hello, Dolly!
- Cold Spring is considered one of the best spots in the Hudson Valley for antique hunting. On summer weekends, there’s even an open-air antique fair by the waterfront.
- Most of Cold Spring is walkable, so you won’t need more than a small backpack or overnight bag.
- If you plan to hike Breakneck Ridge, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The trailhead is one train stop north or a 5-minute Uber.
- Weekends have the most energy (markets, music, lots of people-watching). As a quieter trip alternative, go midweek when the town feels more like your own.
