Beautiful New York Travel Places For Local Tourism

For New Yorkers, the 2020 global pandemic prompts us to explore beautiful New York travel places in the Hudson Valley region and other parts of the state as we boost New York tourism and embark on safe and socially distant travel to sate our itchy feet.

New York State endured phased re-openings – after months of lockdowns and pauses – which we adhered to like troopers. Nevertheless, for travel lovers that had to cancel spring and summer 2020 and 2021 vacations, New York tourism is in.

There is no better time to embark on New York State tourism to amplify local activities, and this is what I’ve been doing since 2020. I aim to explore more towns and cities as the pandemic eases.

That said, New York residents wear masks and actively social distance so if you’re keen on a safe New York travel for local tourism, make sure to adhere to these rules. Thank you kindly.

Enough pandemic talk. Behold, beautiful New York places to safely explore for New York State dwellers or anyone keen on U.S. domestic tourism these days.

 

Beautiful New York Travel Places in New York City

#Roosevelt Island

This literal slice of land isn’t far away in upstate New York; rather it is right in the middle of New York City between Queens and Manhattan, and technically in the borough of Manhattan. Surprisingly, many New York City dwellers pass through but never alight to explore the island… but you know that your girl has! Lol.

I have been twice in two years and while that’s not much, it is enough to experience the island on a cheap New York day trip because you can walk the length of it while seeing derelict buildings of past allegedly haunted. Spooky! Even better are the plethora of parks and wide open spaces for breaths of fresh air which I assure you, we’ll never take for granted again.

Roosevelt Island access is easy via the 2nd Ave tram – which is a great experience – subway on the F, NYC ferry, or bus from Astoria, and points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day at Roosevelt Island are:

• The Promenade. East River views of midtown Manhattan made better in cherry blossom month.
• Four Freedoms Park. Expanse of space sometimes with art exhibits but mostly empty. Bliss!
• Southpoint Park. Green space to adequately implement social distancing and breathe clean air. I mean… no pollution, no noise, just birds chirping and SPACE!
• Lighthouse Park. An actual lighthouse is across the road from a former asylum, both of them with their own paranormal stories, but even better again is the…space! There is ample tree shade for a small picnic and a chill day out experiencing this beautiful New York place for local travel.

#Governor’s Island

Another one of our beautiful New York places right here in New York City. Most people think we’re all rat race and concrete jungle – true – but the pandemic makes us all appreciate life and its intangibles more: nature, time, space, air…

Who would’ve thought we’d be so desperate for breaths of fresh air? Enter in our green spaces.

Governor’s Island is the ideal location for ample space because the whole island is green and walkable with fresh air, nature activities and so much more. It is now open all year round and accessible via the NYC Ferry, which I absolutely love to take.

Points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day on Governor’s Island are:

• Hammock Grove. What better spot to flop down and ponder Hellscape 2020 ™?
• The Scramble. Huge slabs of granite rock you need to climb to work that sedentary, snacking body of yours (speaking to me, too).
• Zip lining. My first experience with this was right here on Governor’s Island and it gave me the courage to try platform ziplining in Costa Rica, so thank you New York!
• Biking, tandem biking, quadra cycles, wall climbing and mini golf are just a handful of fun and safe activities to experience here.

You don’t need a small loan for Hudson Valley region or upstate New York activities, space and views when you can experience all this on Governor’s Island for a full day and still return to HBO listings and your own bed.

 

 

Beautiful New York Travel Places For Safe Covid Travel

#Staten Island, NY

I know what you’re thinking as a five borough dweller:

Staten Island for local travel? Are you alright, mate?

Very much so lol. As a NYC resident, I can literally count the number of times I’ve ventured onto Staten on one hand. *hides face in shame*.

Well, that changes this pandemic season as covid travel is introducing us to our local backyard, and Staten Island has some really beautiful places in New York for easy day tripping from other New York City boroughs. Recently, I cross the Verrazzano Bridge for the first time to experience some Staten Island activities; the other times I visited Staten were via the ferry from downtown Manhattan.

Points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day on Staten Island are:

• St. George’s Ferry Terminal: This is a fave spot especially when taking the ferry, as you can take iconic photos of downtown Manhattan from the Staten side. The terminal has restaurants on the pier and is a short walk to the new-ish Empire Outlets.
• Empire Outlets: This open-air mall has ample space for social distancing guidelines and art placements for the obligatory insta shots. Pre covid, the mall was less crowded than normal NYC malls and it was refreshing to wander through without much foot traffic.
• Fort Wadsworth: Right by the Verrazzano Bridge, it is now part of the National Parks Service after its closure in 1994. Access to the actual fort is locked but view it from a vantage point near the bridge. If you’re game, walk through a shaded grove to get a spooky vibe. It is a sunny day but walking through this grove gives me deja vu to horror movies and seeing as the Black person always dies first, you can’t blame me for expecting Jason to jump out with a chainsaw. Lol.

Speaking of spooky, I learn later that the fort has real haunting where people report being transported to Civil War era and seeing spooky soldiers wandering through walls. Okay then! You need a car to visit the fort as Staten Island is not like the rest of the boroughs with accessible subway system but the grounds are open to walk round.

• Historic Town of Richmond: Do you know that there is a preserved living museum on Staten Island? I do not, so colour me stunned when I visit Historic Richmond Town with 300 year remnants of a thriving community harking back to Dutch colonial times. In Christmas 2021, I experienced a historical Christmas candle light tour at Historic Richmond Town with period reenactments of how early settlers celebrated Christmas and Sinterklaas, how they made their own ornaments, and got to see real hearth cooking with Dutch oelykoeks rolled in cinnamon and sugar (I ate 6 in one go). Period reenactments are now safely open to the public.

 

 

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center: This is a cultural centre and botanical garden as well as an oasis of wellness for the community during the covid pandemic. There are educational tours, horticultural lessons and arts available all seasons. Advanced reservations are mandatory for certain events but if you need to experience a truly beautiful New York place, this is it.

 

If you prefer being out in the open with the wind in your hair forgetting all about the pandemonium and an impending dystopian future, how about renting a yacht for an hour on the NYC waterways?

Yes, it is possible with GetMyBoat at affordable hourly rates that’ll make your insta fam green with envy lol. Rates are as low as $75 pp or $200/hour with yachts that seat 4-6 guests! Imagine cruising downtown and its sights on a warm spring day. Let me begin my yacht planning for spring…

See? Not only the wealthy get to enjoy life’s pleasures.

 

Beautiful New York Travel Places in the Hudson Valley Region

#Beacon, NY

You can enjoy Hudson Valley region activities on a day trip without incurring debt or pledging a small child, and Beacon is just the place for it. A friend and I experience the City of Beacon for a day of easy adventure, sight-seeing, and just a different change of scene and I happily discover that it definitely ranks as a beautiful New York place to experience for local travel.

Beacon is within 2 hours of New York City in the Hudson Valley region so a full day trip is possible either by car or rail and it is not New York City – cramped, concrete and crowded. Instead, Beacon forms from two villages – Matteawan and Fishkill Landing in 1913 – and dates back to 1709, where the name is said to come from a beacon that shone in the Fishkill Mountains to warn troops in town of the arrival of the Continental army.

There is something for everyone in Beacon: history, culture, activities, food … and most importantly, you can do all safely because the city enforces masks and social distancing in public and local businesses.

What better place to indulge in local tourism, safely experience a new locale and patronize local business?

Points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day in Beacon are:

• Bannerman Island. If you’re on the ‘gram, you’ve seen influencers pose like Rapunzel with the Bannerman Castle in the background. Construction of the Scottish-like castle begins in 1901 by David Bannerman, which he uses as storage for his munitions. The island is steeped in Native and Dutch folklore and of course, is said to be haunted. With covid travel, Bannerman Island has timed slots in a new reservation system but you can experience a tour and hike and it is one of the highlights of local travel in Beacon.
• Dia: Beacon. Located in a former Nabisco factory, Dia is a popular art exhibition space that New York City dwellers make the hike to and it is finally open with advanced reservations and timed tickets, like all activities and public spaces this covid travel period.
• Main Street. A mile long road featuring quaint local businesses like shamans, magick shops, Hudson Beach Glass, a shop on just soaps, artisanal foods and drinks … and so much more! You will have a TREAT exploring Main Street, taking numerous pics of unique street art, popping into interesting stores and just wandering the serene and less crowded streets. For a New York City resident, this is bliss!
• Fishkill Creek. Vis Kill is Dutch for “fish creek”, named for the abundance of fish in the stream, and the name is anglicized upon British take over, to Fishkill Creek. Fishkill is a tributary of the Hudson River and flows to a small estuary south of Beacon. So, imagine my pleasant shock when I discover a mini waterfall on Fishkill Creek at the end of Main Street! It is the perfect spot for your obligatory insta shot, deep lungfuls of clean air, and just a relaxing ambience to end the day. This is certainly a beautiful place New York has to offer.

Note: You have to cross short *disused* tracks to get to the other side and there are no benches to sit on by Fishkill Creek, but there are local cafes and restaurants across the road for you to enjoy waterfall sounds.

 

#Hudson, NY

Hudson is my first brush with the Hudson Valley region in New York State and I totally fall in love. It is in the Hudson Valley region and its fall colours are one of the local travel pulls to the area for locals and visitors alike. Hudson is like Beacon in its setup: small “city”, quaint shops, locally made products, walkability, abundance of green space, restaurants, architecture, murals … you name it.

You can do Hudson as a day trip or a weekender; either option for safe travel will help boost New York tourism this pandemic period and beyond.

Points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day in Hudson are:

• Ferry Tours: There are multiple tours to the Athens lighthouse, fall colours and sunset ferry tours during select seasons from Henry Hudson Waterfront Park Memorial Day through Labor Day and I am keen on experiencing this as part of New York travel in the Hudson Valley region.
• Festivals/Events: These are currently suspended, obviously, but there is everything from Hudson Pride in June, Hudson Black Arts & Cultural Festival in August to Winter Walk in December. You don’t necessarily have to plan local travel round a festival – when finally open – as just experiencing the city is a lovely treat.
• Walking Tours: If you’re keen on culture travel like I am, you’ll love self-guided tours on Hudson’s early days, cemeteries, churches etc through the free geotourist app, available on Google Play and iOs.
• Green Spaces: Isn’t this what you’re escaping New York City for? All that green space and fresh air, and you’ll find it in abundance in Hudson. Check out Henry Hudson Waterfront Park (behind Amtrak station), Thurston Park, Promenade Hill Park, and many more.

Hudson History Highlights

• Founded as a whaling port that could launch ships without attracting the eye of the British Royal Navy.
• Home of libertine pleasures – brothels and gambling houses – in the past that attracted famous gangsters to the city.
• Columbia Street – formerly Diamond Street – was for a notorious gangster, Legs Diamond, and was a brothel street.
• Hudson lacks national chains and thrives with hundreds of independent shopkeepers and locally made products.

The Hudson Valley region sure has tons of beautiful places for local New York residents to explore safely during covid travel and I hope that we get to see much more of upstate New York than we currently do.

Travel vicariously in 30 seconds with a Reel of safe Hudson Valley adventures

#Rhinebeck, NY

Rhinebeck Village is your quintessential Hudson Valley small town that fools you into thinking it’s sleepy and lethargic. False! It is where downstate (aka NYC) citizens escape for the weekend for a posh time of fancy bnbs, a spa day, lovely local shops on its Main Street, and a handful of high-end dining you wouldn’t consider outside of New York City.

Blink and you’ll miss it, Rhinebeck is easily done via Amtrak from Penn Station in NYC, but be mindful that you need to call in advance for a taxi to meet you at arrival. I learn this the hard way when a friend and I go for the Hudson Balloon Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, only for us to wait 40 mins for an Uber because there were no station cabs.

In early December, Sinterklaas Winter Festival is a very popular event I highly recommend everyone to experience in Rhinebeck. You will gawk at stilt walkers, street bands of all genres playing Christmas tunes and even pop culture tunes – one band played Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” – stuffing your face with Dutch sweets and pastries, and so much more. Sinterklaas aka The Feast of St. Nicholas, is a popular Dutch festival left over from the days of Dutch colonialism in present day New York State. I experienced this unique festival in 2021 and had a ball!

>>> REEL Through Rhinebeck SINTERKLAAS WINTER FESTIVAL<<<

Rhinebeck highlights are:

• The Amsterdam restaurant for high end dining comparable to any big city
• Dutchess County Fairgrounds for Hudson Valley Balloon, Food & Wine et al festivals.
• Rhinebeck Farmer’s Market
• Main Street of unique, local businesses, restaurants, quaint department stores etc
• Samuel’s Sweet Shop owned by Paul Rudd and a partner. You didn’t know that, did you?
• Sinterklaas Winter Festival

There’s so much more to do in Rhinebeck Village to suit every taste so don’t forget to pop in for a day or a lazy weekend.

 

#Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown, NY

These two towns in Westchester County referred to as TaSH – Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow – are a doable 40min car ride from Harlem/Upper Manhattan for a fun and spooky day trip from New York City. Most people know of Sleepy Hollow from Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and its characters, Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman.

TaSH is full of historic homes, nature trails, tours, events, and many pointers to the Headless Horseman legend for keen fans. Sleepy Hollow is a small town and doesn’t have the brick architecture, unique local businesses that say Beacon or Hudson have. Walking a bit of it feels like I’m in Queens with siding on the houses and Tarrytown is much larger with spread out city vibes.

Still, make a list of key sights you want to see in both places but bear in mind that with the pandemic, New York travel is unpredictable with closed or limited tours so look up before you leave to make the most out of your day.

Points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day in TaSH are:

• Sleepy Hollow Cemetery: See the Irving family grave plot and other grave sites of notable New Yorkers such as Andrew Carnegie, William Chrysler, and one of the Rockefellers. You can do your own self-guided tour up till 4.30pm, when cemetery gates lock.

Tip: Take a cemetery map from the front of the office/chapel and try to figure out the winding maze of headstones, graves, names etc to find a statue of the Headless Horseman and Headless Horseman bridge on the Pocantico River.

Sleepy Hollow is famous for its Hallowe’en events featuring the Headless Horseman reenactments, haunted hayrides etc in October but it is unsure if these will happen in full force this pandemic fall. I doubt it.

• Old Dutch Church: The church makes a feature in Irving’s Sleepy Hollow legend where the Horseman tethers his horse among the spooky gravestones, but it is a real church present since New York’s Dutch colonial times in the 1680s. The church has its burial ground where Irving’s family grave plot lies and both the burial ground and Sleepy Hollow cemetery are considered one big cemetery by visitors even though they’re actually separate.

• Historic Homes: There are a plethora of them in the area with the main ones being Kykuit, Rockefeller Mansion; Washington’s Sunnyside, Philipsburg Manor, Lyndhurst Manor etc. The Hudson Valley region boasts of historic homes where you can learn of the people and culture of the day, for example, Philipsburg Manor was home to enslaved people and there are period reproductions from the POV of its former inhabitants and their daily work.

• Farmer’s Market: This is a chance encounter in Patriot’s Park where organic produce from Hudson Valley farms are on display. I discover many varieties of tomato than I thought possible, groundcherries = a cross between a tomato and cherry, and a plethora of pastries to sate your sweet tooth. Look up Saturday times and go before it closes at 2.30.

Croton Lighthouse: Do you know that there is a lighthouse in TaSH? It was installed in 1883 and has over 78 years of operation with history of generations of keepers and their families. There are Hudson kayak tours of the lighthouse but with pandemic guidelines in effect, call ahead for timed slots, if available.

TaSH is a very accessible area to explore from New York City and it is best by car as not every point of interest is walkable. New York tourism is seeing a boost with locals and the itch for safe travel by residents so don’t forget to always #maskon as all of these places require this but also for safety.

ALWAYS check websites of attractions for timed slots and pandemic guidelines.

 

Hudson Valley Region

#Historic Peekskill

Peekskill is an hour from NYC by train or car and is most definitely a day trip escape for NYC dwellers looking for an accessible Hudson Valley region town to explore.

Arriving by train, alight at Riverfront Park and walk to a taco spot, Hudson Creamery, and Peekskill Brewery. Downtown Peekskill – Main Street, N & S Division Street – is a 20 min walk or a 3 min taxi ride from Metro North station.

 

Points of interest in Peekskill are:

• Stunning water front with scenic mountain views
• Peekskill Brewery
• Peekskill Trolley Company
• Downtown Peekskill – ethnic eateries, a tea room, historic architecture etc
• Independent stores – Fern Tree African store, Quirk Shop upcycled clothing, Bruised Apple used records and book store.
• Historic Peekskill

DYK that George Washington gave the West Point command to Benedict Arnold in Peekskill on Aug 3, 1780? Arnold attempted to betray the Revolutionary Army to the British. Click To Tweet

#Village of Cold Spring

Cold Spring, a small village in Putnam County, is thus far my top three most beautiful New York travel places I experience during 2020 pandemic period.

Unlike Peekskill, the walk from Metro North station to downtown Cold Spring is a ten minute leisurely stroll along a quiet back road and over a railway bridge. It requires no vehicle.

It is my last 2020 local travel in fall before winter arrives and it is a great choice. October is a prime month for stunning fall foliage, covering village grounds in a mushy sea of reds, oranges, and golds, coating every surface with its panoply of hues.

What is there to do in Cold Spring?

A lot…from markets, an old-timey trolley, stunning views of the Hudson Valley region to nature trails, a charming Main Street, and a scenic water front, Cold Spring is small but mighty in scenery and activities.

Beautiful New York Travel Places For Safe Covid Travel

#Albany, NY

Every New York State dweller has been to Albany for a variety of reasons: SUNY, education, family, civil service career etc, but have you ever explored Albany just for its culture travel? Didn’t think so.

It is not a city that pops to mind when you hear the word “tourism”.

Cue my travel to upstate New York just before our initial New York pause in early March 2020. You know how fond I am of day trips so Albany is affordable if you’re on a tight budget and have no intention of staying over. Albany truly surprises me as I notice a lot of attractions never observed my first time here so I take to exploring with a good friend of mine who is finishing from SUNY.

Points of interest for a beautiful New York travel day in Albany are:

• New York State Capitol Building: This stunning edifice blows me away because it is a European style castle built as a government building with architectural marvels like a million dollar staircase, 77 carved sandstone faces, a haunting and a stunning Moor Assembly staircase. If you’re an amateur architecture nerd and culture travel lover, a free tour will divulge interesting stories of the Capitol Building and its alleged haunting.
• Downtown Albany Historic District: This is very interesting to walk through if architecture and history are your travel interests. The Historic District covers State, Broadway, Pine, Lodge and Columbia Streets, including such beauties like the former Governor’s Mansion and the home of Charles Dickens’ biographer, both of which are now regular homes. Most buildings were erected between 1810 and 1930 and are a current mix of commercial and residential properties.
• Self-Guided Tours: What better way to safely explore Albany in covid travel than with self-guided tours on the Historic District, covered bridges etc you can do alone or with a partner. No need to interact with strangers and you can go at your own pace.
• New York State Museum: Across the road from the New York State Capitol Building, the free museum explores the history and culture of New York State, from the Native people & culture, to the Dutch and British invasion; African enslavement and evolution of Black culture in 1950s Harlem, the original A subway train; 9-11 history etc.
• Day Trip Activities: From wineries, steam boat cruises to kayaking and hiking, Albany and its surroundings offer safe, social distant covid travel for weekenders and day tripping for New York City dwellers and downstate locals alike.

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As I explore more of New York, I will be adding to this evergreen list for everyone to add to their New York tourism for scenic, cultural, and historic activities.

Don’t forget to comment and share and see you on the social streets! xx

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