Day Tripping Adventures in Charming Cold Spring, New York

Another week, another Hudson Valley day tripping adventure this time to Cold Spring, New York. Even though 2020 sees me making one international trip in February, ironically, I do more travel within New York State than ever before lock down.

As a New York City dweller, accessing the Hudson Valley or other picturesque region without a car is a chore and while there are places accessible via train from NYC, the distance from the station to Main Street is no easy walk.

Nevertheless, I manage to safely experience beautiful New York State places this pandemic period, and day tripping to Cold Spring was my last travel for fall foliage and Main Street activities. Lock down sees so many independent shops, historic homes, activities out of business, so always call the particular shop or activity before adding them to your itinerary.

Read on for interesting things to do in Cold Spring and save this post for when it will be warmer (and safer, hopefully) to visit in spring and summer.

 

Village of Cold Spring, New York

Cold Spring is in the town of Philipstown, Putnam County, and is a tiny village with a charming Main Street full of independent shoppes, antique stores, inns, and other quirky shops that come with villages…which I love.

After Hudson, Cold Spring is another Hudson Valley location where the walk from station to Main Street is under 10 minutes. The MetroNorth from Grand Central takes you to Cold Spring within the hour and you have enough time to promenade, sup and shop before hopping on a return train to NYC. All in a day’s work!

It is interesting to note that quite a number of NYC dwellers relocated to the Hudson Valley region during 2020 lock down, and I meet some of them in passing in Cold Spring. Now, whether these moves are temporary or permanent, 2021 will tell.

#Things To Do In Cold Spring: Boscobel Historic House

Boscobel House is closed but the grounds are open.

Technically in Garrison, another tiny village a stone’s throw from Cold Spring, Boscobel on the Hudson, built between 1804 and 1808 in Neoclassical architectural style, has been preserved since the 1950s and restored to its original glory of art and furniture. During pre-pandemic days, indoor tours were available, alas, only virtual tours suffice now.

Boscobel grounds are vast with fruit orchards, views of the Hudson River, scenic trails and marshes and to still view these, you pay a small fee. If you prefer the freebie, take a virtual tour of Boscobel House for a future day tripping adventure to Cold Spring.

Tip: Boscobel is accessible by car but there is a weekend trolley in summer to connect communities with museums, main streets and hiking trails. The trolley begins at Cold Spring Bandstand, stops at Boscobel, and runs five different routes throughout the weekend. It even stops in Beacon, another beautiful New York State city, and so many scenic nature trails along the Hudson Valley.

Check out the trolley on IG//coldspringtrolleyny as part of fun things to do in Cold Spring.

#Farmer’s Market

During my search for things to do in Cold Spring, I stumble upon a farmer's market on the Boscobel grounds. Click To Tweet

Serendipity! Just when I am about to strike Boscobel off my itinerary because the house is closed, the farmer’s market permits entry onto the grounds.

I’m giddy with excitement because I absolutely LOVE farmer’s markets for the plethora of fruits, veg, and pies, and seeing as it is fall, I am eager to splurge on pie. Lol. There is fresh mozzarella, scallops, assorted fruit jams, organic veg, PIES… and all sorts of home made delights. I leave a happy lass. Lol.

#Things To Do In Cold Spring: Putnam History Museum

Putnam History Museum is pandemic closed.

If it isn’t obvious now that I love museums and historic homes, well…here it is.

A tiny bungalow in the midst of green land, Putnam History Museum houses a permanent West Point Foundry exhibition with historic photos, maps, videos and the like. West Point Foundry was one of the major industrial sites to manufacture iron products for the Civil War before it closed in 1911.

An interesting virtual exhibition is a vintage postcard tour of the Hudson Highlands showing current landscapes and scenic views as they originally were in the 1800s and 1900s.

Museum grounds are open with exhibitions of West Point Foundry and Women of Putnam County and is an interesting thing to do while day tripping to Cold Spring.

#Day Tripping To Cold Spring: Fall Foliage

This is one activity where there is no need to call in advance to verify opening.

The Hudson Valley and Upstate New York region are world renowned for their stunning fall foliage colours of reds, oranges, and golds, and only New England rivals them, in my opinion. Nevertheless, if you arrive Cold Spring in October, you will be blessed with the sight of trees turning red and gold as they shed leaves.

Arrive via train and spy some foliage by the station; walk 10 minutes along quiet station back roads lined with trees and spy some. Even the Putnam Museum has trees that turn on their grounds and Main Street and the waterfront have some red and orange surprises before the season ends. Enjoy!

#Dockside Park Waterfront

The best time to experience Cold Spring waterfront is summer through warm fall because the sunlight bouncing off the water, mountains in the near distance, swishing trees, and waterfront activities, make it such a joyous place to be.

I am not partial to winter so being by any water body as the chilly winds freeze my already numb body and soul is a no-no pour moi. Click To Tweet

During fall, it is still warm and sunny enough to enjoy Dockside Park and the area is very family-friendly. It is no Coney Island – thank Heavens – so if you’re into some quiet enjoyment, reading by the Hudson, this is for you. There is also a cannon memorial as a hark to the village’s West Point Foundry iron mongering days.

If you’re keen on water activities, Hudson River Expeditions offers kayak and canoe rental services for all skill types from novice to professional. As with our new normal way of life, call ahead before making any firm activities plans.

Tip: There is an underground tunnel connecting Dockside Park with the other end of Main Street. The tunnel is on Main/Market St. near Rincon Argentino, and you exit on Main Street near public restrooms. This is the shorter route to get to downtown Main Street from the waterfront.

#Day Tripping To Cold Spring: Main Street

Main Street adventures are my fave activity to do in walkable towns and cities! Click To Tweet

Cold Spring Main Street is not as long as Beacon’s mile long Main Street, but it certainly rivals it in the number of antique stores, independent shoppes, cozy inns, restaurants, book and comic stores. I have a field day promenading, chatting with people, taking pictures, and of course, buying whatever catches my fancy, which in all cases is food. Lol.

 

Here are some Main Street businesses to have on your list for a future Cold Spring visit:

• General Store
• Split Rock Books
• Antique Alley
• Cheese Store
• Cold Spring Apothecary & Wellness
• Pink Olive
• Spice Revolution

#Things To Do In Cold Spring: Nature Trails

The one activity most people from NYC and the Hudson Valley region love doing is hiking, and Cold Spring doesn’t skimp on scenic nature trails. Some popular hiking trails are:

• West Point Foundry Preserve
• Mount Beacon
• Breakneck Ridge
• Little Stony Point
• Cornish Estate Trail Loop

Walking up the Cornish Estate Trail Loop will lead you to Cornish Estate ruins where there are flowing streams and waterfalls cascading down rocks. Beautiful! Click To Tweet

As mentioned above, the Cold Spring trolley connects hiking trails and downtown so you don’t necessarily need a vehicle to access these trails. Start early and return via trolley to catch the train downstate or drive back home.

If you’re keen on hiking here or anywhere, don’t forget to take your trash with you.

Help reduce littering by eschewing single-use plastic for reusable, recycleable, and compostable items you'll find invaluable on your hike. Click To Tweet

For example, every hiker needs a reusable utensil kit with essentials for a quick nosh break that won’t litter the natural environment. Throw in natural anti-bug spray with all natural ingredients like Wintergreen and Citronella, and you have half your hiking needs done.

See more hiking invaluables on Earth Hero and use MUSINGS2019 for 10% discount.

 

*Always find out ahead of time if trails are open.

 

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If you live in the New York tri-state area, put Cold Spring on your list of Hudson Valley places to experience because you will love it. Even extroverts will feel peace from the chill ambience, small village charm, and nature views of Cold Spring.

Exploring beautiful places in New York State in 2020 pandemic was #selfcare for me and I hope to continue this adventurous trend in 2021.

Don’t forget to comment, Pin graphic, and share. See you on the social streets! xxx

 

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