Things To Do
Breakneck Ridge
Justin proposed while hiking Breakneck Ridge! Breakneck Ridge is in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve. Despite its relatively short length (about 3 miles), it is considered a strenuous hike involving scrambles over rock ledges with rewarding views up and down the Hudson River. Follow the white-marked trail and it will take about 20-30 minutes to reach the first panoramic view from a rock ledge marked by a flagpole (our proposal spot!). The trail starts on the west side of Route 9D, just north of the tunnel. The classic loop takes about 3 hours. The shorter loop is about 1 mile shorter and takes about 2 hours. There are other trails that branch off from the main trail that you can take to extend your trip. It can get very crowded on weekends.
Hudson Highlands
Other hikes in the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve include Anthony's Nose, Mount Beacon fire tower, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Bull Hill.
Cold Spring
Walk down Main St. visiting all the cute shops (new and antique) and restaurants, and continue down to the Hudson River waterfront for beautiful views and an ice-cream parlor (Moo Moo's). We like to hike in the area and then come into town for a bite to eat, such as at Hudson Hil's Café for breakfast or lunch. You can also book kayaking and paddleboard tours from Cold Spring.
Beacon
Vibrant small city on the Hudson that has been revitalized in the past decade with artist studios, shops, and restaurants. Visit Dia Beacon museum by the water, have a bite and a delicious cocktail at Wonderbar or The Roundhouse, grab a beer at Hudson Valley Brewery, or stop in Melzingah Tap House and the Vinyl Room. You can also visit Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park.
Bannerman Castle
Bannerman Castle is located on Pollepel Island, a green little oasis between Cold Spring and Beacon. The principal feature on the island is Bannerman's Castle, an abandoned military surplus warehouse. It was built in the style of a castle by Gilded Age businessman Francis Bannerman VI in 1901. Note: advance reservations are needed and sell out quickly.
Dia Beacon
Located in a former Nabisco box-printing factory, Dia Beacon presents Dia’s collection of art from the 1960s to the present as well as special exhibitions and public programs. Admission to Dia Beacon is by advance reservation. Availability for same day tickets is very limited. You can purchase timed tickets here: https://diaart.org/visit/tickets.
Day trip to New York City
It is only a 75-90 minute train ride to New York City using the Metro North commuter rail service. The Hudson Line departs every hour or less from Beacon or Garrison to Grand Central Station in Manhattan (E. 42nd St. & Park Ave.). One-way fares are $20-$23 for peak hours or $15-$17.50 for off-peak. If you have a car, it is about a 1.5-hour drive into Manhattan.
Boscobel House and Gardens
19th-century Georgian mansion with gardens and striking views toward the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Its landscape showcases dramatic views of the Hudson River and features the Frances Stevens Reese Woodland Trail of Discovery. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged. You may book tickets via the Calendar page (https://boscobel.org/calendar/) for the program you wish to attend (e.g., Gardens and Grounds Admission).
Hudson Valley Shakespeare
Founded in 1987, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) is a critically acclaimed (The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal), professional, non-profit theater company based in Garrison, NY (at our venue!). It has established a reputation for engaging and inventive productions staged under an open-air Theater Tent overlooking the Hudson River. Visit their website for their performance calendar.
West Point Foundry Preserve
The West Point Foundry was a major American ironworking and machine shop site in Cold Spring, operating from 1818 to about 1911. Trails pass remains of foundry buildings and interpretive features that tell the story of the site’s contribution to the Industrial Revolution and the Civil War, as well as the land’s ecological renewal. In 2021, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. Free and open year-round, dawn to dusk.
West Point Museum
On the other side of the Hudson River is the West Point Museum, with galleries showcasing history of the U.S. army, warfare & weapons.
Hudson Valley Brewery
Since opening its doors in early 2017, it has established itself as one of the country’s premier producers of sour beer and IPAs. Other notable breweries in the area include Industrial Arts, Two Way, and Newburgh Brewing Company.
Stonecrop Gardens
Once a private home and now a public garden, Stonecrop comprises 15 acres of woodland and water gardens, cliff rock gardens, and an enclosed English garden. It makes for a nice 1.5-2-hour outing close to the town of Cold Spring. Please check the website for visitation information.
Storm King Art Center
Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor museum with large-scale sculpture and site-specific commissions under open sky. Changing exhibitions, programming, and seasons offer new discoveries with every visit. Black Rock Forest is also nearby (https://www.blackrockforest.org/explore/visit-us/). Note: as of 2021, Storm King requires advance reservations that are released weeks in advance and fill up quickly.
Benmarl Winery
Nestled in the green hills of Marlboro, you will find Benmarl Winery. Overlooking the Hudson River Valley, its 37 acre estate lays claim to the oldest vineyard in America. The winery also holds New York Farm Winery license no. 1.
Bear Mountain State Park
We enjoy the Popolopen Torne Loop, which is a 4.6-mile hike on the other side of the Hudson River in Bear Mountain State Park.