Sunrise over the Hudson River near Cold Spring, NY. All photos by Erin Lindsey/Escape Brooklyn.

Cold Spring, NY is one of our favorite day trips from NYC. An hour on the MetroNorth puts visitors right in the heart of town and its scenic, walkable Main Street. Though it’s only about half a mile long, Cold Spring’s Main Street packs a punch, with boutiques and restaurants nearly packed in a row — made even more appealing by its surrounding mountain backdrop.

The area is also home to some of the Hudson Valley’s most scenic hikes and cultural landmarks. The combination makes it an ideal day trip: spend the morning in nature, then relax with lunch, shopping, and cultural exploration in one of the region’s most charming river towns.

The Cornish Estate Ruins are incredibly accessible, just a 1.8 mile round-trip trek from the parking lot.

Begin the day with a visit to the Cornish Estate Trail, a 1.8-mile roundtrip hike that leads to the dramatic ruins of a stone estate built in 1910. Located within Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, this low-effort, high-reward trail winds past fireplaces, a swimming pool, a greenhouse, and other remnants of the once-grand property.

Another highlight in the preserve is the Washburn Trail, which climbs Bull Hill and rewards hikers with sweeping views of the Hudson River. The Notch Trail and Little Stony Point are also nearby and offer moderate to easy terrain with scenic overlooks. Note: Breakneck Ridge is currently closed through 2027 for construction on the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail.

To explore Cold Spring’s artistic side, visit Manitoga, the home and studio of midcentury industrial designer Russel Wright. This 75-acre woodland garden is entirely shaped by Wright’s vision, from the boulder placements to the moss-covered trails. Tours are available by appointment and include access to the house and surrounding landscape.

Next, check out Bannerman Castle, a historic military surplus warehouse on Pollepel Island that can be accessed via a guided ferry ride from nearby Beacon. Visitors can explore castle ruins and learn the history of the island on walking tours.

Also worth a stop: Magazzino Italian Art, a contemporary museum dedicated to postwar Italian art, and Stonecrop Gardens, a 15-acre public garden filled with alpine plants, rock gardens, and ponds.

Cold Springs’ very attractive Main Street – easily accessed from the MetroNorth – offers boutiques, restaurants and more with a beautiful mountain backdrop.

With its many shops lining Main Street, it’s just as easy to spend the afternoon shopping in Cold Spring, NY. We’re big fans of Old Souls, an outdoor-themed shop carrying items for field, stream, camp and home. Taxidermy and historic flags line its walls, and the shop carries its own affordable graphic tees alongside high-end brands like Filson and Topo. Cold Spring General Store has a little bit of everything, from beer and cider to books and apparel. The shop features many local artisans and focuses on selling American, handmade goods with stories behind them. Right next door is Poor George, a perfectly curated shop featuring both vintage and new apparel, jewelry, fun housewares and stationary, and apothecary goods.

Wynono & Company has some incredible vintage finds and handmade millinery made by the shop’s owner. Split Rock Books is a gem of a bookshop, with well-stocked fiction and an excellent kids’ section, plus a wonderful shop cat named Georgie. For all artists and aspiring artists, Supplies for Creative Living is well worth the visit, guaranteed to whet your creativity with its top art supplies. Speaking of art, Reservoir, which moved to Cold Spring from Beacon, is a great place to buy some. Prices run the gamut, but there are some very affordable items for the amateur collector. It also has the sweetest selection of kids’ apparel. Pink Olive, the go-to gift shop, also has some excellent things for baby, alongside delightful home and desk goods.

Cold Spring Apothecary is a stunner, with lovely beauty products, a salon, and a bulk goods shop for plastic-free living. Book a facial to add some luxury to your daytrip, or stop in to fill your medicine cabinet with the best of the best. For more dry goods and bulk refill options, stock up at Understory while in town.

No hiking date Upstate is complete without an indulgent meal. Check out our Cold Spring, NY restaurant picks below.

For lighter breakfasts, Cold Spring Coffeehouse has dynamite pastries made fresh every day, alongside good coffee and lots of vegan and gluten-free items, and Sweet Harvest has smoothies, acai bowls, and to-go items like parfaits and chia puddings. For something heartier, Hudson Hil’s is the destination breakfast and lunch spot, with locally-sourced ingredients and some great gluten-free options. Put your name in early because there is usually a wait—or if short on time, duck into their market (to the left of the restaurant) and take a sandwich or coffee to go. They even sell “hikers lunches” with a sandwich, fruit, cookie and bottle of water. The Foundry Rose is another solid breakfast option, though the weekend rush can get a little crazy. We save their famous pancakes for the weekdays when we know we can walk right in. 

Aside from Hudson Hil’s, Cold Spring Cheese Shop has delicious sandwiches and offers to-go charcuterie boards, which make for an ideal riverside lunch or picnic. For an afternoon snack, get some empanadas from Rincon Argentino to eat as you walk (open Saturday and Sunday), or reward the end of your Main Street stroll with ice cream from Moomoo’s Creamery, enjoyed best by the river. 

For dinner, check out Brasserie Le Bouchon. Though the restaurant has plenty of outdoor seating, its interior decor makes for an imaginary trip to the French countryside. Order the Moules Frites and some great French wine and pretend you’re in a Godard movie. It’s a bit on the pricier side, but worth it for the ambiance. Also on the higher end are Riverview, which features a rotating menu filled with fresh and local fare and incredible pizza, and Cathryn’s Tuscan Grill, a delicious Italian spot with the cutest outdoor garden. For a more casual dinner, head to Cold Spring Depot for great burgers and pub fare alongside a strong beer and cocktail list. It also has the biggest outdoor space in town and is right by the train tracks, which makes for a fun dining attraction. A slightly more upscale pub option is J Murphy’s on Main, which serves a little bit of everything, food-wise, and has an impressive beer list. 

• Spring: The inside/outside tours at Manitoga are lovely in spring; book tours in advance. Wildflowers and baby animals make it an ideal time to explore the area’s trails and farms.

• Summer: Skip Breakneck (it’s closed anyway) and opt for early morning hikes at Bull Hill or Cornish. Ride the train to avoid parking, and spend the rest of the day exploring town and hanging out by the river.

• Fall: Late summer and early fall are the best time to visit Stonecrop Gardens, when the property is in full bloom. Hike the Washburn Trail, or plan a farm day at Glynwood. Shop Main Street for cozy layers; the shops in town specialize in Upstate/downstate style.

• Winter: Cold Spring makes a really festive shopping destination in winter months. Stock up on gifts, grab a hot drink, and stroll the lights of Main Street.

Getting There: Cold Spring is accessible by MetroNorth’s Hudson Line. From the station, it’s a 5-minute walk into town. The Cold Spring stop serves most visitors, while hikers heading to Breakneck or Little Stony Point can use nearby trailheads (though Breakneck is currently closed).