As autumn settles over the Hudson Valley, it’s the perfect season to trade city streets for river views, crisp air, and a quiet cafe Upstate. Whether it’s a first foray north of the city or a return to a familiar haunt, these five destinations offer an easy escape — all reachable by train, no car required. From design-minded getaways in Cold Spring and Beacon to the storied charm of Sleepy Hollow, this guide highlights five effortless day trips from NYC.

Before setting out, check Metro-North’s Hudson Line schedule or NJ Transit’s Montclair-Boonton Line weekend timetable. Each destination is under two hours from the city, with return trains running late enough for dinner or drinks before heading home — most last departures are around 10 PM.

60 miles from NYC | 81 min via Metro-North Hudson Line

EB Top 3 | Manitoga, Cornish Estate Trail, Cold Spring Apothecary

Just over an hour away on the Metro-North, Cold Spring pairs small-town charm with a landscape of riverfront bluffs and wooded trails. Start the day with a coffee at Cold Spring Coffee House before grabbing an Uber and heading into the hills for an immersion in art, design, and nature. At Manitoga, the former home and studio of industrial designer Russel Wright, guided tours wind through woodland gardens, quarry pools, moss rooms, and terraces that blur the line between indoors and out. For a more rugged path, the nearby Cornish Estate Trail offers a forested hike through atmospheric stone ruins.

Back in town, sit down for lunch at The Foundry Rose, where seasonal plates are served in a bright, airy space with views of the Hudson. Afterwards, Main Street invites a slow afternoon of shopping. The Cold Spring Antiques Center is a treasure trove for collectors, while Poor George stocks a curated selection of small-batch clothing. Just down the street, Old Souls carries outdoor apparel, hiking gear, shoes, and other activewear, along with a selection of gifts. Split Rock Books anchors the literary crowd, and Cold Spring Apothecary offers natural skincare and home goods crafted in-house.

For more in-depth intel, check out the Escape Brooklyn Guide to Cold Spring.

72 miles from NYC | 89 min via Metro-North Hudson Line

EB Top 3 | Dia: Beacon, Beacon Mountain, Quinn’s

Beacon combines historic streets with world-class art and Hudson Valley views. Start at Dia: Beacon, a massive contemporary art space housed in a former Nabisco factory. Afterward, stop at Peaceful Provisions for coffee and vegan doughnuts. Take your coffee to-go, and head out to visit the town’s smaller galleries, including Mother Gallery, BAU Gallery, and Super Secret Projects. For those seeking an outdoor challenge, the Mount Beacon hike rewards effort with panoramic views of the Hudson and surrounding hills. Along the trail, hikers reach the ruins of an old casino and can climb on the giant gears that once pulled cars up the mountain, offering a uniquely hands-on experience and a striking glimpse into the area’s history.

After exploring, Beacon’s Main Street offers a mix of shopping, bars, and restaurants. Blackbird Attic stocks vintage and consignment pieces spanning decades and styles, while Witch Hazel combines a boutique florist with natural bath, body, and home products. Kaight carries sustainable clothing from independent designers, and Hudson Valley Vinyl is a haven for collectors of records, tapes, and rare music finds. Wind down with a happy hour drink at The Wild, a mostly-vegetarian (and fully gluten-free) farm-to-table restaurant and bar. For dinner, walk over to Quinn’s, a retro diner-turned-ramen spot, or Ziatun, serving incredible Palestinian fare.

Check out the Escape Brooklyn Guide to Beacon for more ideas.

41 miles from NYC | 70 min via Metro-North Hudson Line

EB Top 3 | Croton Dam + Gorge Park, By The Dam Books, and The Hudson Oven

Just under an hour from New York City, Croton-on-Hudson offers a small-town Hudson Valley experience with a mix of food, shopping, and scenic walks. Start the day at The Hudson Oven, where breakfast/brunch comes with tasty classics and the chance to take home a loaf of their must-have sourdough.

Main Street shopping includes Upper Village Blooms, a florist with seasonal arrangements; By The Dam Books, an indie bookstore tucked above Black Cow Coffee Co., perfect for a fall latte or espresso. After shopping, stop into Little Star Pastries to grab a pastry to go.

For outdoor exploration, Croton Gorge Park provides 97 acres of trails and views at the base of the Croton Dam. Wind down the day with a happy hour at The Green Growler, a craft beer store and taproom showcasing independent breweries from New York State and the Hudson Valley. Dinner at Capriccio Pizza blends elevated wood-fired pizza and Italian classics in a design-forward space that maintains the charm of a classic neighborhood pizzeria.

30 miles from NYC | 51 min via Metro-North Hudson Line

EB Top 3 | Goosefeather, Kykuit Rockefeller Estate, October weekends for Halloween-themed events

Less than an hour from New York City by train, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow are quintessential destinations for a fall day trip. The towns come alive in October with golden leaves, historic architecture, and a touch of spooky lore. Spend the day browsing local shops like Sleepy Hollow Bookshop, which carries a large selection of children’s titles, or Cozy Coven, which stocks mystically inspired gifts and curiosities. Over in Tarrytown, Transom Bookshop is a haven for literary finds, and Belkind Big features mid-century housewares, art, and furniture perfect for home inspiration.

History buffs can visit the Rockefeller Estate at Kykuit, which offers daytime tours of its grand mansion, formal gardens, and impressive art collection. In the evenings, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery hosts lantern-lit tours that add a spooky flair to fall visits – and Thursday and Saturday nights crank up the scare factor with the Murder & Mayhem tours, perfect for true crime enthusiasts. During the day, the cemetery is a historic destination in its own right, with winding paths, notable monuments, and scenic views of the Hudson River.

For dinner, Horsefeathers offers a historic tavern setting with a haunted reputation, where hearty fare and classic drinks pair with old-world charm. Alternatively, Goosefeather serves elevated Cantonese dishes and craft cocktails for a slightly more refined evening out.

See the Escape Brooklyn Guide to Tarrytown + Sleepy Hollow for more ideas.

20 miles from NYC | 38 min via NJ Transit Montclair-Boonton Line

EB Top 3 | Paper Plane Coffee Co., Montclair Book Center, and Samba

Montclair may sit just outside New York City, but its blend of galleries, restaurants, bars, and shops gives the town a distinct identity of its own. Start the day at Paper Plane Coffee Co., where carefully brewed coffee pairs with a relaxed neighborhood vibe. From there, visit the Montclair Art Museum to see rotating exhibitions of Native American and American art. Lunch follows at Cafe Giotto, where an extensive lunch menu includes a dozen different types of paninis. After lunch, Montclair Brewery is the perfect spot for an afternoon flight of locally brewed beer before heading out to explore the town’s shops.

Montclair Book Center is a must for readers, with a seemingly never-ending inventory of books and vinyl. After browsing, wander through 2nd Street to shop for elevated secondhand clothing, and monty for contemporary fashion. Houss Freya, with its witchy, alchemy-inspired goods and apothecary products, makes for a final, unexpected stop along the way.

For dinner, grab Brazilian fare at Samba, or opt for elevated Korean classics at Seoul Bistro. Plan to end the night with a drink at Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen, which serves craft cocktails late into the evening.