Small Town America: Day Trip to Cold Spring near New York

Would you like to experience “small town America” during your trip to New York? You can! Just an hour and a half by train from Manhattan lies the town of Cold Spring, with the look and feel of authentic America. Stroll down the charming main street, shop in the little boutiques and take a walk through the surrounding nature: you’ll feel like you’ve left New York behind, but you’ll be back in the city in no time!

Book your day trip to Cold Spring here

Eric's Index

1 Organised Day Trip to Cold Spring
2 Visiting Cold Spring from New York
- 2.1 Things to do in Cold Spring
3 Visit Beacon, New York
4 Combining New York with Nature
5 FAQ

Organised Day Trip to Cold Spring

The easiest way to experience authentic American village life near New York City is to book an organised day trip to Cold Spring or the nearby town of Beacon. The tour conveniently combines a visit to “small town America” with other highlights in the area.

Book a small-town trip from New York here:

Visiting Cold Spring from New York

You can also take the Metro-North Railroad from Grand Central Terminal to get to Cold Spring. Grab a coffee and a bagel at the station and board the Metro-North Hudson Line towards Poughkeepsie, which runs approximately once an hour.

The train travels north through the beautiful landscape of New York State, crossing the hilly area along the Hudson River. After a journey of about 90 minutes, you step out into another world.

Eric’s Tip: “On the way there, find a seat on the left side of the train for the best view. You will look out over the Hudson River and the beautiful nature along the river. From September onwards, this trip is even more special thanks to the impressive autumn colours!”

Things to do in Cold Spring

Cold Spring offers everything you would expect from an American village. There are cosy eateries, lots of antique shops, bakeries and boutiques. It is a paradise for vintage fans and lovers of local culture and craftsmanship. You won’t find Walmart or H&M here, but shops run by locals offering unique products.

It’s nice to walk along Main Street, but you’ll also find all kinds of hidden gems in the surrounding streets. Most shops open around 11:00 to 12:00, so don’t arrive too early. When I visit Cold Spring myself, I spend about 1 to 2 hours there.

Visit Beacon, New York

Beacon is the Hudson Line stop after Cold Spring, and it is an equally charming town located in New York State. Would you like to spend a full day outside the city? Then take the train to Beacon, explore this atmospheric town, and get off at Cold Spring on the way back.

It is also possible to order a Lyft to take you between the two villages.

Combining New York with Nature

If you would like to combine your trip to New York with some nature, a day trip to Cold Spring and/or Beacon is a great idea. You can easily walk the trails in the surrounding nature reserves, such as Breakneck Ridge and Bull Hill.

If you are planning to go for a proper walk, make sure you are well prepared. Bring water and wear hiking boots, as the trails can be challenging. Allow around 4 to 5 hours for a visit to one of the villages, including the nature walk.

In summer, the Hudson itself is also a place for recreation. During the warmer months, there are many water sports on the river, and you can enjoy activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking.

Across the river lies Bear Mountain State Park. If you would like to explore this nature reserve, book a day trip to Bear Mountain in autumn. For a day of discovery in the region north of New York City, take a boat to the park, then a Lyft to Cold Spring, where you can catch a train back to Manhattan.

FAQ

That's certainly possible. One fun way to do this is to visit Cold Spring. You can easily reach it by train from Manhattan or as part of an organised day trip.

Tickets for the Cold Spring day trip start at £71.

There are a number of authentic American villages north of Manhattan. To get there, take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Cold Spring and/or Beacon, where you can then spend a few hours enjoying “small town America”.