Day Trip from NYC Cold Spring, NY

Looking for the best things to do in Cold Spring, NY? Here’s the perfect day trip from NYC!

Exploring my hometown of NY beyond the 5 boroughs has been refreshing. It’s unsurprising that many New Yorkers have never left the city, whether it be lack of resources or they just don’t know what else is out there. As one of the greatest cities in the world, I’m here to tell you: it gets even better.

NY state is massive, so if you’re looking for something different and fun without going too far, Cold Spring is a lovely day trip from NYC. I’d recommend it for families, dates, or a chill day with friends.

Cold Spring is a historic whimsical town nestled in the Hudson Valley. Me and my partner went here spontaneously on one of our adventure dates on a Monday. The town is so peaceful and gives almost a country feel. It had great energy and the locals seemed happy.

This image displays an architecturally distinctive building covered in lush ivy in Cold Spring, NY, a popular destination for a day trip from NYC on main st. The Victorian-style building with its ornate metal roof and vibrant green ivy climbing up its red brick facade stands out on a sunny day. The foreground shows a street view with people enjoying the day, adding a lively atmosphere to this charming Hudson Valley town. — Cold Spring NY Main St.

Vibrant blue storefront of Split Rock Books in Cold Spring, NY, adorned with colorful paper garlands and a display of books visible through the large windows, inviting visitors to explore inside on their day trip from NYC. — Cold Spring NY

A young woman with curly hair and a 'New York' necklace smiles brightly on a sunny street in Cold Spring, NY, enhancing the personal and friendly atmosphere of the town during a day trip. — Cold Spring NY

Close-up of a floor with a 'YOU ARE LOVED' message created with black tiles set against a white hexagonal tile background, viewed from above where a person stands wearing pink sneakers, conveying a warm welcome — Pink Olive Stationery Store

A picturesque street in Cold Spring, NY known as Main St. lined with brick buildings covered in ivy and a sidewalk bustling with pedestrians, capturing the quaint charm of this Hudson Valley town during a day trip. — Pink Olive Stationery Store

How to get to Cold Spring from NYC:

By Car: 1.5 hours from NYC

By Train: Metro-North from Grand Central to Cold Spring (70mins)

Personally, I think renting a car is so much fun! I love the flexibility of being able to easily drive to another area and it’s super helpful if you want to get to any outdoorsy activities in Cold Spring!

Things to Do:

Shopping on Main St:

We drove into town & explored Main St. (They have free parking on the main road!) The drive over was beautiful with views of the Hudson River and Storm King Mountain. I hear that in the fall, the views are stellar from the train as well!

A lively view of Main Street in Cold Spring, NY, showing historic brick buildings and local shops with people walking and enjoying the sunny weather, epitomizing the town's small-town charm.

Cold Spring is known for its antique shops, but there are quite a few other cool shops I think you should check out:

Paulette

A chic french boutique that also has a cafe. Fun fact: We met the owner, Jackie (who’s lovely) who told us that the shop is named after her mother, Paulette. Loved the coffee here and you can get chic gifts for your loved ones.

Old Souls

If you need some high-quality outdoor gear, this is the shop. My partner got a really cool camo cap from here which was perfect for our hike.

Wyld

A modern boho local plant shop with air plants, succulents, self-watering pots and more for sale! Basically, a plant lovers dream.

This image showcases a stylish shop window display with the phrase — Wyld on Main st.

A cozy indoor plant shop Wyld in Cold Spring, NY, filled with a variety of lush green plants and rustic decor, offering a green oasis for visitors interested in home gardening and interior decoration. — Wyld on Main st.

Endless Skein

This one’s for my knitters and crocheters! So many beautiful yarns to choose from, we definitely took our time checking everything out.

Front view of The Endless Skein store featuring a display window with mannequins adorned in colorful knitted garments, highlighting the store’s focus on knitting and crafts. — Endless Skein

Well-organized shelves filled with colorful yarns in a variety of textures inside a yarn shop with knitted samples displayed, catering to crafting and knitting lovers.

Once Upon A Time

A very unique antique shop filled with trinkets and odd ends. There are some toy dolls in there that were a little creepy, so just warning you incase that’s something that’ll freak you out! Otherwise, it was definitely still interesting to look at all the little knick knacks.

Sightseeing

Cold Spring Pier

Next, you’ll want to make your way down to the Cold Spring Pier. To get there, you have to go through a tunnel underneath the railroad tracks. On the other side you’ll walk straight down to the pier. The view was stunning!

A joyful woman in summer attire poses with one arm outstretched along a railing, with the serene Hudson River and lush green hills of Cold Spring, New York, in the background. The perfect day trip from NYC, filled with natural beauty and relaxation — Cold Spring Pier

A historic replica of the parrot gun displayed on a pedestal overlooks the tranquil Cold Spring waterfront, with docked sailboats and gentle hills in the distance under a clear blue sky, capturing a blend of history and leisure by the Hudson River — Cold Spring Pier

Desserts

Moo Moo’s Creamery

While you’re over here, you’ll definitely want to go to Moo Moo’s Creamery. This place sells fresh, homemade ice cream & is very popular–I even heard people talking about it after we went on our hike. At Moo Moo’s I got the black raspberry & it was extremely rich and delicious. (Sorry for my dairy-free peeps, they unfortunately do not have any plant-based options.)

Hiking Trails/Outdoorsy Activities:

Cornish Estate Trail

After, we decided to go on a hike! We drove about 5 mins to the Cornish Estate Trail. This is said to be the easiest hike out of all the trails in Cold Spring (1.8 mi.) There are a good amount of people hiking this trail and it’s also dog friendly. Honestly, we realized we were a bit underprepared, but we roll with the punches and still had a great time!

Tips: Bring proper shoes, water, a hat & bug spray if you need it. Make sure to check for ticks after!

Here’s a great pair of affordable hiking boots I recommend:

Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Amped, Elk/Mountain Red, 5

Cornish Estate Ruins

We made it to the Cornish Estate Ruins which were really cool. Since it was a summer afternoon, the trees were so lush & and the light shining through them was really beautiful. Hiking a little further, we stumbled upon a tiny waterfall.

Joyful couple taking a selfie on a hiking trail called the Cornish Estate Trail. The image captures their happy expressions surrounded by lush greenery and a small waterfall, reflecting the adventurous and romantic activities available in the area. — Cornish Estate Trail

Kayaking

Another great outdoor activity is kayaking on the hudson. We didn’t kayak that day, but had gone just a few days before and rented a tandem kayak for an hour for $40 with Hudson River Expeditions in Beacon, NY.

Little Stony Point

Later in the day we hiked to Little Stony Point which is across the street from the Cornish estate trail. There’s apparently a beach which we didn’t get to, (the park closes at sunset!) but we did hike to a really magical viewpoint:

A couple shares a tender moment on a hiking trail in Cold Spring, New York, with a scenic view of the Hudson River in the background. The woman smiles brightly at the camera, wearing a 'New York' necklace, while the man, in a camouflaged 'Old Souls' hat, kisses her forehead. — Little Stony Point

Places to Eat in Cold Spring, NY

Here are some great cold spring ny restaurants:

Le Bouchon

Cozy french brasserie on Main St. with outdoor seating.

Hudson Hil’s

It’s closed on Monday’s & Tuesday’s so we didn’t get a chance to visit, but has great reviews for breakfast & lunch!

Moo Moo’s Creamery

There’s nothing better than homemade ice cream! Moo Moo’s Creamery switches out their flavor combinations daily.

For dinner we ate at “Le Bouchon.” We sat in the backyard garden & both got the lamb burgers which were so good!

Outdoor seating at Le Bouchon Brasserie in Cold Spring, NY, offering a quaint dining experience with red and white checked tablecloths, overlooking a tree-lined street, perfect for a leisurely meal. — Le Bouchon

A charming outdoor seating area in at Le Bouchon brasserie, featuring a black tiered fountain surrounded by gravel and lush garden borders, with a red umbrella providing shade over nearby tables. — Le Bouchon

A delicious gourmet burger with a shiny brioche bun, served with a side of crispy fries and a glass of soda, ready to be enjoyed at a local restaurant in Cold Spring, NY, perfect for dining out during a day trip. — Lamb Burger on brioche bun with tzatziki sauce, cucumber & arugula

Check out a quick video below of our trip:

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A post shared by Arielle Tillett (@arielletillett)

Hotels in Cold Spring NY

I’ll be honest, there are not many hotels in cold spring! It’s more of a Bed & breakfast/inn vibe. Here are some places to say in and near Cold Spring, ny that have some good ratings.

Conclusion

Cold Spring is such a charming town, I kept feeling like I was in some magical, fairy woodland-like dream. I can’t wait to be back! I definitely recommend visiting during the spring/summer months and just enjoy strolling through the town.

FAQ

Is Cold Spring NY worth visiting?

Absolutely! There are so many things to do in Cold Spring, NY and the surrounding areas. It’s one of my personal favorite towns to visit in the Hudson valley.

Is Cold Spring NY walkable?

Yes, Cold Spring is very walkable. You can walk down main street and visit all of the shops. When you reach the end of main street, you can walk over to Cold Spring Harbor and get gorgeous views of the Hudson river. To reach Little Stony Point and Washburn Trail, it’s a 15 minute walk from Cold Spring.

Why is it called Cold Spring NY?

Cold Spring’s name has a mythical background. Legend has it that:

“George Washington drank from a local spring and declared it to be refreshingly cold.”
https://www.coldspringny.gov/

What is Cold Spring NY known for?

Cold Spring NY is a historic village known for it’s beautiful views of the Hudson River, unique shops, restaurants and hiking trails.

Do you need a car in Cold Spring NY?

Nope! You can get there by train.

How to get to Cold Spring from NYC by train?

If you’re coming from NYC, you can take the Hudson Line to the Cold Spring stop. It’s an 1 hr & 25 mins from grand central station.

Is Cold Spring NY a nice town?

Cold Spring NY is a wonderful town! The locals were very friendly and welcoming. There’s little boutiques, plant shops, cafes and restaurants to keep you busy.