Summer is just about here! (At least we hope, right?)
Now that the weather is getting better and our beautiful Earth is warming up again, don't you think it's about time you got out of your apartment and found something to do?
Some days, you can take advantage of the warm weather within some of the city's most beautiful locations. Other days, you just want to get out of the confines of the Big Apple and explore beyond the city's reach.
Below are 6 nearby places you can visit in the New York area, all of which make for great day trips. So, what are you waiting for?
1. Explore Cold Spring
Cold Spring is about an hour up the Hudson Line on the Metro North from Grand Central, making it easily commutable from the city and definitely worth an excursion.
Visit Hudson Highlands State Park for hiking, particularly the Breakneck Ridge trail. The hike is rocky and challenging-- especially if you're a city gal like me-- but as you reach the top, you will be rewarded with some breathtaking panoramic views of the Hudson Valley.
[anad]
You'll probably work up quite the appetite after your afternoon of hiking, so head back down into town and see what the village of Cold Spring has to offer.
Have dinner at a lovely little French bistro named Le Bouchon and ask for a table on the porch. There you can enjoy classics like their magnificent steak frites topped with a savory herb butter and a glass of wine from their extensive list.
The town also has a cool general store, selling some of the best goods upstate New York has to offer, and a few antique shops that contain timeless treasures.
2. Explore New Paltz
New Paltz is another easy train ride from the city, and there is a lot to be said and done here.
The town of New Paltz itself is a young, hip college town: streets are lined with lively pubs and the bars are always filled with fun crowds. Pay a visit to the Gilded Otter for lunch or dinner, and sample some of the local craft brews with an amazing meal. A night out here provides can't-miss excitement, but before you hit the town, check out the Mohonk Mountain House.
Nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains, this architecturally gorgeous vacation spot is what I imagine the mountain house from Dirty Dancing was like IRL. A grounds pass is $26 and has all the activities your heart could ever imagine, from golfing to hiking to swimming to exploring.
You can also walk around the inside of the house, which is kind of nice, but what you should really do here is hike the grounds.
Make the twenty-minute hike up to Sky Top, where you can find a tower that you should also climb to the top of. You'll get to look down upon the house and the grounds, and trust me, it's a vision.
You can also do a rock scramble to the top (if that's your thing), and trust me, this is real, legit rock climbing at its finest.
There's also a lake where you can swim in the warmer months or rent a canoe, which could even be kind of romantic. The lake also makes for a perfect spot to sit, relax, and bask in the beautiful weather after you come down from your hike.
3. Ride a bike on Governor's Island
I really can't stress to you how much I love Governor's Island.
It's still located within the city, separated only by a quick and cheap ferry ride. I like to think of Governor's Island as the city before the city, where there are no tall buildings or cars, but only monuments left from eighteenth and nineteenth century New York.
[anad2]
Governor's Island is enchanting nonetheless, and there is plenty of exploring to be done here. I suggest renting a bike on the island and riding around the sights such as the quaint, neoclassical mansions from when Governor's Island was a major military site during the Revolutionary War (#tbt much?).
In the spring and summer, you can also find a vast selection of food trucks on Governor's Island. There's a taste for everyone, and of course, you can also see some of the best views of Manhattan from the edge of the island as you enjoy your food truck treats.
,4. Hang out in Uptown Kingston
You're probably sick of those little artsy neighborhoods in NYC by now, so why not expand your knowledge of quaint towns to the north?
Here, you'll find Kingston, and the place to be is the old historic business district now known as Uptown Kingston.
Uptown Kingston is a quaint (yet trendy) neighborhood where you can have an all-around chill hang out.
Art galleries and fresh, delicious food can be found here, making this town a great spot to hit during the spring. Many different cultural cuisines are represented here, from Asian street foods and noodle bowls to New American pub fare to Latin and South American cafe dishes.
[anad]
Uptown Kingston also boasts a kickass farmer's market every Saturday that features local produce, cheeses, baked goods, and more from the region.
The Esopus River is nearby (about thirty minutes from Kingston), where you can spend the day tubing and whitewater rafting. Bottom line is a day trip here is downright good for your soul.
5. Walk across the GWB and along the Palisades
You've probably already walked across the Brooklyn Bridge-- which I think always makes a great day trip-- but it tends to get pretty crowded, and besides, don't you want to broaden your horizons as a New Yorker?
Head uptown to Washington Heights, where you can find the George Washington Bridge. Yes, the GWB does have walking lanes alongside of the upper level, so you can cross it without having to play a game of human Frogger.
As you enter the New Jersey side in the town of Fort Lee, check out Palisade Interstate Park, where you can walk along the cliffs that separate New York and New Jersey over the Hudson River. The park is historical and reminiscent of colonial America, and the views of the city are unbeatable.
On the New York side of the Palisades, consider walking downhill underneath the GWB, where you'll find a small park. Here, you'll discover a little bright red lighthouse sitting underneath the big bridge. We'll bet you didn't know that was there.
6. Go wine and ice cream-tasting in Warwick
What's not to love about an entire day trip dedicated to good wine and good food?
You may be familiar with the Warwick Valley region of New York state for its apple picking, but outside of you-pick season, check out the Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery.
This winery is open year-round and proves to be a hidden New York treasure. Home to a collection of fabulous wines, Doc's Draft Hard Cider, and a special batch of gin, the Warwick Valley Winery's epic selection of drinks makes this place a great way to spend a spring day.
The winery offers tastings: for $5 dollars, you can sample six wines, ciders, and spirits, plus a complimentary glass to take home after the tasting (along with a bottle of your favorite wine, cider, or liquor).
[anad2]
There is also a cafe that serves up dishes to match your favorite drinks, and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you can enjoy live music during your visit.
But if you think that your day trip is complete there, think again.
I believe that no warm, sunny day is complete without ice cream, so I insist you pay a visit to Bellvalle Farms Creamery. Here, you can enjoy a dreamy, creamy cone of their homemade ice cream (my favorite is the mint chip) as you gaze upon the stunning views of the Warwick Valley.
It will be a blissful end to a blissful day.
If you enjoyed this article, check out Drink, Do, and Dine: 8 Best Ways to Spend Your Free Time In NYC This Spring!
Feature image article courtesy of Phil Haber Photography.