What to Do in Piermont: A 24-Hour Day Trip Guide to the Village

The Rockland County village balances scenic Hudson River views with small-town shopping and upscale dining venues.

View from Flywheel park. Wikimedia Commons | Photo by Rajesh Dhawan

The Rockland County village balances scenic Hudson River views with small-town shopping and upscale dining venues as the ultimate day trip.

By Sabrina Sucato, with additional reporting by Savannah Messam

When it comes to the perks of living in the Hudson Valley, few things delight quite as much as the views of the Hudson River. That’s probably why Piermont is such a gem.

Located in Rockland County, the time-honored town sits right along the riverside. It’s packed to the brim with history, thanks largely to its significance in the paper industry and to its treasure-filled train museum. Add to that some of the Valley’s top art galleries and a surprising number of hidden gem eateries, and you have every excuse to spend 24 hours (or more) in town.

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Planning to make a day of it? Tag us @HudsonValleyMag on Instagram if you work your way through our Piermont guide!

9 a.m. – Get your java fix at Bunbury’s Coffee Shop


Rise and grind at Bunbury’s, the Piermont café that dishes out good vibes alongside its coffee and pastries. A genuinely nice place to hang out, it’s beloved by bikers, who pedal in abundance along the river. Power up for the day with a latte and a cookie (yes, a cookie is an acceptable breakfast), then take a few minutes to people-watch out the window as you sip the warm caffeine. With nondairy milk and an abundance of tea blends, the café has something for everyone.

10:30 a.m. – Promenade along the Piermont Pier


Once you break your fast, get moving with a scenic meander along the Piermont Pier. A hotspot for bikers and joggers, the pier runs a full mile along the Hudson River. Fishing is allowed during warmer months, while visits to the Piermont Marsh, located on the west side of the pier, are fun year-round for bird watchers and power walkers. Dogs are allowed, but they need to be leashed.

11:30 a.m. – Get friendly with pooches at Piermont Dog Park

 

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Make new furry friends at the Piermont Dog Park, where canines roughhouse and roam free. Also know as the Piermont Community Dog Run, the park is located just off Ferry Road at the base of the Piermont Pier, and relies on community donations to maintain this haven for pups. If you suddenly develop a caffeine high from your cup of joe, work it out by joining in on the light-hearted fun. 

12:15 p.m. – Enjoy French fare at Sidewalk Bistro

 

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A short way from Bunbury’s, Sidewalk Bistro brings the best of French café cuisine to Piermont. The tapas bar and eatery charms at lunchtime with specials like escargot in a garlicky butter sauce with toast points. No matter what you choose, don’t forget to place an order of mussels for the table. The moules poulette, tossed in a wine and cream sauce, are even more delectable with the complimentary side of frites.

1:30 p.m. – Ride your way to the past at the Piermont Train Station and Museum

 

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Built in 1873, the station holds a place on the National Historic Register for its significance as a transportation hub and architectural monument. Thanks to renovations in the early 2000s, the site now houses local and national history, with exhibits like “Piermont’s Papermill,” “The Tale of Two Railroads,” and “Piermont in World War II” onsite to provide visitors with context into the region’s storied past.

3 p.m. – Shop and stroll in Piermont


Head to the area’s main street, which is very appropriately titled Piermont Avenue, as a starting point for window shopping your way around town. Vintage hunters should make a beeline for the Tappan Zee Thrift Shop, which delights with racks and rows of clothing and knickknacks. For art aficionados, meanwhile, Piermont is a match made in heaven. Browse the latest collections at galleries like The Outside In and Piermont Flywheel Gallery. For sports enthusiasts, Piermont Bicycle Connection is a one-stop shop for riders of all levels.

5 p.m. – Dig into New American favorites at Pier 701 Restaurant and Bar

 

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Also situated on Piermont Avenue, Pier 701 Restaurant and Bar brings updates on Americana cuisine to the riverside village. Led by Chef Denis Whitton, the eatery makes the most of bold and fresh flavors, with a strong emphasis on seafood. Start dinner off with zesty small plates like the crispy baby back hoisin ribs and the grilled Spanish octopus, then dive into the seafood tower, a showstopping piece with chilled whole lobster, oysters, mussels, clams, shrimp, and a trio of sauces. If you’d rather nosh on something that’s not seafood, opt for the grilled prime pork chop with an ancho chili bourbon sauce or the 701 pasta with chicken and chorizo. Both are flavorful, filling, and 100-percent delicious.

Although Pier 701 is a delight for dinner, its brunch specials are a worthy reason to visit as well. Hello, biscuits in gravy and huevos rancheros!

7 p.m. – Grab a drink at Rivertown

 

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As far as the social scene in Piermont goes, Rivertown is the place to be for a hopping scene close by the waterfront. Depending on when you go, you can make the most of specials like Taco Tuesday, during which chicken tacos are $5 and house-made sangria is $10.

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When it comes time to choose from the extensive drink menu, good luck narrowing down the selections. The cocktail menu is killer, with fruity, spicy sips like Lydon Berry with Four Roses bourbon, muddled blackberries, simple syrup, ginger, and mint. The beer list, meanwhile, is extensive, to say the least. Score a pint of whatever is on tap, then sit back and watch a live music performance or, if it’s Sunday, the big game.

7:30 p.m. – Listen to live music at The Turning Point

Conclude your evening by catching live music at The Turning Point. Graced by prominent musicians like Eric Andersen, the Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, and Robert Cray, this venue has been known as a hotspot for jazz and blues performers since 1981. Enjoy a brew and a few tunes as you close out your day in Piermont.

8:30 p.m. – Tuck in for the night at Riverview Bed and Breakfast

Piermont’s former firehouse lives a new life as a picturesque bed and breakfast that oozes charm and history in spades. Tucked along the Sparkill Creek, the property boasts magnificent views of the rippling water and overhanging greenery.

 

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Riverview operates as a holistic and natural B&B which makes a conscious effort to use as many natural and organic products as possible. Uniquely, the property offers both hosted and unhosted stays to give visitors the option of the traditional inn or personalized Airbnb-style experience. Either way, breakfast is always available for guests, although offerings differ slightly depending on whether or not the hosts are onsite.

Related: Plan a 24-Hour Day Trip to Newburgh

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