8 Ideal Hudson Valley Day Trips

Albany is the oldest continuous settlement in the original 13 English colonies; it has been the state capital since 1797.
 

What to do

You could easily spend a good chunk of the day at the New York State Museum, with exhibits ranging from the Adirondack Wilderness to 9/11 artifacts. The kids can ride a historic carousel and gaze at Ice Age fossils. Just outside, the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza boasts important modern art by the likes of Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, Louise Nevelson, and Alexander Calder, to name a few. Also part of the plaza, the curvy Egg Performing Arts Center is a great place to catch live acts. Stroll on over to the New York State Capitol Building (through the underground concourse on foul-weather days) for a free tour of this late 19th-century architectural marvel, famous for its carved Million Dollar Staircase.

Photo courtesy of Discover Albany

A five-minute walk away, the Albany Institute of History and Art fascinates with 18th-century Dutch portraits, Hudson River School paintings, and a great children’s gallery and programming. Hamilton fans trek to the Schuyler Mansion on Catherine Street to see where the man on the $10 bill wed his bride. Soak up more Albany history from the decks of a Dutch Apple Cruises boat. While you’re at the river, head to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum for a tour of the WWII-era USS Slater, the only remaining destroyer escort afloat in the United States today. Just outside town, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve is a 3,200-acre rare ecosystem with sand dunes, a bird conservation area, and multiple-use trails. Some 20 minutes away on the Mohawk River, visitors can view the spectacular 90-foot Cohoes Falls in a multi-level park. In the evening, catch a live show or classic film at the historic Palace Theatre.

John Boyd Thatcher State Park, Photo Courtesy of Discover Albany

As far as shopping, Stuyvesant Plaza on Western Avenue offers boutique-style shopping with names like West Elm, Lilly Pulitzer, and Ten Thousand Villages. If you love handmade, visit The Albany Visitors Center Gift Shop on Quackenbush Square for its trove of local artisans’ work. Pick up an Albany T-shirt! We also love browsing at the Fort Orange General Store on Broadway, showcasing the work of up-and-coming designers. Climb the steps to Romeo’s Gifts on lively Lark Street for cards, candles, luxury soaps, stemware, and jewelry.

Empire State Plaza, Photo courtesy of Discover Albany

Where to eat and drink

Start your morning gently in the dining room (or seasonal garden) at the Iron Gate Cafe near Center Square. All-day breakfast specialties include Florentine Benedict, served on a Portuguese muffin, and Phoenix Rising (black bean burger crowned with poached eggs with a side of home fries).

Café Madison, also downtown, is a popular choice for weekend brunch or lunch. Though it’s known for oh-so-French fare like steak frites and duck cassoulet, An American Brasserie surprises with scrumptious Indonesian Stir-fried Noodles and Pork Belly Fried Rice. Do plan ahead for show-stopping desserts.

Olde English Pub

The Olde English Pub, located in an atmospheric 18th-century building with a cozy dining room and leafy back garden, is the place to go for fish ’n’ chips, and, of course, lots of good beer. For more beer, C.H. Evans Brewing Co. is just steps away. Near the Colonie Center, Reel Seafood Company makes a tasty lobster roll with basil mayo for lunch and has many dinner standouts. For a midday or evening snack, visit the tasting room of Nine Pin Ciderworks, where New York hard cider flows from 18 taps. You can also graze on cheese and charcuterie plates in the seasonal outdoor café. For a nightcap, head to the bar at Wellington’s in the Renaissance Hotel on State Street.

Come on the second Saturday of the month and experience Second Saturdays, a city-wide celebration of the arts with special events, art gallery openings, artist receptions, and culinary tastings.
 

What to do

The contemporary art museum Dia:Beacon, a short walk from the train station, is Beacon’s main draw, but this small riverside city is also a vibrant art gallery and shopping spot. Start at the west end and pop into Hudson Beach Glass on Main Street for hand-cast wares (make your own ornaments for the holidays) and an upstairs gallery. A few doors away, Mountain Tops Outfitters has all the hiking gear you need to scale the challenging trail up Mount Beacon to take in the panoramic views. The business also arranges group paddles embarking from Scenic Hudson’s trail-laced Long Dock Park, 10 minutes on foot from here to the river.

DIA: Beacon, Photo courtesy of Bill Jacobson Studio

Now cross the street for serious silliness at Play, teeming with oddball novelties and gadgets galore, plus a black-light room. Dream in Plastic continues the lighthearted mood with goods like sculptural pillows, funky glassware, and offbeat jewelry. Keep on trekking toward the mountain for more gems like Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries Gallery, with its river- and environmentally themed art exhibits, and Beacon D’lites, a fragrant emporium of soy candles and country goods.

Blackbird Attic, Photo by Daughters Design House

Soon you’ll enter the east end and hipster consignment haven Blackbird Attic, Beacon Bath & Bubble, and Utensil for kitchen tools. Style Storehouse has a carefully curated selection of contemporary casual women’s wear; Waddle n Swaddle, a boutique for maternity clothing, also has eco-friendly toys, baby essentials, plus a wellness center hosting childbirth education classes. Stop in, too, at Beacon Artist Union (BAU) to view locally produced art and maybe catch a film or performance.

Just outside of town on 9D, Dutchess Stadium hosts minor league baseball games, many culminating in fireworks, all summer long into fall.

Where to eat and drink

Keep it simple for breakfast by grabbing a fresh-baked cherry puff or peach danish or a chocolate croissant at All You Knead, located at the center of Main Street. Or sit down to a baked creamy French toast served with Greek yogurt at Homespun on the west end of town. With its wall of magnetic letters, The Beacon Bagel is especially kid-friendly. Design your own donut with custom toppings at Glazed Over.       

Come lunchtime,  grab a Mediterranean salad and the grilled lamb burger with eggplant fries from Beacon Falls Café, or a Sloppy Jack (made with jackfruit!) at Végétalien. For carnivorous cravings, leave Main Street for Barb’s Butchery on Spring Street. Try a smoked brisket sandwich or mix and match their sliders (pastrami, corned beef, and sliced steak make a yummy trio). Head to Stock Up on Teller Avenue for its rotisserie chicken, fried pickles, and sneakily addictive cheesy broccoli tots.

Homespun Foods

Beacon has an enviable nightlife. You can have dinner at the Towne Crier and catch a show (folk, jazz, world music) while you enjoy dishes like braised pork alfredo and pan-seared salmon; hazelnut dacquoise, Belgian truffle torte, and Grand Marnier chocolate cheesecake are pastry chef specialties. At Quinn’s, a retro-look performance space, salmon sashimi, udon noodles, pork buns, beers, and spirits fill the bill. Dogwood, a short walk up East Main, is a community gathering spot for comfort food and kid-friendly fare, plus live bands or open mic nights. For date night and people watching, The Beacon Hotel Restaurant is your ticket.

Enjoy some tunes amid a river breeze at the Summer Sunset Music Series, free Sunday concerts throughout the summer season at Cold Spring’s waterfront.
 

What to do

A window-shopper’s dreamscape, Main Street is filled with treasures large and small. Peek into Side Effects for a cornucopia of ceramics and painted artifacts, plus hand-painted silks and wearable art. The Country Goose is the village’s go-to gift spot. At The Shoppes, you’ll find a warren of nooks crammed with comics, records, gems and beads, dog treats, and soaps. Buster Levi Gallery features art by notable Northeast artists. Burkelman showcases contemporary furniture and funky wares like enormous red wine glasses, Cubist carafes, and faux-fur throws. Venerable Cold Spring Antiques Center offers a depth and breadth of furniture, jewelry, and collectibles from the past. And who could resist popping into Cold Spring Apothecary for potions, lotions, and a Euro-style salon tucked in the back…or sampling olive oils and vinegars infused with herbs and fruit at The Blue Olive.

Boscobel picnickers, Photo courtesy of Boscobel House & Gardens

All done shopping? Hop in the car and head to Vera’s Marketplace on Route 9, an old-fashioned farmstand and garden nursery that also sells amazing apple cider donuts and homemade mozzarella. From there, it’s an easy cruise down Route 9 to Il Magazzino, a by-appointment-only contemporary world-class museum showcasing Italian art. You could also cut over to 9D for your 19th-century furniture fix at Boscobel House and Gardens or head to Manitoga for Mid-Century Modern. In the summer, make it a late night by catching Shakespeare at Boscobel.

Fahnestock State Park

Outdoor adventure awaits at Fahnestock State Park, known for its hiking and cross-country ski trails. Don’t miss the West Point Foundry Preserve, where you can watch wildlife, picnic, and take an audiovisual tour of ruins and replicas of a 19th-century ironworks. Or get out on the water to historic Bannerman Castle with Bannerman Castle Trust or Constitution Marsh through Hudson River Expeditions.

Photo courtesy of Burkelman

Where to eat and drink

Bright and airy, Hudson Hil’s is arguably the most popular dining destination in town. Have breakfast ’til closing time at 4 p.m. (chocolate babka French toast, gravlax and eggs, buttermilk biscuits). Snag a seat early for weekend brunch. Across the street, vegan/vegetarian-friendly Garden Cafe offers fresh selections like hummus platters and panini and sidewalk dining under market umbrellas. Cupoccino whips up house-made baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and classic milkshakes and root beer floats! Or go upscale and order a French martini with Chambord liqueur at Le Bouchon while you polish off cassoulet or a croque monsieur with a side of pommes frites.

Hudson Hil’s, Photo by Eva Deitch

Head west to The Foundry Cafe, a homey breakfast-to-lunch spot known for its berry-dotted French toast and made-to-order omelets. At Cold Spring Depot, grab a patio seat at lunch or dinner in nice weather and watch the trains whiz by. After your meal, it’s an easy walk to the river to admire the panoramic views. You’ll also have reached Hudson House, a 19th-century inn serving lunch, Sunday brunch, and dinner, and known for its tasty French onion soup, addictive popovers, and rosemary ribeye steak. For freshly shucked oysters, fab brick-oven pizza, and a nice wine list, look no further than Riverview on Fair Street for lunch or dinner.

Over on Route 9, you’ll find Grano Focacceria — an authentic Italian hideaway where you can savor Casarecce Al Forno (baked pasta with meatballs and cheese) while you sip a Chinotto.

Visit Historic Hudson Walking Tours for a downloadable printable map so you can learn about Hudson architecture as you window-shop.

What to do

Whatever you’re passionate about, you’re likely to find it on Warren Street. Jewelry junkies and engaged couples visit the orange brick atelier of Geoffrey Good, known for his upscale and custom work. Plant lovers come from miles around to Secret Gardener. Makeup mavens adore FACE Stockholm, a smorgasbord of model-favorite carcinogen-free cosmetics in tons of shades. Hudson also has its own independently owned book store/bar, The Spotty Dog Books & Ale, located in a converted firehouse. The design crowd loves foley&cox HOME and Hudson Supermarket, a sizeable multi-dealer space stocking everything from Mid-Century Modern to Louis XV. FINCH hudson juxtaposes vintage Euro and new in chic room settings. Red Chair on Warren overflows with cloches, garden items, enamelware garden pitchers, and chandeliers. Beyond Warren, The Hudson Mercantile on Allen Street is a trove of collectible signs and Americana.

Spotty Dog Books & Ale, Photo by FX Schram Photography

The many galleries on Warren Street (and Front Street) bring many visitors to Hudson, as does Olana State Historic Site, Frederick Church’s estate. Head across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge for even more art history at Thomas Cole National Historic Site. Hudson River Cruises, located in a riverfront park, offers romantic sunset and fall foliage cruises. And FASNY Museum of Firefighting, and Lake Taghkanic State Park, about a half-hour south, offer plenty of family-friendly fun.

Photo courtesy of Wunderbar

What to eat and drink

Start your day at Tanzy’s, a sweet-n-cozy eatery serving fluffy pancakes, cinnamon raisin French toast, and pork rolls. You could also pop in later for afternoon tea. They pack ’em in for lunch at Baba Louie’s, whipping up imaginative salads and vegan soup du jour. At Oak Pizzeria Napoletana, order a personal-sized traditional Neapolitan pie with amazing toppings or order small Mediterranean plates. If you’re planning a hike or picnic, stop in at Talbott & Arding and grab a sandwich to go, as well as a few wedges of cheese and a baguette. Longtime favorite Ca’Mea takes you from lunch to dinner with its simply elegant classic Italian menu updated with tasty house-made flatbreads and pastas served in delicate sauces.

Swoon Kitchen Bar, Photo by Nina Bachinsky

Farm-to-table is what it’s all about at two lauded local dinner spots: Hudson Food Studio riffs on Asian fusion, with bold specialties like Jumping Squid with red chile butter and spinach and Chanterelle mushrooms with rice noodles and crispy tofu. Fish & Game relies on Hudson Valley ingredients for its constantly evolving menu, which swings from wood-oven-roasted oysters with a kimchi hollandaise sauce to foie gras torchon with honey-preserved husk cherries and sumac. Creative cocktails incorporate unusual ingredients like chicory root and maple-poached rhubarb.

Select cheeses at Talbott & Arding, Photo by Annie Schlecter

We also love the craft cocktails at Wm. Farmer & Sons, not to mention its array of large and small plates ranging from venison carpaccio with huckleberries to crispy Mediterranean octopus. At the other end of town, Swoon Kitchenbar draws a crowd for specials like ricotta gnocchi, baby scallops with seaweed, and eggplant parm burgers. Great wine list, too! Wunderbar Bistro is more down-home, serving up comfort foods like wings, meatloaf, fish and chips, and schnitzel.

You won’t be bored here: Kingston hosts many popular events each year, including the O+ Festival; Irish, Greek, and Italian festivals; and the Artists’ Soapbox Derby.
 

What to do

Start with a Friends of Historic Kingston Walking Tour of the Stockade District, the largest intact early Dutch settlement in New York State. The Senate House and The Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground are highlights. Do some shopping while you’re there. The Stockade District has a slew of music-themed businesses, including Rhino Records and Rocket Number Nine, which sell music formats old and new. Though its specialty is natty hats and accessories, Blue-Byrd’s Haberdashery & Music sells vintage vinyl and CDs, not to mention harmonicas! Literature lovers visit Half Moon Books for its encyclopedic selection. Bop to Tottom Gifts and Clothing is the place to find the perfect scarf, necklace, or fashion tote. Kingston is also an artists’ enclave, and nearby Catskill Art & Office Supply is a candy store for painters. Speaking of which, Kingston Candy Bar carries old-fashioned penny candies plus custom gift baskets. Take a fun side trip to the charming Den of Marbletown Teddy Bear Museum and Steiff Toy Shop.

Old Dutch Church & Burying Grounds

On the Rondout waterfront, check out the Trolley Museum, which offers rides and features an international exhibit of retired cars, and the Hudson River Maritime Museum (HRMM), with model boat exhibits, a dry-docked 1898 steamboat, and woodworking classes. Beginning every June, you can also tour the Rondout Lighthouse as part of HRMM admission. From a nearby dock, Hudson River Cruises take you past the Rondout and Esopus Meadows lighthouses and historic estates.

Photo by Omar Pagan

Other excursions include visits to the Forsyth Nature Center, which boasts a dozen native gardens and many animal exhibits to delight the little ones, and Kingston Point Park, complete with bathing beach and riverside trails.

Boitson’s, Photo by Jennifer May

What to eat and drink

Uptown Coffee, in the Stockade District (aka Uptown), gets your day up and running with espresso and cappuccino drinks, plus scones in flavors like dark chocolate with toasted coconut. Down on Broadway, Peace Nation keeps it real with organic breakfasts like Pan Con Todo (eggs, beans, cheese, cream served on a baked roll), and the popular Veggie Tofu Scramble. Whether for lunch or dinner, Opa! is the place Uptown for authentic Greek gyros, falafel, and souvlaki. Yum Yum Noodle Bar on Fair Street has fast, fresh, and affordable Japanese street food and Asian specialties like braised pork buns. If you’re craving Mexican, Diego’s Taqueria received the Best of Hudson Valley editors’ pick for taco selection. On Ulster Avenue there’s SushiMakio with its Omakase Dinner Tasting Menu for two (reservations required). In the heart of Uptown, Boitson’s sprinkles in a bit of bistro cooking with a dash of pub food. Double-love the wine on tap and the back deck in season! Come evening, check out BSP Kingston, a performing arts complex with a weekend night club and a full bar, and Keegan Ales, which has a performance space and bar food, and favorites like Mother’s Milk Stout and Old Capital Ale on tap.

Ole Savannah, Photo by Jennifer May

At the Rondout, Ship to Shore boasts both cozy dining areas and a front patio. A few blocks over, Armadillo Bar & Grill checks all the right boxes: great prices, delicious Mex-Southwest meals, dog-friendly patio, and mesmerizing margaritas. For waterside dining, great Southern food, and hand-crafted cocktails, head to Ole Savannah, steps away from the Maritime Museum.

Nyack has five street fairs from April to October, and a killer Halloween parade.

What to do

Kick off your visit with the shops and galleries in the business district. On South Broadway, you’ll find Maria Luisa, a longstanding girl-favorite boutique; Crystals on the Rocks, a shimmering wunderkammer of crystals, minerals, and jewelry; and Saffron Trading Company, which has a global selection of home accents and furnishings. Art lovers and the just plain curious will want to visit The Beast With a Million Eyes Art Gallery (named for a sci-fi film), featuring the work of local and established artists, as well as specialty exhibits like aboriginal art. Turn onto Main Street and you’ll find Colin Holmes: Home, Garden, and Gifts and The Kiam Records Shop, an orderly hodgepodge of vintage clothing (big on denim jackets), books, and new and used vinyl, CDs, and cassettes. Cross the street to Johnny Apollo Gallery, a place for fine art, photography, and framing, and Sign of the Times, a gifty grab-bag of novelty socks, toys, and pure wackiness like a Grateful Dead-themed tapestry. Right next door, Alumni skateboard shop has board displays and a selection of sneakers, T-shirts, hoodies, and the like.

Downtown Nyack

Want more art? Nyack is home to Edward Hopper House Art Center, the boyhood home of the American realist painter, which offers rotating exhibitions of notable contemporary artists. And Rockland Center for the Arts (ROCA), with an outdoor sculpture park and a rotating schedule of exhibitions, is not far away in West Nyack. You could also enjoy a play or musical at the Elmwood Playhouse, a 99-seat community theater.

Edward Hopper House

For some outdoor fun, head over to the river and take a private or public charter on a sailing yacht through Nyack Boat Charter or a kayak trip through Hudson River Expeditions. Just north of the village you’ll find Nyack Beach State Park, one of the top hawk and raptor viewing areas in the country! For a personal challenge, follow the Upper Nyack Trail to the Long Path and hike up Hook Mountain and enjoy spectacular views of the Hudson and Nyack itself.

Where to eat and drink

Nyack Art Café has the early morning crowd covered with organic coffee drinks and specialties like ricotta pancakes and shakshuka (eggs baked in a spicy sauce with Bulgarian feta). You can’t miss the cheery red exterior of Strawberry Place, the beloved breakfast and lunch spot known for its omelets, waffles, and French toast — which always include a hefty portion of fresh fruit (hence the name). Expect a wait on weekends at this cash-only classic.

Communal Kitchen

Brickhouse Food & Drink, a bustling hangout with a pool table and more than a dozen burger choices, and Broadway Bistro (Tuscan meatloaf!) are midday favorites. For a quiet dinner, we love the mellow vibe at Mediterranean-inspired 8 North Broadway. Communal Kitchen is the talk of the town for its Butcher’s Platter of charcuterie and artisanal cheeses, shareable plates, plus craft cocktails and a fab wine list.

For an upscale evening out, BV’s Grill at the Time Hotel is your ticket. Enter through the red double doors, check out the impressive wall of wine, and start with a cocktail in the lounge area. Oysters Rockefeller and tuna tartare make elegant starters, followed by solid entrée choices. For a late-night snack, head to Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, where you can groove to world-class musicians in an intimate performance space.

Peekskill is an hour by train from Grand Central and just under an hour from Poughkeepsie.

What to do

If you arrive by train, as many do, it’s a short (but uphill) trek to the downtown business district. Stop first at the trackside Lincoln Depot Museum, which commemorates our 16th president’s stop there in 1861. If it’s a Saturday, spend some time at the Peekskill Museum, a proud Victorian on Union Avenue brimming with local memorabilia and artifacts. Art lovers will want to stop by Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, which has outstanding exhibits and educational programs. There’s also a lot of creative talent in Peekskill, and it’s on full display at the Flat Iron Gallery and the Paul Robeson Gallery, on South and North Division Streets, respectively. The Paramount Hudson Valley Theater is a destination in itself and a place to catch live music, classic films, and children’s programming. As far as shopping, go to Quirkshop, an artisan boutique that offers upcycled women’s clothing and handmade couture. And at Bruised Apple Books, an old-school library-style shop, you’ll find new and used books and records.

Photo by Melina Cronin

 For outdoor adventure, Blue Mountain Reservation has mountain biking, hiking, horse trails, and cross-country skiing. Anthony’s Nose/Camp Smith Trail is a great family hike and offers stunning panoramic views. And at Annsville Circle you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards or take a tour through Hudson River Expeditions.

Photo by Mickey Deneher

Before you hop in your car or take the train home, make sure you stop by Riverfront Green Park (a great playground and place to see fireworks) and the adjacent 4.4-acre Scenic Hudson Park at Peekskill Landing, with walking and biking trails.

Where to eat and drink

In Peekskill you can begin and end your day at two great coffee shops. Peekskill Coffee House has bracing brews and sweet and savory crepes, plus live music and trivia nights. The Bean Runner Cafe has always been known as a great place to bring the kids (they have an amazing children’s room); now it’s becoming known as a place to hear jazz, blues, and reggae on weekend nights.

The Division Street area is a dining mecca with an intimate, creative feel. Restaurants of note include 12 Grapes Music & Wine Bar, Division Street Grill, and The Quiet Man Public House. Just around the bend on Main Street, there’s an eclectic selection from Los Andes Bakery’s South American donuts to Kathleen’s Tea Room’s homemade scones and tea sandwiches to Birdsall House’s craft beer and farm-to-table fare. For tapas, craft cocktails, and brunch, try Iron Vine. And RameNesque features an extensive menu of ramen noodles and spicy chicken and beef entrees in a relaxing setting.

Peekskill Coffee House, Photo by Niko Tavernise

Back at the waterfront, enjoy Buns-N-Bourbon, with an industrial speakeasy vibe, specializing in burgers, hot dogs, and brown spirits. Homestyle Desserts Bakery earns kudos for cannoli and cheese and crumb coffeecake. A stone’s throw away, the Peekskill Brewery serves up pickled eggs, pretzel bread with beer dip, and fancy handcut fries in the taproom.

West Point is home to America’s oldest military academy; the first graduating class was just two cadets.
 

What to do

The first item on your “to do” list should be Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, as the lines get long fast at retail shops (there’s Nike, Gap, Michael Kors, Burberry, Coach, etc.) and Shake Shack (there’s also a Chipotle, Le Pain Quotidien, and the 1,000-seat Market Hall dining destination). If you prefer to shop small, make weekend plans for Sugar Loaf Art & Craft Village in Chester, where funky boutiques offer handmade soaps, candles, stained glass, and pottery.

Storm King Art Center, Photo by Jerry Thompson

A visit to Storm King Art Center, in New Windsor, the world-famous sculpture park with more than 100 beautifully crafted works on 500 acres, is a must. The lesser-known Seligmann Center, an art trove of paintings, prints, and sculpture-filled grounds, is also a good option.

Brush up on Revolutionary War history with a guided tour of the US Military Academy at West Point. While there, see who’s playing at the Eisenhower Hall Theater — maybe a traveling Broadway show, a big-name country act, or a well-known comedian. Speaking of history, Brotherhood Winery, over in Washingtonville, is the oldest continuously-run winery in the United States. Stop by for tastings and a tour.

Photo courtesy of U.S. Military Academy

Lake Tiorati on gorgeous Seven Lakes Drive in Harriman is a great spot for swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and even ice fishing in winter months. At Bear Mountain State Park, you can ice skate (weather permitting), hike, visit the zoo, or ride on a carousel. Head down the Hudson coast to Stony Point Battlefield Lighthouse; built in 1826, it’s the oldest lighthouse on the river. Aside from its spectacular river views, the site features a small museum with intriguing artifacts that will appeal to history buffs and lighthouse lovers.

Where to eat and drink

Daytrippers from New York City hop on the Thruway and beeline to Dottie Audrey’s Bakery Kitchen in Tuxedo Park for an off-the-beaten-path breakfast. Try the Tenderloin Benedict (filet mignon on a toasted baguette) or go lighter with yogurt parfait with cashew granola. Grab a bag of Linzer tarts for the road! Alternatively, you can have Sunday brunch at Iron Forge Inn, in Warwick, a farmhouse-turned-restaurant reachable by 17A through picturesque Sterling Forest in 20 minutes. Grab a seat on the patio for views of Sugarloaf Mountain.

A more rustic brunch awaits at Blooming Hill Farm, a tad farther north on Route 208 in Blooming Grove. This idyllic hidden gem serves up sourdough crust breakfast pizzas topped with eggs, potatoes, and cheese on Saturdays and Sundays. They also serve farm-based dinners, such as Farm Polenta with Grana Padano, on Fridays and Saturdays.

This neck of the woods is also home to Cosimo’s Brick Oven, a favorite après-shopping spot on Route 32 in Central Valley. Arancini (Italian rice balls), wood-fired brick-oven pizzas, and flatbreads are crowd-pleasers at lunch or dinner.

    If you spent the day hiking at Bear Mountain or Harriman State Park, Restaurant 1915 at the Bear Mountain Inn is an atmospheric place to unwind. Back at West Point, the Gothic-style MacArthur’s Riverview Restaurant at the Thayer Hotel has epic views of the Hudson, Sunday brunch, and a rooftop lounge.