Weekend Travel: Cold Spring, New York

Nestled along the Hudson River about 50 miles north of Manhattan sits the village of Cold Spring. A quick hour and a half trip by train from Manhattan makes it a great spot for a day or weekend getaway. Nineteenth century architecture lines the quaint streets of this riverside town. A picturesque Main Street provides great shopping as well as a variety of eateries to choose from. Take your lunch over to the riverside pavilion and enjoy the scenery and occasional live music. You can also burn a few of those lunch calories by taking a short nature walk through one of the many trails that surround the village.

Main Street in Cold Spring is almost like stepping into an old movie. That ideal early American life can be felt as you wander the historic lanes of the town. Dotted with a multitude of small antique shops carrying many retired wears from the region you can enjoy the window shopping or pick up that eye-catching conversation piece you've been looking for. Have a meal at one of the number of cozy feeling restaurants and then grab a slice of pie and a cup of coffee from the nearby bakery cafe.

Sitting just below Hudson Highlands State Park and to the west of the Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park the village of Cold Spring is a gateway to the surrounding wilderness and its many trails. Boasting amazing views from points such as Hudson Fjord, Break Neck Mountain and the Bear Mountain Bridge the surrounding state park area has some of New York 's most picturesque scenery of the Hudson Valley and Hudson River . When the weather permits renting a kayak and taking a spin in the river will also give you some breathtaking views of the area.

The village of Cold Spring is a great day or weekend trip any time of year. Visit during the spring or summer for the best outdoor weather and lush green views as far as the eye can see. Fall and winter are also beautiful and festive times of the year to visit the quaint town. See the sprawling vibrant landscape of the fall foliage that stretches for miles down the Hudson or have a nostalgic Christmas experience by visiting during the winter holiday. The perfect backdrop for that snowy holiday feel, the festively decorated Main Street evokes that feeling of a simpler and happier time.

Village of Cold Spring New York , "About Our Village", http://www.coldspringny.gov.

Cold Spring, "Popular Attractions", http://www.coldspring.com/popular-attractions.asp#.