Travel Guide to Cold Spring, New York, and Its 5 Best Attractions

Coldspring, New York, is only an hour away from New York City, but it couldn’t be more different in atmosphere – rather than the rush of traffic and pulsating modernity, Cold Spring has winding hiking trails in state parks, farms, and a sense of good old-fashioned home comforts. It’s a great place to take a break from the city, as it offers plenty of nature, fun and comfort food.

Take a hike at Hudson Highlands State Park

Photo by Robert Wash via Flickr

Hike part of the Appalachian Trail, go boating or canoeing, fishing, and hunting, all at the Hudson Highlands State Park! Far from the exhaust of the city, there’s no clearer air than high up on the mountains overlooking the Hudson River. Breakneck Ridge is 5.5 miles long and the trail runs up 1,250 feet in less than a mile. Now that’s a hike.

Watch spring bloom at Stonecrop Gardens

Photo by M M Parsons via Flickr

What’s better than a picnic among the peaceful blooms of rhododendrons, dahlias, lilies in the pond, and an ever-changing array of other luscious flowers? The gardens feature a floating conservatory, cobblestone trails, bridges and pavilions. So turn your phone on silent and just relax in Stonecrop Gardens, a beautiful expanse of horticultural paradise.

Put some pop in your walk at Go-Go Pops!

Photo via their official FB page

Go-Go Pops offers refreshing fresh-fruit popsicles. The popsicles themselves are sold at a number of markets around the area, but head directly to their café for coffee (or as they call it, Go-Go Joe), homemade baked goods, smoothies, soups and bubble tea. Where else can you find an ice pop made with avocado, kiwi, pineapple juice, coconut milk, agave nectar and guar? If that sounds delicious to you, Go-Go!

Choo-choo-choose Cold Spring Depot

Photo via their official FB page

In 1893, the Cold Spring Depot was established as a train station, built by Cornelius Vanderbilt. Now, it’s a local gastronomic comfort to locals and visitors. With its huge patio out back and cozy dining room, it’s a great place to kick back and have a beer. They serve all the classics : Guinness pot pie, homemade chili, fish and chips, and in the summer, their ice cream parlor next door welcomes the hot, sweaty masses.

Enjoy breakfast in bed at the historic Pig Hill Inn

Photo by Joe Desiderio via Flickr

Built in 1825, this historic inn offers individually decorated rooms with antique and reproduction period furniture. They serve a full breakfast every morning and their menu includes blueberry pancakes, apple crumble cake, American-style eggs with all the fixin’s. If breakfast in bed doesn’t sound appetizing (nobody likes bacon-greasy sheets), their elegant glass Victorian Conservatory offers a great view of the garden.