I'll be honest...I know diddly squat about Cold Spring's history and who the settlers were. But-…read morewith a charming Main St., what I do know- is how damn cute the Village is. It's like a Norman Rockwell painting! Cold Spring may be known for many things I don't even know about- but from what hubs and I noticed the short time we hung around, were the many Antique shops and some Art Galleries. And without forgetting their other eclectic collection of shops, restaurants and the most gorgeous looking B&Bs and Inns. There's also a wonderful view of the Hudson and mountains if you go further down to Dockside Park. Homes or businesses here- are located down narrow roads or a little alleyway, that is too picturesque for words. And no, there's no McDonalds! Truth to be told- I loved our Cold Spring detour before heading up to Woodstock, NY- and so glad we did and experience their genuine slice of cuteness.

We didn't take the tour but we visited the actual cold Springs area for the first time in the place…read moreis stunning - it's fancy and neat, with little shops and antique stores beautifully presented with a touch of humor, very-very beautiful picturesque scenery, the general vibe feels very nice very comfortable. I really wouldn't mind to move here if i had a job in the area or worked from home! PS. The main street also looks liberal with an enormous rainbow flag and an anti-anti-trump sticker in one of the windows , which makes the vibe even more appealing.

I've wanted to take this tour ($45) for a while now but finally got around to it recently on a…read morelovely fall Sunday morning. While the tour is timed at 2.5 hours...you spend closer to 1.5 hours on the island itself, factoring in the 30-minute boatride to and from the island. There was lots of parking available as the Metro Station's parking is free on weekends. I opted for the early 9:30am departure. I arrived around 9:05am and there were a few people there waiting. They started checking tickets and allowing people onto the boat at around 9:15am. The boat left on time at 9:30am. Tom was at the wheel and Jen was assisting. (Forgive me if I got the names wrong) Jen gave an overview of the sites, buildings and history of the Newburgh waterfront during the 20-minute boatride to the island. We arrived around 9:50, docked and climbed up some stairs to a waiting/dock area. We were then greeted by ___ who was our tour guide for the visit. She explained the history of the island as we made our way through the tour path...passing the castle, garden and museum. After the tour (about 30-40 minutes), visitors can explore the island on their own. There are a few areas that are accessible but not on the tour path, such as Wee Bay. I suggest exploring those areas as you will be rewarded with some amazing views! The museum is also small, but very informative...lots of little interesting facts about the island in there. Be sure to check it out. While the tour path itself is fairly flat, the other explorable areas are rocky and uneven. Its best to wear comfortable hiking/trail shoes if possible...otherwise, you will feel every sharp/uneven rock particalarly if wearing flat-bottomed shoes. There is a small shop there with snacks and some souvenirs. Bathrooms on the island. None on the boat. The group met up at the dock at around 11:30am to take the boat back to Beacon. A group was arriving at that time...likely the 11:00am tour. Overall I had a great time on the tour...learned a lot and captured some great views. Be sure to leave time afterward (or before) to explore other attractions in Beacon...such as the shop-filled Main Street.

Months after my trip here I'm still unhappy I spent three hours on this experience. I'm writing an…read moreupdate to let people know there is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired house on Petre Island, a dozen miles southeast of Bannerman, which is open for tours! The island has been for sale for years and once it's purchased it might not be open to the public anymore.

Cold Spring is a beautiful place, especially in the fall, and there is hiking, shopping, and…read morerestaurants. The waterfront is peaceful. There are ice cream shops and benches. You can see the Hudson and the hills. There are cruises.

Gorgeous views of the mountain and Hudson River. There are…read morebenches to sit and enjoy the view. Today, it happens to be flooded.

I visited Hudson Highlands State Park for the first time to hike the Blue Trail, also known as the…read moreCornish Trail. It was only my third time hiking, and that's when I realized how much I love hiking. I definitely plan to hike more often. The Blue Trail is considered beginner-friendly, I found parts of it a bit challenging because of the incline. Still, the effort was worth it, the view of South Beacon Mountain was absolutely beautiful. The hike itself was a great experience, especially with friends. Near the train station, there are small shops where you can grab food, drinks, or any last-minute supplies. There are also restrooms by the station and portable toilet near the trail areas. I would definitely come back to hike there again, maybe do the red trail.

One of the best hikes that I have gone on this year! Initially, we were going to do the Bull Hill…read moreFull Loop which is an estimated 3-4 hours. This is definitely a moderate trail. If you go in the winter, take caution with the ice when climbing to the top. After about an hour into the trail, you will see a sign to continue on the Full Loop or the Short Loop. When we reached that point, we switched to the Bull Hill Short Loop. It took around 3 hours to complete. The trails have beautiful views! You will see other hikers, but everyone keeps a safe distance. Take time to stop and enjoy the surrounding. There are portable toilets at the beginning of the trail with hand sanitizers if you need to use a bathroom.

Advice: arrive early for a parking spot. Sometimes the parking lot is full because there is a…read morehiking group, other times it's individuals or families. This is a great short hike about 45 mins per the park ranger but without stopping you probably can finish around 30-40 minutes just strolling. You can climb up the hill for a better view though the climb down is a bit steep and rocky, not recommended for toddlers. There is also a beach that is full of tree trunks for a nice break. Go breathe the fresh air and get away from the city.

This is the perfect spot to unwind after conquering one of the bigger hikes nearby like Bull Hill…read morejust across the street or Breakneck Ridge about a mile up Route 9D. I'd been to the beach a few times before I realized one of the trails climbs up the small cliffs, offering a stunning vantage point overlooking the river. Wish I'd known about that hidden gem before. On a summer evening with a glowing sunset, it's a prime spot to snap some memorable photos. So, make your way to Little Stony Point an ideal way to cap off a day of hiking around Cold Spring. Even if you're wiped from your earlier trek, I promise you'll make it there. This place is fantastic. Split by Route 9D, it offers two distinct experiences: on one side, a Hudson River beach where people swim and relax; on the other, a hiking trail that winds through the intriguing ruins of an old estate. This was easily one of the most captivating spots we explored.

Was scheduled to go out on Friday afternoon for the Bannerman Island kayak tour. Received a mid…read moremorning call advising of cancellation due to high winds. Was offered refund or a reschedule. Rescheduled for next morning. Enjoyed the 2.5 kayak tour on the river which was calm. The three guides on the tour were great and interacted with everyone on the tour. This is a very professional operation and every employee was friendly and outgoing.

Such a fun day trip! The whole experience was smooth and well-organized. Our guides, Kyle and…read moreAudrey, were so kind and informative--they really made the day special. The kayak ride to Bannerman Island was enjoyable, with minimal waves and a gentle current thanks to the good weather (though I imagine it could be easier or harder depending on the day!). Bannerman Island itself is a special little place--full of charm, with beautiful flowers, scenic views, and a peaceful atmosphere. We learned they even host movie nights and live plays there, which sounds like such a unique experience. Highly recommend this trip for anyone looking for a mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty!

Great little hidden spot behind the barbershop. Friendly staff great selection of beer drinks and…read moresmall plates will definitely have to go back to try more stuff I had the agave wine Margarita and it was to die for!

Great spot for a beer in the back of this barber shop. Staff was friendly and the menus are easy to…read moreread and browse from (all on paper). A lot of seating which was good for my group of 7 people. I'll be back when I'm in Cold Spring again!

My friend and I were in the area on a cold Saturday and decided to take a tour. We were the only…read moreone braving the cold. Our tour guide Carol was excellent! She was friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions and was so thorough in explaining the history of the house and how it go where it is now. We didn't get the experience the gardens since there was snow but I will be back in the warmer weather to see the grounds. The view of the Hudson was gorgeous!

Not very ADA accessible!…read more Two parking spots near the main house marked "Handicapped" were off-limits to us (w a handicapped hang-tag). "These are reserved for special events," said a docent. "Are there special events today?" we asked. "No, but you have to park in the visitors area," way, way over there. That made walking to enjoy the view of the Hudson. We would gladly have paid the admission fee, but we were clearly not welcome, even to stroll from a parking place close to the views.

Our Yelp Elite crew was out in Cold Spring looking for food when we happened to walk into Doug's…read morePretty Good Pub. After eating there, I can confidently say Doug, your pub makes pretty good food. Our party of four was seated at a high-top, and the feasting began. They've got a great beer selection and took care of us right away. Food-wise, we started with the chicken wings, which were huge and packed with flavor. For me, the main event was the original patty melt. You know when something tastes homemade, but in the absolute best way possible? That was this burger. It was hot, juicy, and dripping with flavor, with perfectly caramelized onions and melted cheese. What really made it work was the bread, it still had a crunch instead of turning soggy. Every dip into the Thousand Island just made it better. The onion rings were a perfect sidekick. Around the table, my brother-in-law went with the Nutty Hog and enjoyed it, my sister liked her quesadilla, and my wife was happy with her chicken. No complaints anywhere. You know how I feel about local spots, and this place was full of charm and character. The drinks were cold, the food was solid, and I'll absolutely be back. 5/5 stars

Doug's pretty good pub is a no-frills cozy little place in the cute little town of Cold Spring. Our…read morewaitress was really friendly and chill. The menu is tiny, and primarily burgers. The burgers are served on English muffins, which I've never seen before. I'm not the biggest fan of English muffins, but it seemed to be their specialty, I figured I'd try it and I'm glad I did! It was, as the restaurant name suggests, pretty good! I got The Burger and added pepperjack, which was exactly what it was needed. This was a great place to stop in for a casual but good lunch on a cold day walking around Cold Spring.

I'm a regular at the downtown iPic location, but this Fort Lee location is noticeably better -- and…read moreI'll be coming back here from now on. Watched The Devil Wears Prada and the whole experience was just great. Staff was friendly and accommodating from start to finish. The food and drinks were a highlight too -- I had the pear infused ginger mule which I highly recommend: well balanced, not too sweet, just right. We also got sweet potato fries and chicken nachos for sharing. The nacho portion was generous -- we couldn't finish it. IPic already sets a high bar for the movie theater experience, but this location clears it. Looking forward to many more movies here. Also, there is a parking lot across the street. Prices are already low but you can validate the ticket for up to 4 hours in the lobby of the theater. Free parking is a treat these days, especially if you drive from Manhattan.

Stopped by again today and parked at the parking lot across the st and made sure to validate the…read moreticket after so it would be free. My friends didn't know about this and i explained it to them so now they will do this going forward. Food and service was great, had the crispy mozz, truffle fries, popcorn and a cheesecake. Also soda. All great and fresh but that raspberry cheesecake was amazing ! I'm glad they had blankets on the seats and the bathrooms were clean. Will def keep coming back