Yes and yes. It might not be the red carpet but sure beats the price. The plan to run…read moreBeacon/Newburgh bridge was the best decision and daring one. For just 1.50 and free parking you may leave the car in Newburgh side, take the ferry. It takes less than 15 mins to get to the other side of the bridge, directly stopping at the Beacon train station. The route: Start by walking under the Beacon train station to the parking lot. Take the stairs up to this mini park and hang a left there. Keep following that route until you reach the main entrance to the bridge. Ensure to stay on your left, as it hooks to the bridge on left. There's not much crossing the road. Maybe, some parking lots here and there but that's about it. For your safety, always be aware of your surroundings for cars as they drive b fairly fast. This is a about a mile to the bridge. On the bridge, it made me nervous. I couldn't help but look down to the river. You are running on a metal plates all the way through. This is very sturdy although, the shaking could be unnerving. Next time, I will take a bag with me. Across the bridge is about 2 miles, keep following the trail to exit the bridge and will take you directly on the road to Leroy Drive. This road doesn't have a pedestrian walk way but fairly safe other wise. Along this route, there are some homes that are historical to Newburgh. This road is another mile to get to the port or docking station. Don't forget to stop in to take a pic or have a beer. Some restaurants here have the view overlooking the bridge. Key note: Please be careful when parking your cars on the parking lot. Although, there's immense foot traffic, stay within those hours when the area is busy in Newburgh. Another safe way to do it is to park your car in Beacon lot, free on weekends. Take the ferry to Newburgh and run from there (opposite to what I did). On Saturdays, Beacon train station has a Farmer's market. It's very small but worth checking with free bands playing.

Yes I'm a fan of the ferry, but really wish it ran on weekends. If you wish it did it too,…read morecall/write the MTA (they run it) and request it. If they get enough requests and realize there's a need for it, they might implement a weekend schedule.

Ever since the new pavilion went in this place rocks. The ferry ride is nice and quick and usually…read morecoincides with the Metro North train hours so you're in sync. The ride is about 12-15 minutes, there's heat in the winter and a nice breeze in the summer.

I didn't spend a lot of time here but I came to visit my grandparents this previous weekend. The…read morestation was clean, and my train came on time. The area wasn't overcrowded, and I felt safe. My train was also on time, and I arrived quickly and safely at my destination. I did find it confusing that the person collecting tickets didn't bother to show up and do that until we got to the 125th street station, which is the second to last stop, but that didn't alter my experience in any way.

convenient not crowded library and food nearby it's almost perfect nothing to complain aboutread more

On June 14, the U.S. Army will turn 250 years old. Its birth during the beginning of the…read moreRevolutionary War is one stop along the road to America's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Since then, it has played a vital role in every major conflict to modern-day operations worldwide. To commemorate this historic milestone, my partner and I decided on a bus tour to the US Military Academy at West Point, which is the oldest war fort and military base in the US, sitting on the west bank of the Hudson River, 40 miles north of NYC. Reservations as well as security clearance were easily made via the website on the same day, with the extended tour lasting 2 hours to include the cemetery and chapel. West Point Tours provides a great experience to see and understand the US Military Academy's place in history and the future. Although established in 1802, the Academy was vital in the American Revolutionary War. Washington considered the location critical and had additional fortifications designed. Everywhere the bus traveled, we saw signs that read "Beat Navy!" This, of course, refers to the great rivalry the two military academies have enjoyed for decades. By far, the most magnificent and historic building is Cadet Chapel, which has dominated the landscape for more than 100 years. Reflecting the Gothic architecture of the late 14th century in England, it is constructed from granite quarried at West Point. Our tour guide, Chandrinka, was highly knowledgeable and took the time to really bring the history with her 17 years of experience. For visitors like us seeking a blend of scenic beauty, historical significance, and cultural enrichment, we can highly recommend as it was a truly educational and enlightening experience.

Most of the tour is on a bus and the tour guide points out buildings and memorials which were…read morehard/impossible to see depending on which side of the bus you were sitting. Also, our tour guide had lots of bits of information, but seemed to find a joke in everything she shared. Overlooking the Hudson is an awesome view, chapel is interesting... unfortunately no cadets and little information about life at the academy. If you could just walk around the campus it would be much more enjoyable.

Old, ornate New York West freight station…read more Nestled on the Hudson River. A few benches, some shade and couple of rails. Beautiful views of the majestic New York Hudson Valley! Rebel review: 5

This is a stop toward the end of the Metro North Hudson line that runs from Grand Central to…read morePoughkeepsie. The total time takes about 1 hour 45-50 minutes end to end though only about 1 hour 25-30 minutes to Cold Spring. Single tickets are $15.25 each way off-peak and $20.75 peak. The station is a basic one considering that Cold Spring is a small town. Two platforms one northbound, the other southbound with an overpass connecting them, via stairs or elevators are available. Each platform has a central section with some overhead coverage, though mostly open to the elements. The platforms are pretty narrow so during peak weekend times in the late afternoon/early evening it can get very crowded. I believe there's a parking lot along the southwest side of the station. Along the northeast side walking from downtown Cold Spring to the tracks, there's an underpass via stairs that takes you to the waterfront with pretty views of the mountains surrounding the town and Hudson River.

Easy off/on. Is clean. Has multiple options such as Panera, Starbucks, burgers, water, and clean…read morebathrooms. I was there on the Thursday after noon before Labor Day weekend and the crowds were what I'd anticipated entering a holiday. Gas for cars and electric chargers were also here. The prices were a little steep but not unreasonable. No issues or complaints from me!

We stopped at the Plattekill Travel Plaza on I 87 on our way to the Adirondaks, which is a sentence…read morethat sounds more romantic than it has any right to be. A travel plaza is a place where human beings briefly admit they have bodies. We eat and drink as quickly as we possibly can, we wash our hands, and then we climb back into our machines and hurtle north or south with emptier bladders and greater optimism. The good news is that after its recent renovation, the Plattekill Travel Plaza looks exactly like every other rest stop along the Thruway. This is not an insult. Sameness can be a comfort. You walk in and your brain says, I know how this works. There will be light, food, and a restroom that I do not have to search for and, more likely than not, will not frighten me. The building is airy and generous with natural light. Due to complete glass walls on two sides, sunlight spills in as if this particular corner of the Hudson Valley has been invited inside to keep an eye on us. There is a modest parade of quick serve restaurants greatest hits. You can secure chicken at Chick-fil-A, provided you're not traveling on the Lord's day of course, bread and soup at Panera Bread, a pretzel the size of your forearm at Auntie Anne's, and caffeine at Starbucks. There is also a respectable Applegreen convenience store, open 24 hours a day, which is where we did our foraging. We emerged with snacks and drinks, the sort of provisions that make you feel prepared for a journey that will last another two hours. The restrooms are large and generally clean. This is progress, particularly when compared to the pre-updated plaza. Not much more you could reasonably demand from a building whose chief purpose is to host people who are in a hurry. Parking is the only real adventure. Spaces are somewhat limited, and at busy times vehicles line the access road like a small and determined migration. The snow and freezing temperatures this winter have not improved matters. Slush narrows lanes and turns simple geometry into a test of faith while snow piles reduce available spaces considerably. You may find yourself circling once or twice, contemplating the nature of patience. On the whole, this is a solid rest area along I 87. It performs its duties without drama. Once inside, you could be almost anywhere, which may be the point. Highways are about going somewhere else. This plaza understands this. It feeds you, tidies you up, and sends you back into the wide and indifferent world with a warm coffee in your hand and crumbs on your shirt. Four stars.

Boat ride was great - Captain Brian. Wonderful tour narrated by Jay along the way. Tour on the…read moreisland narrated by Mary. Very knowledgeable and engaging speaker. Learned so much from both speakers! Island itself is stunning. Formal garden areas are beautiful as well as the establishing of native plants in the woodland areas. Castles are so fun to see and learn about. The view is stunning from every angle. Bathrooms are spacious and well maintained. Snacks and beverages available in the island too. Would definitely recommend!

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.