Day: Dia Beacon

Beacon, New York is a relatively quiet town save for the fact that it is home to Dia Beacon, a museum of contemporary art which opened in 2003.  The building itself is as cool in the art inside. Because it used to be an old box factory, production workers would to rely on natural light to operate machinery.  Today, inside its galleries, the light is blinding.  Old nails, oil spills and burn marks scar the floor giving it a calloused character and as you stroll, your footsteps squeak impactfully on the boards beneath you.  It is as eerie as it is mod.

Artists shown there include Louise Bourgeois is, George Trakas, Andy Warhol and a personal favorite, Sol LeWitt:

Once you wrap up at Dia, you can follow street signs to "town" which in reality, is just a strip of gift stores and cafes.  I recommend Home Spun which had amazing salads.  A few pregnant ladies were eating there, which is always a sign that what you're tucking into is healthy.

The train stop is right on the water, which makes for a very pleasant wait.  If you are early, stroll down by the beach, which is littered with little sailing boats and buoys.

Getting there: Hudson Line to Beacon

Cost: Train will set you back $26 and admission to Dia is $10

What to bring: Your attention span for art and europeans

Org: Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

This organization was started by folk singer (and New York native) Pete Seeger.  Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has several programs aimed to educate about the Hudson, but one that is particularly exceptional is the Onboard Volunteer Program in which accepted applicants spend a week sailing the Hudson aboard either the Clearwater or the Mystic Whaler.  Volunteers educate student sailors about the river's ecosystem and issues surrounding the waters.  Laid off?  This is a perfect way to contribute to local issues while still adventuring.

Afternoon: Bronx Botanical Gardens

The name 'botanical gardens' is somewhat limiting and misleading when it comes the ones in the Bronx. In my opinion, this is more of an arboretum.  The Bronx Botanical Garden is the largest in the United States as far as urban botanical gardens go.  A good walker can spend an entire day strolling its grounds, but if an urban hike isn't what you had in mind, there is also a tram that will drive you around the acreage.


While there is a massive rose garden and millions of species of plants and trees to be seen, the greenhouses are really the highlight here.  Giant, well-tended foliage climb the glass house walls giving the enclosed space a very Jurassic feel.

Getting there: The B, D or 4 Train to Bedford Park Blvd Station or Metro North Harlem Local to the Botanical Garden Station.  I recommend the subway - this way you save some cash on the lower fare.


Cost: Adults $6, Students $3, Seniors (bring mom and dad!) $3


What to bring: A snack.  The cafe is pricey and there isn't much outside the gardens.  A good camera might be fun for some flora and fauna snaps and of course good shoes if you decide to take on the gardens via foot.

Day: Poughkeepsie Footbridge

Poughkeepsie is the last stop on the Hudson line of Metro North, so this trip will take you a majority of your day.  You will probably want to take this trip on a day that promises little wind and clear skies.  Because the the bridge is high and crosses the Hudson, windy conditions could be a deal breaker for this excursion.

The Poughkeepsie bridge is the world's longest footbridge.  Originally a railroad bridge that was built in 1889, it was opened last year as Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, so now visitors can walk from Poughkeepsie to the town of Highland.  Highland has yet to be explored, but upon getting to the other side of the bridge and inquiring with some ladies running some sort of new-agey booth, they told me there was nothing there and it wasn't worth visiting. Weird.  I guess I'm learning I don't trust people with crystals that are wearing purple.

Anyway, back to the bridge!  It was the only route across the Hudson south of Albany from its opening until 1924 when the Bear Mountain Bridge was completed.  It was used frequently in the 20th Century up until 1974 when it was initially abandoned and abandoned it sat for over 30 years due to general state and private incompetence.  In October of 2009 it opened again, FINALLY, but this time as the state park.

Getting There: Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie


Cost: $29 round trip


What to bring:  I would suggest a backpack only because carrying a purse would get annoying - but all you really need are the contents of your purse (girls) or pockets (boys).  On both ends of the bridge are a row of food stalls, so if you find you need nourishment at the turn around point, you can pick up a pretzel or a hot dog or any other stadium food you crave.

Day: Mt. Taurus/Bull Hill

Cold Spring itself is a township centered around one main road leading uphill, away from the train stop. Antiques and antiquers line the street which makes for a good distraction while you wait for the train. In case you need it, there is a shoe store supplying (over-priced) Smart Wool and other necessities for wet feet.  Among the cute cafes are a few dive bars that serve up heart burn-inducing Bloody Marys and cheap Stella on draft.
Bull Hill's trail head is about a mile walk from the train station. Walking up the main drag away from the train, you will take a left on Fair Street. Initially you will walk among houses but pretty quickly they thin out and you will walk past an apartment complex on the right followed by a soccer field resting up against the Hudson on your left. Keep walking and Fair Street will join up with Highway 9D. Walking along a highway sounds scary, but this is a docile one and you will be on it for under five minutes. Just stay on the shoulder and surely the drivers that do pass you will slow down. When you spot a parking lot (hopefully empty of cars so you have the place to yourself!) you will have arrived at the trail head. The start to Bull Hill will be on your right, across the high way from the Hudson.

Bull Hill, also called Mt. Taurus, is a 1,400 climb in a little over a two mile span. Though a winter vista is nice, this is probably not a good hike to do in the winter. At times the trail is arduous and sporadic at best. When covered in snow, making your way up the face can be a wet endeavor when at certain points you only have other hiker's icy footsteps as your guide. Also on the way down it is very slippery, even with the right footwear - so maybe save this hike for the spring or fall. Follow the white trail markers and you will make your way to a towering look out that gazes south west down upon Cold Spring, the marshes surrounding it and the Hudson River.


Getting There: Hudson Line to Cold Spring
Cost: $22 round trip

What To Bring: Change of socks, binoculars, water proof shoes, back pack, shirt you can tie around your waist