Lucy and I at the scenic overlook just outside of Cold Spring – such a beautiful day (if a touch windy). 

Other great day trips from NYC: 

Chester, New Jersey. My family and I have a tradition of visiting this town every year for some Christmas shopping in the antique stores…and also to eat scones and cucumber-cream cheese sandwiches at Sally Lunn’s. 

Sleepy Hollow. Yes, the setting of Washington Irving’s famous story. Also a totally charming little village with some beautiful architecture.

Bear Mountain State Park. My parents and I took the motorcycles up to Bear Mountain on most nice weekends when I was a kid, and it’s a great spot for picnicking, Frisbee-playing, and what have you.

Boscobel House, in the Hudson Valley. My in-laws took Kendrick and I there a few months ago, and while I’m not really a sightseeing kind of girl, I have to say it was absolutely worth the trip – some of the most beautiful views of the Hudson I’ve ever seen, and the house itself is a must-see for interior design buffs (the Federal-era architecture is impeccably preserved). It’s also near Cold Spring, so you can hit two places on one trip.