The 15 Hudson Valley Day Trips from New York That Earn Their Price

1.Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,472 reviews · from $47Our pick

Take a scheduled bus from Times Square to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, about an hour from New York City. Shop more than 220 stores, use the digital VIP discount booklet, and return on your booked bus or an earlier service if space allows. English and Spanish assistance is available.

“Excellent. Everything went according to the instructions. The bus was air conditioned and v clean. Both driver and guide were v pleasant and helpful.”

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2.Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Round Trip Service

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 784 reviews · from $65

Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, browse more than 200 designer and brand-name stores, collect a VIP coupon book, and return by a flexible afternoon or evening bus. The six-hour service is unescorted and does not include food or hotel pickup.

“Good brands and a lot to offer. However the experience of providing information was quite poor. Information about the VIP coupons/book was not that easy to understand and we still so not know if this VIP was something that was included in the ticket we bought or if it is offered to anyone visiting the outlet by signing up. Tried to chat but did not revive any answer either..”

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3.Circle Line: 8-hr Bear Mountain Oktoberfest Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 207 reviews · from $84

Sail from Pier 83 to Bear Mountain State Park on an 8-hour Oktoberfest cruise with Hudson River commentary, German food for purchase, polka music, and a two-hour park visit. You will pass under the George Washington Bridge and have time to hike, though the first hill can be steep.

“The tour guide was amazing. He’s knowledgeable, friendly, & entertaining. Grateful for learning more about the history, people, culture of New York. Bear Mountain is a must see. Love the bits of information to read along the hiking trails, the animals, birds, flowers, etc. are beautiful. Listening to the Street Band on our way back to Pier 84 is a nice addition to the Bear Mountain Cruise I ♥️ New York”

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4.Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Tour from Midtown

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 92 reviews · 5 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $47

Ride from Midtown Manhattan to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, about an hour away, for roughly six hours of shopping. You get reserved bus seating, a VIP coupon e-book, several departure and return choices, and room to bring a suitcase for purchases.

“Definately worths visiting the outlet but book the bus directly from the woodbury. We booked it and we made a modification to an earlier time and they did not communicate it with the woodbury buses so we had to wait one hour in the freezing cold since they never boarded us on the time we have booked (after modification) but they let us get on thr bus in the initial time of our reservation(one hour later-so we waited in the freezing cold)”

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5.Hudson River Fall Foliage Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 47 reviews · 2h 30m · from $110

Cruise north from Chelsea Piers aboard Yacht Kingston, a small classic mini yacht with open views, a covered rear observatory, and a forward deck. Your English-speaking captain and first mate, including Sarah on some sailings, point out the Palisades, George Washington Bridge, and Upper West Side. One drink is included.

“Captain and First Mate were wonderful, very helpful and knowledgeable. Really enjoyed the cruise. Definitely recommend it! Cheers”

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6.Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 2 hours - 135 minutes · from $110

Board the elegant 1920s yacht Manhattan at Chelsea Piers for a roughly two-hour Hudson River cruise. An English-speaking Urban Naturalist explains the river’s geology and ecology as you pass the Upper West Side, George Washington Bridge, and autumn-colored Palisades. Assigned indoor seating and one drink are included.

“While the cruise itself was lovely, I didn’t get much out of it. The trees were okay, but it was actually kind of a non-event. Nicer than the Circle Line and the employees were nice but would I spend $100 again to go up to Englewood Cliffs and back? Never.”

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7.New York Fall Foliage Cruise up the Hudson River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110Top rated

Board Classic Harbor Line’s small yacht at Pier 62 for a 2.5-hour Hudson River cruise. Captain Tim and the crew guide you past Manhattan, the George Washington Bridge, Grant’s Tomb, the Little Red Lighthouse, and the Palisades. One drink is included, with indoor and outdoor seating.

“This was a very relaxing beautiful boat ride. Not just for tourists I'm a life long New Yorker and this was wonderful. Plenty of drink choices too and the crew was very cool. Thank you”

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8.Hudson Tour with Sleepy Hollow and Walkway Over Hudson

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 7 hours · from $135

Join Bobby’s small-group rail tour from Midtown to Sleepy Hollow, Poughkeepsie, and Cold Spring. You’ll explore Washington Irving’s historic setting, walk above the Hudson River, and finish with free time for shops, food, hiking, or a local beer.

“fun to visit outside of New York city area, the fall foliage is pretty along the Hudson river. highly recommend the trip”

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9.Circle Line: Bear Mountain Foliage & Oktoberfest Cruise NYC

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 24 reviews · from $69

Spend about eight hours cruising 50 miles up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park. You will see major landmarks, enjoy light English narration, hike or relax for two hours, then return with German food, beer specials, and a live Oom-pah and polka band onboard.

“Great tour with even better vibe on board! The Oktoberfest beer specials on board were second to none, along with a great tour guide showing all of the sites the Hudson River has to offer”

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10.New York City Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $139

Board at Chelsea Piers for a 2.5-hour Hudson River cruise toward the Upper West Side and Palisades. You’ll enjoy a prix fixe brunch with buffet-style courses, one alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, open-air views, and light commentary from the captain and crew.

“We went on the cruise at the very end of October and the foliage was beautiful, different shades of orange but still some green. The captain shared some interesting details about the area and the food was delicious. My only complaint is the service was very slow and they kept forgetting we had dietary restrictions. I would have liked if the courses were served with less gaps so we could eat and then go up to the deck to enjoy the scenery. Or if they would have announced that the next course was being served. We kept going back and forth to check if our next course had come, it…”

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11.Hudson Valley Craft Brewery Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $169

Join Lukas and Laura for an eight-hour, small-group bike ride from Brewster through the Hudson Valley to Captain Lawrence Brewing Company. Bring your own bike or arrange a rental, enjoy a picnic lunch and supported trail stops, then taste up to 10 beers before a shuttle returns you to North White Plains.

“I've done a lot of organized bike rides over the years and this was truly one of the best. Lucas and Laura are a great team. The information provided prior to the ride, as well as the day of the ride, was well organized. The rest stops, lunch and the final stop at Captain Lawrence Brewery were all very well planned. I highly recommend doing this ride.”

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12.New York Fall Foliage Sail up the Hudson River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $143

Set out from Chelsea Piers on a 3.5-hour Hudson River sail aboard a classic schooner inspired by an 1890s pilot boat. Enjoy a complimentary drink, Upper West Side views, the George Washington Bridge, Little Red Lighthouse, and Palisade Cliffs. Bring lunch, layers, and realistic expectations about fall color.

“My wife and I spent a lovely Fall day onboard the schooner Adirondack with our Captain Kat and Becks. They and the crew were friendly, engaging and knowledgeable about our sailing experience on the Hudson. We recommend them highly!!! 😃”

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13.Fall Foliage Cruise with Live Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 10 reviews · 4 hours · from $59

Spend about four hours on the Hudson River with an English-speaking guide, open-air Main and Sky Decks, and views of the Palisades, Met Cloisters, George Washington Bridge, Ellis Island, and Manhattan. Standard seating is first come, first served. Premium adds priority boarding, VIP Sky Deck seating, and a snack with one drink.

“We had a wonderful time in The Liberty Fall Foliage boat ride.”

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14.Hudson River Fall Foliage Sailing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 3h 30m · from $143

Board a classic sailboat at Chelsea Piers for a 3.5-hour autumn cruise north on the Hudson. You’ll see Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Palisades cliffs, and fall color from the water, with one complimentary drink and extra beverages available to buy.

“Simply Fabulous! The accommodations were on point!! Great relaxing time!”

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15.Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Cruise in New York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $110

Cruise from Chelsea Piers toward the Palisades aboard Classic Harbor Line, with fall color, Manhattan views, the George Washington Bridge, Grant’s Tomb, and a glass observatory. A complimentary beverage is included, and naturalist Gabriel Willow may narrate select sailings.

“LOVE LOVE LOVE Classic Harbor Line! I'm a New Yorker and once in a while I like to hop on one of their perfectly kept vessels just to leave the city for a couple of hours. It's always a calming and soul refreshing experience. The fact that you can have a glass of vino and snacks makes it all the more delightful. I'll be back very soon :)”

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