I went on a delightful day trip outside the city to the village of Tarrytown. Located in Westchester County, this place features a waterfront area on the eastern side of the Hudson River. This day trip is very easily accessible for students by taking the Metro-North train from Grand Central Terminal.
I arrived at the village after about a 50-minute train ride from Grand Central. The Tarrytown Boat Club was conveniently located right next to the train station. At the marina, I saw various sailboats on the river. Then, I began walking along the Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park trail. This segment of the fifty-one-mile trail goes along the Hudson River. On a sunny day, you can even bike across the trail.
After walking for a while, I got to Horan’s Landing park. There were benches and a quaint gazebo where you could relax. Towards the end of the Tarrytown segment of the trail, I approached the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse. Free of charge, you can attend a 45-minute curated tour to learn more about its history. However, you would need to make a reservation for the tour in advance.
After viewing the lighthouse, I encountered the John D. Rockefeller Estate. Known as Kykuit, this 40-room historic site was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Now a property for the National Trust of Historic Preservation, the site offers seasonal tours of the estate and its grounds starting in May. Although I couldn’t walk around the grounds, I did view the beautiful estate’s exterior.
As I continued walking, I headed back towards the village center. Here, I explored countless stores on Main Street. I first visited one of my favorite coffee shops in Tarrytown, Coffee Lab Roasters. This cozy cafe had a vibrant atmosphere and welcoming workers, with a wide selection of coffee drinks and tasty pastries as well. One of my favorite aspects about the shop is that they do creative latte art on hot coffee drinks!
After relaxing, I went to a charming secondhand shop, Trilogy Consignment. The store sells exquisite vintage items in excellent condition. Some of the merchandise includes a wide array of accessories, including jewelry, purses and shoes. Although I didn’t purchase anything here, I always love to explore a new shop!
After a long day of walking, I got a delicious meal from Lefteris Gyro, an authentic Greek restaurant. This traditional spot had excellent service and a lively ambiance. After dinner, I walked on Broadway and stumbled upon an antique shop called Pretty Funny Vintage. This shop has a vast range of vintage and antique jewelry, furniture and clothes. It is the perfect place to purchase a unique gift!
After a fun day exploring Tarrytown, I returned to the train station and headed back to Fordham. Although I didn’t have time on this day trip, one of my favorite attractions near Tarrytown is the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Located in Mount Pleasant, the 45-mile scenic trail offers numerous hiking options of various lengths. This state park offers a variety of landscapes, like rivers, lakes and hills. Some activities to do here are hiking, biking and fishing. I could spend an entire day just exploring!
I discovered the village of Tarrytown when I was younger since I am from a nearby town. It is the perfect place to explore if you want to escape the city. The quaint stores, scenic trails and excellent restaurants offer an amazing experience for any student. If you are looking for an excursion without breaking the bank, this is the place for you! Exploring the village offers an entire day trip, where you only need to pay for a round-trip train ticket to get there and back.
It is important for students to explore outside of the city to get a break from busy city life. As we approach finals season next month, it is vital to connect with nature to promote mindfulness and reduce stress. Only an affordable train ride away, students can explore Hudson River towns like Peekskill, Cold Spring and Tarrytown.
