Hudson Valley Day Trip from NYC — World Cup 2026 Visitor Guide
No region within two hours of New York City offers as much variety as the Hudson Valley. The stretch running north along the river from Westchester to the Catskill foothills combines world-class contemporary art, dramatic outdoor scenery, historic architecture, and a genuine farm-to-table food culture that predates the trend by decades.
Storm King Art Center
Storm King sprawls across 500 acres of rolling hills just 60 miles north of the city, dotted with monumental sculptures by Richard Serra, Alexander Calder, Mark di Suvero, and dozens of others. Works are placed outdoors in deliberate relationship to the landscape. Plan three to four hours minimum. Buy tickets in advance at stormking.org — timed entry required. Open April through November.
Dia Beacon
Dia Beacon occupies a former Nabisco box-printing factory on the Hudson River waterfront in Beacon. The building's north-facing sawtooth skylights flood the space with natural light — ideal for the massive, contemplative works by Walter De Maria, Donald Judd, Richard Serra, and On Kawara. The town of Beacon itself is worth a stop: Main Street runs from the train station to the art center and is packed with independent restaurants, cafes, and galleries.
Cold Spring
Fourteen miles south of Beacon, Cold Spring sits in a narrow bend of the river beneath the Hudson Highlands. The village is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with antique shops and restaurants along Main Street leading to a small riverfront park with one of the best unobstructed views of the Hudson in the region. Breakneck Ridge — a 15-minute drive or a direct Metro-North stop — is one of the busiest hikes in the Northeast.
Getting There
By car: Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to I-87, then Route 9W or Route 9 depending on your destination. By train: Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central stops in Cold Spring and Beacon in about 90 minutes. From Beacon station, Dia is a short walk. Storm King requires a car or rideshare.
🚗 Need a rental car for this trip?
Cars book fast in World Cup summer — compare rates and reserve early.
Where to Stay
| Hotel | Tier | Why Book It |
|---|---|---|
| Mirbeau Inn & Spa | Luxury | Full-service spa, French-country elegance, close to Storm King and Dia Beacon |
| The Abbey Inn & Spa | Luxury | Converted Gothic church in Peekskill, stunning Hudson River views, destination dining |
| Hotel Kinsley Kingston | Boutique | Stylish downtown Kingston, walkable neighborhood, excellent restaurant |
| Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection | Luxury | Farm-to-table resort near New Paltz, spa, panoramic Shawangunk views |
| Hutton Brickyards | Boutique | Converted Hudson River brickyard, riverside cabins, outdoor fire pits |
| HYATT house Fishkill/Poughkeepsie | Mid-Range | Reliable chain with kitchens and pool, close to Beacon and Storm King |
Search all hotels in Hudson Valley, New York on Expedia →
🏨 Search Hotels
Hotels in New York City
Book your NYC hotel for the World Cup. Compare prices and locations.
Get World Cup Tickets
Find tickets for World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.