Daytripping: Main Street America In Cold Spring, N.Y.

And then, the ultimate destination of my warm, sunny, relaxing utopian Saturday daytrip from New York to the Hudson Valley with Leonard: the village of Cold Spring, N.Y., population 1,983, only 50 or so miles from the city.



The central area of the town is Main Street, a straight hill that leads from the entry of Cold Spring to a beautiful Hudson riverfront view. In total, the core of the locale is all of 0.6 miles.



It was incorporated in 1846 to accommodate workers of nearby West Point, and thanks to its listing on the National Register of Historic Places, maintains the innate charm of full-blown 19th Century architecture along its central drag, known as the Cold Spring Historic District.Fascinating: Instead of simply crossing the train tracks at the bottom of Main Street, there is an underpass. I suppose the intent is to keep oncoming trains from having to slow their pace as they pass Cold Spring. On the other side: the Hudson, with the renowned bandstand, the Parrot Gun cannon and brick walks for viewing and taking in the natural beauty. Stand by!

Daytripping: Mansions Along the Hudson, Nyack, N.Y.

Now this is the life. A sprawling mansion along the Hudson River in the swanky enclave of Nyack, N.Y. Oh, why not? Apparently, there must be numerous reasons, because during my Hudson Valley daytrip with Leo Saturday, many of the grand homes along North Broadway had an unfortunate common bond: Along with extraordinary views and creative Victorian architecture, there were "For Sale" signs. Everywhere.

The manse above and below (by appointment only, please), Widewater On Hudson at 539 N. Broadway, is listed with Sotheby's for a cool $6 million. With 10,000 square feet, 12 bedrooms, 7 baths and 3.5 acres of land, a 6-car garage, 2-story riverfront boathouse/guesthouses, a 300' beach and 130' dock, what's not to love?

My life's mantra: 'The answer is yes until someone says no..." Thus, Leo literally drove his jalopy down North Broadway as I gamboled along the road, camera in hand, snooping onto the grounds of these luxury homes to snap away. I was halted twice, with the expected, "Can I help you?" (Read: "What the hell are you doing on my property?")



When I explained that I was an architecture fan visiting from the city, fortunately, no one called the cops and I continued on my way. Mind you, any interior shots here come from realtor sites: No, I did not climb through any windows. Note that each of these homes faces the Hudson, with open views to the water, if not direct access to the shore below.

Above and below, "Pretty Penny" at 235 N. Broadway was once the home of actress Helen Hayes... 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, 7,000 sf, built in 1858. It was listed in 2009 for $7.5 million, now $6 million. Zillow values it at $1.8 million. Time for a massive price reduction? Sorry, dearly departed Helen.Built in 1908, the surprisingly poorly equipped home (2 br, 2 bath) below at 531 N. Broadway is on the market for $545,000. Check out the hideous add-on dormors top center. Whoops! The Bennett Deyrup House, built in 1887, 309 N. Broadway. 8 bedrooms, 8 fireplaces, 2 baths. In 2005, this glorious historic home sold for $1.8 million—after one week on the market.

More, more, more!

Daytripping: Nyack, N.Y. It Doesn't Get Any More Quaint Than This

With a warm sunny Saturday in the forecast, Leo offered to retrieve his vintage Mercedes out of the garage and take a New York daytrip, heading north to Cold Spring, N.Y., a mere 63 miles from NYC. As with any such journey, getting there is as much a part of the adventure as the destination, and we were not disappointed.



Halfway there, we took a spontaneous right turn and ended up in beautiful Nyack, N.Y., a quaint, historic 1.6 square mile village in Rockland County on the western shore of the Hudson River. The town is so small that walking down the street, we met Mayor Richard Kavesh, a proud Democrat.



Nyack has two main drags: Broadway, marked by scores of restored Victorian homes (the village was incorporated in 1883) and Main Street, lined with local retailers, galleries, restaurants and government buildings. Let's take a walk, shall we?

Sustenance, please... We stopped by the Skylark Cafe, which has been on Main Street for 43 years.

 On to the historic buildings, yes?

And now my ever-loving favorite... beautiful, historic homes...

Above: This is the birthplace of artist Edward Hopper, whom The Smoking Nun recently featured!

 Coming next: The mansions in northern Nyack along the Hudson River.