Field Trip: Cold Spring, NY

There’s me, boarding the MetroNorth train. Like my sensible shoes?

Ok, that’s what I wish I looked like boarding the train. In reality, I was a wilted, tired chic desperately trying to escape the sizzling streets of Manhattan. My destination: appropriately-named Cold Spring, NY. What better way to recharge your batteries than a field trip to a charming little village brimming with antique stores?

Just a quick (and scenic!) train from Grand Central Station will land you here, on Main Street. On this warm summer day, the air smelled like a mix of sweet hydrangeas and freshly cut grass…an instant soul-soother.

Quaint on the outside, organic on the inside: Cold Spring Apothecary offers all-natural products for everything from skincare to bug repellant.

In one of the many antique stores, I found this old trunk full of buttons. Reminds me of a candy store!

This set of red Mark Twain books were simply divine. Aged and gold-trimmed, they’d look perfect in my little apartment. Hm. I might have to scoop them up on my next visit!

A little touch of Art Nouveau and highly elegant blue porcelain.

I’d been told that Brasserie le Bouchon was not to be missed, so I popped over for lunch…

…and I was so glad I did! At this charming little bistro, you can nibble French cuisine while lounging on the front porch! As most porches tend to be, it was the town’s sweet spot for socializing. We all sat around sipping cold Chardonnay and chatting like old friends, pausing occasionally to share a laugh with people passing by on the sidewalk below.

I tried the special: an Arugula salad with chilled watermelon and (since the chef ran out of feta…darn!) fresh Parmesan. At the table next to me, the escargot smelled so good I almost grabbed a fork to help them finish it off!

After lunch, I explored a bit more and stumbled onto a church with unique black doors and green trim. The color combination and gold details are so bold and elegant.

Just a touch of gothic. Love!

This little church is 106 years old! Looking good for its age, I must say.

Over at “Once Upon a Time” Antiques, I met Barb and Bob, the store’s owners for the past 27 years. They pointed to this painting, hung proudly near the front door, and explained that they were painted for the Bravo show “America’s Next Great Artist”. Cheers to them, the local celebrities!

I have such a thing for antique books!

The gods watched over my antique shopping

Silver is so luxurious, especially when it has a story and a past.

Inside Archipelago At Home, I found so many unique treasures I practically needed a truck to get it all home. Tim, the owner, is a fellow designer and a joy to chat with while browsing his shop of curiosities.

Silver owl with a rocking horse head? Exactly what every home needs!

I wish I had a place for this leather trunk with a Union Jack lid…someone will snap it up in a heartbeat.

Distracted by shiny objects

Waiting for the train and savoring pistachio ice cream. Goodbye, Cold Spring! See you again in the Fall.

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Getting There

Buy your tickets at Grand Central Station (kiosk or ticket counter) and take the Hudson Line to Cold Spring. My off-peak ticket was $24.50 round trip.

Planning your trip

Check out the official Cold Spring website to plan your adventure.

Bonus
From Cold Spring, take a taxi (or a walk) up to Boscobel , a mansion built in 1804 that now houses an impressive collection of Federal Period-style decor.