4 Easy Day Trips to Take This Spring

Looking for an excuse to don a frilly sundress and oversize hat? Head to Nassau Coliseum for the Longines Masters of New York, an international equestrian show-jumping competition (April 26 to 29; tickets start at $21). Georgina Bloomberg and Jessica Springsteen are among the competitors, so you could very well end up watching alongside a famous dad or two. On your way back, stop at Old Westbury Gardens, a gorgeous turn-of-the-century mansion set on 200 acres of formal gardens (which should be exploding into bloom any day now).

What, you didn’t know there was a magical, crumbling castle perched on an island in the Hudson? Hop on a boat from Beacon (or Newburgh), then take a guided walking tour of the structure, which was originally built as a military-surplus warehouse. Afterward, refuel with sandwiches and local brews from Stock Up.

Just east of Bannerman Castle you’ll find some of the Hudson Valley’s best hiking. We love Bull Hill, which climbs to some gorgeous views and winds past an abandoned quarry (and it tends to be less crowded than nearby Breakneck Ridge). Alternately, you could spend a full day wandering through the postcard-perfect town’s mix of antique shops and high-design home stores, with a break for lunch at Hudson Hil’s.

Celebrate the arrival of outdoor drinking season by sampling some of the local goods right at the source. Two of the closest to the city, Paumanok Vineyards and Clovis Point, will have you sipping and swirling in just over 90 minutes, or venture further east for rosé at Bedell Cellars. Looking to cover more ground? Hop on a bike for a guided tour of the area that includes tastings, a picnic lunch and many a selfie opportunity.