Walk the Walkway Over the Hudson, 212 feet above the river

What it is like

Why it is on the list: it is one of the few big days out from the city that needs no car and no ticket. Poughkeepsie is the last stop on Metro-North's Hudson Line from Grand Central, the ride hugs the river most of the way (sit on the left going north), and the Washington Street Stairs entrance is 0.7 miles from the station. If little legs object to the climb, the elevator at Upper Landing Park, 83 North Water Street, lifts you up to the deck from near the river; it runs from 9am until 90 minutes before closing, and there is a status hotline to check first.

Honest limits: it is a long, flat, exposed walk with nowhere to hide from wind or sun, and 2.5 miles there and back is a big ask for a five-year-old. Turn around at the middle, where the river view is best anyway, and nobody will think less of you. Indoor restrooms are open year-round in the Welcome Centers at both ends, and well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome, so expect company.

Best time to go

A dry weekday morning in October for the leaves; avoid windy or icy days.

Tips before you go

• Check the Upper Landing Park elevator on 845-834-3641 before you rely on it.
• Bring hats and gloves even in early fall; it is always colder and windier up there than in the town.
• Pack snacks: there is a lot of bridge and not much else between the two ends.
• Closing time shifts with the season, as early as 5pm in November and December.