Cover of “New York By Rail” magazine featuring a train crossing a bridge over a river with trees in the background. Text reads “Available Now” with an arrow pointing to the magazine’s Header, styled using Elementor.
Text logo reads new york by rail in large dark blue letters with a shadow effect, styled as an Elementor Header, and GET ON BOARD in smaller red letters to the lower right. White background.
Sign up for Newsletter
Main Menu
Flyout Menu
November 20, 2025
Albany-Rensselaer   Hudson Valley   New York City
Exploring New York State by Amtrak: Albany to NYC on a Mother-Daughter Adventure: Part 2
From historic museums and charming downtowns to scenic bridges and iconic city streets, follow along as we journey through Albany, Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Beacon, and New York City—all by Amtrak.
Two women smiling and sitting next to each other on a train, one holding a colorful booklet, both in collared shirts. They're ready to explore Upstate New York, surrounded by grey train seats and the sleek train interior ceiling.

My mom and I recently took a trip to see some of New York State by Amtrak, and last week I shared the first half of our journey. Now, I’d like to tell you about what we saw in Albany, Hudson, Poughkeepsie, Beacon and New York City!

Albany

Exploring Albany’s Cultural Gems

After visiting the Empire State Plaza and all the fascinating buildings there—as described last week—we stopped into the Albany Institute of History and Art, which boasted a variety of impressive collections. We were surprised to see a mummy and many other ancient artifacts.  Even more jaw-dropping was the collection of idealized landscapes from the Hudson River School painters.

A Walk Through Parks, Nightlife & Local Flavor

We found our way to Washington Park to admire the gardens and then wandered around Lark Street, looking for a bite to eat. Albany looks beautiful at night. In the morning, we grabbed coffee from Stacks Espresso Bar per New York By Rail’s recommendation and then made our way to the train station to continue our journey!

A museum exhibit features an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus in a glass case, with other artifacts displayed nearby. The room has a blue ceiling decorated with white stars and is connected to a gallery with framed paintings.

Albany Institute of History and Art

A latte with leaf art, a halved everything bagel with cream cheese and orange slices, and a New York travel guide are arranged on a wooden table.

Stacks Espresso Bar

A large stone church with a tall tower is illuminated at night. Stained glass windows glow with colorful scenes, and trees frame the view. The sky is dark and foggy, with streetlights visible in the background.

Hudson

Stepping Back in Time in Hudson, NY

Before we knew it, we were in Hudson. Visiting there is like stepping back in time, and I was eager to show it off to my mom. This small city has enjoyed a renaissance in recent decades, and it’s one of the cleanest and most beautiful downtowns I’ve ever seen. The preserved, historic buildings make this an unforgettable stroll.

Unforgettable Eats and Downtown Charm

We made a point to visit Kitty’s for incredible hash browns and Mel the Bakery for pastries and coffee, as New York By Rail magazine had suggested. Both were incredible spots that I still think about to this day! There’s truly nowhere in America I’d rather window-shop than Hudson, New York, and you don’t need a car to do so, especially if you’re getting there by Amtrak.

A sidewalk lined with potted plants runs past old storefronts, including a blue building with peeling paint and ornate white trim, under a partly cloudy sky. Trees line the street and parked cars are visible in the distance.

Warren St. in Hudson

A bakery counter displays colorful donuts with sprinkles and pastries. Behind the counter, two staff members assist customers, with shelves and a menu in the background. The focus is on the vibrant baked goods.

Kitty's in Hudson

A blueberry danish with white icing sits on brown parchment paper above an open magazine featuring an article about baked goods and a photo of cupcakes. Bright natural light casts shadows on the scene.

Mel the Bakery

A red brick house partly covered in ivy sits behind a black metal fence. An American flag is displayed on a lamppost in front, and trees with green leaves partially obscure the house under a clear, sunny sky.

Brick Building in Hudson

Poughkeepsie

Discovering the World’s Largest Pedestrian Bridge in Poughkeepsie

One of the best-kept secrets of the Hudson Valley is that the world’s largest elevated, pedestrian bridge is in Poughkeepsie. I knew I had to take my mom there. It’s walkable from the train station, and it’s such a safe and wide path.

Sweet Treats in Poughkeepsie’s Little Italy

After crossing over the Hudson, we walked back to Little Italy and grabbed some Italian ice and delicious treats at La Deliziosa, a legendary Italian Pastry Shop. That’s something we wouldn’t have been able to find in our home cities, and it was such a delight! Then we made our way to the Poughkeepsie train station for the final leg of our journey.

The entrance of a historic brick building with arched windows and a sign above reading New York Central Railroad, photographed at dusk with the sky fading to blue.

Poughkeepsie Train Station

A narrow river flows between a tall, old brick building on the left and a stone wall on the right, surrounded by dense green trees under a clear sky.

Stream in the City of Poughkeepsie

A wide pedestrian bridge extends into the distance under a partly cloudy sky. The sun shines through the clouds, casting bright light. A few people stand and walk along the bridge, surrounded by trees on both sides.

Walkway over the Hudson

Beacon

A Quick Metro-North Escape to Beacon

Next, we made a quick trip to the city of Beacon via Metro North. NYBR had pointed out Bannerman Castle as an attraction that’s accessible from there.

Exploring Beacon’s Surprising Downtown

While we weren’t able to go that day, my mom and I loved walking through the downtown, eating some good food and enjoying a beautiful city I was surprised I hadn’t heard more about.

A Metro-North Railroad train waits at a sunlit outdoor station platform, with part of a green and white station building visible in the background.

Train to Beacon via Metro North

Ruins of an old castle-like building covered in greenery sit by the water’s edge, surrounded by trees, under a sky filled with fluffy clouds and soft sunlight.

Bannerman Castle

A street view of historic brick buildings with storefronts and outdoor seating. “Beacon Bread Company” sign hangs above a bakery with large windows, red awnings, and flower boxes. Trees and lampposts line the sidewalk.

Beacon Bread Company

A city sidewalk lined with brick buildings and parked cars at dusk. Trees and street lamps border the walkway, and the sky is light with soft clouds. The scene is calm with no visible pedestrians.

Downtown Beacon

New York City

Ending Our Trip in Iconic New York City

While NYC is not a hidden gem like some of the other cities we visited, it’s famous for good reason, and I was eager to explore it with my mom. We stayed in a hostel in midtown and explored the West Village, Chinatown, the Tenement Museum, and then we split up to wander our own favorites.

A Perfect Finish to a Mother-Daughter Train Journey

We made sure to get bagels and enjoyed every minute. I can’t think of anywhere better to visit with your mom or a friend than New York State, and I can’t think of any better way to do it than by train. We had a blast!

P.S. Don’t forget to use the See New York and Save 15% discount.

Radio City Music Hall at night, illuminated with bright neon signs in blue, pink, and yellow. Foggy city lights and tall skyscrapers are visible in the background.

Radio City Music Hall

A city street scene featuring a tall building decorated to look like a giant Louis Vuitton trunk, surrounded by skyscrapers, pedestrians, vehicles, and a yellow city bus under a cloudy sky.

Midtown NYC

Tall, illuminated skyscrapers and a domed building are lit up against a dark, cloudy night sky in a cityscape, with trees visible at the bottom of the image.

Midtown NYC at Night

Don’t forget to use the See New York and Save 15% discount.