Garrison is a semi-sleepy hamlet of Philipstown, but it’s not boring, especially when it comes to its natural surroundings. The mouth of the densely wooded footpath to the Arden Point and Glenclyffe hike, part of the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, could not be easier to track down. Take Metro-North’s Hudson Line from Grand Central to Garrison, an 80-minute ride skirting the shimmering river. For the best view, sit on the left side going north. Maneuver through the station’s parking lot to Lower Station Road, and the marked trailhead is hard to miss. Dazzling panoramas of the Hudson River will unfold along the way, with a soundtrack of song birds and the honk of passing trains. The undemanding, double-looped route is under four miles, snaking past a waterfall, downed trees, intriguing ruins and old stone walls. It also has historic significance: the traitor Benedict Arnold escaped this way as he defected to the British after his plot to surrender West Point was discovered.

The fortresslike military academy at West Point is in view from Dolly’s (7 Garrison’s Landing), named for 1969’s “Hello, Dolly!” movie starring Barbra Streisand that was partly filmed in Garrison. The pale yellow, all-day cafe debuted last year, serving fresh pastries and morning coffee, salads and a sublime, grilled cheddar-and-ham sandwich at lunch (there’s dinner too, if you stay in town longer). Local beers and drinks can be enjoyed at the bar or at an outdoor table. Instagram target: A cone of soft serve Ronnybrook ice cream coated in sprinkles. The surroundings are so bucolic and seductive, an interest in Hudson River ephemera might develop. Luckily, Antipodean (29-31 Garrison’s Landing) is right there, selling a trove of vintage prints, relevant books and old maps.

Round-trip, off-peak fare: $30.

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world, and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week you’ll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.