Day trip: Hudson Valley art and scenery from Midtown
Yes — you can base a Hudson Valley art-and-scenery day trip at Arlo Midtown. Take the subway or walk to Grand Central Terminal (about a 15–20 minute walk from the hotel), then catch Metro‑North for destinations such as Dia Beacon or Sleepy Hollow; return to Arlo Midtown the same evening for dinner at Altair or drinks on the seasonal rooftop ART Midtown when it’s open.
In this guide
Start at Arlo Midtown
Arlo Midtown sits at 351 West 38th Street in Manhattan’s Garment District, within easy walking distance of Midtown transit hubs and Grand Central Terminal. Use the 24-hour front desk if you need help with directions, luggage storage, or transit questions.
If you want a room that opens onto outdoor space, Arlo Midtown’s room types include Room, Terrace, City View and Room, 1 King Bed, Terrace among others; the hotel also lists Room (Urban), Room (City) and several Suite options. The lobby and café make grabbing coffee and a pastry before departure straightforward.
- Address: 351 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018
- Front desk: 24-hour service; check-in starts at 3:00 PM
- Café at Altair open daily 6:30am–11:00pm for coffee and pastries
| On-site dining | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Altair | Breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, daily happy hour |
| Café at Altair | Pastries, coffee, grab-and-go (no reservations) |
| The Bar Room at Altair | Cocktails and small plates |
Getting to Grand Central and Metro‑North
Grand Central Terminal is about a 15–20 minute walk from Arlo Midtown; some guests prefer a short subway ride depending on luggage or time of day. Metro‑North trains run from Grand Central to many Hudson Valley towns and cultural destinations.
For a day focused on art, Dia Beacon and other Hudson Valley sites are commonly reached from Grand Central by Metro‑North; travel time to the Hudson Valley from Grand Central is frequently about an hour depending on the exact destination and train selected.
- Walk from Arlo Midtown to Grand Central (about 15–20 minutes) or take a short subway/ride if preferred
- Check Metro‑North schedules from Grand Central for trains to Hudson Valley stations (times vary by service)
- Bring a printed or mobile ticket and allow time for station navigation at Grand Central
| From | To (examples) |
|---|---|
| Grand Central | Dia Beacon (Hudson Valley destinations via Metro‑North) |
| Grand Central | Sleepy Hollow (Hudson Valley) |
| Grand Central | Other Hudson Valley towns and cultural sites |
Art first: Dia Beacon and museum choices
Dia Beacon is a common day-trip destination from Manhattan for large-scale modern and contemporary installations. Visitors typically take Metro‑North from Grand Central and plan to spend several hours inside the museum to see the permanent collections and special exhibitions.
If you prefer a different mix of galleries and historic sites, other Hudson Valley stops mentioned for day trips include Sleepy Hollow and nearby river towns with smaller museums and historic sites; check individual museum websites for hours, tickets, and any seasonal closures before you go.
- Plan at least 3–4 hours at a major museum like Dia Beacon
- Confirm museum hours and ticketing online before you travel
- Consider combination visits (gallery + riverside walk) depending on train schedules
| Museum/Stop | Why go |
|---|---|
| Dia Beacon | Large-scale modern and contemporary installations |
| Sleepy Hollow | Historic sites and riverside views |
| Other Hudson Valley galleries | Smaller exhibitions, local arts scenes |
Scenic riverside towns and walking routes
Hudson Valley towns around the river offer easy walking along waterfronts, small downtowns with galleries, and cafes. Which town you choose affects how much time you can spend there on a day trip from Manhattan, so check train frequency for your chosen station.
If you prefer a shorter, more relaxed outing, pick one town or museum and plan your return train in advance to avoid long waits at smaller stations.
- Choose one main destination to maximize time on the ground
- Look up return train times before leaving the city
- Pack comfortable shoes for cobblestone streets and riverside paths
| Tip | Reason |
|---|---|
| Pick one destination | More time to explore on-site |
| Check return trains | Avoid long waits at small stations |
| Bring layers | Hudson River breezes can be cool even on sunny days |
Back in Manhattan: dinner or a rooftop drink
Return to Arlo Midtown for dinner at Altair (serving modern-American dishes from breakfast through dinner) or The Bar Room at Altair for cocktails and small plates. Altair accepts reservations; the Bar Room has daytime lunch service and weekend brunch.
When ART Midtown (the rooftop bar) is open seasonally, it offers skyline views and late-afternoon drinks. Check the venue’s seasonal status before you plan rooftop time — ART Midtown does not operate year-round.
- Altair hours: breakfast 7am–11am, main dining 11am–10pm; brunch Sat & Sun 11am–3pm; happy hour daily 4pm–7pm
- The Bar Room at Altair: Mon–Fri 12pm–11pm, Sat & Sun 11am–12am
- ART Midtown rooftop is seasonal and may be closed outside spring–fall
| Venue | Typical hours (as listed by the hotel) |
|---|---|
| Altair | Breakfast 7am–11am; Main dining 11am–10pm |
| The Bar Room at Altair | Mon–Fri 12pm–11pm; Sat–Sun 11am–12am |
| Café at Altair | Daily 6:30am–11pm |
Practical tips and packing
Arlo Midtown charges a mandatory Urban Fee that covers in-room high-speed Wi‑Fi, two daily canned waters, daily Citi Bike passes, access to the fitness center and Alo Moves content, and 15% off food & beverage. The hotel does not include meals in room rates; plan accordingly.
The hotel offers 24/7 fitness access, luggage storage for early arrivals, and pet-friendly rooms for up to two dogs or cats per room (fees and conditions apply). Review payment and deposit policies at check-in — a security authorization is applied to the card on file.
- Urban Fee is mandatory (covers Wi‑Fi, canned water, Citi Bike passes, fitness access, and discounts)
- Bring a valid photo ID and the card you’ll use for payment at check-in; minimum check-in age is 21
- Pets: up to two dogs or cats per room, each under 75 lbs (fee applies and pets must be registered at the front desk)
| Service | Note |
|---|---|
| Luggage storage | Available for guests arriving before check-in |
| Fitness center | Open 24/7 with Peloton bikes and cardio equipment |
| Urban Fee | Mandatory per room, covers listed perks |
