Some peace is just a train ride away

Need to escape the madness of the city for some tranquility?

The Nature Conservancy has put together four trips on Metro North and three trips on the LIRR that grit-weary, car-free city folk can take to see fall foliage and wild animals and to breathe clean air. And the destinations are all within three hours of midtown.

If you don't have a bike to ride from the train to the destination ($5 gets you a lifetime rail pass for your cycle), you can carpool or arrange for local taxi service to and from the station.

For maps, more information and specific directions to these and other nature preserves, go to Nature.org and search "next stop nature." Here is a sampling: