Tired of noisy, stop-and-go traffic, crowded streets, and diesel-choked air? A day away from the City can help clear your head and give you the space to breathe. In less than two hours you can be in New Paltz, NY, ensconced in the hills and gullies of the Hudson Valley.

A charismatic college town at the base of the Shawangunk Mountain ridge, New Paltz has been repeatedly featured in National Geographic magazine as an internationally-known rock climbing destination and it was named  “One of the 50 Best Places to Live and Play” in the September 2007 National Geographic Adventure Magazine. The locals are a grab bag of middle-class liberals, college kids, and turquoise-and-silver Yippies. The laid back “we-support-local-art-and-use-recyclable-canvas-bags” vibe has made it a popular locale for City folk looking to leave the rat race – even if it’s just for a weekend stopover.  And the vistas from pretty much anywhere in the “Gunks” are worth the gas money.

Like many small Upstate towns, Main Street is the main drag, cutting a two-lane path from the Thruway to thousands of state-protected acreage where you can hike, bike, swim, or just take in the scenery. You can spend the day at Minnewaska State Park, the Mohonk Mountain Preserve, or exploring neighboring towns like High Falls, Rosendale, and Stone Ridge.

If you don’t have a car, the bus from Port Authority drops you off in the middle of Main Street for less than $40 roundtrip. Even without wheels you can take a walking tour of 17th century-era stone houses, stroll along the Wallkill River on the Rail Trail, do some shopping at the Water Street Market, have dinner, and be back in the City for a nightcap.

What to Do

Huguenot Historical Society (stone house tour)
(845)255-1660 or (845)255-1889
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Minnewaska State Park (swimming, biking, hiking, picnicking)
5281 Route 44-55
Kerhonkson, NY 12446
(845) 256-0579
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Water Street Market (shopping, restaurants)
10 Main Street
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845) 255 1403
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The Mohonk Mountain Preserve (hiking)
½ mile west of the intersection of Route 44/55 and Route 299
Gardiner, NY
(845) 255-0919
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Where to Stay

Lefevre House Bed & Breakfast
14 Southside Avenue
New Paltz NY 12561
(845) 255-4747
Rates: $185 - $350
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Captain Schoonmaker's Bed & Breakfast
913 State Route 213
High Falls, NY 12440
(845) 687-7946
Rates: $130 - $195
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Super 8
7 Terwilliger Lane
New Paltz, NY 12561
(845) 255-8865
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