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| THE TRAPEZE CLUB |
New Paltz is this oasis just outside the city...far enough to feel like an escape, close enough to be able to check Facebook without incident. You can come up for the day to hike or rock climb, you can rent a house or book a hotel for the weekend, even season rentals are easy to come by. There is no limit to the number of things you can do, see, and eat. Perhaps that is why more and more urbanites are making a more permanent pilgrimage to the area.
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| BRIDGE OVER THE WALKILL |
<GETTING THERE>
Take route 87N to exit 18, take a left onto 299 and you will be on Main Street in about a mile. Pine Hill Trailways Bus leaves from Port Authority and lets you out in the center of town.
MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE
<STAYING THERE>
As always, i recommend renting a house on craigslist or airbnb (http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/). For a good deal less effort, you could stay at the Motel Super 8. It's a minutes drive from the cafes and bars, but they have flat screen TV's, internet and modern bathrooms. On the other end of the frills-o-meter, The Mohonk Mountain House is reminiscent of the Shining (minus the scary). It's about ten mins from town, but boasts a golf course, a spa and is close to lots of hiking. The food there is amazing, sort of seasonal organic fare at a price.
<EATING THERE>
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| THE BISTRO |
Breakfast~
The Bistro is, for lack of a more perfect word, a New Paltz institution. They put sprouts and avocado in places you would never dream. Free fills on coffee.
The Bakery on Church Street has the best bagels, breads, desserts, and a fair amount of prepared foods. Dining inside and out, inside the upstairs is kid friendly.
The Village TeaRoom is this tiny, french provincial cafe where they bake their own scones and make their own jam. Voila!
Mudd Puddle Coffee Roasters in the Water Street Market is perfect for those who drink their breakfast. They also have yummy egg sandwiches and fresh baked cookies/biscotti. Dine in or out, it's super casual.
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| KARMA ROAD |
Lunch~
Karma Road is the juice bar in town. They also have fresh baked goods and make amazing soups and wraps. Its all organic and vegetarian. A few small tables inside, fewer outside.
Gourmet Pizza is your typical college town pizza joint. They have the best pizza in town, as well as subs and fountain soda.
Moon Light Cafe has delicious middle eastern food, at a fair price, in a nice setting. I love the falafel platter.
Mexacali Blue is a little hole in the wall with amazing fish and mango tacos. Standing room only.
My Market on 32N is sort of a healthier take on a traditional deli...Applegate Farms, Kiss My Face, local meats and veggies
Main Course is prepared food heaven, in an ultra modern setting. The food is flawless, the prices are a little high.
Bacchus is the town tavern, with something like 400 beers to chose from and a pool hall. Popular with the climbers, it stays busy afternoon to eve. Yummy burgers, salads and bar food, as well as some mentionable Tex-Mex. They have something for everyone.
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| ROCK AND RYE |
Dinner~
Rock and Rye Nestled in a beautiful old home, on a golf course, on the outskirts of the village. The traditional decor compliments the contemporary menu.
Anatolia has wonderfully fresh Turkish food, in a casual cafe on Main Street. Stuffed grape leaves, turkish salad, and kebobs. Save room for dessert!
The Gilded Otter Brewery is a monstrously big, two story brew pub, with outdoor seating. Nothing special, is how i would describe the food. But it's great for kids, large parties or watching the game. Live music on occasion.
Suruchi Indian Restaurant serves hand made, home made, Indian food, in a sweet little spot on Church Street. Ask for a side of their home made yogurt!
Hokkaido Japanese Restaurant is this quaint little sushi spot, with melt in your mouth sushi/sashimi and hot pot soups (udon/soba).
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| SNUGS TAVERN |
Nigh Cap~
Snugs Harbor is the diviest of the dives and my personal fave. Especially anytime the college is closed.
A Tavola has a small bar, that serves mostly as a waiting room for diners, but is worth the squeeze. They make amazing aperitifs/digestifs and take their wine seriously.
Oasis has live music and happy hour goes til 9pm. It's a slightly less collegey crowd, than the rest.
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| LAKE MINNEWASKA |
Minnewaska State Park ($8/day to park) It takes about an hour to walk around the lake. There is a swimming area and picnic tables throughout. Before you leave check out Awosting Falls, from the lower lot.
The Rail Trail runs through New Paltz- it's great for dogs, running, walking and biking. Use http://www.gorailtrail.org to plot your course.
Bike's are easy to come by - The Bicycle Depot rents bikes/helmets at $35/day or there is Bikes That Heal, a self serve free/loan station located behind the Water Street Market.
Rock climbing is popular, thanks to The Shawangunk Ridge (aka The Gunks). If you know what you're doing, head out to the hairpin turn on 44/55. If you need lessons, stop by Rock and Snow on Main St.
The Wallkill River runs through New Paltz and is perfect for kayaking. There's a boat launch just off Plains Road, use the parking lot next to the rail trail.
Antiquing abound - Water Street market has a bunch and I like Horsefeathers Antiques, on N. Chestnut.
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| HUEGONOT STREET |
Skydive The Ranch in nearby Gardiner will show you how to jump out of an airplane in an afternoon, no experience necessary ;)
Apple Hill Farm, Dressel Farm and Jenkins Farm all host PYO apples in fall.
Horseback riding- for lessons try Lucky C Stables or Payne Farm.
Yoga in abundance - Jai Ma offers Anusara classes, The Living Seed mostly Vinyasa and The Ashtanga Studio offers just that.
If you've got the stones, try taking lessons at the Trapeeze Club at the Center for Symbolic Studies.
Mohonk Golf Course is a stunning 18 hole course, next to the Mountain House. And New Paltz Golf Course on Huguenot Street is a public 9 hole course.
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| DORSKY MUSEUM |
The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz is petite, but definitely worth a saunter. Open wed-sun.
DM Weil Gallery is a large modern art gallery, a scenic drive away from town.
Local vineyards - Adair and Robibero offer tastings and hold events.
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| VIEW OF THE WALKWAY FROM POUGHKEEPSIE |
The Walkway over the Hudson is an old defunct railroad bridge that connects neighboring Highland to Poughkeepsie. It only takes about 15 minutes to cross it, and the views from out in the middle of the Hudson River are why you do it. If you want more of a challenge, try The Loop - the Walkway one way, then back via the Mid Hudson Bridge.
The Gunks Park at the base of the hairpin turn, on 44/55. Walk up the hill, past the scenic overlook, and you will see a trailhead to the left. This spot is perfect for cross country skis or snow shoes, because it is predominantly flat.
Bonticou Crag (part of Mohonk Preserve) offers 360 degree views of the area and takes about an hour plus to summit. We always bring the dogs, so we skip the rock scramble (evidently the best part). To get there, take Mountain Rest Rd out to Knolls Road, Spring Farm parking area on your right ($9/day). P.S.- you can also access Table Rock from there
The Nyquist Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary is a patch of swampy land with cool views, just off Historic Huguenot Street. No fee. Wear your wellies.
There are two public pools in New Paltz - Moriello Pool is on the north end of the village, and Ulster County Pool is 4 miles away, next to the Fairgrounds.
Other interesting things about New Paltz:
Unison Arts and Learning Center http://www.unisonarts.org/The Groovy Blueberry http://groovyblueberry.com/
Rhino Records http://rhinonewpaltz.com/
Pilates of New Paltz http://www.pilatesnewpaltz.com/
Annual events:
Beltane Festival - end of Apr.
Woodstock-New Paltz Arts and Crafts Fair - Mem day and Labor
Ulster County Fair - July 30- Aug 4
Rosendale Street Festival- Jul. 21-22
Ulster County Fair- 1st wknd in Aug
Taste of New Paltz- mid Sept.
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| BONTICOU CRAG |
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| THE GUNKS |
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| RAIL TRAIL |
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| AWOSTING FALLS |
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| NYQUIST-HARTCOURT |
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| DRESSEL FARMS |
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| WATER STREET MARKET |
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| VILLAGE TEAROOM |
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