Weather may be iffy, finances tight, and time at a premium, but since childhood summer has always meant vacation, be it a few hours at a pick-it-yourself truck farm or fruit grove, a day trip to hike the hills of the Catskills or Appalachian slopes, or Shabbos away from the usual, using Friday and Sunday to enjoy some antiquing and maybe take in a museum. You might even take a week to go fishing, hiking, biking, or boating.
Here is just a small sampling of the museums, concerts, hiking trials, beaches, activities, and historic sites in New York that won’t take you more than 75 miles away from Bergen County.
Rockland County:
MUSIC IN THE GARDEN: ANNUAL SUMMER JAZZ CONCERT SERIES
The Edward Hopper House: 82 N. Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
From July 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. to Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 9:00 p.m.
$5 donation suggested.
DEWINT HOUSE & MUSEUM
20 Livingston Ave.
Tappan, NY 10983
Phone: 845-359-1359
Website: www.dewinthouse.com, e-mail [email protected]
George Washington’s temporary Headquarters at Tappan on four separate occasions during the American Revolutionary War. Carriage House and the surrounding grounds are open to the public without fee, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily except Mondays, Dutch Garden.
HAVERSTRAW BRICK MUSEUM
12 Main St.
Haverstraw, NY 10927
Phone: 845-947-3505
Website: www.haverstrawbrickmuseum.com
Exhibits relate and recount the over 100-year history of brick making in Haverstraw, an area once known as “The Brick- Making Capital of the World.”
HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & STUDY CENTER
17 South Madison Ave.
Spring Valley, NY 10977
Phone: 845-356-2700
Website: www.holocauststudies.org, e-mail [email protected]
Permanent exhibit combines graphics, montages, artifacts, and audio-visual displays to detail every phase of the Holocaust. Changing art exhibits. Open to the public free of charge. Sun–Thurs 12–4 p.m. Closed major Jewish holidays. Handicapped accessible and by appointment.
ORANGETOWN MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
196 Blaisdell Road
Orangeburg, NY 10962
Phone: 845-398-1302
Website: www.orangetownmuseum.com, e-mail [email protected]
Located at the DePew House.
STONY POINT BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE
Park Rd. off 9W
Stony Point, NY 10980
Phone: 845-786-2521
Website: www.palisadesparksconservancy.org
Exhibits relating to the Battle of Stony Point in 1779. Scene of Brigadier General Anthony Wayne’s surprise capture of the British-held fort. Museum displays relics of the battle, which became an important American victory. Features picnicking, blacksmithing, musketing, artillery, campfires, demonstrations, tours, and a panoramic view of the Hudson River. Museum Hours: Wed–Sat, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sun, noon to 4:30 p.m. Grounds open Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun, noon to 5 p.m. Parking $5.00 on weekends.
BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
Palisades Parkway or Route 9W North
Bear Mountain, NY 10911
Phone: 845-786-2701
Fishing, picnicking, swimming, boating, ball fields, basketball courts, hiking paths, bike trails (starting at Dunderberg Mountain and traveling South), ice skating, sledding, cross-country ski trails, Trailside Museum/Zoo, Lodge/Inn. Open dawn to dusk. Don’t forget to take Perkins Memorial Highway to the top. The entrance is off the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
UP THE ROAD ABOUT 20 MILES IS THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT.
Visitors may take a nominally priced guided bus tour of the Academy grounds departing from the West Point Visitors Center. Entrance is allowed for business, for visiting staff, faculty, and cadets who live on West Point, and for public events such as concerts, sporting events, cadet reviews, and graduation. All visitors age 16 and older sign up to take a bus tour of West Point. YOU MUST provide valid photo identification such as; a current valid driver’s license or passport, or school ID (must be school-age). Each individual, age 16 and older, must present their own form of identification. No tour guide may bring in ID bundles for the group. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please allow additional time to enter the post if coming for well-attended events such as football games and concerts.
http://www.usma.edu/Visiting/SitePages/Home.aspx
BLAUVELT STATE PARK
Route 303 North to East, Greenbush Road
Blauvelt, NY 10913
Phone: 845-359-0544
Hiking, walking, spectacular views of the Hudson Valley, mostly undeveloped forested land. Open dawn to dusk.
HIGH TOR STATE PARK
South Mountain Road
New City, NY 10956
Phone: 845-634-8074
Hiking (the Long Path passes through the park before heading inland to the Catskills), picnicking, swimming, spectacular views of the Hudson River. Open dawn to dusk.
LAKE TIORATI BEACH—-HARRIMAN STATE PARK
Seven Lakes Drive
Bear Mountain, NY 10911
Phone: 845-351-2568
Excellent swimming, fishing, boating, and picnicking, surrounded by meadows and rolling wooded hills, campsites available, ice-skating and ice fishing in winter, if conditions allow. Open dawn to dusk.
PIERMONT PIER AND MARSH
Village of Piermont Clerk’s Office
Piermont, NY
Phone: (845) 359-1258
Located just north of Tallman Mountain State Park and south of the Tappan Zee Bridge
Access to the marsh is via a trail at the base of the mountains overlooking the marsh. One can park at Bridge St. and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the marsh edge for approximately 0.5 miles. Canoe/kayak to the marsh and Sparkill Creek is available through a private concession. There is also public access but parking is very limited.
DR. DAVIE’S FARM
306 Route 304
Congers, NY 10920
Phone: 845-268-7020
Website: www.drdaviesfarm.com, e-mail [email protected]
Dr. Davies Farm has two stands, one off Rt. 9W in Congers, and the other on Rt. 304. At the Rt. 304 stand they have apple picking. Apple picking is Sat 10–4, Sun 10–3:30. The stands have a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables including our own sweet corn, apples, and tomatoes. We also have our own fresh pressed cider. Rt. 9W stand 9:00–5:30 July thru November. Rt. 304 stand 9:00–5:30 July thru November.
ULSTER COUNTY
THE CATSKILL ANIMAL SANCTUARY
316 Old Stage Road, Saugerties, NY (845) 336-8447
www.casanctuary.org
Meet 300+ rescued farm animals on this 110-acre haven. Tours from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, April through October.
WALK OVER THE HUDSON RIVER
http://www.walkway.org/general-information
Walkway Over the Hudson, a 501(c)3 nonprofit group, initially conceived of the idea of turning an old abandoned railroad bridge into a pedestrian park, and with the help of both private and public funding and partnerships, this dream became a reality on October 3, 2009. Walkway Over the Hudson now works with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to make visiting Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park a truly memorable experience.
WOODSTOCK SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PRESENTS TWELFTH NIGHT
45 Comeau Drive, off Tinker Street, in Woodstock.
Woodstock Shakespeare Festival’s 19th summer season opens with one of the bard’s most hilarious comedies. Twelfth Night, performed by Bird-On-A-Cliff Theatre Company on Woodstock’s outdoor Elizabethan stage, Sundays from July 25 to August 31, 5 p.m. Show time is 5 p.m., admission is free (donations accepted) and all are welcome. Folding chairs or blankets are suggested.
APPLE HILL FARM
124 Route 32 South, New Paltz, 845-255- 1605
U-pick apples and pumpkins, August– October. Enjoy the restored 1859 barn. All varieties of fruits and vegetables. Fresh pressed cider and homemade pies. Weekend hayrides. Gifts. Open daily, August– October 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
FULL-SERVICE CAMPING RESORTS
Newburgh KOA Kampground, Freetown Highway, Plattekill, 12568
845 564-2836, 845 564-2852; info@newburghkoa.com; www.newburghkoa.com
April–October. 160 sites, tent, water/ electric, sewer, cabins, lodge. Camp store, laundry, showers, flush toilets, dumping station. Recreation building, pool, fishing, children’s play area, planned activities, themed weekends, NYC tours.
Phoenicia Black Bear Campground and RV Park, 17 Bridge Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464
845 688-7405; phoeniciacampground@ hvc.rr.com; www.phoeniciacampground. com
Year round. On the Esopus Creek. Restrooms and hot showers. Dumping station, electric and water hookups. Large firepits. Tables at each site. Seasonal monthly, weekly, and daily rates. Groups welcome. Pets allowed.
Skyway Camping Resort, 99 Mountain Dale Road (Route 52), Greenfield Park, NY 12435 800 447-5992, 845 647-5747;
[email protected]; www.skywaycamping.com
May–mid-October. 147 sites with electric and full hookups. Top-rated luxury camping. Beach, boat rentals, camp store, children’s play area, fireplaces, fishing, flush/ dry toilets, hiking trails, laundry room, pond, pool, recreation building, hot showers.
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Lazy River, 50 Bevier Road, Gardiner, NY 12525
845 255-5193; www.lazyriver.com
May–Columbus Day. 150 sites; 128 electric, 88 sewage hookups. Dumping station, hot showers, swimming pool, boat rentals, children’s play area, camp store, flush toilets and dry toilets, fireplaces, tables, fishing, recreation building, and laundry room.
Sullivan County
KITTATINNY RIVER TRIPS
3854 Rt. 97, Barryville, NY 12719
Tel: 845-557-8611 or 800-356-2852
Delaware Scenic & Recreational River. 7 locations, 2 riverfront campgrounds, paintball and 3,000 ft. dual racing zip lines. $-saving packages, free camping for scout and church youth groups. Family owned for 74 years.
Open daily Apr–Oct 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
LANDER’S RIVER TRIPS
5961 State Rte. 97 Narrowsburg, NY 12764 Tel: 845-252-3925 or 800-252-3925
Enjoy rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and tubing from 8 locations on the scenic Upper Delaware River. Then camp at any one of three riverfront campgrounds.
Open daily May–Oct, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
JERRY’S THREE RIVER CANOE CORP
2333 Rte. 97 Pond Eddy, NY 12770, Tel: 845-557-6078
Take a canoeing or rafting trip on the scenic Upper Delaware River. Trip durations range from 3-hour to 2-day excursions. Also available are tent and RV camping.
Open daily Apr–Oct
UPPER DELAWARE SCENIC BYWAY
NYS Route 97 Narrowsburg, NY 12764, Tel: 845-252-3022 or 866-511-8372
Take a leisurely drive on the charming, historic, and natural NYS Route 97. Brochure available. Available YR.
ROLLING STONE RANCH
282 West Shore Rd., Bethel, NY 12720, Tel: 845-583-110
A beautiful equestrian center offering English & Western personalized riding lessons for all levels; trail rides, horse boarding, training, pony rides, friendly farm animals. The facilities include indoor and outdoor arenas. The indoor arena is lighted & heated for winter. Onsite trails for our students; one mile from Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
Open daily YR by appointment
BRIDLE HILL FARM, LLC
190 Hemmer Rd. Jeffersonville, NY 12748 Tel: 845-482-3990
Horseback riding for children & adults, scenic trail rides, summer day camp, after-school horsemanship, educational programs, English & Western instruction. Summer day camp a popular activity for children, drop in any weekday morning, includes a riding lesson, learning, fun with kids; indoor arena so come rain or shine.
Open daily YR sunrise to sunset by appointment.
By Anne Phyllis Pinzow
