Hudson Valley Escapes: West Point

August 5, 2008 at 10:32 AM | by BS | 1 Comment

For a place that's mostly known for turning men--and a few women--into soldiers, the home of the United States Military Academy sure is a pretty little locale. West Point just happens to be set on a scenic hilltop along the banks of the Hudson, in one of New York State's most attractive locations.

Fall is the best time to take a tour of the military academy, especially if you can snag hard-to-get tickets to a home football game. Read on for our fave spots in and around West Point.

Where to Sleep: Set on the grounds of West Point, the Thayer Hotel is more than a drop-off spot for military families. The historic, Old World-style hotel boasts rooms with some of the best views in the area. It offers weekend getaway packages and the hotel's restaurant features a local legend: the Friday night seafood and chocolate buffet. (That's seafood followed by chocolate, not seafood served in chocolate.)

Where to Eat: Directly outside the gates of West Point is the tiny village of Highland Falls, a sleepy little town featuring one main road lined with delightfully quaint bars and restaurants. The Park Restaurant is the kind of old time-y, locals-only bar and grill that you think you should be able to find in Manhattan but always ends up being filled with 22-year-old hipsters. Here, it's the real deal.

Where to Drink: If you're thirsty, just follow the steady stream of cadets headed towards the bars lining Highland Falls' Main Street. Benny Havens, South Gate Tavern and Fireside Restaurant all have pretty much the same hit-or-miss vibe. On an Army night-off, each can be the rowdiest scene this side of Coyote Ugly, but on the next they can all be quiet as a mouse.

Getting There: The MTA's Metro-North offers a 70-minute trip from Manhattan to Peekskill, which is a twelve-mile taxi ride to the West Point Campus.

Related Stories:
· United States Military Academy at West Point [Official Site]
· Thayer Hotel [Official Site]
· The Park Restaurant [Official Site]
· Hudson Valley Escapes coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: markjhandel]

Hudson Valley Escapes

Art aficionados will be well served with both the Dia:Beacon, the largest modern art museum in the United States, and Storm King Art Center, an outside sculpture museum. In addition, the area boasts the country's oldest vineyard, Belmar in Marlboro, and oldest winery, the Brotherhood in Washingtonville.

All of these are easily accessible from West Point. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg for what the Hudson Valley has to offer.

Myriam Bouchard
Hudson Valley Traveler

August 21, 2008 at 9:11 PM

1 Comment

Return to » Hudson Valley Escapes: West Point

myrbou
Jaunted Member

Hudson Valley Escapes
You have great suggestions about West Point. However, you failed to mention a few other interesting points.
Art aficionados will be well served with both the Dia:Beacon, the largest modern art museum in the United States, and Storm King Art Center, an outside sculpture museum. In addition, the area boasts the country's oldest vineyard, Belmar in Marlboro, and oldest winery, the Brotherhood in Washingtonville.
All of these are easily accessible from West Point. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg for what the Hudson Valley has to offer.
Myriam Bouchard
Hudson Valley Traveler

August 21, 2008 at 9:11 PM

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