On June 14, the U.S. Army will turn 250 years old. Its birth during the beginning of the…read moreRevolutionary War is one stop along the road to America's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Since then, it has played a vital role in every major conflict to modern-day operations worldwide. To commemorate this historic milestone, my partner and I decided on a bus tour to the US Military Academy at West Point, which is the oldest war fort and military base in the US, sitting on the west bank of the Hudson River, 40 miles north of NYC. Reservations as well as security clearance were easily made via the website on the same day, with the extended tour lasting 2 hours to include the cemetery and chapel. West Point Tours provides a great experience to see and understand the US Military Academy's place in history and the future. Although established in 1802, the Academy was vital in the American Revolutionary War. Washington considered the location critical and had additional fortifications designed. Everywhere the bus traveled, we saw signs that read "Beat Navy!" This, of course, refers to the great rivalry the two military academies have enjoyed for decades. By far, the most magnificent and historic building is Cadet Chapel, which has dominated the landscape for more than 100 years. Reflecting the Gothic architecture of the late 14th century in England, it is constructed from granite quarried at West Point. Our tour guide, Chandrinka, was highly knowledgeable and took the time to really bring the history with her 17 years of experience. For visitors like us seeking a blend of scenic beauty, historical significance, and cultural enrichment, we can highly recommend as it was a truly educational and enlightening experience.

Frederic Malek visitor center- Where you get bus tours or asks information, they accept cash only!…read moreThey instruct you where the atm is. Clean restroom, spacious lobby, beautiful vista on hudson lake. See images for reference.

Such a beautiful historic site. The Wrights were innovators who designed dishes, furniture,…read morehousewares. This house reflected their sense of minimalism and peace.

I was there a few months ago and had a wonderful time with a very enthusiastic and well informed…read moreguide named Maddie who took our group on a 90 minute tour of the house and grounds. It was a very interesting and fun tour. There are also 3 trails available that you can walk after the tour if you choose to do so ranging in difficulty. I deducted a star because this particular tour is not accessible for everyone especially the elderly or anyone who may have issues with their balance and/or mobility. I think they should reconsider because the terrain could be incredibly challenging. Even though it is briefly mentioned on their website I still believe this point should be more clearly emphasized or explained.

This museum is located in the Bear Mountain. It's free to check out. There is also a hiking trail…read moreinside. Very nice place to take a walk on a nice day.

this is a quaint museum that's located in bear mountain. The size is appropriate for the location…read moreand it's free. Staff is very nice and the place sells souvenirs, refreshments, has a movie, and bathrooms. A lot of the stuff on display is also cool (bones from animals, weapons, everyday soldier items)

We had guest visiting and we always pass by this place so we thought, why not give it a shot!? It…read morewas a cold rainy day so we ran in not knowing what to expect. I think this is an awesome distillery and I can see it being even more fun in warmer weather! This place is know for whiskey and rye. It's cool because they do sampler in a little vile glass which I think is creative. Their cocktails were also super delicious! The service was great! It's seems that they definitely have regular customers that come in. It's not too big of a spot but there was a lot of seating both tables and around the bar.

A nice whiskey distillery with a bar/tasting room and nice outdoor seating by the stream. I love…read morethe beautiful ambiance of the outdoor seating area - its flanked by trees and you can listen to the gurgling sounds of the stream while enjoying your drinks. This distillery is also has grounds you can walk around and explore (not too big though). We took a peek at their aging/storage room with wooden casks while there, as well as their distillery. We were treated to a free, small sample of their whiskey at their bar. Its a nice stop when in upstate NY area.

A Hudson Valley wine tour to celebrate a friend's landmark birthday was perfect! Hudson Valley…read moreBucket list did an outstanding job coordinating the day from transport and an itinerary of beautiful wineries to a magazine photo worthy picnic lunch orchestrated by an on-site host. Our group of 12 were treated like special guests everywhere we went and we were wowed by the friendly, welcoming reception at each stop and the delicious wines we were able to taste. HVBL made planning this event easy and the day memorable

Becky was the best and the day couldn't have been planned any better! Best time ever !read more

We have driven this winding road through the mountains several times and have been unable to get a…read morecloser look at what appears to be an interesting landmark. The quest continues.

This is a great museum dedicated to history of West Point and wars from 1812 and beyond. If a…read moregeneral fought in a war and was a graduate of West Point, you will get a nice history of it here. There have multiple floors within the museum, if you have stroller or need assistance with steps, there are elevators. The bathrooms are located on the basement level. Basement level also contained small arms (guns, knives) exhibits. This floor is musty and my allergies were impacted. Subbasement is large arms (jeep, canons). Alot of really cool artifacts collected over the years and different wars is worth the see. The Visitor Center is next door. I recommend to come to the West Point Museum first because this will take 2+ plus hours to complete. Then go to the Visitor Center to watch a short video and then do the life of a cadet of West Point and see photos of famous graduates of West Point to our time. Price: free Bathroom: needs renovation, but large enough to move around if you have a stroller or wheelchair.

Excellent military history museum!…read more The West Point Museum provides a very thorough history of West Point Military Academy from the American Revolution to the present. Also presents the history of war, the history of small arms, the history of large arms, some fascinating military items seized during war, etc. Example of fascinating items taken in combat or surrendered- Hitler's tiny gold piston, Goering's baton, a dagger from Okinawa.... Fascinating history seen through the eyes of a unique military institution. Cost: Free Time budget: 2.5 hours Bathroom cleanliness: Average (it's a government facility)

Where you get bus tours or asks information, they accept cash only! They instruct you where the atm…read moreis. Clean restroom, spacious lobby, beautiful vista on hudson lake. See images for reference.

From the owner: The Frederic V. Malek West Point Visitors Center provides an excellent starting point for all…read morevisitors to the U.S. Military Academy. It is home to West Point Tours , the Visitors Control Center, Army West Point Gift Shop, and next door to the West Point Museum . This is where visitors requiring access to West Point and not taking a guided tour can go to get their Local Access Cards.

TEP deserves more than 5 stars for the amazing start to finish service we experienced on our 7 day…read moreadventure to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From the time we signed up, to the time we boarded the plane to return home, TEP took care of every detail. We commented amongst ourselves that we felt like kids on vacation with our parents, as we didn't have to worry about any of the details - just show up and follow Neptali (our guide). From airport pickup in Cusco in luxury Mercedes vans where we were promptly served Coca tea to help with the altitude acclimation, to group dinners at amazing Peruvian restaurants, to historical tours and education on the history of the Inca - everything was covered and taken care of for us. And that was all before the amazing trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Of course the trek itself was the highlight of the trip, and although it was extremely challenging for us, TEP's unbelievable attention to detail did not fail us on the trail. With nearly a 2:1 porter to trekker ration, our every need was met on the trail. We dined like kings every meal, and were consistently amazed with the quality (and nutritional appropriateness) of the food our chef and sous chef were able to put out with minimal kitchen conveniences. The thing I felt was most special about TEP's approach to this trip was the focus on gaining a cultural and historical appreciation for what we were experiencing. Every step along the way, we learned about the native people of Peru, the Inca civilization, the many ruins we came across, the vegetation we saw and how it was and is used, and the history of modern Peru. It was the trip of a lifetime, and have the help of The Explorer's Passage made it so much more enjoyable, and so much more memorable. The value of what they provide is amazing for the cost....rather, for the investment. I highly recommend them!

What a fabulous tour! I did the "Washington in NYC" tour in June 2017 and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience! So much fascinating historical information that I can't wait to share with all my friends now; such a great group of fellow explorers; and all so perfectly run - well planned, perfectly on time, with a great variety of sights and insights for all types of travelers. I recommend this tour highly - and will be on the lookout for future adventures from The Explorer's Passage! :)