With the area and location, the Bear Mountain Bridge is one of my favorite bridges to cross over,…read moreas it's easy and straightforward. It's a two-lane bridge and traffic for the most part isn't that bad, although, rush hour can definitely take a toll when it occurs. For the most part, I've never had any issues coming across in either direction, with no incidents occurring, and I also noticed people driving smoothly on it. The view on the bridge is beautiful to look at, with a wonderful view of the Bear Mountain State Park looking west and east, Anthony's Nose viewpoint, and of course the Hudson River. Take a moment to enjoy what's surrounding all around, as this area is covered by mountain ranges and picture opportunities. Also, there is a sidewalk on each side of the bridge. Enjoy it and be safe.

Beautiful views..great scenery..cool bridge... Well worth a…read moretrip over to see it..and the entire area

Avoid at all costs while they are doing construction. It's impossible to actually get to a trail…read morehead. And there is no one in any of the offices to actually offer help. They should have warned us many trails closed or detours when we paid the parking fee. While not much I would have skipped the $10 feet since we actually didn't do anything during our trip as all the trail heads were too far

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ LOTS of trails of all levels if you're into hiking. + The Hessian Lake Loop is a super easy walking path for those with families, has a great view of the lake and mountain and has many picnic tables surrounding it. + The Trailside Museums & Zoo is located not too far from the Hessian Lake Loop and is totally, 100% free! And you WILL actually see animals, including a black bear, porcupine and bobcat! + There are vending machines randomly located throughout the park. Yes, they are pricey, but, if you're desperate you'll fork up the $$$ for a beverage or snack. + There are public restrooms every once in awhile by Hessian Lake. + There are multiple parking lots at the park that charge $10. + There is a massive field, perfect for a game of frisbee or any sport requiring a lot of space, between the Carousel and the Bear Mountain Inn. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - Nothing! This park has a little bit of everything for everyone.

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.

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.

I went back to Perkins Tower for the first time in many years. I used to love hiking up from the…read morebase of the mountain when I was much younger. I recall the many nights I spent camping in those mountains as a young man and truly enjoying my time there. Returning brought back many memories of friends and experiences I had there in the 70's and 80's. Reminiscing can be very satisfying and I'm very grateful for the good times.

PROS: This was one of my favorite hikes in this area. Nice uphill hike with stone stairs to get to…read morethis monument, loads of parking above and below this mountain, vending machines and bathrooms are available, parking spaces. If you can't hike the trail than you can drive to the top. As you walk up the historic tower they have images on the wall of the place back in the 1930s CONS: Parking at the bottom of the mountain costs $10. OVERALL: I will definitely come back to this hike and walk up this trail again. However, there is no shame to drive up to the tower if you physically cannot hike

The day was not conducive for hiking up a mountain, too cold and wet, but it was perfect for moody…read morelake photos. First time at Hessian Lake and it was a stunner. Misty mountains across the water, fall colors starting to appear, glistening rocks peeking up through the ground. It was enchanting. The trails up to the tower were closed but the zoo was open and so was the carousel and Hiker's Cafe at the Inn. There's normally a market here on Saturdays but it wasn't happening on this rainy day. The history and significance of this part of the Appalachian Trail is interesting. Would've preferred a sunnier experience, but made the best of it, and the pics were worth it.

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.

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.

Wow what a beautiful place to take the family. This zoo is very well hidden and was near empty when…read morewe visited. You would never know it's there unless you purposely look for it. Free entry but pay to park certain times of the year.

Pros: 1) Great add-on activity pre/post-hike…read more 2) Lots of cute animals that are pretty close-up. 3) Low cost for admission (it's donation based) 4) You can see the staff feeding the animals, if you time it right. Cons: 1) Quite a few of the animal enclosures were closed. 2) The amenities in the zoo and museum look so dated. (Some don't even work) My wife and I gave our donation upon arrival. However, I noticed many, many, many people walk right past the donation box without even care in the world. I get it, money is tight nowadays. However, if we want these sites to look nice we really should pitch in. Just leave a dollar per person, and it will add up. I really enjoyed my time there, and the workers were really friendly. Pro tip: 1) Don't take your pets into the zoo. We saw a lot of these people. 2) Don't blast music on your bluetooth speaker while walking in the park. That's why we invented headphones, papi.