In a previous blog I shared some worthwhile day trip destinations for those of you visiting (or living) in New York City. Most of them involved my favorite pastimes—-shopping and eating. I realize some of you may not enjoy indulging in the same hobbies and for you I offer this blog.
Let’s face it; sharing sidewalks with millions of others can be taxing on even the most accomplished travelers. Once in a while it’s nice to escape the concrete jungle and visit a more desirable place where the natives are a bit friendlier.
You can find such a place about 90 miles north of Manhattan. Mohonk Preserve in the Northern Shawangunk Mountains is the ultimate retreat for nature lovers. The 6,500-acre preserve offers more than 100 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Not to mention some of the best areas for rock climbing in the entire state.
Day passes cost $8 for hikers and $10 for bikers and climbers, and can be purchased at the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center. If you are visiting from out of state don’t worry about having to schlep your own equipment, you can rent snow shoes, rock shoes, and ski gear for less than $20 a day from Rock and Snow in nearby New Paltz. If you visit before the snow falls you can rent a mountain bike for about $45 a day at Cycle Path in New Paltz. If rock climbing is your passion there’s an EMS Climbing Shop on the way to the preserve that rents hiking gear for $10 to $20 for the first day and $5 each additional day. For those of you who can’t get enough of the great outdoors and want to spend more than a day at the preserve I would suggest staying overnight at the Monhonk Mountain House. The 251-room 1869 Victorian castle is located in New Paltz and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding Shawangunks. Reservations are required and a night’s stay will set you back about $225 for a standard room. Luxury accommodations top out at about $650.
Other New York-Related Articles:
New York’s Must-See Attractions—The Empire State Building
New York’s Must-See Attractions—The Statue of Liberty
Little People in the Big Apple: Central Park Zoo and FAO Schwartz
Little People in the Big Apple: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Patriotic Travel Destinations—Taking A Cruise of New York
Where To Get Your Chocolate Fix In New York