Woodstock

I am planning a trip to Woodstock in October to see the sites, enjoy the fall foliage and browse at Mower%26#39;s Flea Market. I also wanted to see Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. I was thinking about staying at the Twin Gables B%26amp;B on a Thursday and Friday night, and do the flea market on Satruday. but I was wondering if it%26#39;s a good idea to base myself in Woodstock for the two days and drive to New Paltz and back to Woodstock, or just stay for one night in each place.

I am not interested in any sporting activity like fishing, I%26#39;m only interested in any good fall foliage viewing spots, antique shops, wineries, and historical or other places of interest in the area and was looking for guidance on how to plan my trip, I live in Westchester County, NY.

Thanks so much!

Woodstock

Hello jacal,

Oct. is a great time to meander about in Wdstk. as far as ';daytripping%26#39;%26#39; to New Paltz -the distance is only about35-40 mins.south on rt.87(N.Y.S. thruway) exit 18 depending how long ya wanted to stay in New Paltz ?The city of Kingston between N.P. %26amp; Wdstk also has alot to offer. exit. 20

feel free to ask any further questions %26amp; i%26#39;ll try to be of help.

Joel

Woodstock

We%26#39;re heading for the Hudson Valley and Catskills next wk. and will be staying in Stone Ridge for 3 of our 8 nites. I did some extensive research concentrating on a lot of scenic and historic areas. Here are some of my notes on Ulster County (sorry about the length!) Keep in mind that the days/hrs. referenced as to when something is open, may be different when you%26#39;re there.

SCENIC/HISTORIC VILLAGES:

Woodstock (Tinker St./Rt. 212 and the Village Green area are good walking areas).

Hurley (Main St. has historic stone houses dating back to the 17 Cent.)

Kingston has the Stockade Historic District and the revitalized Rondout Village along the riverfront, an area of restored brick bldgs. Area inc’s Rondout Lighthouse (blt. 1913), the largest on the river. Rondout Lighthouse %26amp; Museum is loc’d at foot of Broadway. Old Dutch Church in Kingston (1852) %26amp; Churchyard (272 Wall St. or possibly Main St. bet. Wall and Fair, uptown area of Kingston) Open 10-4 wkdays www.olddutchchurch.org

Steeple haunted by goblin. Gravestone art in cemetary.

Saugerties (Main St. and Partition St.)

SCENIC DRIVES:

Both Rt. 9W and Rt. 28 provide great Fall views (see below). Mid-Hudson Bridge is one of the oldest and most attractive spans across the Hudson.

Ashokan Reservoir (Rt. 28 %26amp; Winchell’s Corner, Shokan) NYC’s water supply provides dramatic sunset scenery. Reservoir was completed in 1915 and covers 253 sq. miles. Driving to Ashokan, take Rt. 209 no. (the Old Mine Rd.), one of the oldest roads in US (dating from the 17th Century). Rt. 209 passes Hurley (Main St. has 17th Cent. stone houses), Marbletown and Stone Ridge. Follow Rt. 28 west to Rt. 28A around the reservoir for views of Fall foliage. Follow signs to the pump station and walk around the fountain. Beautiful, peaceful area.

Mohonk Rd. is scenic drive bet. High Falls and New Paltz.

Mohonk Mountain House (1869) (Mountain Rest Rd., 6 mi. west of New Paltz) Take Rt. 299 west over Wallkill River, go right at the Mohonk sign, veer left and continue to the gate. Mtn. top Victorian castle resort on 2200 acres. At Lake Mohonk, Skytop Tower for pano views (via Black Trail-- challenging climb).

Perrine’s Bridge - High Falls Area

Along Rt. 213, go east thru High Falls along the Old Delaware and Hudson Canal. Perrine’s Bridge (Junction of Rt. 213 and Rt. 32, east of Stone Ridge) was built in 1835, and is the last surviving example of arch truss design in the State. It spans Wallkill River bet. Rifton and Tillson, and is open to pedestrians only.

Huguenot St. Stone Houses - New Paltz

At Rt. 32 go south into New Paltz to see the old stone houses from 17th %26amp; 18th cent. (7 originals) on Huguenot St. @ Broadhead Ave. Huguenot is oldest street in the U.S. and a National Historic Landmark (open Tu.-Sun. 10am-4pm).

Autumn Overlook Scenic Drive:

Begin at Kingston and take Rt. 9W south along the Hudson to West Park. Continue south on Rt. 9W and take Rt. 299 west thru New Paltz. Follow Rt. 44/55 to scenic overlooks in the Shawanagunks. Rt. 209 north goes back to Kingston, passing stone houses and old Dutch farms.

HIKING:

Overlook Mountain Hike (Meads Mtn. Rd., Woodstock) From Tinker St. at the Village Green, take Rock City Rd. no. approx. 2 mi. to Meads Mtn. Rd. which leads to the trailhead. The trailhead is across from Tibetan Monastery, loc’d about 1.5 mi. up the mtn. The monastery is a former inn from the 19th Cent. Trail goes 2.5 mi. to top along graded roadway with 1400 ft. elev. gain. Passes ruins of 19th Cent. Overlook Mtn. House. Lookout tower at top and incomparable views of river valley at 3150’ elev. Tower may only be open wkends, June-Oct. 9 fr. 11am-4pm. Allow 3 hrs. r/t. www.catskilltowers.com

Millbrook Trail - Mohonk Preserve (New Paltz)

Trailhead is from Visitors Ctr. loc’d 7 mi. west of town, Rt. 299 to Rt. 44/55, 1/2 mi. to Visitors Ctr.

Millbrook Trail is 1.5 mi. R/T and inc’s 1/4 mi. strenuous climb to Hawk’s Watch for pano views, then along ridgecrest for views of entire valley below. Pick up a trail map at Preserve’s Visitors Ctr.

Bonticou Crag Hike - Mohonk Preserve

3 mi. r/t trail goes thru open fields and woodlands to prominent, stark-white crag overlooking the valley. Challenging rock scramble to top of crag. Traihead: Spring Farm.

Sam’s Point Preserve Lookout - Ice Caves Mountain Park (25 mi./40 min. fr. Stone Ridge) Rt. 52 nr. Ellenville to Cragsmoor Rd. to Sam’s Point Rd., Cragsmoor (845) 647-7989

Home of rare ridgetop dwarf pine. Prime hiking area for scenic views in No. Shawangunk Mtns. Flat viewing shelf created by glaciers affords views of 5 states. Sam’s Point Trail is a short, easy hike from the entry gate and offers views of the Shawangunk Ridge stretching for miles to the southwest and northeast. On a clear day, High Poing Monument, the highest point in N.J. can be seen to the southwest. Indian Rock Trail is a short, easy hike thru dwarf pines that emerges to offer Catskill views to the north. High Point Carriageway Trail is an easy hike to High Point with scenic overlook and views in all direc’s. High Point is the site of the former fire tower. Trails in area are easy and well-marked, leading to chasms, tunnels, balanced rocks and lit caves. 5000 ac. preserve managed by Nature Conservancy. Visitors Ctr. open Wed. thru Sun. www.nature.org

Minnewaska State Park (off Rt.44/55, NW of Gardiner)

Park is loc’d on the dramatic Shawangunk Mtn. Ridge and offers spectacular views, unique scrubby pines, incredible rock formations, waterfalls and meadow areas. Take a leisurely 2-mi. walk around Lake Awosting. Lake is about 3 mi. from the Park’s entrance.

Thanks to both of you for all the great info. I made reservations to stay in New Paltz on Oct. 22. 23, and 24. The leaves have not changed much in Westchester County yet, my mom went to Hawley, Pennsylvania to a resort last week and she said the same thing about the leaves over there. I went to Danbury, CT. last week and they changed a little around Candlewood Lake.

Joe, I have one other question, If i drive up there on a day trip from Westchester, would there be a lot of traffic on Saturday 10/14, assuming the leaves changed.? I%26#39;m not worried about I87 N (NY thruway), I%26#39;m mean going into one of the towns like Hyde Park or Rhinebeck, and having trouble parking, or waiting on lines to eat.

Last year i went to Cold Springs during fall foliage and I couldn%26#39;t even buy my 9 year old niece an ice cream cone at the store, the line was too long, or find a rest room. I had to leave the area and take her to a restaurant on Route 9, and then we just came back home to avoid the crowd.

Anyway, to the poster who did the extensive research, when you mentioned Millbrook I remembered reading about a castle there, but i didn%26#39;t see it in your research, so I thought i would post the info for you:

Wing%26#39;s Castle

717 Bangall Rd., Millbrook New York

A Hudson River stone castle constructed by artist/owners Peter and Toni Wing, using salvaged materials from antique buildings. 677-9085. Hours: May 31-Sept. 1, Wed.-Sun.; Sept.-Dec. 20, weekends only.

Thanks again, i will print out what you posted about Ulster before my trip! Enjoy your trip!

Jacal--yes, Wing%26#39;s Castle sounds so really great! I had to pare my schedule way down for this trip--just not enuf time, but I did have it in my original notes. Sounds like a wonderful, fascinating and very creative place to visit. I only wish that I didn%26#39;t have to eliminate nearly all the museums, art galleries and crafts venues. Next time for sure!!