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Hudson Valley

New Paltz

Horse Back Riding

Wineries

Antiques

Rock Climbing

Mohonk Preserve

Minewaska State Park

Golf

The Hudson Valley has a long and rich history - www.hudsonvalley.org - however, most of my guests, being from New York or New Jersey, are already familiar with it.

They are interested more in the gallery openings, concerts, or theatre performances, craft fairs, ect. The best source of this information is to be found at www.ulsterpublishing.com/index.cfmfuseaction=calendar  Just fill in the date and time, and it will come up with everything that is happening from Woodstock, through Kingston, to New Paltz…

quite a service !

The other site I find useful is, what I call the Yellow Pages of the Hudson Valley : www.bearsystems.com/index.html This one is great if you are looking for the apple picking farm, or the pottery artists…

In any case, by the time you go through these two web sites, you will know that a weekend in Hudson Valley is too short a time for all that is here to do and see

New Paltz

The name was given by the early emigrants who came here around 1675 from the Pfaltz region in today’s Germany, and these were soon followed by the French Hugenots. Seven original Hugenot houses and a church are the pride of the Hugenot Historical Society – www.hhs-newpaltz.org - and they are definitely worth seeing !!!

The other “claim to fame” of New Paltz is the long reputation of its educational institution – now known as the SUNY.   New Paltz

Classic Academy was established in 1828, and in 1942 it became the State Teachers College. In 1994 it became the State University of New York. There are around 7000 students currently enrolled here, and the campus is quite large, with over 260 acres… I particularly enjoy the exhibitions at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art and the shows at the Studley Theatre – for info on the activities at the SUNY New Paltz go to www.unisonarts.org which is affiliated with SUNY, and hosts great events either at the university, or at their place on Rt.299.

Horse Back Riding

Jucka Stables: in Bulleville on Rt.302, only a short 8 mile drive from our house. For reservation call 845-361-1429.  The owner, Karin, is a wonderful lady !!!!  www.juckastables.com

Wineries

Pine Haven is “conveniently” located directly on the Shawangunk Wine Trail!  We are literally in a walking distance of 2 Wineries: The Baldwin and The Brimstone Hill – both only 2 miles away !

I especially love to sit in front of the Whitecliff Winery and look at the majestic cliffs – www.whitecliffwine.com - and when I had enough of this view, I can drive across to the Rivendell and look at the Valley – www.rivendallwine.com  Both of these are only 10 to 15 minutes by car from our house…

Antiques

Pine Bush has a grand antique furniture store, The Country Heritage Antique Center, on Rt. 302, close to the intersection of Rt.52, tel:845-744-3792

The most well rounded place to shop for antiques and collectibles is at the Water Street Market in New Paltz. It is located right as you enter the town from the West on 299, and it has several shops and is opened 7 days…

There are many, many more – mainly in New Paltz, Kingston, and Saugerties. When planning your hunting trip, one of the most helpful 

Rock Climbing

As we have the beautiful rock formations of The Gunks right in our back yard, it is only fitting to supply you with a bit of information – just in case you prefer to climb a mountain instead of antique shopping…

You can start from zero, and get all you need at the Rock and Snow shop in New Paltz – www.rocksnow.com  They are very friendly, and they cater even to people like me – since 1970!

Mohonk Preserve

Hike, walk, or climb a cliff – Mohonk Preserve is the best place to do it !!!

For the newcomers to our area we should mention that one of the main local attractions is the Mohonk Mountain House. It is nestled atop the Scawangunk Mountains overlooking a lake. The natural beauty of the setting captured the two Smiley brothers, who purchased this large piece of land from John F. Stokes and in 1869

built by the lake a 10 room in. They were not only avid naturalists, but good businessmen, and so soon the small inn was transformed into a 266 room Victorian Castle, which is the America’s oldest family-owned resort. The property tax on the enormous acreage necessitated however a creation of the Mohonk Preserve, a non-profit sister organization of the Mohonk House

Mohonk Preserve is on 6.500 acres, with well kept trails, and an enthusiastic and helpful staff to greet you at their Visitor’s Center on Rt.44/55.  For further info. Please visit their site: www.mohonkpreserve.org

Minnewaska State Park

Minnewaska State Park was established 1987. It is a “Carry Inn – Carry Out” park, so bring your own food and water and take out your garbage – as a matter of fact, this is the only thing I do not like about this magnificent 18,000 acre wilderness – no bodega selling espresso here !  The stroll around the lake is on a comfortable carriage road, has gorgeous views, and takes about 1,5 hours in snail speed. If you are so inclined though, you are welcomed to really ruin your body on some long tough hikes…

The park is opened 7 days a week, winter hours are 9-5, and are much longer in the summer. There are 2 parking lots on Rt.44/55 – and I would strongly recommend making it a point to arrive on beautiful Summer days by 10 am, so you will be able to park on the upper parking lot by the lake…

For other info call 845-255-0752 during work days, or go to: www.nysparks.com

Golf

Hudson Valley has many great golf courses. Here are a few to choose from:

New Paltz Golf Course :
9 Holes, 215 Huguenot St, New Paltz, 845-255-8282 www.newpaltzpublichouse.com
16 miles from Pine Haven – 25 min

Scott’s Corners Golf Course: 9 Holes,  1 Roswin Ln. / off Rt. 208, Montgomery, 845-457-9141
ca. 20 min. from Pine Haven

Apple Greens Golf Course: 27 Holes, 161 South Street, Highland, 845-883-5500,
www.applegreens.com 17 miles from Pine Haven – 25 min

Winding Hills Golf Club: 18 Holes, 1847 Rt 17K, Montgomery, 845-457-3187,
www.windinghillsgolfcourse.com 14 miles from Pine Haven – 20 min