The Shawangunks and associated area is gorgeous

Tour the area by car or do a walk/hike to take in the views:

By car: take a trip on the Shawangunk Mountain Scenic Byway

Suggested route: 299 west out of New Paltz; take 44/55 up through the Shawangunks to Wawarsing and the Rondout valley; left onto 209 south to Ellenville; take route 52 around the southern end of the Shawngunks and back to the Walkill valley; left on route 208 north to New Paltz. (about 1.5hrs total)

(also see route screenshot at bottom)

On foot: Minnewaska state park preserve Description at Hike the Hudson Valley

Arrive very early during prime fall foliage weekends- like before 11am, because the parking lot will fill up before noon.

Official NYS Park site

Take a break and have some wine:

Robibero family vinyards (11-6) 714 Albany Post Road New Paltz, NY 12561

Whitecliff vineyard (11:30-5:30) 331 McKinstry Rd., Gardiner NY 12525

(These are just two- there are many more in the region)

Enjoy a pick-your-own fruit farm:

Tantillos farm: (9-4:30) 730 State Route 208 Gardiner, NY 12525

Dressel farms: (10am – 4:30pm) 271 State Route 208 New Paltz, NY 12561

(Once again, many PYO farms in surrounding area)

Have some dinner:

The Main Course: 175 Main St. New Paltz, NY 12561 (non-wait service restaurant with reliably good food at reasonable prices)

Char 1788 restaurant: 20 Gristmill Lane Gardiner, NY 12525 (Lovely setting, on the more expensive side for the area. Reviews on Yelp are all over the place, but I can say we had a great dinner there a couple of months ago)

(of course there’s lots of restaurants in New Paltz itself, so these are just my picks)

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