- Adventure
- Tips and Advice
Adventure Town: New Paltz, New York
Plan a long weekend getaway with our New Paltz adventure guide, featuring great outdoor escapes, where to stay, and where to eat.
Pop. 6,765
GPS: 41°45'N 74°05'W
There’s a reason antsy New Yorkers can’t get enough of this Hudson Valley town: first-rate rock-climbing (and hiking and mountain biking) in the Shawangunk Mountains, an 11-stop wine trail, and a decidedly un-Hamptons vibe.
PLAY
Between the two of them, nearby Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park Preserve offer some 120 miles (193 kilometers) of trails for hiking, mountain-biking, and, come wintertime, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. Both the Trapps and Near Trapps cliffs are popular climbing areas, with everything from beginner-friendly routes up to a 5.14 (full-day lesson from $110; www.emsclimb.com).
EAT
The husband and wife team behind Beso, earned their stripes in some of the best kitchens in San Fran and Manhattan (Jean-Georges, for one). Their snacks and apps “recession menu” offers some tasty alternatives to the full-price menu (www.beso-restaurant.com).
- Nat Geo Expeditions
SLEEP
Mohonk Mountain House (doubles from $510; www.mohonk.com) and Minnewaska Lodge (doubles from $135; www.minnewaskalodge.com) are sure bets, but we like Le Fèvre House best for its proximity to downtown (just a five-minute walk) and exotic homemade breakfasts like honeydew melon soup (doubles from $170; www.lefevrehouse.com).
