Bear Mountain, NY - 1hr 15 mins from NYC
The wild mountains rising from the Hudson River's west bank are where Bear Mountain State Park is located. The park has a sizable play area, shady picnic areas, access to lakes and rivers for fishing, a pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, and hiking, biking, and cross-country ski paths. Ice skaters can use an outdoor rink from the end of October to the middle of March. Atop Bear Mountain, the Perkins Memorial Tower offers breathtaking views of the park, the Hudson Highlands, and Harriman State Park. Weather permitting, Perkins Memorial Drive and Tower are open from April through late November.
The Merry-Go-Round at Bear Mountain State Park has 42 hand-carved seats of natural animals, including a black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit, and more. The hand-painted scenes of the park are also featured on the ride.
Adventurers can reach Bear Mountain for a quick getaway from the chaos of the city in less time than it would take to cross town during rush hour.
- Try this: The state park offers a variety of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, access to lakes and rivers for fishing, a swimming pool, and a zoo. It is located in the highlands rising from the west bank of the Hudson River.
- Keep going: The 1915-built Bear Mountain Inn, which once welcomed Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Dwight Eisenhower, has undergone substantial renovations to feature 15 opulent guest rooms, a spa, a restaurant, and other amenities.
