20+ THINGS TO DO NEAR WEST POINT IN HIGHLAND FALLS, NEWBURGH, AND MORE!

West Point is the oldest continuously occupied military post in the United States. Located on the Hudson River in New York, General George Washington stationed his headquarters in West Point in the summer and fall of 1779 during the American Revolutionary War and later called it "the most important post in America" in 1781 following the war's end. West Point was also the site of General Benedict Arnold's failed attempt at treason during the Revolutionary War.

West Point was first occupied by the United States Armed Forces in January 1778 by Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons. Since then, West Point has been occupied by the United States Army. It comprises 25.1 square miles of land and water, including the campus of the United States Military Academy (USMA), which is commonly referred to as "West Point" or “The Point.”

West Point is located in the town of Highlands in Orange County on the western bank of the Hudson River. In West Point, the summers are warm and wet, the winters are freezing and snowy, and it is partly cloudy year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 20°F to 83°F and is rarely below 4°F or above 90°F.

The population was 7,341 at the 2020 census. It sits just 10 miles south of Newburgh, NY, and about 50 miles north of New York City, the largest city in the USA. This means you can find lots of things to do within a few hours of West Point. For this article, we’ll focus on activities that are closer to West Point and won’t touch on all the things that NYC has to offer.

5 Places Near West Point That Are Military Friendly

1. West Point Museum

• Location: On post
• Entry Fee: Free

In addition to the Main Museum building in Olmsted Hall, the museum also administers Fort Putnam, which it operates seasonally. The museum also maintains part of its collection on display on post with the cannon collection on Trophy Point, the superintendent portrait in the cadet mess, and artwork in many of the academic and administrative buildings.

2. Frederic V. Malek West Point Visitors Center

• Location: On post
• Entry Fee: Free

A great starting point, the Frederic V. Malek Visitors Center has interactive exhibits on cadet life and a model barracks room, which helps put the entire visit in context for children.

3. Victor Constant Ski Area

• Location: On post
• Entry Fee: Varies by grade and status

A popular downhill ski area that also includes cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, weather permitting. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Civilians can also use the facility.

4. Bear Mountain State Park

• Location: Palisades Parkway, Exit 17, Bear Mountain, NY 10911
• Entry Fee: $10 per vehicle for parking.

Bear Mountain State Park offers a variety of activities, including hiking, fishing, and boating. Visitors can also enjoy a scenic drive to Perkins Memorial Tower for great views. Seasonal options include a swimming pool in the summer and an ice skating rink in the winter.

5. Storm King Art Center

• Location: 1 Museum Rd, New Windsor, NY 12553
• Entry Fee:
  • Weekday / Weekend
    • Adult $25 / $28
    • Senior (65+) $22 / $25
    • Student (18+) $15 / $18
    • Youth (5 to 17) $15 / $18
    • Child (4 and under) Free / Free

Storm King Art Center has a 500-acre open-air sculpture park, open seasonally, with tram tours, bike rentals & a cafe.

5 Restaurants Near JBER That Are Sure to Please

1. Tulsi Fine Indian Cuisine

• Location: 22 N Middletown Rd, Nanuet, NY 10954
• Cost: Mid-Range

Tulsi Fine Indian Cuisine offers food that encompasses a wide variety of regional and traditional cuisine native to India. Their cuisine encompasses a wide variety of spices, herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Even with influences from different regions of the world, Indian cuisine continues to evolve today.

2. North Plank Road Tavern

• Location: 30 Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550
• Cost: Mid-Range

Step back in time to the turn of the 20th century at the historic North Plank Road Tavern. In operation since 1801, the North Plank Road Tavern is an attractive old-time roadhouse reminiscent of the era when taverns punctuated long carriage journeys on plank roads.

3. Captain Jake’s Seafood Restaurant

• Location: 40 Front St, Newburgh, NY 12550
• Cost: Mid-Range

Captain Jake’s offers a hand-selected menu of culinary delights with a relaxing, casual atmosphere. Located in Historic Newburgh, the back patio offers a breathtaking view of the scenic Hudson River. Their goal is to provide a taste of New England with a menu that offers succulent, fresh seafood and amazing service. Other menu items include Black Angus steak and savory chicken entrées.

4. Blu Pointe Seafood Restaurant

• Location: 120 Front St, Newburgh, NY 12550
• Cost: High

Blu Pointe, on the Newburgh waterfront, proudly showcases locally influenced, seasonal dishes for your dining pleasure. Each ingredient is hand-selected by their executive chef and prepared fresh to capture every mouthwatering flavor. Combined with their extensive wine list of local and imported bottles, Blu Pointe is the premier fine dining experience in the Hudson Valley.

5. Brasserie Le Bouchon

• Location: 76 Main St, Cold Spring, NY 10516
• Cost: High

Brasserie Le Bouchon is a charming bistro serving French classics like cassoulet in a cozy, red-hued room or garden setting. year.

What Are Some Pet-Friendly Places Near JBER?

Pet-friendly options are available in West Point, including hotels, apartments, and vacation rentals, but the specific policies vary by location and establishment.

For the USMA, residents must register pets, and there are leash laws and designated dog parks. When booking a hotel or rental, always confirm the specific pet policy, fees, and any restrictions directly with the property.

• Woofingtonville Dog Park
  • Location: Near Ahern Avenue, Washingtonville, NY 10992
• Friends of Beacon Dog Park
  • Location: 195 Robert Cahill Dr, Beacon, NY 12508
• Smith Clove Dog Park
  • Location: Smith Field Rd, Monroe, NY 10950
• Sprout Brook Park
  • Location: Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567
• Peekskill Dog Park
  • Location: 1795 Main St, Peekskill, NY 10566

5 Things for Couples to Do Near West Point

1. South Gate Tavern

• Location: 509 Main St, Highland Falls, NY 10928
• Type: Pub

The South Gate Tavern, just outside the Thayer Gate to West Point, NY, is an authentic Irish pub full of American character. Come check out the memorabilia that lines the walls, have a fresh pint of Guinness or a glass of Pinot Grigio, and relax.

2. Painter’s Tavern

• Location: 266 Hudson St, Cornwall-On-Hudson, NY 12520
• Type: Tavern

Creativity meets cuisine at Painter’s Tavern. They are excited to serve up bold flavors, artistic vibes, and a whole lot of love for their community. From their walls to their plates, the tavern celebrates all things art. Come on in and Eat Your Art Out!

3. Irish Eyes Pub

• Location: 2956 US-9W, New Windsor, NY 12553
• Type: Bar

Irish Eyes has been a family-owned Irish pub since 2003. Come enjoy delicious food with good company!

4. Newburgh Brewing Company

• Location: 88 South Colden St, Newburgh, NY 12550
• Type: Live Music

Newburgh Brewing Company is a craft brewery & restaurant founded in 2012 and based in Newburgh near the waterfront.

5. South Street Jazz

• Location: Antonia Arts, 925 South St, Peekskill, NY 10566
• Type: Jazz Club

An intimate listening room vibe similar to iconic NYC clubs such as Smalls, Mezzrow & the Village Vanguard, South Street Jazz is located at the Artist Spot in Downtown Peekskill.

5 Things for Kids to Do Near West Point

1. Legoland New York Resort

• Location: 1 Legoland Blvd, Goshen, NY 10924
• Type: Amusement Park

Legoland New York Resort is a theme park in Goshen, New York, owned by Merlin Entertainments. It consists of 150 acres of seven Lego-themed lands on a property of 500 acres. The park contains numerous structures and attractions made of Lego or designed to resemble Lego.

2. Lawrence Farms Orchards

• Location: 39 Colandrea Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550
• Type: Orchard for Fruit Picking
• Entry Fee: Admission Fee at the gate is $7 per person Monday-Thursday and $10.00 per person Friday-Sunday

Enjoy pick-your-own fruits and veggies at this family-owned Hudson Valley farm from June through October. An on-site market sells homemade apple cider doughnuts, locally churned ice cream, and tons of kid-friendly snacks and baked goods. Reservations are required for picking but include access to a farm play area, petting zoo, tractor rides, and more.

3. Constitution Island

• Location: United States Military Academy, 2110 New South Post Road, West Point, NY 10996 (Boat trips available from West Point)
• Type: Historic Area
• Entry Fee: Free

Discover the hidden gem of American history with a tour of Constitution Island and the Warner Sisters' House! Step back in time and explore the strategic fortifications that helped shape the outcome of the Revolutionary War.

Wander through the charming Warner House, home to beloved 19th-century authors Susan and Anna Warner, and immerse yourself in their literary legacy. Join the tour for an unforgettable journey through the past, where every corner of Constitution Island whispers tales of courage, creativity, and resilience.

4. SplashDown Beach

• Location: 16 Old Rte 9 W, Fishkill, NY 12524
• Type: Amusement Park

During the summer, this local water park is a must-visit! It's got water playgrounds for tiny tots, huge slides for thrill seekers, and a lovely lazy river for Mom and Dad to relax in!

5. Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

• Location: 120 Muser Dr, Cornwall, NY 12518
• Type: Museum
• Entry Fee: $5 per person (children under 2 free)

Immerse yourself in nature at Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. With miles of kid-friendly hiking trails, a nature-inspired Grasshopper Grove Playground, live animals, and tons of family-friendly programming, it seeks to engage all five senses and bring out the budding scientist in every visitor.

Don’t Miss These Hudson Valley Seasonal Events

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Head to the Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson between mid-September and mid-November to see The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.

Meander through an 18th-century landscape and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack-o’-lanterns—all designed and hand-carved on site by a team of artisans.

Complete with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack, this immersive, one-of-a-kind event is not to be missed!

Summer Saturdays at Philipsburg Manor

Today’s villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are descendants of Philipsburg Manor, a colonial-era farming, milling, and trading center. In 1653, Frederick Philipse came to the Dutch colony of New Netherland as a carpenter for the Dutch West India Company.

Through canny business skill, an astute sense of politics, and two very advantageous marriages, Philipse came to control 52,000 acres of what is now Westchester County.

From gardens and grains to bees and barn cats, every Saturday at Philipsburg Manor from July 5 to August 30 is a new chance to explore history through fun activities for all ages. All is included with your ticket!

Sandhurst Military Games

The term "Sandhurst Military Games" most commonly refers to the annual Sandhurst Competition, an international military skills competition held at the USMA during the spring.

It is a two-day event where cadet teams compete in a series of military skills challenges, emphasizing teamwork, endurance, and proficiency.

Past events have included a wide range of obstacles like grenade assault, weapons assembly, rappelling, land navigation, and an obstacle course.

Don't Miss These Fun Things to Do!

An assignment to the prestigious USMA West Point, whether as a cadet or assigned to the staff, offers a unique opportunity to serve at, perhaps, the most historic military installation in the USA.

The grounds of West Point team up with history, and right outside the gates, the beautiful Hudson River Valley offers a unique combination of historic places and scenic natural beauty.

There’s plenty to do within an hour’s drive from West Point, but if you get bored and have the gumption to battle the New York City traffic, the “City That Never Sleeps” offers limitless possibilities for entertainment, restaurants, and even more historic sites. Take advantage of your assignment to West Point. You’ll come away with a treasure trove of memories.

Suggested reads:

• Welcome to West Point, NY: Your Comprehensive Guide
• Space Force Unveils New Dress Uniforms: What Guardians Need to Know
• Largest Coast Guard Bases: Ranked by Land Area & Population