This New York Scenic Byway Is The Road Trip Of A Lifetime
If you're looking for an escape from New York City and have a car at hand, look no further than the Palisades Scenic Byway, one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the Empire State you can explore today. Passing by a wide assortment of attractions, from mountainous parks to lookout points over the Hudson River, visitor centers, small towns, and more, it has a little something for every kind of traveler.
One end commences in the Palisades on the New York-New Jersey Border, just north of Manhattan, and the other is just south of Fort Montgomery. This nearly 27-mile route offers some of the best sights and sounds within the Hudson Valley. If you are driving northbound, you will quickly go from densely populated suburbs to lush farmland and pristine woodlands. Here are some of the best roadside stops to be found along the way.
Rockland Lake State Park
Rockland Lake State Park, located just west of the Palisades Parkway off Highway 9W, is one of the first big attractions near the byway. The park centers on Rockland Lake, a body of water once central to the 19th-century ice harvesting industry.
Today, it is popular for a multitude of recreational activities, featuring a two-lane paved path that circles the lake, ideal for walking, jogging, and cycling. You can also fish, swim in the summer pool complex, or freely use its picnic areas, all of which come with views of the Hudson Valley. For some spectacular natural sights from high up above, the park connects with Hook Mountain, an idyllic landmark that you can hike to the top of.
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park, the second-largest state park in New York, is a much more wilderness-focused green space, sitting about 13 miles north of Rockland State Park. Spanning more than 44,000 acres, it offers a vast network of over 200 miles of hiking trails, many of which connect with the famed Appalachian Trail. This park is also known for its numerous lakes and reservoirs, including Lake Sebago and Lake Tiorati, which provide a number of accessible locales for you to go fishing, swimming, and boating.
Furthermore, a collection of scenic overlooks within Harriman each reveals sweeping views of the Hudson Highlands, particularly amazing during the fall foliage season. Cozy picnicking areas, campgrounds, and quiet backroads give you space for both day trips and extended stays as well.
The Palisades Parkway Visitor Center and Bookstore
The Palisades Parkway Visitor Center and Bookstore serves as a central stop for a break along the route. Located near Bear Mountain, the center is the place to go for maps, guides, and exhibits that explain the history and natural features of the Hudson Valley and the Palisades region. Its onsite bookstore carries titles on local history, hiking, and nature, making it a great resource for travelers interested in learning even more about the area.
Staff are available to answer questions and recommend trails, scenic overlooks, and other nearby attractions, too. With its combination of practical information and unique regional insight, the center is an ideal starting point or midway stop for exploring the parkway.
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park is one of the most visited parks in the state of New York, offering a wide range of recreational and historic draws. This parkland is perhaps most notable for the Perkins Memorial Tower, which provides 360-degree views of the Hudson River, the Catskills, and the surrounding highlands. There is also a sizable network of hiking trails to be found here, including segments of the Appalachian Trail, as well as Hessian Lake, rivers that are suitable for swimming and fishing, and spaces for other seasonal outdoor activities like cross-country skiing and ice skating in the winter.
Another cool local spot, the Bear Mountain Inn, is a rustic lodge built in 1915 that serves as both a historic landmark and a hub for those looking to stay the night in comfort. Moreover, the Trailside Museums and Zoo, just steps away from the inn, highlights local flora and fauna, along with hosting sections focused on regional history in a way that is fun and engaging for the whole family.
Popolopen Torne
Popolopen Torne, a rocky summit near the village of Fort Montgomery, is arguably the best viewpoint on the Palisades Byway. A trail directed to the top is short but steep, rewarding its hikers with unobstructed vistas over the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, and the dense woodlands beyond, making it another perfect spot during the autumn in particular. The summit is also notable for its memorial to fallen soldiers, constructed from painted stones carried up by hand.
Bear Mountain Bridge
The Bear Mountain Bridge, completed in 1924, stands as an iconic bit of engineering at the far northern end of the byway. Crossing the Hudson River between Rockland and Westchester Counties, it was the first highway bridge to cross the Hudson south of Albany and, at the time, was the longest suspension bridge in the world!
The bridge connects directly to Bear Mountain State Park and provides some of the best views of the fast-flowing Hudson River below. Walking paths along the bridge allow you to experience these sights on foot, making it well worth a stop for a landscape photo or two.
Highland Falls
If you go a bit beyond the Palisades Scenic Byway, you'll land in Highland Falls, located just south of the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a historic Hudson Valley village of around 3,600 residents that makes for a worthwhile stop if you're in need of a place to rest at the end of your journey.
Its downtown core is lined with small shops, local restaurants, and other amenities, like overnight accommodations. The Thayer Hotel is a higher-end option, with unobstructed views over the Hudson River, while spots like the West Point Motel offer more affordable rooms to rest your head in. For food, Park Restaurant is highly recommended and conveniently located downtown, serving traditional American fare in an old-fashioned dining room.
As you could imagine, Highland Falls' history is closely connected to the nearby academy, and you can explore this heritage at the West Point Museum right along the riverfront, which details the area’s military past.
Journey Along This Classic New York Highway This Year
As fall kicks in, there is no better time to travel the length of the Palisades Scenic Byway. Between the colorful foliage that is now beginning to develop, the plethora of parks that can be explored more comfortably in cooler temperatures, and the multitude of other quiet attractions to be found at nearly every corner, try to make this route the centerpiece of your next escape from the Big Apple.
