10 Best Things To Do In New Paltz, New York

things to do in new paltz new york
Jinky
Jinky 
Updated
| 4 min read

New Paltz is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The town is located in the southeastern part of the county and is south of Kingston. It is well known for the State University of New York at New Paltz and for great rock climbing. The Shawangunk Ridge that overshadows the town is considered one of the best rock-climbing sites in North America. New Paltz is surrounded by great wineries, and visitors following the Shawangunk Wine Trail often visit the area. Here are the best things to do in New Paltz, NY.

1. Minnewaska State Park


The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located on the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, New York on US 44/NY 55, five miles (8 km) west of New York State Route 299. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, carriage roads and footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy. Horseback riding and cross-country ski trails are available as well. Technical Rock Climbing permitted.

Minnewaska State Park

Address: 5281 Route 44-55 Kerhonkson, NY 12446

Website: Minnewaska State Park

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2. Mohonk Preserve

Skytop Tower in Mohonk Preserve from opposite end of the lake
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Grendelkhan used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The Mohonk Preserve is New York State’s largest visitor and member-supported nature preserve, with 165,000 annual visitors to its cliffs, forests, fields, ponds and streams.

People around the world travel here for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and rock climbing. Through the support of donors, members and community partnership, they really protect and safeguard the Hudson Valley, Shawangunks and other natural lands as a non profit preserve.

Mohonk Preserve

Address: 3197 State Route 55, New Paltz, NY 12561

Website: Mohonk Preserve

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3. Robibero Family Vineyards


This family artisanal winery will give you the good taste of wine regardless of the time of the year you visit. Upon visiting Robibero Family Vineyards you will have the chance to witness the wine making process in the cellar and taste their exquisite award-winning wines. The vineyards are also open for any big parties and/or weddings, since they have a modern indoor wine tasting room and a picturesque deck that can be rented.

Robibero Family Vineyards

Address: 714 Albany Post Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561

Website: Robibero Family Vineyards

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4. DM Weil Gallery



This modern art gallery in New York’s Hudson Valley showcases a vibrant collection of artwork. This is the largest modern art gallery in town. The goal is to provide a total entertainment experience, to stimulate all of your senses, and to help you have as much fun as possible. And the gallery’s mission statement remains, “Why Can’t Fine Art Be Fun?”.

Admission is always free and paired with complimentary wine, espresso, and other treats. DM Weil herself guides her guests and socializes with them, and also serenades guest using the unique 1911 Grotain Steinweg piano for complimentary mini-concerts.

DM Weil Gallery

Address: 208 Bruynswick Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA

Website: DM Weil Gallery

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5. The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail


The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is a renowned scenic destination for people who enjoy being outdoors. The trail connects several small towns and features a variety of natural attractions such as orchards, streams, rivers, and farms.

This is one of the America’s ten most iconic rail trails, and offers unsurpassed vistas, quiet arbors, eve-chilly caverns and a variety of bridges. The crown jewel is the famed Rosendale Trestle with a bridge that rests above Rondout Creek, hailed as the most beautiful spot in the entire park because of its panoramic views.

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

Address: Linear Park, New Paltz, NY 12561

Website: The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail

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6. Dressel Farms

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

It's Strawberry Time!! The roadstand will open at 1pm today with our homegrown strawberries. No early birds please! Hours for the season: 9-6 every day (unless we sell out)

Posted by Dressel Farms on Thursday, June 3, 2021

Dressel Farms is a family-run operation. The farm offers fun activities for visitors of all ages and the most popular activity is picking apples from the trees. Those apples that aren’t grabbed by visitors get shipped to grocery stores throughout the East Coast.

Aside from apples, they also produce staple fruits and vegetables, including peaches, strawberries, raspberries and gourds. They also have Dressel’s Fresh Cider - made from 100% hand-selected Dressel Farms apples with no added preservatives, colors or flavors, and Hard Cider. They also have fresh ice cream from the farm’s roadside stand. The Roadstand is open daily and features their own fresh peaches and Ice Cream Stand. Pick-Your-Own Apples will begin September 9th.

Dressel Farms

Address: 271 NY-208, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA

Website: Dressel Farms

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7. The Village Tea Room


This small and adorable restaurant and bake shop is located in a quaint 200-year-old building that is a former tailor shop. The Village Tea Room does not just offer tea but a delicious mix of European classics like gravlax and scones mixed with hearty American fish cakes and baked chicken with gravy. They are open Tuesday to Sunday between 8am-9pm.

The Village Tea Room

Address: 10 Plattekill Ave, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA

Website: The Village Tea Room

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8. A Tavola Trattoria


A Tavola Trattoria was voted Best Restaurant in Hudson Valley 2013 & 2014, Best Pasta in the Hudson Valley 2014 and Best Italian Restaurant in the Hudson Valley by Hudson Valley Magazine 2013.

It is the Italian wording for “at the table”, an expression more commonly used to beckon friends and family to the table when it’s time to eat. If you are looking for a place for a romantic date in New Platz, this is a great place to try. Once you enter the rustic and cozy restaurant a soft jazz greets you. Their menu is a combinations of versions of classic dishes from different parts of Italy such as pastas, grilled branzino, and pappardelle bolongnese .

A Tavola Trattoria

Address: 46 Main St, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA

Website: A Tavola Trattoria

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9. The Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary


This wildlife sanctuary located in Huguenot Street, New Paltz is a home to a variety of animals and birds that take residence in the sanctuary throughout the year. The area is composed of wetlands and ponds. Besides bird-watching, visitors can enjoy the spectacular views of the nearby Wallkill River and Shawangunk Mountains.

The Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 133 Huguenot St, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA

Website: The Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary

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10. John R. Kirk Planetarium

Posted by The John R. Kirk Planetarium on Thursday, 4 February 2016

Posted by The John R. Kirk Planetarium on Wednesday, 3 February 2016

This indoor planetarium is located at New Paltz State University of New York and can accommodate 44 people. There are projector displayed images of stars, planets, and other astronomical bodies on the theater’s domed ceiling. It is open for people of all ages.

John R. Kirk Planetarium

Address: SUNY New Paltz, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561-2443

Website: John R. Kirk Planetarium

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New Paltz - the heart of Ulster County

Mohonk Mountain house Skytop Tower skyline
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Daniel Case used under CC BY-SA 3.0

New Paltz is best known around the world for its outdoor attractions and offers a host of trail options for hikers & bicyclist, and the best views of the Hudson Valley. Besides that, it is a place where you can taste the different ranges of cuisines as well as choose among the twelve wineries. No matter what your taste, mood, or budget, there’s always something great to enjoy in New Paltz!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Mabuhay! Welcome to my page. My name is Jinky, from a country of 7,107 Islands, The Philippines! I started writing when I started exploring places and countries. I've traveled to the Philippines...Read more

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