The Stunning New York Drive That Is One Of The Best Road Trips You Can Take In America
By Christy Articola|Updated on April 19, 2024(Originally published May 10, 2022)
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Christy Articola
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Christy Articola has lived in Colorado since 2013 and considers herself a Centennial State enthusiast and expert through and through. She's based in Denver metro, but over the past decade, she has traveled to every corner, river, village, park, town, and city in the state and continues to explore it deeper and further whenever she can. Christy simply can't get enough of Colorado, and loves sharing all her adventures with you through Only In Your State! She graduated with a degree in journalism from Fordham University and is thrilled to be working as a full time travel writer for this and other sites - she finally found her perfect niche - and is so grateful for that.
The Hudson River is one of the most important rivers in the United States. It’s beautiful, historical, and iconic, and people have been dependent on it for many things for thousands of years. So, where is the Hudson River? Although the river is 315 miles in length and runs from the top of Mount Marcy in the Adirondacks all the way to New York Bay, one of the most breathtaking and memorable sections of the river is the 30-or-so-mile Hudson River Highlands section between Haverstraw Bay and Newburgh Bay. This Hudson Valley road trip will give you the opportunity to drive along the river on both sides through the Hudson Highlands section. You’ll love the towns and views along the way.
This road trip only includes a little over two hours of driving, but it will take you at least a full day with all the stops. Take a look at this Hudson River Valley map to see the route.
This Hudson River Highland road trip begins in the town of Haverstraw on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, just north of Governor Mario M Cuomo Bridge. Haverstraw Bay is the widest part of the Hudson River. It's about 3.4 miles wide here. You can get a great view of the river at Landslide Point, shown here. This was the site of a tragedy; in 1906, a landslide occurred here due to unsafe mining practices. Nineteen people died and five blocks of the city collapsed into the river.
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2. Stony Point Battlefield
Battlefield Road, Battlefield Rd, Stony Point, NY, USA
Head north on Route 202 to Stony Point Battlefield State Park. This was the site of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point in the Revolutionary War. As you can see, the foothills of the Catskills begin here.
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3. Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Parkway, Bear Mountain State Pkwy, Mohegan Lake, NY, USA
Continue northward to Bear Mountain State Park. This 5,205-acre state park is large, beautiful, and popular. There are miles of trails for you to explore and visitors flock here year-round.
Route 202 crosses over the Bear Mountain Bridge, but stay on the western side of the river and continue north on 9W to West Point. The United States Military Academy at West Point has been educating soldiers since 1802. It's a beautiful campus and it's right in the heart of the Hudson Highlands.
After visiting West Point, continue up Route 9W to Newburgh. The city of Newburgh was first settled in 1709 and has a rich history. This town has always depended on the Hudson River in many ways.
Across the river from Newburgh is the city of Beacon. Beacon was the home of musician Pete Seeger in the 1960s when the Hudson River was very polluted. Looking out on the dirty river each day inspired him to start the Clearwater Environmental Organization, which still exists to this day. Clearwater was integral in cleaning up the river and in the passing of the Clean Water Act of 1972.
A bit south of Beacon on an island in the river you'll see Bannerman Castle. This structure was built by Francis Bannerman in 1901 as his home and as a storage facility for his collection of military artifacts. It has been in ruins for a century, but it's still spectacular to view.
The village of Cold Spring is just a bit further south on Route 9D. This town is small and charming. It's just north of West Point, but on the eastern shore. The views of the mountains here are spectacular.
Anthony's Nose is a 900-ft. peak on the eastern shore of the river at Bear Mountain Bridge. If you climb to the top, you'll be able to take photos like this one.
After passing the eastern side of Bear Mountain Bridge, you're back on Route 202. Continue south to Peekskill. This is another great spot to enjoy river views.
Finally, make your way down Route 9 to Croton Point Park to end your journey. You're back at Haverstraw Bay here, just on the other side of the river from where you began.
This Hudson Valley road trip is one of the best road trips you can take in New York state and in America in general! Let the river be your guide. You’ll love the towns, views, history, and people that you encounter along the way. This is a road trip that you’ll never forget!
If you plan on embarking on this or any other road trip through New York, take a look at our Ultimate Road Trip Packing List before you hit the road!
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