Bear Mountain State Park is situated on the Northern West Bank of the Hudson River and offers tons of seasonal fun for park goers. About a one hour drive from NYC, this park is great for hiking, biking, picnics, paddle boats, cross country skiing, and more. There are 50 documented hiking trails, spread over 235 miles of park and they range from short to long, easy to difficult. My favorite trail is the Major Welch Trail. It’s 2.5 miles up and 2.5 miles back, making a nice 5 mile day hike landing you at Perkins Memorial Tower at the top. The view from Perkins Memorial Tower is amazing, and on clear days you can see the Manhattan skyline, 40 miles to the south. This is a great place to perch on the boulders to eat lunch or just enjoy the view. You can tour Perkins Memorial Tower for free, which is filled with exhibits, education, and park history.
The Major Welch Trail requires moderate skill level. There are areas of the trail that include steep inclines and uneven terrain; you will need to do some climbing! Be sure to bring a backpack with snacks and drinks if you are tackling this trail, especially if it’s a hot day. Also, remember to bring your camera- the view from the top is photo worthy! The trail back down is easier than the hike up and is part of the Appalachian Trail (marked by white trail markers). If you are looking for a little more leisure you can walk the 1.4 mile loop around Hessian Lake or rent paddle boats and cruise around the lake to check out the wildlife (there are lots of turtles!).
Don’t feel like being active at all? You can cozy up in the Bear Mountain Inn, a small mountainside retreat, for a romantic weekend getaway. Restaurant 1915 is located at the Bear Mountain Inn and is a great place for brunch.
Helpful Information: Parking at Bear Mountain is $10 and cash only is accepted! You can drive to the top for the view if you don’t feel like taking the hike. Perkins Memorial Drive is open April-late November, weather permitting.
Fun Facts: There is a merry-go-round near the Bear Mountain Inn that is a popular place for children’s birthday parties. For information and reservations, contact guest services at the Bear Mountain Inn at 845-786-2731.
With the holiday season upon us, it only seems right to make our December #GGA5dayGetaway destination Christmas in the Big Apple. There is not much that beats Christmastime in the City! There is no end to the festive fun. Here are some of our Holiday Favorites:
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
What is Christmas without a tree to celebrate around? This is the most famous Christmas Tree in the world so we have to include it first on our list. On the plaza between 48th and 51st Streets in Midtown you will find a 75-foot Norway Spruce, otherwise known as the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree, towering high above the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center. In 2018, the perfect Rock Center Tree was found in Wallkill, NY and weighs in at 24,000 pounds!! The tree is complete with over 50,000 lights and a star that includes over 3 million Swarovski Crystals. The tree is lit the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year and stays lit from 5:30AM to 11:30PM nightly until January 7th. When the tree is done bringing holiday joy to its visitors, it is turned into lumber and gifted to Habitat for Humanity.
Holiday Windows
Perhaps one of the most spectacular holiday sights of all is the display windows of the Department Stores on 5th Avenue. Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman’s, Tiffany’s, Cartier, and others truly capture the magic of the Christmas Season. If you are visiting the tree, head toward Saks Fifth Avenue, and then continue north on 5th Avenue to see the most festive and elaborate window displays of the Season.
The windows at Bergdorf Goodman’s
In 2018, Bergdorf’s had candy themes windows
Cartier, 5th Avenue
The 2018 Macy’s Herald Square Windows tell the story of Sunny the Snowpal, a space-age snowgirl who helps to make sure Santa arrives safely on Christmas Eve.
Ice Skating in New York City
New York winters can be cold, which makes it an ideal place for ice skating rinks throughout the city. Of course everyone knows about The Rink at Rockefeller Center but the city has many other ice skating rinks including Winter Village in Bryant Park, Wollman Rink in Central Park, a small rink at the Standard (848 Washington Street), The Rink at Brookfield Place (230 Vesey Street at West Street – near Battery Park), or skate on the rooftop at Pier 17 in the Seaport District (89 South Street)! Whether it’s a romantic gesture on a first date or a night out with the kids, grab some skates and find your inner child!
Ice Skating at Winter Village in Bryant Park
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Skate overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge at Winter Wonderland at Pier 17, South Street Seaport
The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall
It’s the Christmas Show of all Christmas Shows! Watching the Rockettes perform their synchronized numbers at the famous Radio City Music Hall will mesmerize any audience. Enjoy the lights, the music, the costumes, and the special effects and see why it’s called the Christmas Spectacular. Shows are 90 minutes long and run twice a day on weekdays and three times per day on weekends from the end of November to the beginning of January. Get your tickets early, as this show usually sells out!
Radio City Music Hall, Home of the Rockettes
Holiday Markets
Still Christmas shopping? You can check some items off your list at any of New York’s pop-up Holiday Markets. You can purchase one-of-a-kind gifts from hand crafted goods to scarves to jewelry to Christmas Ornaments to signs to Gourmet Foods and more. My favorite Holiday Market is Winter Village at Bryant Park, located between 40th and 42nd Streets, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Other great Holiday Markets include: *Union Square Holiday Market Located in Union Square East 14th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues *Grand Central Station Holiday Market Located at 89 East 42nd Street *Columbus Circle Holiday Market Located at 59th Street and Central Park West
Winter Village at Bryant ParkUnion Square Holiday Market
New York Botanical Garden
As if the Botanical Garden wasn’t already beautiful and wonderous, all decked out in its Christmas best, they’ve put the icing on the gingerbread house with an elaborate model train system that winds its way through the flora. The NYBG locomotives steam through Paul Busse’s replicas of New York architecture including One World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, Yankee Stadium, New York Public Library, and much more. Structures are handcrafted from botanical materials found in nature, including acorns, tree bark, cinnamon sticks, walnuts, fungus, toadstools, and more. It is an incredible work of art and a holiday must see! Purchase tickets in advance to reserve your timeslot (Entrance is granted every 15 minutes) and jump on the Metro North train out of Grand Central Terminal (Harlem Line) to the Botanical Garden stop. Be sure to bring your childlike sense of wonder!
Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and more.
Replica of One World Trade Center
Replica of New York Public Library
Botanical Garden
Replicas of the Bridges of New York
Replica of Yankee Stadium
The Train Show’s newest addition, a replica of Lower Manhattan complete with One World Trade Center, The Statue of Liberty, Staten Island Ferry, and Ellis Island.
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show
The Saks Fifth Avenue “Theater of Dreams” light show has become a tradition, and one of New York’s most popular holiday attractions. Beginning at 4:30pm nightly Saks puts on a spectacular light show, perfectly synchronized with music, lasting about 5 minutes and repeating every 10 minutes. The setting is perfect, as the building’s façade stares down Rockefeller Center at that famous tree we talked about earlier.
Saks Fifth Avenue Light Show 2018
Holiday Food and Drink
Good food is never far in New York, but in case you are looking for a little something extra during the Christmas Season, grab some grub or holiday drinks with friends at one of these festive restaurants.
Rolf’s German Restaurant: Located at 281 3rd Avenue in Gramercy Park (between 21st and 22nd Streets), may be the most elaborate holiday display of all. These decorations are so popular, they are left up until May! Enjoy some Bavarian brews and German fare as you take in the décor.
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment: Located at Union Square (13 East 17th Street). Not quite as elaborate as Rolf’s but still festive enough to put you in the Holiday Spirit!! Enjoy the holiday themed drinks!
Lillie’s Victorian Establishment, Union Square NYCSeasonal Drinks: Snickerdoodle Martini and “Winter is Coming”
Max Brenner: You may know him better as “Chocolate by the Bald Man”. You can’t leave the city without this thick and creamy hot chocolate with homemade giant marshmallows! Warm your hands with a cup at the pop-up location in Bryant Park’s Winter Village or visit the storefront location at 841 Broadway.
Visit the Bryant Park Pop-up location and enjoy your hot chocolate while watching people ice skate or sit and enjoy the Christmas Tree!
Pete’s Tavern: Located at 129 East 18th Street is another festive pub that decks the halls during the holiday season. Lights are strung from wall to wall and tinsel and garland are hung from the bar. Grab a seat at the bar or in the dining room and take in the seasonal delights!
Christmas Trees and Decorations in the City
The “Big Tree” isn’t the only gig in town. There is no shortage of Christmas trees and decorations throughout Manhattan and beyond. Intricate and massive decorations pop up around every street corner it seems, including the life size Christmas lights and Christmas Ornaments outside of Radio City, the tree in Bryant Park’s Winter Village, The Plaza Hotel, and more. The pictures will say more than I can, and seeing these beauties in person is even more fascinating!
Christmas Ornaments at Radio City Music Hall
Holiday Dresses at the Garment District Holiday Market
Giant Christmas Lights on 6th Avenue, across from Radio City Music Hall
Life-size Gingerbread House in Madison Square Park
Take a walk down Gingerbread Boulevard and see the life-size gingerbread house in Madison Square Park. Sponsors Taste of Home and Folger’s will be around to let you peek inside the gingerbread house. Santa’s sleigh is parked outside for photo opportunities. In years past there was a 4D screening inside the house that took you through Candyland to meet the Gingerbread Man. Who knows what will come next year!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
If you are visiting New York for Christmas but don’t know how you will cover all that ground, please email us at griffeysgreatadventures@gmail.com and we will help you with an itinerary! Happy Holidays!
We have all heard of Woodstock, and for most of us, what comes to mind is one of the most infamous wild and crazy music festivals of all time, one that attracted 400 thousand people in the summer of 1969 to upstate New York in the Catskills region. Nearly 5 decades later a small town by the same name keeps the spirit of 1969 alive!
As you walk down Tinker Street the smell of Patchouli oil and incense coupled with peace signs and psychedelic colors transports you back in time in the most charming way. The main drag is lined with eclectic shops and restaurants. Goods from Native American jewelry to hand blown glass to food ranging from delicious tacos to award winning cupcakes fill the real estate between the art galleries and studios. This is a great place to spend a day and relax. Peace, Love, and Music for all!
Our Woodstock Food Picks:
Tinker Taco Lab: There are 2 sides to Tinker Taco Lab: one side is counter service with tacos and beer, the other side is a bar type setup serving food, beer, and liquor. Situated on the creek off of Tinker Street, this taco lab has a laid back vibe. The tortillas are made of local NON-GMO corn and varieties of taco range from chicken to barbacoa to vegetarian. If you love tacos, stop by Tinker Taco Lab.
Tinker Taco LabTinga de Pollo Taco
Peace Love and Cupcakes: Next door to Tinker Taco Lab is a small cupcake shop with big flavor. So big, that both the Old Fashioned Chocolate Cupcake and the Pretzel Hippie Chipper Sandwich cookie have won awards on the Food Network! Gluten Free cupcakes are also available (YAY!). My favorite: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Swirl Cupcake with Chocolate Icing. Make sure you save room for these delightful desserts!!
