Six Things To Do In Bear Mountain NY

In any season, if you are looking for quick getaways from New York City, Bear Mountain NY in Rockland County could be your jam. Located an hour and 15 minutes away from the city, you can reach Bear Mountain by rail or road. Take in the picturesque Upstate New York while you journey along the Hudson River. Here is a must-see, must-do list:

Bear Mountain State Park NY:

Bear Mountain State Park is 5,000 odd acres of fun for those looking for real outdoors close to New York City. There are numerous trails for hikers, lake and river fishing, picnic groves, boating, swimming, biking, children's playgrounds and more.

Merry Go Round Pavilion:

Merry-Go-Round Pavilion is a visit that can be fun and/or romantic. The carousel features hand carved scenes of the park. There are 42 beautifully carved seats of black bear, wild turkey, deer, raccoon, skunk, Canada goose, fox, swan, bobcat, rabbit and more. The setting is quite romantic to celebrate special occasions and great for photo ops.

Image credits: visitbearmountain.com

Bear Mountain Bridge:

The thing about Bear Mountain Bridge to keep in mind is that it is over 90 years old. It was considered an engineering marvel in its time. This bridge kicked off the competition of “mine is bigger than yours” that eventually ended with the building of the Golden Gate Bridge. Ride across the bridge or take in the view from the many hiking trails in the region.

Trailside Museums and Zoo:

During your hike, visit the Trailside Museum and Zoo. Learn the lay of the land with an understanding of the herpetology, botany, flora, fauna and wildlife in the region. The zoo houses some of the local wildlife that have been rescued and rehabilitated.

Get Married:

The many trails, and especially the Merry-go-round in the Bear Mountain Inn NY make for a romantic and scenic spot to get married. Plan your wedding at these venues to truly make it the most special day of your life.

Bear Mountain Peak:

At an elevation of 391m, Bear Mountain Peak in the state park offers spectacular views. What makes it remarkable is that you can see New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Manhattan skyline from here. Visit the Perkins Memorial Drive and Observatory Tower while you are there.

Where to Stay in Bear Mountain NY: Bear Mountain Inn

Probably the most iconic place to stay when you visit is the Bear Mountain Inn. Built in 1915, the hotel is steeped in history and is now in The National Register for Historic Sites. The rustic park lodge has hosted Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, and according to Wikipedia, the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York City Giants have been guests.