New Paltz

New Paltz is a city in Ulster County, New York State. This article also covers the small town of Gardiner, less than 7 miles to the southwest.

Downtown New Paltz

Downtown New Paltz, from the opposite direction

Get in

By car

New Paltz is exit 18 on the New York State Thruway which is also designated as Interstate 87.

By bus

There is frequent bus service between The Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City and New Paltz with connections to many other villages and cities.

By plane

Stewart International Airport is the nearest major airport to New Paltz. It is in Newburgh, thirty minutes to the south (exit 17 on the NYS Thruway).

By train

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is on the bed of the Wallkill Valley Rail transport, the former main transportation link for New Paltz.

Rail Travel to New York City: Nearby Poughkeepsie is the end of the line for Metro-North Rail. Poughkeepsie is a 15-20 minute drive east of New Paltz. Taxis are available in Poughkeepsie to transport travelers to and from New Paltz. Riding on Metro-North out of the Poughkeepsie Station is clean, safe and reliable. Trains run from very early in the morning until late into the evening. Fares can run as low as $12.75 each way.

As of July 2008 there is a bus you can take that picks you up at the Poughkeepsie train station and stops in New Paltz. It is run by the Ulster County Area Transit. View the bus schedule here: Bus schedule (pdf format)

Get around

Walk or drive. There are also buses run by Ulster County Transit.

See

Skytop tower of Mohonk Mountain House from east, a view that dominates the town

• Huguenot Street. Oldest Street in American with its original houses. 
• Mohonk Mountain House. National Historic Site. 
• State University of New York at New Paltz. 

Do

Mohonk Mountain House, a resort hotel located on the Shawangunk Ridge

• Climb rocks, On Shawangunk Ridge. 
• Hike, at Sky Top, Breakneck Ridge, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, Eagle Cliff and Mohonk Lake Trail, or one of the other nearby trails. 
• Go wine tasting, at Robibero Family Vineyards, Adair Vineyards, Rivendell Winery, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery, or one of the other nearby wineries/vineyards. Whitecliff, in rural Gardiner to the south of New Paltz, is in a pretty location and makes interesting wines. Tastings, at $10-14, are not expensive, and many of their wines sell for $20 or less. 
• Skydive, at Skydive the Ranch in Gardiner (just a few minutes outside New Paltz). 
• Window shop, through the town. 

Buy

Eat

• Gilded Otter, 3 Main Street, ☎ [phone]. 
• Bacchus, 4 South Chestnut Street, ☎ [phone]. 
• Gomen Kudasai, 232 Main Street, ☎ [phone]. Traditional Japanese food. Not sushi. Mostly noodles (udon, soba). Very "special diet" friendly. 
• P&G's, 91 Main Street, ☎ [phone]. 
• McGillicuddy's, 84 Main Street, ☎ [phone].  Both decent, cheap, good portions, pub food. Lots of burgers, chicken, and other fried things.
• Main Street Bistro, 59 Main Street, ☎ [phone].  Delicious and a bargain. Breakfast and lunch, everything is cheap and good. A lot of interesting, uncommon combinations.
• Karma Road, 11 Main Street, ☎ [phone].  Very vegan friendly.
• The Village TeaRoom, 10 Plattekill Avenue, ☎ [phone].  Seasonal, hearty dishes from a variety of European cooking traditions.

Several other restaurants on lower Main Street.

• 🌍 Tzatziki Greek Grill, 62 Main St. (W side of driveway next to Oasis Cafe, across from Church St.), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 11AM-9PM Mon.-Thu., 11AM-10PM Fri.-Sat., 11AM-8PM Sun.. Greek favorites like gyros prepared in a more authentically Greek way than most such places, along with hamburgers if you'd rather stick with that. (updated Mar 2017)

Drink

• Bacchus, 4 South Chestnut Street, New Paltz, NY 12561, ☎ [phone]. Has over 300 beers and really good food. Slightly expensive and with a late night menu and pool.
• P&G's, 91 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561, ☎ [phone].  College bar. Dance floor. Loud music.
• McGillicuddy's, 84 Main Street, New Paltz, NY 12561, ☎ [phone].  College bar. Dance floor. Loud music.

Sleep

Cozy beds and breakfasts. Youth hostel next to bus station on Main street.

• New Paltz Hostel, 145 Main Street, ☎ [phone]. Check-in: 4:00, check-out: 10:00. The New Paltz Hostel has a home like feeling and a laid back, comfortable atmosphere. Has a full functioning kitchen with communal food available to guests. Provides bunk bed style rooms (a men's room and a women's room) and private rooms are also available. Includes all bed linens, towels, blankets, shampoo and communal food. 30. 

Splurge

• Mohonk Mountain House, 1000 Mountain Rest Rd, ☎ [phone]. On the west side of the river. $250-$600 per night, this fabulous getaway is a destination in and of itself. It features theme programs for each month, has an on-site massage center and 9-hole golf course and is a favorite for weddings, corporate events and family reunions. Adjacent Mohonk Preserve is open for hiking and nature walks. The Mohonk Mountain is only about 10/15 minutes away by car. 

Go next

Routes through New Paltz

Albany ← Kingston ←

N  S

→ Newburgh → New York City