Best Road trips to Take around Cortlandt, NY

Summer is a great time to explore the world around you, from parks and hiking trails to museums and the shores of the Hudson River. If you prefer a long road trip, you can plan several stops along the Hudson River Valley for two to three days. Or you can pick one spot to enjoy a day away from the usual hustle and bustle. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, visiting for a week, or moving to the area, our Bill Volz Westchester team invites you to explore the best road trips to take around Cortlandt, New York.

Anthony’s Nose

If you’re adventurous, a hike to Anthony’s Nose should be at the top of your list for summer road trips. This trail has a difficulty rating of six out of 10, mainly because the first 0.6 miles of the hike are steep. Many hikers have likened it to walking 500 feet up a vertical staircase, but after the initial climb, it’s smooth sailing. The additional 0.75 miles to the overlook is a relatively flat, old road.

You should plan a few hours at Anthony’s Nose while hiking to the overlook and enjoying the views. Packing a picnic lunch is an excellent way to slow down and soak in the sunshine, beauty, and nature around you. Anthony’s Nose is a well-known tourist destination, but you can find a bit more solitude at a smaller viewpoint located around the corner on top of a huge rock if you want to avoid fellow hikers.

The round-trip time of the hike, excluding extra time for a picnic, is approximately 2.5 hours for the average hiker, with a total ascent of 792 feet. You’ll be at a maximum elevation of 972 feet above sea level to view the Bear Mountain Bridge and Hudson River.

Bear Mountain State Park

Located on Palisades Parkway or Route 9W North in Bear Mountain, New York, you’ll find plenty to do for a few hours or an entire day in  Bear Mountain State Park, which covers more than 5,000 acres.. The park has a swimming pool, a large play field, river and lake fishing access, hiking and biking trails, and shaded picnic areas. Perkins Memorial Tower at the top of Bear Mountain is open from April to November, offering extraordinary park views.

The Trailside Museums and Zoo are also located within the park, featuring paved trails to native wildlife exhibits. All animals in the zoo, including porcupines, bald eagles, black bears, and eastern coyotes, are injured and unable to live in the wild. You’ll also find the Geology Museum, Nature Study Museum, History Museum, and the Reptile, Amphibian, and Fish Museums on-site.

The Merry-Go-Round showcases hand-painted park scenes, including many of the area’s native animals. Boat rentals, campsites, cabins, and food are available to help you make the most of your trip. They also have a gift shop, nature center, and visitor center for you to peruse. The namesake of the park, Bear Mountain, is a 1,284-foot mountain offering breathtaking views.

West Point Museum

Admission to West Point Museum is free, making it an appealing option for your next road trip. Museum hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. at 2110 New South Post Road in West Point, New York. It’s closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Galleries include American Wars, History of the U.S. Army, and History of Warfare. West Point Museum has been open to the public for over 150 years, housed in several locations until it was moved to its present site in 1988.

Sign up at the Visitors Center for a one-hour bus tour of the West Point campus to better understand the magnitude and history of this iconic location.

Storm King Art Center

The Storm King Art Center is a 500-acre outdoor park at 1 Museum Road in New Windsor, New York. You can plan a visit Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a final entry time of 4 p.m. Storm King is open until 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the summer with a 5 p.m. final entry. Since ticket sales are limited, you should reserve your tickets in advance to secure your preferred entry time.

You’ll find photographs, drawings, site-specific earthworks, and large-scale sculptures as you explore nature at Storm King. Pieces include Which Way?, Man with a Hat, Unit of Three Equal Volumes, Fishes, Black Flag, The Arch, and many more. You’ll discover many special installations and exhibits along with permanent displays. Current exhibitions include Ugo Rondinone: The Sun and the Moon, RA Walden: Outlooks, and Beatriz Cortez: The Volcano That Left.

Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery

Just over an hour from Cortlandt, you’ll find Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery at 331 Mckinstry Road in Gardiner. This artisanal, family-run winery has created excellent wines for over 30 years. You can visit the vineyard from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday to Friday, and it stays open until 7 p.m. on Saturday. Reservations for a tasting are not required but are available if you prefer to secure a set time with your group. Tastings include Various Tastings, Flights or Guided Tastings. Whitecliff sells by the glass for on-site consumption or the bottle to take home. The wines include the following:

• Red Trail.
• Awosting White.
• Dry Rosé.
• Merlot Malbec.
• Pinot Noir.
• Cabernet Franc.
• Blanc de Blanc.
• Landmark Red.
• Dry Riesling.
• Chardonnay.
• And many more.

Whitecliff has won awards, such as Winery of the Year and Best in Show, with its 2020 Cabernet Franc at the 2022 Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits Competition. They have also received Best in Show from the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Ready To Hit the Road?

These destinations are just a few of the beautiful spots in and around Cortlandt, New York. When you’re ready to start planning your next road trip, visit the team at Bill Volz Westchester at 2293 Crompond Road in Cortlandt. We’d love to show you around or set you up for a test drive in any of our used or new vehicles, perfect for any road trip. We have a wide selection of new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles, as well as many other used options. Complete our secure online form or call us at 914-996-6133 to get started.

Photo Credit: Anthony’s Nose by LunchboxLarry is licensed with CC BY 2.0

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