NYC to USMA at West Point
 

Husband and son plan to fly to NYC ,spend the night and then the next morning travel to West Point to attend an afternoon football game. They would prefer to take a train from NYC to the Point so as to relax and enjoy the Autumn scenery . Any suggestions for the station nearest to West Point and once there ideas to get to the stadium and then back to the station for return trip to NYC?<BR>We were wondering if any of you who are USMA alumni make the trip to home games by train or is it just simpler to drive from NYC to the stadium? Any help will be appreciated.

There is no train from NYC directly to WEst Point. There is bus service from the Port Authority in NYC. And of course you could go by auto, the most convenient way to go. It is 50 miles from NYC.

Thanks for your bus info, X.<BR><BR>We have been searching for train stations near West Point, hoping that maybe one of the train lines stopped at Highland Falls, but haven't found that one does. Is Newburg an option?

www.usma.edu/guide_paige/visiting.htm<BR><BR>Try this.

http://www.usma.edu/guide_page/visiting.htm <BR><BR>Sorry-this should work..it is the Metro North train schedules to West Point

The trains run on the east side of the Hudson and the academy is on the westy side- that's the problem! Metro North commuter rail is far cheaper than Amtrak and runs more frequent rains. They depart from Grand Central Terminal and your choices are get off in Peekskill and take a cab across the Bear Mountain Bridge and then north on Rte 9W to the Point or.... continue past Peekskill on the train to Beacon and take the Newburgh-Beacaon Bridge and drive back south on Rte 9W to get there. The first route is obviously the shorter of the two but if you're looking for somethign like a bus from the train station to West Point there may be an advantage to Beacon - I'm simply not sure of that. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a group that chartered a bus for rides to the games from NYC. It's worth checking with the athletic department at the academy to verify that. Their info is at<BR>www.usma.edu

Call the Alumni Affairs office at (845)446-4027. There are buses that go to the games. The most convenient Metro North train stop for West Point is directly across the river in Garrison where you can get a taxicab. However, when you call the alumni office ask them if they use their boat (I can't think of the name of it now) to ferry people back and forth on game days. The boat is used for all kinds of events during the year. If you decide to rent a car and drive, how you enter Michie Stadium will depend on your seat assignments. Some seats will require that you drive through the town of Highland Falls to Thayer Gate and others through Stony Lonesome Gate and others still further away down by the golf course. Either way, give yourself alot of extra time because once you enter any gate you have to pull over and get into a line to show your driver's license or military i.d., and then your vehicle is inspected. The m.p.'s will then ask you to open the hood of the car and the trunk. They'll also ask you where you are going so be ready to show your tickets. There's a very lovely couple who live in town (Highland Falls) and he's alumni also...he's a retired colonel...I'm sure the alumni office will put you in touch with them if you ask about local alumni. ..I just don't feel comfortable giving out that much personal info... but I do know all alumni are very supportive and helpful to one another...if you need any other info about the area such as restaurants, etc. post back.

Taxicab companies to call from Garrison station are; West Point Taxi Service or (845)446-4520 or Bosch's (845)446-4658.

Just wondering if it's too late for your husband and son to fly into Stewart Airport in Newburgh, which is only about 15 miles from West Point. There's 2 motels in HF that are within walking distance to the Thayer gate. There's a new Holiday Inn on 9W North in Fort Montgomery which is only about 3 miles to the Thayer gate. If you stay in town it's ideal to walk to the stadium because you don't have to hassle with auto security checks and parking.

Thanks to all of you for your ideas and suggestions. We will explore them further.<BR>The overnight stay in NYC is because the guys have theater tickets to Mamma Mia the night before the football game.<BR>My husband was just trying to avoid renting a car if at all possible. He flies around the country a lot for business purposes, so he has to drive rental cars a lot . :-)<BR>That's why a train ride would be a treat.<BR>

In a pig's eye is Stewart Airport 15 miles from West Point! I live about 10 miles south of West Point.<BR><BR>Best bet is to drive from NYC up the Palisades Pkwy. It is a pretty drive with nice foliage views. Next best would be the bus from Port Authority. If they must take a train then Metro-North but don't know how hard it will be to get a can back and time the train.

Lawren, I live on base in the Stony Lonesome housing area. From my exit gate it's about 9 miles to the 5 corners area of Vails Gate, then about another 2 or 3 to the intersection past Wal-Mart and Adams where you make the left to get to the airport, which is about another 3 miles. I said about, not precisely.

One more bit of info.. LOL My husband is not an alum of the Academy.. he will rooting for the visiting team! So he and my son would be personas non grata on an Academy alum bus.<BR>The whole weekend : theater, game, and sightseeing in NYC is part of our son's birthday present.<BR>I only mentioned USMA alums in my first message because I was sure there must be some who live in NYC or nearby communities who could answer my question of possible trains.

Zelda,<BR>I'm in New City. Easily takes over an hour from here to Stewart using exit 17 from the NYThruway.<BR><BR>Probably 20 minutes from here to the point using the Palisades.<BR><BR>In all honesty a train is not a reality as mass transit isn't a strong point here in Rockland County.

Message to Lawren: Porky and I are very upset about your comment about pigs flying. We could if we wanted to, but it's for the birds. That said, you should know that the bus from Port Authority is one of the worst ways to get to West Point because it makes about 25 stops all along Route 17 North in Bergen County, New Jersey and then into Rockland County before it lets you off at the visitor's center. The traffic on Route 17 on a Saturday is not conducive to a nice and scenic relaxing ride. Besides, there isn't anything scenic along this bus route.

Message to Lawren:<BR>First you said you were 10 miles south of West Point and now you say you are in New York City. Which is it? I live in Garrison just a stone's throw from the Metro North Station. If you don't have transportation, you can call one of the cab companies in Highland Falls and now there's one in Fort Montgomery. The bus is a terrible idea. Taking a car onto the base for a game is a real hassle especially now with all the security procedures that are necessary.

Innocent bystander I am NOT in New York City. I am in New City, NY in Rockland County. Easy mistake but you should READ before you jump into the fray. <BR><BR>Petunia I would NOT recommend the bus but it would certainly be more convenient than the train.<BR><BR>If anyone actually read my post...I recommend driving to West Point.<BR><BR>L

I used to live on base at WP in the apartments that face the river. M'am it is only about 15 miles to the Stewart Airport especially if you exit at Washington gate and you get right onto 9W and go right over the mountain. I think the other woman said it's about 15 miles from Stewart to WP, not NYC. You an also get a cab from Stewart to the base. It's in Orange County. If you did a mapquest from say Main Street in Highland Falls (right outside the West Point gate) to say Route 300 (Union Avenue) in Newburgh (where the Mitsubishi car dealer is )it comes to about 11 miles and then add the approximate 3 or 4 to the airport.

The bus is not more convenient than the train. I've done both and the train is better even with the cab ride. Now I stay at The Thayer instead of in the city when I attend a home game. I'd stay in the city just to have more to do, but now I give up the 1 day and 1 night.

If you enter South Main Street in New City, Rockland County, NY as a starting point on maps and then enter Main Street in Highland Falls, Orange County, NY as the destination it's 20.5 miles, not 10. HF is the town right outside the West Point gates.

maybe that's why it takes 20 minutes to get there for me (LOL)? Although I certainly wouldn't go the way that mapsonus would send me.<BR><BR>I also don't expect an "out-of-towner" to know the back ways of people who live in Highland Falls.<BR><BR>Per the original post, the 2 travelers are coming in from NYC. Stewart is not an option.

An alternative to the train that does not go to West Point. Look up nywaterway.com They have ferry boats that go to USMA on game day and back. $80.00 scores round trip ferry plus game tickets and bus shuttle to the stadium and back to the dock after the game. I did it last year and it was terrific. Great views on both sides of the Hudson and the game seats were on the 20 yard line. Just a suggestion.

ttt

I would strongly endorse the ferry ride from NYC. I haven't taken it, but I know that the ride up the Hudson River is a magnificent experience, especially in the fall.

Message to Lawren:<BR>Did you know that you are going out of your way to get to Stewart Airport? If you are entering the PIP at 11 or 12 and heading south to exit 9W you are actually going south and then west just to head north again. Hey, I'm not criticizing you, but if you ever have to go there again all you have to do is take the PIP north to the Bear Mountain Circle and bear left to the 2nd exit on the right toward West Point. You continue on 9W north over the mountain and exit at the bottom of the mountain at the Cornwall exit. You bear left and proceed straight to the light and make a right. Proceed straight to the next light which is at a large intersection. Get in the left lane and cross the intersection, don't turn left. Proceed straight and follow the curve of the road to the 2nd light at 32 and make a right. Proceed straight to the 3rd light and make a left. The airport is up the road on the right. It may sound like alot of trouble, but you will cut out a considerable amount of mileage because you're adding 34 miles to your trip just from that first rest stop on the Thruway to the Newburgh exit for the airport. There are no backroads in HF to the airport. It's 9W north over the mountain, etc. as I wrote above. Alot of the cadets and their families utilize Stewart because of it's close proximity to the base and it is a very easy car ride or cab ride. When I lived there my family was able to use Stewart because where they traveled from didn't have direct flights to LGA, JFK, or EWR anyway, so they connected in Chicago, which has non-stop service into Stewart. LOL, I know, way too much information.

Question for Lawren:<BR>Do you belong to the Dellwood?

Thanks to all who replied with suggestions .. husband has decided to bite the bullet and rent a car to drive to West Point. :-)

Skyla, Thanks but your route is the way I would go. Even when I "shudder" go to the commomns for shopping I go over the long mtn highway which also comes off that traffic circle on the PIP. Most of our horseshows are in the Goshen area.<BR><BR>Nadia, My $$$ go to horses not golf but we ride often in the park which abuts Dellwood.<BR><BR>Asyla, The car will be the most convenient way to go even with the security at the point. Have him come up the west side highway take the upper deck of GWahington Bridge there is a far left hand exit onto the Palisades Pkwy. Then follow Skyla's directions.

Far RIGHT hand lane for the Palisades.<BR>Sorry.<BR>L

make him change his mind!!! take the ferry, that will be the best and most convenient experience possible. It will be a non stop foliage fest. and drops you at west point (no cabs, car rentals, trains.) It is possible to take a train to that side of the river, there is the cornwall/washingtonville stop then take a cab...this would take approx. 2 hours from NY once all is said and done.....take the train to cold spring and visit the town and take a cab...or goto garrison and cab it...#1 though is the ferry.