Going to West Point New York to visit a cadet that my daughter is dating and will only be in area for 3 days. Staying near the Stuart airport. Should we venture into the city (about an hour away, I was told) or are there enough sites to see in the West Point area?

West Point is approximately 1 hour north of the city via the Palisades Parkway...it's about 50 miles one way...if you have never been to the city or you are traveling with people who have never been there I would recommend you put aside one day to take the trip...will you have a car? If not, you can take the train into the city right across the Hudson River from West Point at the Garrison, New York Station...the ShortLine Bus Terminal is right near Stewart Airport and they have an express bus service into the city, although I recommend the train over the bus...on the West Point grounds are the cemetery, Fort Putnam, churches, and scenic views just to name a few...you can also take a ride to Rhinebeck, New York, which is a very quaint town less than an hour away, where you can have lunch at the historical Beekman Arms...about 3 miles from West Point's maingate is the Bear Mountain Inn, where you can have a very nice brunch buffet on Sunday...right inside the maingate is the Thayer, which also serves a nice Sunday brunch...the town right outside West Point is Highland Falls...there you can visit the West Point Museum...other than that, you have to travel elsewhere for attractions, etc....if you decide to eat in Highland Falls, the most popular place for cadets and their families is Schade's, which serves pizza, burgers, ribs, etc....avoid the diner...Andy's Luncheonette is okay for breakfast...there's also a Dunkin' Donuts, pizzerias, and Chinese...a brand new Holiday Inn just opened on Route 9W North in Fort Montgomery, which is about miles south of the West Point maingate...adjacent to it is a new restaurant called Pineapple's Steakhouse...The Trading Post Restaurant in Fort Montgomery overlooks the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge...it looks like a dive, but it's pretty good...do you have any type of itinerary ? What does everyone in your group like to do? I know many more places in the area if you are interested.

Since you're only going to be in the area for three days, I recommend spending it all in the Hudson Valley, where there is lots to see to keep you occupied and interested. Check out these two websites:
http://www.hudsonvalley.org
http://www.hvnet.com
One day in NYC will be a tease and will make for a hectic three days. Save that experience when you have more time.

It is just wonderful at West Point, maybe just enjoy the point and the monuments and history of it, but a train ride into the city isn't bad, and could be done for the day, the train goes right into Grand Central

Definitely spend a day in the city and take the train. Go early, have lunch, see a matinee Broadway show, walk down 5th Avenue starting at 59th Street where the Plaza Hotel is and you'll get a glimpse of Central Park. You can't see everything, but it's still worth the trip since you're not far away. Where are you coming from?

The Hudson Valley does have alot to see, but I think you should take the train into the city for one day. I commute from the Garrison station and it's nice and easy. Rhinebeck is a great idea and there's also a town called Cold Spring that's right on the Hudson River. These places are for strolling and browsing and taking your time. Cold Spring's streets are lined on each side with antique shops.

sss:
All the suggestions here are good ones, the Bear Mountain Inn and Hotel Thayer need resrvations for their brunches. Both are outstanding.
Since you are staying near Stewart and may want to go to NYC I suggest you get the train from Beacon. It is right over the Newburgh Beacon Bridge first exit Route 9D and just a short ride south on 9D. Ride will be about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Sit on the Hudson Side of the train. Great scenery. If you decide to visit Cold Spring, try the Depot Restaurant. It is the old train depot. If it is nice, sit outside by the tracks. Hope you enjoy your visit.

Cold Spring is a wonderful town - you should definitely go if you have the chance. As Annie said, eat outside at the Depot restaurant and see (& feel!) the Amtraks whoosh by. They often have a live band - little old men playing big band / jazz. Also, walk down by the river - it's quite pretty, surrounded by mountains. Cold Spring is a town of antique shops that has not been hit by the "chain store syndrome" - it's wonderfully quaint.

I'll also suggest a closer alternative to going to New York City--Kykuit, the Rockefeller mansion in Pocantico Hills (next to Tarrytown). It's less than an hour from West Point and a fantastic place.

You will be going out of your way if you take the train from Beacon (even from Newburgh) because if you are picking up someone at West Point you will only be approximately 6 or 7 miles from the train station in Garrison. All you have to do is exit at West Point's maingate and proceed straight on Main Street to 9W South and bear left at the Bear Mountain traffic circle where you will cross the Bear Mountain Bridge and make a left after crossing. Proceed straight and you will see the signs for Garrison and the train station which is left. It's a very quaint little area down by Hudson River. You can park your car there and not worry about it either.

An amazing outdoor sculpture park is nearby. A description and directions are available on their web site: www.stormkingartcenter.org

If you're still looking at these posts I would like to suggest a trip to Woodstock, New York. If you get on the New York Thruway North in Newburgh you will get off at exit 19 in Kingston (which has a very nice waterfront area called the Roundout) and then follow 299 and signs leading to the town. It shouldn't take you more than an hour. It's a great place to walk and browse. It also puts you within reasonable driving distance to Saugerties and Rhinebeck.

My family lived at West Point for four years -- I often took the train from Garrison station to NYC for the day -- very easy trip.
I would definitely recommend the Storm King park, it's beautiful (if the weather is okay for exploring). Also Cornwall-on-the-Hudson has a great little restaurant called Painters. Pretty drive.