kimmos

Is there anything to do/see around the Central Valley area besides shopping? Would like to spend 2 days out of NYC. Thanks.

debsnj

I would recommend PA instead. Woodbury still charges tax on clothing. The Crossing in Tannersville, PA is great outlet shopping without tax. If you are into hiking you can go to Bushkill Falls. There are also some quaint towns in the area. Milford PA comes to mind. There is also Lake Wallenpaupak (spelling).

Jo1023

West Point is very close. Other than that, there's not much right around there. Storm King Mountain art center (known for outdoor sculptures) is in the general area. Crossing into the nearby Hudson Valley region, the Dia Museum (modern art) is in Beacon NY, not too far but a drive away, and the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park is not too far from that. Going on from there, FDR's home is nearby and Eleanor's estate is close. Sightseeing in the area would involve a full day as Woodbury Commons is sprawling and it alone will take some time to do unless you're really focused.

HowardR

Actually, Woodbury Common is right by the NY Thruway's Harriman exit. Thus, you have easy access to the beautiful Hudson Valley and the Catskills where there are many, many sightseeing options within an easy drive.

Dohlice

Woodbury Commons has a lot more stores than The Crossings. Good because they might have more of the stores that you like, bad because you can't do it all in one day. There is a lot of great hiking in Harriman and some pretty good hiking in PA. What kind of things do you like to do? Obviously I like hiking!

marginal_margiela

The Crossings? Are you daft? Blech. There is no Burberry, Gucci, or Roberto Cavalli at the Crossings. The best you can hope for is Nautica. (My Pocono cottage is nearby.)

If you have two days, I would definitely tour CIA at Hyde Park and eat at one of the restaurants there. You can also visit the Vanderbilt mansion.

lizziea06

The Crossings is nowhere near as good as Woodbury Commons. Not even close.

AJPeabody

And sign up on their website to get a free discount coupon book.

Dohlice

Next time you are at your cottage you might want to pop into the Crossings. Burberry is now open. It's very close to Cole Haan.

For a serious shopping trip you can't beat Woodbury.

aucho53

Hi Kimmos,

I was just at the woodbury outlets last weekend, the shopping is fantastic...just to let you know if you are going to be there before labour day there is a Burberry Sample Sale outet that opened up for the summer ONLY and closes on the 3rd....the deals were great!! But get ready to dig because a lot of it is in boxes or laid out on a big table for customers to rummage through.

There wasn't all that much to do other than the outlets...if you wanna drive a bit there is the town of Paramus which is about 35minutes south and has a few restaurants and the biggest mall in NJ called the Jersey Gardens. But all in all the area is pretty much all about the outlets

Enjoy!!

Layla

nytraveler

Sorry -

The lower portion of New York state has dozens of sights of interest - on either side of the Hudson. Only a few have been listed here.

I especially like the FDR home at Hyde Park, the Rockefeller Estate at Kykuit (sp?) and Bear Mountain state park.

(And I would never consider going to Paramus - which is just like every other sizeable mall in the country.)

ggreen

...not to mention that Jersey Gardens is in Elizabeth, not Paramus!

Once Woodbury Commons opened, there was no longer any reason to go to Paramus (once upon a time a passable place for outlet shopping).

aucho53

sorry my bad...you guys are right its not jersey gardens its Garden state plaza.

layla

missjanna

Another option: Head north and go to the Catskills or even Lake George if you want to take a good drive.

I was in Woodbury Commons 2 weeks ago, make sure you give yourself a good 6 hours there to be safe. (I was there for 5 and wasn't even planning on being there that long!)

MP07950

Can't suggest anything else in the area of Woodbury Commons, but you might want to check out the list of stores first (www.premiumoutlets.com) to see if there's enough to keep you busy there. I go a couple times/year since it's a quick ride, but am only ever there 1-2 hours (since I don't shop at Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, etc.)! My only other suggestion is to get there early --- it gets oppressively crowded (imho). A bit further, but you might want to consider Lancaster, PA. It's a very nice and easy ride and besides the outlets, the countryside is beautiful and you really feel like you are away from the city.

AJPeabody

Went to Woodbury Commons today (Friday before Labor Day) and there were no crowds. In general, the Friday before a holiday weekend gives you first crack at the newest sales without the oppresive weekend mobs. We scored some great bargains.

If you are able, go to the outlets on a weekday.

k2west2

Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz is very nice. A classic hotel, with great food and activities. Super hiking trails.

tuscanlifeedit

My DD lives on Greenwood Lake, not that far from Woodbury, maybe 30 minutes. The lake is very nice, and if you don't believe me, ask Derek Jeter, who has an incredible house on the lake. You can stay at the lake, rent boats, walk, etc. Another nice town nearby in Warwick, NY. Lots of Victorian houses, dining, shops; it small and quaint. There is an arts community nearby, too. I don't know the name, as I haven't been there.

This is a beautiful area, and I include all the more famous sites listed above.

1travelbug

Tuscan, are you thinking of Sugar Loaf Mountain (arts community?)...I remember going there as a kid and I thought it was up near the NJ/NY border...

Don't know when you're oging on your trip, kimmos, but Bear Mountain has an Octoberfest every year. Also, on the other side of Harriman State Park, I think there's a Renaissance Festival going on this time of year.

If you're going to the Warwick area, there's a drive-in theater you could check out after a day of apple picking at the local orchards...

Have a nice 2 days!