ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (Oct. 6, 2014) –Brilliant fall colors, incredible vistas, and festive events highlight autumn visits to Orange County, NY. The hills are ablaze, the air is crisp, and visitors will want to spend several days at the weekend festivals, harvest events, farm markets, and Halloween-themed destinations.
“‘Stunning’ is a perfect word to describe our backdrop of leaves in the colors of pumpkin, raspberry, wine, lemon, and melon. Come for the weekend to experience the wonderful flavors of fall,” said Susan Hawvermale, Orange County Tourism director. The county is only a 70-minute ride from Manhattan, two-and-a-half hours from Philadelphia, and three-and-a-half hours from Boston.
Sightseers looking for colorful landscapes will find Orange County’s panoramas exceed their expectations, with six Orange County Tourism “Stay With Us” lodging facilities ready to assist with overnight accommodations: The Thayer Hotel in West Point; The Bear Mountain Inn in Bear Mountain; The Comfort Inn and Suites in Goshen; The Hampton Inn in Middletown; Courtyard by Marriott in Middletown; and Homewood Suites by Hilton in Newburgh.
“We’ve compiled a list of the best scenic views in Orange County,” said Hawvermale. “Take a ride. Spend the weekend. Explore all that Orange County has to offer.”
Top Orange County leaf-peeping spots:
- Elks-Brox Memorial Park inPort Jervis. Drive up the switchbacks to this mountaintop area awash with color and gaze down at the Delaware River where New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey meet. 845-856-6694, www.portjervisny.org
- Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (Route 97), where travelers can pull over to catch the long expanses of the river from the overlooks. Parking areas along Interstate 84 across the valley from Elks-Brox give the same autumnal view, but with a northern exposure. 866-511-8372, www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org
- The Appalachian Trail south from the top of Mount Peter. A gentle hike reveals all nine miles of Greenwood Lake, Orange County’s largest lake, with its surrounding foliage aflame with color. Visit www.nynjtc.org to learn more.
- The United States Military Academy at West Point sits impressively above the Hudson River. An academy tour takes you to Trophy Point, revealing a beautiful view of the Hudson Highlands. There’s are fabulous river views, including the background colors of neighboring towns across the river. 845-446-4724, www.westpointtours.com
- Zulu Time Lounge at the Thayer Hotel at West Point features a rooftop patio bar overlooking the Hudson River. As sunset arrives, the colorful landscape reveals twinkling evening lights across the river. 845-446-4731, www.zulutimelounge.com
- Fort Montgomery Battlefield, a marvelous interpretive experience, features winding paths above the Hudson overlooking the Bear Mountain Bridge and its backdrop of colors. 845-446-2134, www.palisadesparksconservancy.org
- The Bear Mountain Trailside Museums and Zoo offer a northerly view of the same Hudson River scene where visitors take a leisurely stroll to meet native animals and learn more about the region’s geological history. 845-786-2701 (ext. 265), www.trailsidezoo.org
- Perkins Memorial Drive is just a few minutes north of the zoo, offering a glorious regional view of color. On clear days, even the Manhattan skyline is visible. 845-786-2701 (ext. 242), www.nysparks.com
“Bring your cameras and enjoy our colors,” added Hawvermale. “And it’s just not leaves, either. The vivid colors of our red apple orchards, orange pumpkin patches, and golden corn mazes will make your visit even more memorable.”
To learn more about “Stay with Us” lodging, visit www.orangetourism.org/stay-with-us.
Orange County Tourism, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, and events can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. For a free copy of the Orange County Travel Guide, e-mail tourism@orangecountygov.com, or call 800-762-8687.
