Overview
New Paltz is a city in Ulster County, New York State. This article also covers the small town of Gardiner, less than 7 miles to the southwest.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 6 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about New Paltz
Huguenot Street
Oldest street in America, excluding the Spanish-constructed streets of St. Augustine, with its original houses.
State University of New York at New Paltz
Mohonk Mountain House
National Historic Site.
Climb rocks
Hike
Go wine tasting
Whitecliff, in rural Gardiner to the south of New Paltz, is in a pretty location and makes interesting wines. Tastings, at $10-14, are not expensive, and many of their wines sell for $20 or less.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Mar. (climate data from nearby Briarcliff Manor)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SWF New York Stewart International Airport, Newburgh — 17 mi away. Directions
- HPN Westchester County Airport, White Plains — 51 mi away. Directions
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 68 mi away (major hub). Directions
New Paltz is exit 18 on the New York State Thruway which is also designated as Interstate 87.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Huguenot Street, State University of New York at New Paltz
- Lunch Bacchus
- Afternoon Hike, Skydive
- Dinner P&G's
- Evening McGillicuddy's
Day 2
- Morning Mohonk Mountain House, Climb rocks
- Lunch Main Street Bistro
- Afternoon Go wine tasting, Window shop
- Dinner Karma Road
- Evening Snug Harbor Bar and Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
New Paltz is exit 18 on the New York State Thruway which is also designated as Interstate 87.
By bus
There is frequent bus service between The Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City and New Paltz with connections to many other villages and cities.
By plane
Stewart International Airport is the nearest major airport to New Paltz. It is in Newburgh, thirty minutes to the south (exit 17 on the NYS Thruway).
By train
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is on the bed of the Wallkill Valley Rail transport, the former main transportation link for New Paltz.
Rail Travel to New York City: Nearby Poughkeepsie is the end of the line for Metro-North Rail. Poughkeepsie is a 15-20 minute drive east of New Paltz. Taxis are available in Poughkeepsie to transport travelers to and from New Paltz. Riding on Metro-North out of the Poughkeepsie Station is clean, safe and reliable. Trains run from very early in the morning until late into the evening. Fares can run as low as $12.75 each way.
Get around
Walk or drive. There are also buses run by Ulster County Transit.
See
See Huguenot Street
Oldest street in America, excluding the Spanish-constructed streets of St. Augustine, with its original houses.
Do
Do Climb rocks
Do Hike
Do Go wine tasting
Whitecliff, in rural Gardiner to the south of New Paltz, is in a pretty location and makes interesting wines. Tastings, at $10-14, are not expensive, and many of their wines sell for $20 or less.
Do Skydive
Do Window shop
Buy
Eat
- Both decent, cheap, good portions, pub food. Lots of burgers, chicken, and other fried things.
- Delicious and a bargain. Breakfast and lunch, everything is cheap and good. A lot of interesting, uncommon combinations.
- Very vegan friendly.
Eat Food Not Bombs
Every Wednesday inside of Snugs Harbor bar in poor weather (38 Main St.) and outside across from Wells Fargo set up on the wall/grass.
Drink
Drink Bacchus
Has over 300 beers and really good food. Slightly expensive and with a late night menu and pool.
Drink P&G's
College bar. Dance floor. Loud music.
Drink McGillicuddy's
College bar. Dance floor. Loud music.
Drink Snug Harbor Bar and Grill
Townie dive bar, live music 3x per week, pool table, host for food not bombs in winter
Sleep
Cozy beds and breakfasts. Youth hostel next to bus station on Main street.
Stay New Paltz Hostel
The New Paltz Hostel has a home-like feeling and a laid-back, comfortable atmosphere. Has a full functioning kitchen with communal food available to guests. Provides bunk bed style rooms (a men's room and a women's room) and private rooms are also available. Includes all bed linens, towels, blankets, shampoo and communal food.
Splurge
Stay Mohonk Mountain House
On the west side of the river. $250-600 per night, this fabulous getaway is a destination in itself. It features theme programs for each month, has an on-site massage center and 9-hole golf course and is a favorite for weddings, corporate events and family reunions. Adjacent Mohonk Preserve is open for hiking and nature walks. The Mohonk Mountain is only about 10/15 minutes away by car.
Nearby
Poughkeepsie
City / town · 24 listings · 8 mi away
Marlborough
City / town · 31 listings · 10 mi away
Hyde Park
City / town · 14 listings · 10 mi away
Kerhonkson
City / town · 51 listings · 11 mi away
Kingston
City / town · 17 listings · 13 mi away
Rhinebeck
City / town · 15 listings · 15 mi away
Ellenville
City / town · 31 listings · 16 mi away
Newburgh
City / town · 8 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
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