Karali's guidebook
Food Scene
Karali's favorite eateries in New Paltz and surrounding areas (within 15 minute drive).
Hip vibe, cool cocktails and mocktails, best place for a burger and fries, excellent veggie options. Cozy atmosphere with wonderful outdoor seating. (dogs welcome on patio).
103 locals recommend
Huckleberry
21 Church StHip vibe, cool cocktails and mocktails, best place for a burger and fries, excellent veggie options. Cozy atmosphere with wonderful outdoor seating. (dogs welcome on patio).
Quintessential New Paltz spot with excellent food and lovely outdoor seating. Great for breakfast or lunch. Fresh bagels!!
35 locals recommend
The Bakery
13a N Front StQuintessential New Paltz spot with excellent food and lovely outdoor seating. Great for breakfast or lunch. Fresh bagels!!
Superb food, panoramic views, spacious seating, and amazing little bakery. This is our favorite spot for a romantic dinner. Reservations recommended.
70 locals recommend
Gunk Haus
387 South StSuperb food, panoramic views, spacious seating, and amazing little bakery. This is our favorite spot for a romantic dinner. Reservations recommended.
Scrumptious vegetarian food in a cosy setting. Much of the food is on hot plates, so it's excellent for take out. But they also have Masala Dosa, crispy gluten-free crepes filled with curry potatoes. Vegan mango lassi, chai, and other treats.
22 locals recommend
Mexican Kitchen
15-1/2 N Front StScrumptious vegetarian food in a cosy setting. Much of the food is on hot plates, so it's excellent for take out. But they also have Masala Dosa, crispy gluten-free crepes filled with curry potatoes. Vegan mango lassi, chai, and other treats.
Delicious upscale Irish pub with great food. Live music some nights. Try their risotto and their short rib! Loveliest seating is in the bar area.
73 locals recommend
Garvan's Gastropub
215 Huguenot StDelicious upscale Irish pub with great food. Live music some nights. Try their risotto and their short rib! Loveliest seating is in the bar area.
This is the spot for a sunset dinner in the warm seasons! Sit on the high chairs facing the mountain, and share some buffalo cauliflower or a steak! Excellent outdoor seating (dogs welcome on patio). Note: This is not the place to go if you are in a rush, the kitchen is slow. But the cocktails are good!
40 locals recommend
The Parish Restaurant
10 Main StThis is the spot for a sunset dinner in the warm seasons! Sit on the high chairs facing the mountain, and share some buffalo cauliflower or a steak! Excellent outdoor seating (dogs welcome on patio). Note: This is not the place to go if you are in a rush, the kitchen is slow. But the cocktails are good!
The tiniest and prettiest wine bar, with light noshes and an amazing sunset view from the porch in warm months.
29 locals recommend
Jar'd Wine Pub
10 Main StThe tiniest and prettiest wine bar, with light noshes and an amazing sunset view from the porch in warm months.
La Charla Mexican Restaurant
127 Main StExcellent Mexican food with a great atmosphere.
Billiards, a very long beer list, and homey New Paltz vibe make this a great evening spot. This bar has a slightly more down-to-earth feel, compared to P&G's, which is more mainstream. Also family friendly for dinner!
54 locals recommend
Bacchus Restaurant, Brewery & Billiards
4 S Chestnut StBilliards, a very long beer list, and homey New Paltz vibe make this a great evening spot. This bar has a slightly more down-to-earth feel, compared to P&G's, which is more mainstream. Also family friendly for dinner!
High-quality take out with lovely space for eating in as well. This is the best place in town for a big salad - so many ingredients to choose from! Also great prepared foods with international influences and a highbrow culinary appeal. Excellent desserts and cocktails to go.
67 locals recommend
Main Course Marketplace
175 Main StHigh-quality take out with lovely space for eating in as well. This is the best place in town for a big salad - so many ingredients to choose from! Also great prepared foods with international influences and a highbrow culinary appeal. Excellent desserts and cocktails to go.
Excellent vegan eatery. My fave: Avocado smash sandwich in a gluten-free wrap!
49 locals recommend
Karma Road
11 Main StExcellent vegan eatery. My fave: Avocado smash sandwich in a gluten-free wrap!
Sweet seasonal woodsy cafe with wood-fire pizza and other noshes. Kid friendly (there's a sandbox, they serve PB&J) and right on the rail trail. Live music often in summer, look up their website.
36 locals recommend
Rail Trail Cafe
310 River Road ExtSweet seasonal woodsy cafe with wood-fire pizza and other noshes. Kid friendly (there's a sandbox, they serve PB&J) and right on the rail trail. Live music often in summer, look up their website.
There is a reason that there's a long line out the door for brunch on weekends - the menu is huge and delicious and all New Paltz'ers love this place. Quintessential!
99 locals recommend
Main Street Bistro
59 Main StThere is a reason that there's a long line out the door for brunch on weekends - the menu is huge and delicious and all New Paltz'ers love this place. Quintessential!
Ollie's Pizza
4 Bruceville RdLovely pizza place with outdoor seating and wood fired pizza.
Hiking and Local Walks
My favorite hike, this involves rock scrambling (climbing over boulders, following a path of arrows) though there is also a way to go up by hiking. It's challenging, and the reward is incredible views.
30 locals recommend
Bonticou Crag
My favorite hike, this involves rock scrambling (climbing over boulders, following a path of arrows) though there is also a way to go up by hiking. It's challenging, and the reward is incredible views.
Amazing day trip for all ages. Call ahead to make reservations for a day-pass. This historic hotel and the grounds around it are super special - you can see 7 states from the skytop tower! There is a regular path and a rock-scramble path (Labyrinth / Lemon Squeeze) to get to the top. The hotel has an award-winning spa where one can book a massage without being a guest! There are also incredible restaurants, worth the splurge.
408 locals recommend
Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest RdAmazing day trip for all ages. Call ahead to make reservations for a day-pass. This historic hotel and the grounds around it are super special - you can see 7 states from the skytop tower! There is a regular path and a rock-scramble path (Labyrinth / Lemon Squeeze) to get to the top. The hotel has an award-winning spa where one can book a massage without being a guest! There are also incredible restaurants, worth the splurge.
This trail starts near our house and heads toward the ridge, with beautiful views. Great for biking, dogs, and walkers! We like to park on Pine Road to access the part of the trail that has the best views, rather than starting at the trailhead. One can also branch off from the trail to see the Testimonial Gateway, which is sure to impress children and adults alike. If you want details on Pine Road parking or our favorite walking loop there just message us.
42 locals recommend
River to Ridge Trail
41 Springtown RdThis trail starts near our house and heads toward the ridge, with beautiful views. Great for biking, dogs, and walkers! We like to park on Pine Road to access the part of the trail that has the best views, rather than starting at the trailhead. One can also branch off from the trail to see the Testimonial Gateway, which is sure to impress children and adults alike. If you want details on Pine Road parking or our favorite walking loop there just message us.
Historic cement mine is a fascinating place to spend time. Super fun for kids! It's chilly in there, bring an extra layer!
29 locals recommend
Widow Jane Mine
668 NY-213Historic cement mine is a fascinating place to spend time. Super fun for kids! It's chilly in there, bring an extra layer!
Lovely nature sanctuary just off of Huguenot Street. Level and easy walking.
14 locals recommend
Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary
133 Huguenot StLovely nature sanctuary just off of Huguenot Street. Level and easy walking.
Magical preserve unknown to tourists. If you want to get out into nature avoid the crowds, or you want to stay right near New Paltz, this is a lovely place to go! Park at the end of North Manheim, or at Duzine Elementary school (bigger lot).
Mill Brook Preserve
70 N Manheim BlvdMagical preserve unknown to tourists. If you want to get out into nature avoid the crowds, or you want to stay right near New Paltz, this is a lovely place to go! Park at the end of North Manheim, or at Duzine Elementary school (bigger lot).
This walk is quite level, with some lovely views. Overcliff road connects with Undercliff road, making a loop that's 5-6 miles long. Great for dogs, runners, etc. Passes by the cliffs where you can see rock climbers.
Overcliff Road
Overcliff RoadThis walk is quite level, with some lovely views. Overcliff road connects with Undercliff road, making a loop that's 5-6 miles long. Great for dogs, runners, etc. Passes by the cliffs where you can see rock climbers.
This 1.5 mile loop-road is just next to our house and a great place for a quick run or walk. It's a residential street with very little traffic. No mountain views, but quiet and easy. Just walk towards town (make a right out of our driveway) and make your first left. It's a loop, so it sets you right back on Mountain Rest Road.
Morningstar Drive East
Morningstar Drive EastThis 1.5 mile loop-road is just next to our house and a great place for a quick run or walk. It's a residential street with very little traffic. No mountain views, but quiet and easy. Just walk towards town (make a right out of our driveway) and make your first left. It's a loop, so it sets you right back on Mountain Rest Road.
Neighborhoods & Towns
New Paltz is fun to walk around - even in the rain! There are many tiny shops, art stores, eateries, and a general sweet vibe. If you take your time, you'll make friends along the way! Check out nearby towns too!
This is an adorable artsy tiny town with a history as a center of cement mining in the 1800s. It's 12 minutes from New Paltz. There's an art-house movie theatre, thrift stores, international food, and gift shops. Keep an eye out for Rosendale's many festivals in summer and winter (Frozendale, Pickle festival, music festival...). There's a wonderful high train trestle bridge walking form distance to town, and just a short drive to the astonishing Widow Jane cement mine.
42 locals recommend
Rosendale
This is an adorable artsy tiny town with a history as a center of cement mining in the 1800s. It's 12 minutes from New Paltz. There's an art-house movie theatre, thrift stores, international food, and gift shops. Keep an eye out for Rosendale's many festivals in summer and winter (Frozendale, Pickle festival, music festival...). There's a wonderful high train trestle bridge walking form distance to town, and just a short drive to the astonishing Widow Jane cement mine.
Great shops, cafes, eateries, thrift stores, in Water Street Market. This area is a local hang-out, and if you take your time you'll make friends along the way! (Parish, Jar'd, Eden, and the Cheese shop are among my favorite spots)
https://waterstreetmarket.com/
121 locals recommend
Water Street Market
10 Main StGreat shops, cafes, eateries, thrift stores, in Water Street Market. This area is a local hang-out, and if you take your time you'll make friends along the way! (Parish, Jar'd, Eden, and the Cheese shop are among my favorite spots)
https://waterstreetmarket.com/
Houses from the 1700's right near downtown New Paltz. A little museum/shop and tours are available. Check out the shops on Church Street too.
https://www.huguenotstreet.org/
Huguenot Street
Huguenot StreetHouses from the 1700's right near downtown New Paltz. A little museum/shop and tours are available. Check out the shops on Church Street too.
https://www.huguenotstreet.org/
Favorite Shops
Bookstore with both new and used books - so many treasures! Great kids nook! Barner Books (used) across the street!
11 locals recommend
Inquiring Minds Inc
6 Church StBookstore with both new and used books - so many treasures! Great kids nook! Barner Books (used) across the street!
So many treasures in this shop! Jewelry, kitchen stuff, games, baby stuff, home decorations, etc. Also check out the sister shop, Verde, around the corner.
15 locals recommend
Cocoon
67 Main StSo many treasures in this shop! Jewelry, kitchen stuff, games, baby stuff, home decorations, etc. Also check out the sister shop, Verde, around the corner.
This is the best shop for toys, handmade treasures, and all sorts of gifts. There's also a fabulous clothing store upstairs!
14 locals recommend
Handmade and More
6 N Front StThis is the best shop for toys, handmade treasures, and all sorts of gifts. There's also a fabulous clothing store upstairs!
Isabella's Treasure
7 N Front StGreat gift shop. Sparkly things!
Indigo and Velvet
73 Main StGreat clothes for the hip set!
This is the place to pick up CBD balms, gummies and other such products. Heady Teddy also has these two doors down.
Likwid
65 Main StThis is the place to pick up CBD balms, gummies and other such products. Heady Teddy also has these two doors down.
Rainy day with kids? Go to Manny's! There are so many arts and craft supplies, kits, and kid-friendly activities on offer, in addition to the full range of classical art supplies. Quintessential New Paltz!
Manny's
83 Main StRainy day with kids? Go to Manny's! There are so many arts and craft supplies, kits, and kid-friendly activities on offer, in addition to the full range of classical art supplies. Quintessential New Paltz!
Tweefontein Herb Farm: This shop has a wide selection of balms, serums, tinctures, teas, jewelry, home décor, crystals and minerals for sale! We love their muscle rub and their fire cider. This shop is a local treasure, and just two miles from our house.
Tweefontein Herb Farm
4 Jenkins LnTweefontein Herb Farm: This shop has a wide selection of balms, serums, tinctures, teas, jewelry, home décor, crystals and minerals for sale! We love their muscle rub and their fire cider. This shop is a local treasure, and just two miles from our house.
This is THE place for bargain clothes shopping. Similar to Marshall's, you can find great treasures for under $10, but you have to take time to really look. Has teen, children's, and plus size sections, in addition to women and men. Great place to pick up a fleece jacket, cozy pajamas, and professional women's clothes on a budget.
Peter Harris Clothes - New Paltz, NY
9 New Paltz PlazaThis is THE place for bargain clothes shopping. Similar to Marshall's, you can find great treasures for under $10, but you have to take time to really look. Has teen, children's, and plus size sections, in addition to women and men. Great place to pick up a fleece jacket, cozy pajamas, and professional women's clothes on a budget.
Groceries
Very close to our house, Walkill View is the best place to get fresh fruit, veggies, plants, and holiday/seasonal items. They have basic groceries, and you can get what you need for a picnic or dinner without dealing with town traffic! Also ice cream and baked goods. It's closed Jan-March. Note: it doesn't focus on organic, for that, head to Health and Nutrition uptown. Their corn maze and hay ride in October can't be beat.
51 locals recommend
Wallkill View Farm Market
15 NY-299Very close to our house, Walkill View is the best place to get fresh fruit, veggies, plants, and holiday/seasonal items. They have basic groceries, and you can get what you need for a picnic or dinner without dealing with town traffic! Also ice cream and baked goods. It's closed Jan-March. Note: it doesn't focus on organic, for that, head to Health and Nutrition uptown. Their corn maze and hay ride in October can't be beat.
Large supermarket with a wide variety of food, including a large organic section.
109 locals recommend
Tops Friendly Markets
271 Main StLarge supermarket with a wide variety of food, including a large organic section.
Local health food store has everything you need. It's next to Tops Supermarket, so it's an easy one-stop grocery expedition.
39 locals recommend
Health & Nutrition Center
15 New Paltz PlazaLocal health food store has everything you need. It's next to Tops Supermarket, so it's an easy one-stop grocery expedition.
This is the best wine store in town. It's right next to the health food store and Tops supermarket.
10 locals recommend
Fox & Hound Wine & Spirits
271 Main StThis is the best wine store in town. It's right next to the health food store and Tops supermarket.
K & E Discount Beverages Inc
255 Main StA million kinds of beer here.
Fresh fish and a full prepared food menu. A New Paltz staple.
29 locals recommend
Gadaleto's Seafood Market
246 Main StFresh fish and a full prepared food menu. A New Paltz staple.
Sightseeing
Unison Arts Center's sculpture park is right next door to our house, just walk up the yard and to the left! It is is free and open to the public, and welcomes dogs on-leash. A great activity for the early-riser in your group while waiting for others to stir. There are paths through woods and fields featuring environmental art and permanent collections.
10 locals recommend
Unison Arts & Learning Center
68 Mountain Rest RdUnison Arts Center's sculpture park is right next door to our house, just walk up the yard and to the left! It is is free and open to the public, and welcomes dogs on-leash. A great activity for the early-riser in your group while waiting for others to stir. There are paths through woods and fields featuring environmental art and permanent collections.
Easy walk over this impressively high bridge make this a family favorite. It's walking distance to Rosendale.
106 locals recommend
Rosendale Trestle
Wallkill Valley Rail TrailEasy walk over this impressively high bridge make this a family favorite. It's walking distance to Rosendale.
The best place for a swim or a picnic. Kid-friendly! Parking lot fills early in summer and on weekends. It's part of Mohonk Preserve so there's a fee to enter, but it's well worth it.
Coxing Kill
The best place for a swim or a picnic. Kid-friendly! Parking lot fills early in summer and on weekends. It's part of Mohonk Preserve so there's a fee to enter, but it's well worth it.
This is just a mile from our house and a gorgeous walk. You can park right by the Gateway (there's a fee because it's on Mohonk Preserve land) or you can access it for free by walking from the River to Ridge trail (see separate entry in the guidebook).
10 locals recommend
Mohonk Preserve Testimonial Gateway
35 NY-299This is just a mile from our house and a gorgeous walk. You can park right by the Gateway (there's a fee because it's on Mohonk Preserve land) or you can access it for free by walking from the River to Ridge trail (see separate entry in the guidebook).
Walk from Highland to Poughkeepsie over the Hudson river. We like the Rosendale Trestle bridge walk even better because it's more unique and historical, but this is grand for sure.
329 locals recommend
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
61 Parker AveWalk from Highland to Poughkeepsie over the Hudson river. We like the Rosendale Trestle bridge walk even better because it's more unique and historical, but this is grand for sure.