Palisades Region

Bear Mountain State Park, with the Trailside Museum and Wildlife Center and popular Bear Mountain Inn, offers miles of biking and hiking trails and great views. At Harriman State Park, visitors can seek solitude along 300 miles of trails, including the first segment of the Appalachian Trail, enjoy swimming at Lake Sebago Beach or camping at Beaver Pond or Sebago Cabin camps. At Minnewaska State Park Preserve -- recognized as one of the 75 great places in the Western Hemisphere -- 50 miles of carriageways invite exploration on foot, bike, horseback, or cross country skis. Minnewaska is also the only state park that offers rock climbing.

For early American history buffs, Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, the nation's first state-owned historic site, depicts the Revolutionary War headquarters of General Washington, while New Windsor Cantonment in Vails Gate gives visitors insight into the weaponry, activities and atmosphere of life as a Continental soldier.