Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

[jerrym3]

If you are within driving distance of the George Washington Bridge, here's a nice day trip.

After living in northern Joisey for 66 years, I decided to visit the Fort Lee NJ Historical Park.

If you like history, you'll love this park. To guard against the British taking over the Hudson River, Fort Lee was set up on the Jersey side, and Fort Washington on the NY side. Old gun emplacements are still there as well as defensive ramparts.

Views of the GW Bridge and the Hudson River are outstanding. (There's a small lighthouse under the NY side of the GWB.)

There's a hiking trail down and back up the Palisades cliffs. (You will need directions in advance. I have them. PM me if interested.)

You hike along the river under the GWB. (A security guard told me that I could not park under the bridge and take a picture.) Taking the very steep (and old) steps back to the top of the Palisades is strenuous, but I'm 66 and I did it. The Palisades are about 300 ft high at this point.

There are "Boat Basins" which have stunning views of the river and the GWB. There's also a snack bar which is open until 10/30.

Use Mapquest to find the easiest way to access the park from New Jersey or New York.

At the basins, you can barbecue, if you like, or bring along a picnic lunch.

You NY/NJ guys should consider this for a place to meet. Gorgeous photo shots.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Sounds nice. I'll have to check it out.

[Mintgrn]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Jerry, that is almost in my backyard. I live 15 minutes up the river in Cresskill. I have been to those spots numerous times. Actually you can stop and take a quick snap under the bridge on the road there. With the top down it's easy, there is never any traffic on that road, too narrow to park, so parking not allowed, but if no one behind you, just stop. Years ago, before 911 I used to take pictures of the NJ tower of the GWB with a 4x5 view camera. You used to be able to drive right up to where the tower sits in the river and take pictures of base, under bridge toward NY side, etc. Now due to terrorism security it is all fenced off with chain link fence, barbed wire and no trespassing signs. It used to be quite the place for dramatic photographs of bridge. But rightfully so these days, they don't want you taking pictures of what holds up the bridge.
You can enter that road in Fort Lee off River Rd. It is a beautiful drive especially when leaves change. If you follow road north along river you eventually come out in Alpine, NJ by PIP headquarters. there you can either turn around, and go back from whence you came or hit the PIP or 9W.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Mintgrn

Actually, you can drive right to the base of the GW right on the Hudson River, but you're supposed to have a boat/trailer. It's a boat loading/unloading ramp now.

Since the season is just about over, you could probably get a nice security guard to let you take a picture.

I was able to take the hiking path right down to the base of the GW. No one stopped me or asked what I was doing.

But, there is a pretty sturdy enclosure around the base itself, so there still is a good measure of security.

What concerns me a bit is that the security guard was a young guy with no weapon. So if I was a terrorist, or with a band of terrorists, I could get to the base of the GWB and do some pretty bad stuff before any law enforcement arrived.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Here's a great day trip for you Joisey/NY guys.

Take the road along the Hudson (as described), stop at both Boat Basins and Fort Lee Historic Park, and then continue up to Alpine. Get back on the Palisades Interstate Parkway north and go to Bear Mtn.

Once in Bear Mtn Park, go to Perkins Drive (check Mapquest). View is stunning. You can see the NYC skyline on a clear day. On the way down, pull over and view the West Point Academy.

Return using Seven Lakes Parkway west to Rt 17 south. Takes you right back to north Jersey and routes to New York City.

(I think I just found something to do tomorrow.)

Better be quick, because the leaves in north Jersey are starting to change, and Bear Mountain is about a week ahead.

If you have the extra time, cruise around Greenwood Lake, and get to 208 south to get you back to NYCity and/or highways to south Jersey.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Here's a shot of my 58 TBird a few year's ago (car's been sold) under the GW, but not at the river level.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

TBird from one of the Boat Basins.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Jerry...great minds think alike. I was going to suggest the trip to Bear Mtn but you beat me to it. Great spot but I believe access to USMA is now restricted.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

007Cruiser

Correct, West Point is now restricted. Tried to get in a few years ago (during a fall leaf trip)and was turned back.

As grammar school kids in the 50's, my home town (Guttenberg, NJ; 4 blocks long, 15 wide) used to schedule bus trips for the Police Athletic League kids to Bear Mountain and West Point. I remember a few very large cannons, a hiking path down to the Hudson, and the Cadets parading.

Poor bus driver had to listen to us kids singing "99 bottles of bear on the wall" from West Point all the way back to Guttenberg.

The PAL also schduled day trips to see Yankee, Giant, and Dodger baseball games. Great little town back then.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Better shot of the Palisades.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Perkins Drive from my brother-in-law's triple black.
Lake shot along Seven Lakes Parkway.

[5bird7]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Looked like you had a good cruise, Jerry.

[jerrym3]

Re: Nice NY/NJ Metro day trip

Couldn't have picked a better day yesterday for a cruise to High Point State Park, NJ. Little cool with the top down, but a gorgeous day anyway.

The view from the 1800 ft high point was stunning. Cloudless sky, no breeze, no crowds. Too bad the 220 ft monument was closed. (I've actually seen this monument from the air on approach to Newark Airport.) Leaf colors were not very vibrant. Maybe it's "beyond peak" time.)

If you're within driving distance of the PA, NJ, and NY junction point (Port Jervis, NY), you should check it out before the season ends.

You could probably do Delaware Water Gap and High Point in the same day.