As I mentioned in my earlier blog post, Nyack, NY was the place I called home for 3 months while working on assignment in Northern New Jersey. I was apprehensive about a miserable commute initially, as I usually try to find housing within minutes of my job, as opposed to a solid half hour in what I expected to be a congested drive. However my commute was a breeze, and with the Hudson River often within view, made it a quiet, scenic one to boot.
Nyack, NY is a very affluent and inclusive community that is along the banks of the Hudson River and the town you first enter when you cross the 3 mile long Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, formerly known to most northerners as the Tappan Zee Bridge (originally built in 1955 connecting the towns of Tarrytown, NY to the east and Nyack, NY to the west). When the “Cuomo” bridge was completed in 2018, it offered pedestrians and bicyclists a way to cross the river between these two towns, which are both worthy of a visit. The pedestrian portion of the bridge includes areas where you can sit and rest overlooking the views of the river below and is the longest shared bicycle and pedestrian path in the United States. At night this bridge is lit up beautifully, especially for certain holidays when they incorporate colored lights as well. Definitely worthy of a photograph, if you find yourself lucky enough to locate the perfect spot to capture it. Many times I either walked or rode my bike across to the opposite side to not only get in a good workout, but also to be able to increase my entertainment / sightseeing offerings by expanding my geographic radius to more than just Nyack alone. Tarrytown for example, offers a nice waterfront area that you can take a stroll or bike ride, with restaurants and shops along the way. Additionally, south of the bridge on the Tarrytown side is Washington Irving’s home along the banks of the Hudson River. He is the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, among other notable pieces of literature, and his home is a historical landmark open to the public for guided tours. Conversely, to the north of the bridge, just past Tarrytown, you will find a park which makes for a very enjoyable place to picnic along the river, known as Kingsland Point Park in the town of Sleepy Hollow, NY. Summertime offers plenty to do, and with a commuter train that runs through this area and right into NYC, opportunities for entertainment are endless…without the hassle of driving, I might add.
But let’s cross back over the river into Nyack and delve into what recreational activities are offered along the west bank. There are so many fun things to do in Nyack and the surrounding area that I am going to break this blog post into two, focusing on the food and beverage scene the next time around, as there is just too many to put in this one blog post. Nyack has several street festivals, which are held on the streets of its charming downtown multiple times per year. I was informed about this by my landlord, but had no idea just how big these festivals are, until I went to my first one. There are tons of street vendors selling everything you can think of including clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. In addition, you can fill your appetite with a variety of food and drink offerings for sale, along with other area businesses promoting their products, as well. While downtown attending these festivals, you can also pop in and out of the shops, restaurants or bars to provide even more options. Live music or a DJ can often be found at these street festivals to provide more of a community block party feel. To say I was pleasantly surprised by my first street festival experience would be an understatement.
Another fun area to spend an hour or so, is at the Nyack Memorial Park and riverfront. This is a beautiful park overlooking the Hudson River, where you can sit and read, or just watch the sailboats go by, with an up close view of the “Cuomo” bridge in the backdrop. This is especially beautiful if you find yourself in this area during the 4th of July fireworks – the view of the water, the fireworks display lighting up the sky (in various locations up and down the river I might add), and the bridge lit up as well, is a sight to behold. Whether it is evening, or early in the morning, the views overlooking the water offer something uniquely special. Gazing at the boats moored in the water at dawn is a pretty spectacular sight, and a great picturesque photo opportunity, especially if you can find a place to stand along the shore just a tad north of this area, near the Nyack Marina on Spear Street.
Just a few miles north of Nyack Memorial Park is the Nyack State Beach Park. This is another great place for some R&R overlooking the river, whether it be for a picnic, taking in the sights while sitting on a large rock or park bench (look directly across the water to Tarrytown and you will see that long commuter train coming and going from NYC), or perhaps a walk or bike ride along the trail, with the views of the river the entire time.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Nyack is a really great town to live or vacation in, being both situated right along the river with its panoramic views, whether walking or biking, and at the base of Hook Mountain, which is a local favorite hiking spot in the summer. If you want an even bigger mountain to hike, head north to Bear Mountain. Both offer views overlooking the Hudson River, and although I was not living in the area in the fall, I imagine it would be a breathtaking view with the combo of the colorful foliage and the river views.
Lastly, I have to share one of my all time favorite activities while staying in Nyack…a cozy little underground bar known as Maureen’s Jazz Cellar, featuring live music, which once or twice a month highlights their very own talented pianist. This guy was so entertaining taking spontaneous song requests from the audience and making his own background accompaniments using a harmonica, whistling, or using a beatboxing sound effect. Every visit offered a fun experiential visit that was both hysterical and really got the crowd participation going. If you are ever in Nyack on a Saturday night when they have their pianist playing, go. There is a very unique and quaint NYC vibe that you feel within this speakeasy of a bar and is a guaranteed fun evening. Tune in to my next blog post, where I will outline the countless places to grab a bite or drink in Nyack, as well as some day trip ideas within an hour or two away.
