15 OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN WEST POINT, NY

Introduction

West Point is a historic post for many reasons. It’s the site of the U.S. Military Academy, founded in 1802 by Thomas Jefferson. Thousands of cadets receive their commissions here each and every year. It’s also home to a garrison that’s been around since the Revolutionary War, when the Continental Army occupied the area for strategic purposes. If you end up serving here in this most storied installation, then you’ll want to know what there is to do in the surrounding area. Fortunately, West Point, NY is right in the middle of the action, and there’s plenty of things to do that everyone will find exciting on base and in the surrounding areas. Know what you are looking for? Click the number(s) to go right to what you go: (1) Gyms (2) Bowling (3) Movie Theaters (4-8) Nearby Attractions (9-12) Museums (13) Golfing (14-15) Outdoor Recreation

Suggested Read:

West Point Military Academy: In-Depth Welcome Center

Things to Do in West Point, NY

West Point Gym

1. MWR Fitness Center

683 Buckner Loop BLDG 683 West Point, NY 10996

Phone:

1 (845) 938-6490 The MWR Fitness Center is the main West Point gym. It offers a variety of equipment like free weights and cardio machines. There are classes you can enroll in as well. Come by for spin classes or cross training. The MWR Fitness Center also conducts the Army Combat Fitness Test and provides a detailed guide for how to train for it.

West Point Bowling Alley

2. West Point Family and MWR Bowling Center

622 Swift Rd. BLDG 622 West Point, NY 10996

Phone:

1 (845) 938-2140 This West Point bowling alley is a ton of fun for the whole family. They have 10 lanes, two eateries called Lil Skeeters BBQ and Primo’s Pizza, and discount Wednesdays. They also do galactic bowling with black lights and glowing pins. If you’re serious about joining a league, they do that here too.

West Point Movie Theater

3. West Point Movie Theater

752 Thayer Road West Point, NY 10996 The Reeltime Theater in the BX on post is an affordable and convenient way to get your flick fix. Admission costs just $6 for a regular showing or $8 for 3D.

Attractions near West Point, NY

Yonkers

4. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester 39 Fitzgerald Street Yonkers, NY 10710

Phone:

1 (844) 740-9223 The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a wonderland theme park for kids of all ages. There are millions of blocks here for building and exploring a 4D cinema, rides, a store, and much more. This is a killer place to spend the day with the whole family. At the moment, the store is open but the rest of the attractions are temporarily closed due to Covid restrictions.

Stony Point

5. Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site

44 Battlefield Rd. Stony Point, NY 10980

Phone:

1 (845) 786-2521 The Battle of Stony Point was one of the final battles of the Revolutionary War. This is the site where Brigadier General Anthony Wayne took a garrison of Redcoats using only bayonets. The site also houses the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. There’s a museum here that offers educational programming and reenactments.

New Windsor

6. Storm King

1 Museum Rd New Windsor, NY 12553

Phone:

1 (845) 534-3115 Storm King Art Center is an art installation and outdoor sculpture garden. The site endeavors to blend an ever-changing roster of art with the natural world, providing visitors with a sense of awe that blends the creative constructs with the earthly landscape. It was founded in 1960 and quickly became a leading modern sculpture institution.

7. Bannerman Castle

F246+4F Beacon, New York

Phone:

1 (845) 237-2636 This relic of a bygone era makes an incredible day trip. You’ll have to reserve in advance because the only way to visit this castle-in-the-Hudson is by boat on an official tour. Learn about the long history of the castle, through the Native American inhabitants to the munitions seller David Bannerman and his vast collection of weapons of war. Bannerman Castle holds special events, cruises, and hosts the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival.

New York City

8. Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

2640 Grand Concourse at East Kingsbridge Road The Bronx, NY 10458 The Bronx County Historical Society manages the property that was once home to the famous writer, Edgar Allan Poe. The cottage sits in the middle of a busy NYC intersection. It was purchased by the city in 1913 and opened as a public attraction the same year. The cottage is on the National Register of Historic Places.

West Point Museums

9. West Point Museum

2110 New South Post Rd West Point, NY 10996

Phone:

1 (845) 938-3590 The West Point Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of West Point and the U.S. military. They offer educational programs for cadets, service members, and the general public. The museum has moved around to various buildings throughout its history when it was first founded while Robert E. Lee was superintendent of the academy. Come check out the exhibits on historic warfare in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Cold Spring

10. Putnam History Museum

63 Chestnut Street Cold Spring, NY 10516

Phone:

1 (845) 265-4010 The Putnam History Museum focuses on interpreting the regional history of the surrounding area, including Hudson Highlands and the West Point Foundry. The collection includes pieces that tell stories about war, women’s suffrage, the ecology of the Hudson River, and more. The museum hosts lectures and other educational events regularly.

New York City

11. The Museum of the City of New York

1220 Fifth Avenue @ 103rd St. Ramp access @ 104th St. New York, NY 10029

Phone:

1 (212) 534-1672 The Museum of the City of New York should be the first stop for anyone curious about New York City. This medium-sized institution has lots to see but is manageable in a single visit. The main galleries on the first floor tell the story of NYC from the 1600s to today and include interactive, high-tech galleries that predict the direction of the city in the future. They host on-site programs for families, as well as a robust series of public programs including lectures, movie screenings, and trivia.

12. National Museum of the American Indian

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House One Bowling Green New York, NY 10004

Phone:

1 (800) 242-6624 The National Museum of the American Indian is part of the Smithsonian Institution and is an incredible look at the vast history and culture of the various native peoples of the United States. The museum holds an enormous collection of artifacts and provides educational programming for all age groups.

West Point Golf Course

13. West Point Golf Course

718 Victor Constant Rd West Point, NY 10996

Phone:

1 (845) 938-2435 The West Point Golf Course is an 18-hole course over mountainous terrain that offers a challenge for even veteran players. The holes are themed for reflection on various conflicts throughout U.S. history. There’s a pro shop, and over 50 kinds of beer and a full menu of offerings at the Snack Bar.

West Point Outdoor Rec

14. West Point Camping

FMWR Round Pond Outdoor Recreation Area 1348 Round Pond Rd West Point, NY 10996

Phone:

1 (845) 938-2503 The MWR Outdoor Recreation Area is a campground open exclusively to military personnel. It’s a huge 16,000-acre reservation with several lakes and ponds for fishing. There are basketball and volleyball courts, grills, cabins, and equipment for rent like kayaks, canoes, and more.

New York City

15. New York Botanical Garden

2900 Southern Boulevard Bronx, NY 10458

Phone:

1 (718) 817-8700 The New York Botanical Garden is a curated masterwork of varying landscapes. It’s home to 250 acres and over a million species of plants and trees. There’s an arboretum on site, as well as an old-growth forest, a native-plant garden with over 100,000 species of flora and fauna, water lilies, a wetland trail, and so much more. Inside the conservatory, visitors are given access to areas representing separate biomes with landscaped scenes unique to those parts of the world. They also hold events here like the annual orchid show, the holiday train show, and more.

Conclusion

West Point is a great post to find yourself PCSing to because of its proximity to so many fantastic options for entertainment, culture, and nature. The Hudson Valley is a gorgeous area of the Northeast and is host to a wealth of outdoor rec options like hiking, boating, swimming, and grilling. With New York City so close by, it’s nothing to take a day trip down and explore without breaking the bank. There’s so much to do in the surrounding area that you won’t have to stray very far, and you’ll learn soon enough that you’ll never burn through it all.  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.