Over this past weekend, my boyfriend and I took a day trip from New Jersey to Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York. Minnewaska State Park is a part of the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge, and offers 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths. From biking to hiking to swimming and more, this park has a lot to offer!

From Bergen County, this park is about a 1-1.5 hour drive. Minnewaska is also not too far from New Paltz, NY which offers a quaint downtown vibe with eateries and shops. During our day at Minnewaska State Park, we did a moderate 6.7 mile loop hike which includes the popular Gertrude’s Nose and Millbrook Mountain Footpaths. Gertrude’s Nose is a beautiful scenic vista that overlooks the Hudson Valley, and I highly recommend hiking up to it if you plan to visit Minnewaska!

If you are looking for more day trip ideas, then check out my blog post on 20 Day Trips To Take From New Jersey!

MINNEWASKA STATE PARK FEES

Upon entering the park, you will need to pay a $10 fee per vehicle. This park is well-maintained and has a pristine visitor center with clean facilities and a water re-fill station. Minnewaska offers hiking, biking, swimming, rock-climbing, bouldering, picnicking, scuba-diving, boating and beautiful views!

WHERE TO PARK

We did the moderate Gertrude’s Nose and Millbrook Mountain Loop, which is a roughly seven mile hike. The exact hike we did is linked here on All Trails. If you are interested in doing this, I recommend parking near the visitor center. Here you can also utilize the facilities before starting your trek.

Address: Hamilton Point Trail, Gardiner, NY 12525

THE HIKE

The hike begins at Lake Minnewaska where you will instantly get a beautiful view of the water and greenery. You will then make a right and follow signs for the Lake Minnewaska (LM – red) Carriage Trail. Follow the red trail markers and begin the easy walk alongside the lake.

After about 20-30 minutes, you will reach another view point of the lake and the start of the Millbrook Mountain (MM – red) footpath. Here is where the hike starts to get a bit more rocky and wet. I recommend wearing waterproof hiking shoes. I forgot my hiking shoes and wore regular running sneakers and was fine, but they did get a bit wet and muddy during this part.

SCENIC POINT: MILLBROOK RIDGE

After walking about 40-50 minutes, depending on your pace, you will make it to Millbrook Ridge. Millbrook Ridge is one of the first vistas you’ll reach on this hike with stunning views of NY state. We took a little break up here to get some pictures and enjoy the view! Once you are ready to continue on, you’ll want to follow the red trail markers for the Gertrude’s Nose Footpath.

GERTRUDE’S NOSE FOOTPATH

After Millbrook Ridge, you will begin the 2.7 mile Gertrude’s Nose (red) footpath that stops along the scenic Gertrude’s Nose view point. The Gertrude’s Nose scenic point falls roughly in the middle of the 2.7 mile path and is about 1.6 miles from Millbrook Ridge. Gertrude’s Nose footpath is easy at some parts, but moderately challenging at others. Be prepared for some rocky terrain you’ll have to climb up/down, and some steep inclines at points. Overall, I didn’t find it hard to navigate or a struggle to complete, but definitely a good workout!

The roughly 1.6 mile hike from Millbrook Ridge to Gertrude’s Nose took us around an hour and we took our time to enjoy the scenery along the way. You’ll know you’ve made it to Gertrude’s Nose as you’ll notice more people hanging out at this view point, as well as the most picturesque views of New York State! Gertrude’s Nose is a popular spot in the park for photos and you can definitely get some nice one’s up here. This viewing area is quite large and you can easily spend thirty minutes up here just taking photos and looking around. The stunning views continue on as you walk pass Gertrude’s Nose.

GERTRUDE’S NOSE BACK TO THE PARKING LOT

From here, you’ll continue on the remainder mile or so of the 2.7 mile Gertrude’s Nose (red) footpath and make your way back towards the lake. The second half of the Gertrude’s Nose trail is still moderately challenging at times and has some rocky terrain. You are walking close to the edge of the mountain, so the views are pretty nice for most of this trail as you head back.

From the Getrude’s Nose view point, it is not far to where you will switch over to the Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road (MC – yellow) trail. This easier gravel trail also allows access to bikers, so you may encounter some on this portion of the hike.

Along the MC yellow trail is Patterson’s Pellet, a somewhat large glacial erratic sitting on the edge of the mountain. From Patterson’s Pellet, it is an easy 15-20 minute walk back to the Lake Minnewaska (red) trail you started on. From here you’ll walk another 15 minutes or so back to the visitor center.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PARK

I highly recommend checking out Minnewaska State Park in New York State if you are looking for a great day trip from New Jersey or other surrounding areas! While you’ll have to pay $10 per vehicle to enter the park, it is very clean and there are many trails to choose from.

Check out Minnewaska State Park on All Trails to see the other hikes that this park has to offer. Take note of which hike you are doing here, as there are multiple parking lots spread around the park. If you are doing the Gertrude’s Nose/Millbrook Mountain loop that I discuss in this blog post, I recommend parking by the visitor center. We visited on a Saturday afternoon and had no problem getting a parking spot, but the lots can fill up on a nice summer day, so maybe plan to arrive early. The park opens at 9am and closes at 8pm as of June 2022.

Check out my vlog of our full day hiking at Minnewaska State Park here!

Comment below if you’ve been to Minnewaska State Park and your favorite hike there, or if you plan to visit in the future!

The post Hiking to Gertrude’s Nose at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in New York appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.

IN NEW YORK

1. Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY

NYC and its surrounding areas can’t go unmentioned in this article. You can visit Coney Island in Brooklyn for the day and enjoy the amusements, boardwalk, beach, and more fun! Check out the calendar for the Luna Amusement Park here to see their operating hours. Visitors can easily spend an entire day at Coney Island between the amusement park and the beach. You can extend the day by grabbing dinner at a local restaurant. One of my favorite NYC restaurants is Olio e Piú in Greenwich Village! Their ricotta toast and handmade pasta dishes are out of this world! A casual favorite spot of mine is Tacombi, which has multiple locations throughout the city and serves up mouth-watering Mexican dishes!

2. Untermyer Park & Gardens, Yonkers, NY

Untermyer Park & Gardens is a historic garden with European influence located in Yonkers, NY. I visited last year and absolutely adore the beauty of this place. Visitors can spend a few hours walking around and taking photos here, and then enjoy a local eatery for dinner! I enjoyed a delicious meal at Cocina Chente in the Bronx after visiting the gardens. Untermyer Park & Gardens is also on my list of 12 Instagrammable photo spots in NYC!

3. New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is a breath-of-fresh-air spot in the city to admire nature’s beauty. Tickets are required to enter the garden and can be purchased here. The Garden is open from 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Sunday and is only open on Mondays when there is a federal holiday. Spend a few hours here and grab a bite to eat on the premises or at a local restaurant. You can also check out the Bronx Zoo nearby and have a fun New York day!

4. Woodstock, NY

Woodstock, New York is only about an hour and a half drive from Bergen County and is a cute town to walk around. I visited about two years ago and made a whole day of it. Grab a bite to eat in the town of Woodstock and hike the nearby Overlook Mountain. Check out my vlog below to see how we spent the day here!

5. Mount Beacon Park, NY

If you are into the outdoors and hiking, then visiting Mount Beacon Park in New York is a great day trip for you! Mount Beacon Park is roughly an hour’s drive from North Jersey, 1.5-2+ hours from Central Jersey, and 2.5-3+ hours from South Jersey. Start the day trip with an incredible lunch at Hudson Taco in Newburgh, and then cross the Hudson River to Mount Beacon Park.

We hiked to the Mount Beacon Fire Tower when we visited, and found the hike to be moderate, with some moderate ascents. The views are stunning, especially during the summer and fall months! Add more to this day trip by making a pitstop in the nearby downtowns of Cold Spring and/or Beacon. Check out my vlogs below to see how I spent two different days in this area.

6. The Town of Cold Spring & Breakneck Ridge Trailhead, NY

Cold Spring is a quaint New York downtown with history, shops, local eateries, and scenic views. I recommend grabbing brunch or lunch at Hudson Hil’s Cafe, which is a casual sit-down restaurant nestled in the heart of Cold Spring. Cold Spring is roughly an hour’s drive from Bergen County and two hours from Monmouth County, and is a worthwhile day trip!

If you are into hiking and like a challenge, I recommend checking out Breakneck Ridge Trail at the Hudson Highlands State Park while here. We trekked the long loop, and found this hike to be pretty challenging with the rock scrambles, but overall enjoyable! The views are stunning throughout the majority of this trail, making this a memorable trek! Check out my vlog below to see how I spent the day here!

7. Bear Mountain, NY

Bear Mountain is a popular New York hiking spot located about a 0.5 to 2-hour drive from those who reside in the top half of New Jersey. This is another great outdoorsy day trip for those who admire a scenic hike. There may be a fee to enter – check out more info here.

8. Harriman State Park, NY

Harriman State Park is very close to Bear Mountain and offers a wide array of hiking trails and scenic woodlands for all levels! One of the best trails to hike at Harriman State Park is the Reeves Brook Loop Trail. This moderately challenging loop offers multiple scenic vistas and has plenty of streams winding throughout the trail. The Reeves Brook Loop Trail is roughly four miles and typically takes around 2+ hours to complete.

Parking and public restrooms are available at the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center, which is where the hike begins. When doing this loop trail in the counterclockwise direction (starting on white trail markers), hikers must climb a moderately challenging and steep rock scramble to get to the main vista. It is advised that beginners or families with young children start this hike clockwise (on red trail markers). Visitors who begin the hike clockwise can follow the red trail markers to the blue trail markers and enjoy stunning vistas from the top of the mountain. Hikers who follow this route can then turn around to get back to the parking lot the same way they came, avoiding the steep rock scramble. As a somewhat experienced hiker, I personally loved the rock scramble here and found it to be a fun trek, but please use your own discretion to decide which route is best suited for you! Read more about the other trails at Harriman State Park here.

9. Storm King Art Center, NY

The Storm King Art Center is a unique spot to visit in the summer. Visitors can explore the property and check out uniquely crafted sculptures and large art displays. The Storm King Art Center is closed on Tuesdays and operates Wednesday through Monday from 10 am to 5:30 pm. Tickets must be purchased prior to arrival and more info can be found here.

10. Teatown Lake Reservation, NY

Teatown Lake Reservation in Westchester County, NY is a 1,000-acre nature preserve and education center. The Reservation is roughly a 40-minute to 2-hour drive from the top half of New Jersey depending on where you reside. Hiking trails are open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk, and parking costs $5.

11. Walkway Over the Hudson Bridge & Poughkeepsie, NY

Visiting the Walkway Over The Hudson Park is a great day trip in New York State. This walking bridge is located roughly a 1+ hour drive from North Jersey and a 2+ hour drive from most of Central Jersey. While this may be a bit far from South Jersey, if you get an early enough start to the day, I think this can still be a worthwhile trip!

The scenic walkway connects from Highland, NY to Poughkeepsie, crossing over the Hudson River. Visitors can walk across the bridge and check out the town of Poughkeepsie and Marist College. Marist College has a beautiful campus, and is worth checking out while in the area! Finish off the day by grabbing a delicious dinner at Hudson Taco on the way back down to Jersey. Hudson Taco is a riverfront restaurant located in the heart of Newburgh. This charming, hip restaurant is a must-visit whenever I am up in this area of New York!

IN CONNECTICUT

12. New Haven, CT

New Haven, Connecticut is a great day trip from Northeast Jersey as it is about a two-hour drive from Bergen County. I visited nearly two years ago and enjoyed visiting the area. While in New Haven, visitors can grab Frank Pepe’s famous pizza and walk around the local neighborhoods and parks. Visitors can also explore the beautiful and historic Yale University campus. Check out my vlog below to see how I spent a fun day in New Haven!

13. Mianus River Park, CT

Mianus River Park, on the Greenwich/Stamford border in Connecticut, is a nature reserve with trails, a 2-mile-long river, scenic forestland, and more nature-esque beauty. If you are looking for an outdoorsy escape, then this is a nice day trip option from Northern New Jersey. This park is roughly a 1-2 hour drive from North and Central Jersey, depending on where you are located.

IN PENNSYLVANIA

14. Philadelphia, PA

A day trip from Jersey to Philly is a classic but goodie! Explore the city streets and check out the Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, Independence Hall, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, and so much more! Enjoy a delicious cheesesteak from Cleaver’s, or one of Philly’s local spots, and have yourself a day!

15. Longwood Gardens, PA

Longwood Gardens is located directly outside of the main city of Philadelphia in Kennett Square, PA. Tickets are required for timed entry to the gardens and can be purchased here. Give yourself at least a few hours to explore the property and take in the beauty of these stunning botanical gardens! A visit to Longwood Gardens can also be combined with a trip to Philadelphia as they are so close.

16. Delaware Water Gap, PA

The Delaware Water Gap lies between New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Delaware Water Gap includes 40 miles of the Delaware River, 100+ miles of hiking trails, and even a few beaches. Visitors can go rafting, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, hiking, and more here. I recommend grabbing a sweet treat at the Village and Farmer Bakery while you’re in the area.

17. Allentown, PA

Allentown is an eastern Pennsylvania town not too far from the Garden State! If you are into museums, you can check out the Allentown Art Museum, the Mack Trucks Historical Museum, the America on Wheels Museum, and more. Dorney Park is also right around the corner if you are interested in a summer waterpark and amusement adventure! There are numerous parks in the Allentown area worth checking out such as the Allentown Rose Gardens, which include walking paths, pavilions, and a scenic garden. The charming downtown of Bethlehem, PA is also about a 15-minute drive from Allentown, and it definitely worth checking out if you are into local shopping and eateries!

18. Jenkins Arboretum and Morris Arboretum, PA

There are quite a few arboretums and nature reserves in Pennsylvania not too far from New Jersey. The Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is roughly a 20-30 minute drive outside of the City of Philadelphia. This Arboretum, located in the town of Devon, is free to enter and offers 48 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands. Visitors can also enjoy 1.2 miles of walking trails here.

Roughly a 25-minute drive from The Jenkins Arboretum is the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania. Entry to the Morris Arboretum is $20 per non-member adult and tickets can be reserved here.

19. Valley Forge National Historic Park, PA

Less than a 10-minute drive west of the Jenkins Arboretum lies Valley Forge National Historic Park. With a history dating back to the late 1700s, Valley Forge is a great spot for those who love nature but also a historic back story. Enjoy many miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, multi-use trails, biking trails, and more! Learn more about Valley Forge here.

20. New Hope, PA

The charming town of New Hope in Bucks County, PA is a popular downtown to stroll on a warm, sunny day. (or really any time of the year)! Go back in time and take in the beauty of the scenic town alongside the Delaware River. Enjoy shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Visitors can also walk across the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge to Lambertville, NJ for additional shopping and dining options. A popular local attraction in this area is Peddler’s Village. Peddler’s Village is about an eight-minute drive from downtown New Hope and is home to numerous restaurants and shops.

Comment down below if you plan to take a trip to any of these places!

The post 20 Day Trip Ideas From New Jersey (Less Than A 1-3 Hour Drive) appeared first on Lifestyle Jessica.