The Harriman center is approximately 1 mile west of Woodbury Common and 7 miles west of US Military Academy at West Point.
The best time to visit Harriman is during the warmer weather, from the end of May through mid-September. Average high temperatures during this period are comfortable, ranging from the low 70s to low 80s. Hotel rates are at their highest during this period, so book early to get a lower rate and assure availability.
You can save on lodging costs by traveling in the cool season, between early March and the end of May or between mid-September and early December, when average highs range from 40 to 72 degrees. Early December through early March is the least popular season. Hotel rates are at their lowest, but temperatures dip well below freezing, and highs are in the mid-30s to low 40s.
Eight miles from Harriman, you'll find the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Chester, which offers deep discounts on basic rooms to members of the military and government employees. Rooms come with microwaves, mini fridges, flat-screen TVs, work desks, coffee/tea makers, and wired and wireless internet access. Enjoy the indoor pool, get some exercise in the fitness center, and take advantage of the free buffet breakfast. If you need to get some work done, the business center is open 24 hours a day. The hotel is near shops and restaurants and is 2 miles from Goosepond Mountain State Park.
The Hampton Inn Harriman Woodbury in Central Valley offers discounts to seniors, members of the military, and government employees. Rooms provide refrigerators, LCD televisions, desks, and free wired and wireless internet access. Swim laps in the indoor pool, relax in the spa tub, exercise in the fitness center, or get work done in the business center. A free shuttle operates within a 1-mile radius. Enjoy a meal in the on-site cafe, and take advantage of the complimentary buffet breakfast. The hotel also offers a garden for relaxing walks and scenic views.
Sleep Inn & Suites Monroe - Woodbury in Monroe, 5 miles from Brotherhood Winery, offers a considerable number of choices among its guest rooms and suites, including mobility and hearing accessible accommodations. Rooms feature refrigerators, microwaves, flat-screen TVs, and desks. Wi-Fi is available for a surcharge. The free shuttle goes to the Woodbury Commons Premium Outlets, where you can enjoy hours of shopping without coming close to seeing all the stores. Guests can enjoy a terrace with lovely views, a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, free newspapers in the lobby, and coffee and tea in common areas.
In Suffern, about 12 miles from Harriman on the opposite side of Harriman State Park, you'll find Howard Johnson by Wyndham Suffern. You'll get great value for your money with well-appointed rooms featuring refrigerators, microwaves, and 43-inch flat-screen televisions. The hotel also offers a fitness center, a business center, and a fireplace and free newspapers in the lobby. Take advantage of the complimentary breakfast served each morning. A 3-mile drive will bring you to Torne Valley Vineyards, which features rustic beauty, wine tastings, food and drink, and an 1800s mansion.
You can't go to Harriman without visiting Harriman State Park, just outside the village. The park has 200 miles of hiking trails, 31 lakes and reservoirs, two beaches, and ample scenic roads, wildlife species, and scenic vistas. You can enjoy hiking, bicycling, fishing, and picnicking in summer and cross-country skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing in winter. Swimming is only allowed in Lake Tiorati and Lake Welch for safety reasons, one of which is the presence of snapping turtles. The park also offers a museum/visitors center and sports fields.
The land for the park was previously owned by E.H. and Mary Harriman, who had wanted to donate some land for a state park. Following E.H. Harriman's death, Mary Harriman donated 10,000 acres and $1 million for the park after the state agreed to stop a plan to relocate Sing Sing Prison to Bear Mountain. Mary Harriman Memorial Park in Harriman was named in her honor.
Adjacent to Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park includes Bear Mountain, Dunderberg Mountain, and West Mountain. The scenic Perkins Memorial Drive goes up to the Bear Mountain summit, where the Perkins Memorial Tower offers a view of four states, as well as the Manhattan skyline 40 miles away. The Civilian Conservation Corps built the road and tower between 1932 and 1934. They were named for George Wallbridge Perkins, the inaugural president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. The park has 50 trails of varying difficulty that cover 235 miles. Six miles of the Appalachian Trail are within the park.
Fort Montgomery, part of Bear Mountain State Park, was built in 1776 by the Continental Army during the American Revolution. It's a National Historic Landmark and part of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. The fort was overrun during the Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, but the ruins survive. The Fort Montgomery State Historic Site also includes a visitor center.
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley offers 220 stores in over 800,000 square feet of retail space. It's among the world's largest contiguous outlet centers. Areas are color-coded so shoppers can more easily navigate the stores. Weekend trolleys give visitors rides from the parking lots and between store locations. Some of the brands you'll see here are Versace, Swarovski, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Fossil, Brooks Brothers, and Armani.
Harriman, New York, is a small town with a wealth of historic sites, parkland, and shopping and dining opportunities. Travelers who like a semirural vibe will find plenty to do in this beautiful part of New York state.