We were driving from New Jersey for a short family vacation in the Adirondacks. Our twin son and daughter, both 26, are in the middle of their college search. Even though they are not in session, we stopped at Marist on the way up and SUNY New Paltz on the way down. Marist might be a maybe, but New Paltz jumped way up for our daughter.
The school itself checked off most of the boxes she was looking for, but what she loved was the town. What a cool little area, kind of a Bohemian vibe to it. We don’t know much about it and don’t have any family or friends who do, and were hoping for some insight from anyone who has experience with the school.
You described the vibe accurately. I know a few students who attended and they were very happy. One is now a dentist, one was a biology major (not sure of his plans) and one is a teacher.
Thanks. We’re going back to visit at the end of August, when the kids return to campus. Right now, our daughter likes schools like Dickinson and F&M, but wants something bigger in terms of enrollment. It took us by surprise; we were driving by the town on the highway, and we said, ‘Why not?’
In terms of the region, the Empire State Trail runs through New Paltz. Cyclists starting at the campus can reach fantastic places, such as Walkway Over the Hudson.
We love the Hudson Valley area. What I did know about New Paltz is from friends who are into Cross Country skiing..New Paltz seems like the start of the New York Alpine Sports region.
Rock climbing is huge in the vicinity of New Paltz. With respect to winter sports, you can descend a single-black for most of 1600 vertical feet within an hour from the town. This is the Catskill region.
For New York’s alpine sports region of Olympic notoriety, you would travel farther north, of course, to the Adirondacks.
