As part of our (annual) visit to NYC, we are heading up to the Catskills for a few days…
We will be basing ourselves in Phoenicia and I already have trips/scenic rides covered for when we are there…
However - is there a scenic way to drive from NYC (Upper West Side) to the Catskills? Or do we just have to suck it up and get there as fast as possible via I-87? We don’t mind spending a little bit longer in the car getting there though we’re not really looking for it to 6hrs or so either…
Either GW Bridge to Palisades Parkway or Saw Mill River Parkway to Tappan Zee Bridge, then I guess just follow 9W along the Hudson River until you get to where you want to go.
I find the views driving along the Hudson rather scenic
Each of the trips across the Hudson River offers unique views.
If you go across the Hudson via the George Washington Bridge, you get to see the NYC skyline and lower Hudson. Once across, take the Palisades Interstate Parkway North for a pleasant drive.
If you go across the Hudson via the Tappan Zee bridge, you get to drive along the construction of the new Tappan Zee bridge. It has one of the worlds largest maritime cranes working on it and the whole construction project is pretty impressive. Once you are across, you can catch the Palisades Interstate Parkway north.
But if you are looking for a purely natural scenic bridge, try going across the Bear Mountain Bridge. The drive to and across the Bear Mountain Bridge from the east side of the Hudson is one of the most scenic in lower New York. Once again, once across you can catch the palisades interstate parkway north or Route 9W, which goes through some fine old towns.
Will echo the recommendations for Route 9. And as an added benefit to it being a much more scenic drive, depending on the traffic on 87 it could even be a quicker route.