Vacations in the Outdoors with The Palisades, Parks, and Historic Sites in New York

On the south-east tip of New York state is the Palisades, a small town, some may even call a hamlet, with the most beautiful country and most scenic outdoors areas around. A day trip to the Palisades would offer some wonderful family activities, with nearby historic sites, parks, swimming, shopping and more.  The Palisades are known for their diving cliffs, over 500 feet tall and are located in Rockland County.  Rockland got its name for the rocky terrain, which lends for an unparalleled outdoor adventure.

Rockland County Area Facts:

Located in the metro area of New York, Rockland County had an estimated population of 293,626 in 2004 and square mileage of 174.22.  The estimated median income per household was $67,971 in 2000, and personal income was estimated at $41,311 in 2002.  Rated in the top 13 of growing counties at 2.2 percent, the county had a population increase of 2.4 percent since 2000.

There are two historic districts in Rockland County: Tappan, and Washington Spring Road to Woods Road.  There are six colleges, 44 communities, and one newspaper, the Rockland County Times. 

Nearby Parks:

Palisades State Park, Along the Hudson River, south of the Palisades into the New Jersey limits on Highway 9W.  Beautiful scenery, riverside walkways, picnics, barbecues, rental boats, cycling trails, hiking trails, including up to Fort Lee, and more are available. 

Tallman Mountain State Park, located north of the Palisades off Highway 9W in Bear Mountain, NY.

Also overlooking the Hudson, this park stays to the northern New York end of the Palisades.  With playgrounds, swimming with available showers, biking, picnic tables, running track, cross-country skiing, and more, this park will leave no visitor bored for something to do.  Great flat lands offer some of the best cross-country skiing and biking available. And be ready, because the trails can get a bit rough.

Rockland Lake State Park, off Route 9W,

Paved trails for walking, biking, hiking, and observing nature surround the park.  It is not uncommon to see deer, birds, and other friendly animals.  Water sports, golf, sledding, and other outdoors activities are welcomed in this park, located a little over 8 miles north of the Palisades in New York.

Nearby Historic Sites:

Historic District of Tappan: in Tappan, New York. 

By Main Street, Kings Highway, and Andre Avenue, this town is just over 5 minutes from the Palisades, 2 miles northeast on Oak Tree Road.

Van Riper- Hopper House in Clifton, New Jersey: 1324 Broad Street.

Historic home of  the Van Riper family, passed down generation to generation to Abraham Van Riper, who is known for his efforts as a patriot to George Washington.

Radio City Music Hall in New York, NY: 1260 Avenue of the Americas.

Opened in 1932 as an Art Deco theater in part of the Rockefeller Center complex in Manhattan.  Seating 5,901 people, the theater holds shows like the Radio City Rockettes and the Moscow Circus.