New Paltz is a rural community with an urban flavor. The rural character is evident in the extensive orchards, vineyards, gardens and corn fields. The urban flavor is produced by the presence of The College at New Paltz, a college of the State University of New York with 7,700 students who come from the various cities of New York, other states and over fifty countries of the world. New Paltz is located ninety miles north of Manhattan and sixty miles south of Albany at Exit 18 of the New York Thruway in the beautiful and serene Wallkill River Valley. The Wallkill River flows north to meet the Rondout Creek, and this creek flows into the Hudson River at Kingston, NY. To the west of New Paltz, about five miles, is the Shawangunk Mountain escarpment. These high cliffs beckon thousands of mountain climbers each year. At the top of the Shawangunk ridge is the Mohonk Mountain House, a historic hotel with phenomenal views, delightful walking trails including the labyrinth through majestic rock formations, a natural lake for swimming and boating, and gorgeous flower gardens. Related to the Mohonk Mountain House is the Mohonk Preserve which offers hikes and nature study programs. Also in the Shawangunk Mountains, about ten miles from New Paltz, is the Minnewaska State Park Preserve. It too has a mountain lake for swimming and boating, tables for picnics, and walking trails on the high cliffs overlooking the lake. It also offers environmental programs. New Paltz is also beautiful because of the apple orchards. In the spring thousands of apple trees burst into bloom and in the fall the trees are laden with red and yellow apples. Many visitors come to New Paltz to purchase apples and other fruits and vegetables grown in the area which are sold at roadside stands, and they come to see the breathtaking beauty of the foliage.

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