We were astonished to find such a treasure not even 20 minutes away. The restored carousel, the meandering trails (with really cool signage!); the views! Bear Mountain Inn and the Bear Mountain State Park are once again on our radar.
Sam loves a carousel!
The restoration of the wooden animals — many of them indigenous to the park — is admirable.
The carousel (actually called Merry-Go-Round here), is housed in a big round building, so it can be open all year long, even in snow.
The big field:
Inside the Bear Mountain Inn lobby:
Cool couches.
Even cooler lamp. I felt a touch of the Adirondacks.
The restaurant, called the 1915 Restaurant and the Blue Roof Tapas Bar:
I remember this massive fireplace from childhood visits:
And then out for a stroll along Hessian Lake:
We happened to be here on the commemoration — and reenactment — of the battle of nearby Fort Montgomery (Sam is covering the map):
Heading down the stairs to go under the highway and visit the Bear Mountain Zoo:
Walt Whitman:
The lowest spot on the Appalachian Trail:
The Hudson Line under Anthony’s Nose:
Bear Mountain Bridge:
Overlook:
The trail is dotted with great little signs like this, everywhere. You can’t walk 10 feet without learning something new:
All of the animals are injured or compromised in some way; they’re not just caged for the zoo’s sake:
Amazing, isn’t that?
Some old tools on display:
A stunning last view.
What a great little day trip. Only about 20 miles away, and such an entertaining afternoon. And yes, we even got to see the bears!
