NYC Autumn Escape: Bear Mountain 2025 🍁

Last October’s trip to Bear Mountain was such a joy—so relaxing and family-friendly that we returned earlier this month (11/02)! This time, we explored even more and are excited to share the highlights with you 💫 🚗 Transportation & Tickets 📍 Address: Navigate to Bear Mountain Inn 💵 Entrance Fee: $10 per vehicle. Free with the Empire Pass—check if your local library lends them out! 🅿️ Parking: Plenty of spaces, but arriving late might mean a slightly longer walk. 🍔 Dining Options Lakeside picnic tables and grills are available—perfect for families bringing their own BBQ or snacks 🥩🍉 The Bear Mountain Inn has a restaurant and café (last year, the café took a while, so we packed our own food this time!). There’s also a fast-food spot by the lake for quick bites. 🌿 Itinerary Highlights 🕛 Lunch by the Lake We arrived around noon and enjoyed a scenic lakeside lunch 🥪🦢 Boating is available, but we skipped it since our little one is still too young 🚣♀️ 🐾 Small & Sweet Zoo A short lakeside walk leads to a free zoo (donations welcome ❤️), open until 4 PM. Though compact, it’s beautifully designed with a loop trail featuring over a dozen animal species 🦌🦚 and a nature-history exhibit. Stroll at your own pace, and enjoy lookout points with views of mountains, rivers, and bridges along the way 🌉 A small note: The beloved bears passed away this year, and the coyote area is under renovation. 🌄 Summit Views & Golden Hour After the zoo, drive up to the summit for breathtaking views! Climb the Perkins Memorial Tower for a panoramic overlook of the Hudson River Valley. Or relax on the large rocks in front of the tower and watch the mountains turn golden at sunset 🌅 Wrap up your day at the Bear Mountain Bridge Scenic Lookout for iconic river and bridge views. A perfect ending 🍂 📸 Pro Tips for Your Visit 🍂 Visit mid-October for peak foliage—late autumn still charms, but colors fade by November. 👟 Wear comfy shoes for light walking. 🧥 Bring layers—it gets cooler by late afternoon! #BearMountain #NYCGetaway #AutumnInNY #FamilyTravel #HudsonValley #FallFoliage #NYCwithKids