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West Point, West Point, NY

Photo: USMA Public Affairs Office, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicHistory Buff

West Point

2107 New South Post Road · West Point, NY

Why you should go…

West Point is the United States Military Academy, founded in 1802 on the west bank of the Hudson River. The Malek Visitors Center, just outside Thayer Gate, has a multimedia exhibit on cadet life with a model barracks room and a 9-minute film. Guided bus tours leave from here, and they are the only way the public can see the academy grounds. Adults need approved ID such as a Real ID, and the West Point Museum sits next to the visitors center.

  • #military academy
  • #guided tour
  • #hudson valley
  • #military history

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to West Point, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Castle Fun Center

    $25–$50

    Family entertainment center in the Hudson Valley with go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, bowling and an arcade.

    15 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    LEGOLAND New York Resort

    $50+

    Ride, climb and build with bricks across seven Lego-themed lands, including Miniland, made for kids ages 2 to 12.

    18 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Family Favorite

    Mount Peter

    $50+

    A family run ski and snowboard area near Warwick, New York, about an hour from New York City.

    20 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Dutchess County

    Free

    A Hudson Valley county of river towns, historic estates, and farm country north of the city.

    23 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Westchester County

    Free

    Official tourism guide to Westchester County, NY, covering outdoor trails, historic sites, and Hudson Valley attractions.

    25 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Iconic

    The Glass House

    $25–$50

    Tour Philip Johnson's 1949 glass-walled house and the galleries and pavilions spread across his New Canaan estate.

    29 mi awayMore like this