Places to shoot scenic in the tri state ,or 1-2 hours from NYC

[Kelv2888]

Hello all!
I am a feild technician for Verizon in NYC so I shoot when I can on the job. The job puts me in different neighborhoods and attractions each day so it affords me to practice from time to time.
However, scenic is my main interest and I dont really have the time to go to the grand canyons every weekend to shoot.I have three kids and a mortgage.
Anyone know of any interesting one day or two day getaway from NYC to shoot scenic?
Thanks!
Kelvin

[Thelonius]

How about the Delaware Water Gap and Poconoes?
The Hudson RIver Valley?
The Palisades?

[jrm]

Hello all!
I am a feild technician for Verizon in NYC so I shoot when I can on the job. The job puts me in different neighborhoods and attractions each day so it affords me to practice from time to time.
However, scenic is my main interest and I dont really have the time to go to the grand canyons every weekend to shoot.I have three kids and a mortgage.
Anyone know of any interesting one day or two day getaway from NYC to shoot scenic?
Thanks!
Kelvin


Plenty of "scenic" places in the area. Depending on how "grand" a vista you are looking for, here are some ideas"

Long Island (short list - I live there and can name plenty):
Jones Beach State Park
Gardiners Park (South Shore)
Aboretums (there are a few worth visiting)
Sands Point Preserve
Coney Island
Montauk Point (tip of south fork)
Orient Point (tip of north fork)

For Montauk or Orient Point, there is also plenty to shoot on the drive out there (especially on the north shore).

New York (some are a little more than 1-2 hours from NYC, but good for a weekend):
Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. (Shoot the Kingston bridge and Hudson River Valley from an open cockpit biplane!)
As you head up the thruway to Albany, there are some ski resorts. (Nice mountain views.)
FInger Lakes
Lake George/Lake Champlain region

Connecticut:
All along Merrit Parkway (great in autumn)
Several towns along the shore (Milford, Westport both come to mind)

New Jersey:
Several Scenic vistas along Rt-80 and Rt-78 headed towards PA.
Delaware Water Gap (and into Pocono region)
Pallisades Parkway.
Atlantic City/Ocean City (Boardwalks)

Hope this helps.

--Joe

[Kelv2888]

Thank you Joe!

[Titus213]

Having lived in Saratoga Springs area for some 30 years I could highly recommend the Lake George area. Western NY is pretty too.

[flyfishnj]

1 place to get just about everything - Architecture, streetscapes, landscapes, plenty of backdrops for portraits of the family and your wife and kids will like it too. Vermont and it works in all 4 seasons

[sparker1]

NYC has unlimited opportunities itself. In the Hudson Valley, I always enjoyed Bear Mountain and West Point areas, but there are many others. In NJ, the shore offers lighthouses, quaint towns, the Pine Barrens, etc. Don't forget Philly and all its history, as well as Lancaster County and the Brandywine Valley. Could go on and on.

[napolar]

I would also consider going inland in Connecticut. From the City, go up the Hutch to 684 and get on 84 East. Take exit 7 and take route 7 north once you get on the other side of New Milford the opportunities are endless. Small country towns, Kent, Cornwall, and Sharon. River views, Hills, and grand scenery. Keep going on route 7 and you will be in Mass and then Vermont. When I lived in the Northeast I used to take this trip at least twice a year, once in the fall and once (or more) in the winter for skiing. Have fun and enjoy.

[Kadath]

Sandy Hook (both beaches and the historic officers row)
Point Pleasant boardwalk
Keansburg
Great Adventure

All in NJ

[C.S.I.]

I live 45 minutes north of Manhatten.....you can go to.....

--west side of Hudson River---

1) Bear Mountain State Park off of the Palisades (30 min north of you).
2) West Point off of Rt 9W (40 mins north)
3) New Windsor NY, last camp of George Washington (50 min north)
4) Wallkill / Shawangunk mountain ridge (1 hr north)
(A) The Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz is a must if you are
looking to hike, then unwind at a 5 star victorian-era hotel in the
mountains.
(B) Minnewawska State Park


--east side of Hudson--

(1) Hyde Park mansions (FDR's old estate, Vanderbuilt mansion etc) off of Rt 9...nice grounds/architecture.

Regards,
Bill

[cruzyn56]

How about the NJ shore.. anywhere from Sandy Hook and south?

I have also done a motorcycle ride down the Delaware River from High Point, staying as close to the river as possible (following a map). Some really good scenery. You will end up in Phillipsburg where you can take Route 78 back east. If you follow the Delaware north into NY state there is also great scenery as you follow the river. There is an old canal bridge that will take you into PA for more spectacular scenery, or you can stay on the highway which will take you to Rte 17.

From NYC you are a few hours from the Finger Lakes, no? We did a ride that way 2 years ago. Watkins Glenn state park was incredible, as was any of the lakes. We stayed at a motel in Watkins Glenn on the way to Niagara Falls and at the Hammondsport Inn on the southern tip of Lake Keuka on the way back.

You even have the Adirondacks. Adirondack State Park.

Don't know if you are looking for day trips or overnigters.

I haven't rode it yet but route 6 in PA is supposed to be great for scenery. Another destination is the "Grand Canyon of the East" in PA. Do a search in Google.

[ctmouse]

There are so many places on long island and in the pocons to photograph. But you must head out to shelter island it is a great place to photograph. If you want more places e-mail me for a list.

[JCH77Yanks]

Hey Kelv... I'm a COT for Verizon in Brooklyn!

Anyway, there's a good spot on route 97 north of Port Jervis on the NY side of the Delaware River called the Hawk's Nest. It's basically just where the road clings to the side of the mountain. It's really curvy, and has some great overlooks of the Delaware from about a thousand feet up.

[Mum2J&M]

Sandy Hook (both beaches and the historic officers row)
Point Pleasant boardwalk
Keansburg
Great Adventure

All in NJ

OMG - I went there all the time growing up. But isn't it called "Six Flags" now?

In Morristown, NJ, there is also Washington's Headquarters and Jockey Hollow where the soldiers lived during the revolutionary war. They also sometimes have re-enactments that are pretty cool where they're all dressed in their military garb. There are some old huts in Jockey Hollow and around Tempe Wicke's house. There are some pics of the huts in one of my galleries here...

http://Priors.smugmug.com/gallery/3517312/4/198633545 (http://Priors.smugmug.com/gallery/3517312/4/198633545)

And you could also go to the house where Washington stayed during the war.