Going Places: The New York Daily News Travel Section: The Bear Mountain Inn - 19 January, 2003

AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND

When planning to head into the mountains to get away from it all, most people don’t initially think of New York. But Bear Mountain, a 5,000-acre state park less than 42 miles from Manhattan, rivals some of the peaks and valleys I saw during a visit to Colorado last summer.

It’s open 365 days a year from 8 a.m. to dusk, and easy to get to; you can either drive up Route 87 North over the Tappan Zee Bridge to Exit 19 or cross the George Washington Bridge to take the more scenic Palisades Parkway. As you start winding up the mountain and the road gets rural, you’re likely to meet fellow travelers from all over the world, from families to couples to motorcycle enthusiasts.

Bring a camera; once at the top, there’s a stunning view of hundreds of miles of rolling forest, and the combination of sights, smells and sounds of the wild will calm the most frazzled New Yorker. When you are done gaping at the gorge, there are many well-marked trails suitable for hiking or bird watching.

If you’re in the mood for an overnight stay, Bear Mountain Inn and Conference Center is a five-minute drive away. Constructed in 1915, the two-story building reflects the flavor of the area, with heavy chestnut log posts and beams, large stone fireplaces, rustic timber framing, and light fixtures made of local birch and hand-hammered iron. Sofas, tables, and chairs are made of harvested chestnut trees, and the heads of various animals adorn the walls.

The Inn’s restaurant is being renovated and will re-open in April, so you’ll have to venture out to find dinner or breakfast. In the summer, picnicking, paddle boating, fishing and swimming are popular. Right now, you can find ice-skating and cross- country skiing. It’s cheap, too – a stay at the main Inn, Stone Lodge or Overlook Lodge is $69, and the park is free.

Bear Mountain, N.Y.; (845 786-2731; or www.bearmountaininn.com

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