Things to do / Travel Guide
The beautiful landscapes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley entice adventure. Don't think the only way to enjoy the region is by foot, car, bike, or boat - how about by air? You can skydive, hang-glide, balloon, and even soar in a glider.
Skydiving in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley
The Blue Sky Ranch in Gardiner (a little south of New Paltz) welcomes first-timers and experts to dive at probably the most reasonable price you've seen nowadays. Kristin Davis of “Sex and the City” can vouch for the exhilarating experience she had here in 2001. From way up on high, you get to see all of Hudson Valley!
Biplane Flying in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley
Another great way to experience the region's scenery in the summer is from above in a vintage 1929 open-cockpit biplane! Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome features weekend flights from June-October for up to four people at a time. Costs are approximately $50 per person, and reservations are advised. You'll fly over the Hudson, or anywhere in the area you care to go.
Hang-gliding in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley
Mountain Wings, Inc. in Ellenville, a.k.a., “the Hang-Gliding Capital of the Northeast,” lets you explore the world of aero-sports. It's open year-round and also offers paragliding. Launch at Mountain Wings is from Ellenville Mountain, where the experienced hang-glider can soar for hours, while the novice can enjoy gently-sloped bunny hills.
Hot Air Ballooning in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley
Having been flown for decades over the serene farmland of the Hudson Valley, hot air balloons are certainly an alternative way to enjoy the region's grandeur. Blue Sky Balloons in Bedford Hills boasts 30 years of experience and a flawless safety record. A balloon ride is an excellent way to celebrate a happy occasion, like a birthday, engagement, or an anniversary. Toast champagne, and watch the bubbles rise as you yourself do. Up to five people can enjoy these rides, which take off early morning and late afternoon, when the winds are most gentle. You're usually in the air for no more than two hours.
Soaring in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley
Wurtsboro Airport in Sullivan County is home to the oldest soaring site in the U.S. Ever think you would board a plane with no engine? The glider pilots at Wurtsboro Airport offer programs for everyone from beginners to licensed pilots. The idea is to learn how to fly one of these engine-less planes on your own, and while it'll take a few lessons to fly solo, you can be behind the controls with an instructor after around an hour of flight-time. You can fly as far away as Ellenville and back, that's more than 20 miles round-trip, with the Shawangunk Mountains directly to the east.
Woodstock, Cooperstown, New Paltz, Catskills and Hudson Valley
Adventure-Travel
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