While I was staying at the Mohonk Mountain House recently, my husband and I decided to venture into town on the way home from there.

New Paltz is a hip college town that combines the electricity and diversity of a campus environment with the traditions and charm of its French Huguenot past. The town is just 90 miles from Manhattan - easy to get to by car, train, or bus.  Six houses built by the first settlers survive on Huguenot Street, the country's oldest street with its original houses; now they are museums which display period furnishings and European architecture.

The village has restaurants, eclectic shops and antique stores. We didn't have time to sit down and have a meal, but we did do some shopping at a vintage store, Rhino Records, book stores, as well as quaint gift shops. Don't miss stopping by Groovy Blueberry on Main St. (where many of the shops are) where I bought my baby-to-be cool tie dye onesies and bibs. They also have great scarves, hats and jewelry for adults as well. Enchanted Toys on Front St. also had great things (model kits, action figures, wooden toys) to purchase for the younger set. Several other shops we ambled into also had gifts for baby as well.

After our time in town, we enjoyed the beautiful foliage around us and made a promise to come back one day when we have more time and join the apple and pumpkin pickers and wine enthusiasts who tour the area's many vineyards.

Know Before You Go:

Mohonk Mountain House

The Awareness Shop

Handmade and More

Medusa Emporium

The Bakery**

The Village Tea Room**

Main Street Bistro

Bacchus Restaurant

Locust Tree Restuarant

Harvest Cafe Restaurant and Wine Bar

**babies/kids are most welcome