An open-air museum spanning 500 acres brings outdoor art to life in Orange: Storm King Art Center is located in New Windsor. You can reach it by Metro-North Railroad and NJ Transit; check current schedules before traveling. Art and history appear in the region in many different ways—from large-scale outdoor art to collections about American military history and life in the 19th century.
Museums and History from Different Perspectives
The West Point Museum’s collection includes weapons, uniforms and mementos of American soldiers from the 17th century to the present, as well as military artifacts from around the world. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor takes a different approach: interactive exhibits trace the life stories of selected Purple Heart recipients.
The Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame preserves the history and traditions of Standardbred harness racing. More than 40,000 artifacts offer a wide-ranging collection on the subject. By contrast, Museum Village of Old Smith’s Clove focuses on small-town life in late 19th-century America. The village’s Natural History Museum is home to the nearly complete skeleton of Harry the Mastodon. At the Candle Shop, visitors can make their own candles; on-site hands-on learning activities are designed for students and families.
Another historic destination is the Brick House, built in 1768 and home to seven generations of the Hill family. The museum is currently closed until further notice. A quiet place of remembrance is also among the region’s discoveries: the Remembrance Walkway and Garden at the Orange County Arboretum honors those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks.
Trails, Lakes and Protected Landscapes
The Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge manages more than 6,000 acres of land in Orange County, New York, and Sussex County, New Jersey. The refuge offers nature-based recreation and protects habitats for woodland and grassland birds, migratory waterfowl, wintering raptors and endangered species. Experiencing nature and protecting it go hand in hand here: the landscape is both a place for recreation and habitat for different groups of birds.
The 19.5-mile Heritage Trail offers access from Goshen to Harriman and is suitable for hiking, biking and inline skating. When snow conditions are suitable, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are also available. Winding Hills Park is home to 40-acre Diamond Lake and a four-acre pond; its trails are also open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when conditions allow. The two park areas offer different ways to spend time outdoors: a long trail with several possible activities and trails around lakes and a pond.
Cronomer Hill Park has a wooded hiking trail and a 30-foot-tall observation tower. From there, views stretch across the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding region to High Point in New Jersey. The tower is currently closed until further notice.
The 102-acre Kowawese Unique Area at Plum Point is managed by the Orange County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Along the Hudson River, the site includes a 2,000-foot-long sandy shoreline; activities offered there include boating, fishing and hiking. The area is currently closed until further notice.
More Discoveries for a Range of Interests
Wine history also has a longstanding place in Orange: Brotherhood Winery was founded in 1839 and is the oldest continuously operating winery in the United States. Local breweries, wineries and cideries are also part of Orange County’s craft beverage scene. Families looking for active outings can find rides and attractions for children ages 2 to 12 at LEGOLAND New York Resort. The range of experiences spans cultural collections and remembrance to nature trails, local beverages and recreational attractions.
Discover more destinations: New Windsor, Newburgh, Port Jervis, Goshen, Greenwood Lake, Chester, Middletown, Highland Falls, Slate Hill, New Hampton, West Point, Woodbury, Cornwall, Orange Lake, Walden, Fort Montgomery, Montgomery, Florida, Campbell Hall, Unionville.
For the broader travel overview: New York.
