Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Clarkstown, NY

  • Published 2023/06/04

Plenty of the things to do in Clarkstown, Rockland County, are natural magnets that draw visitors to New York State.

This town near the state’s southeastern edge is located on the west banks of the Hudson River.

The river’s waters adjacent east of Clarkstown is the Tappan Zee, where the natural widening of the Hudson stretches about three miles.

The central part of the town’s 47-square-kilometer area also features several lakes, including the DeForest Lake.

This lake, a reservoir, was created in 1956 by impounding the waters of the Hackensack River.

Established in 1791 by Dutch settlers, Clarkstown also has a rich history and cultural heritage that molded many of its attractions.

Discover the best things to do in Clarkstown, New York.

Take Pics at Hook Mountain State Park

River at Hook Mountain State Park

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Hook Mountain State Park is perched on a seven-mile ridge along the banks of the Hudson River, overlooking views that nature photographers love.

You can access this 676-acre undeveloped park from N U.S. Route 9W after the Nyack Beach State Park.

Visitors can explore Hook Mountain State Park via its Long Path and bike trail that runs an entire loop of 12 miles.

A cliff at Hook Mountain State Park

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The park’s Hook Mountain summit is 730 feet above sea level, the second highest along the Palisades Ridge.

You can take spectacular photos of the Hudson River’s surrounding landscape at the vantage lookout points of Hook Mountain State Park.

You can capture pictures of eagles soaring above the park’s cliffs with good luck and perfect timing.

Enjoy the Facilities of Rockland Lake State Park

A fantastic mix of recreational facilities awaits visitors of the 1,133-acre Rockland Lake State Park.

Many of the amenities in this park were developed around its 256-acre namesake lake, including a trail around the lakeshore.

Accessible from the village of Valley Cottage, the park features a boat ramp, boat rentals, and a playground.

Rockland Lake State Park also provides two Olympic-sized swimming pools plus another pair of collections for kids to enjoy.

In addition, the park boasts two 18-hole golf courses, with one a championship layout and the other a shorter executive links.

Other Rockland Lake State Park facilities include six tennis courts and picnic areas with grills and tables.

Licensed anglers can fish in Rockland Lake, and winter visitors of the park have access to its sledding slopes and cross-country ski trails.

Play Mini Golf at Germonds Park

The local government of Clarkstown runs a park system incorporating about 700 acres, with Germonds Park as one of its largest facilities.

This park of more than 70 acres on Germonds Road in the village of West Nyack features a mini golf course open to non-residents.

The course offers an exciting layout featuring well-manicured turf and water traps flowing between holes.

Germonds Park also offers two outdoor swimming pools with a slide, basketball courts, a playground, and sports fields.

Visitors can enjoy the park’s shaded area with picnic tables and grill stations.

Tour the Historical Society of Rockland County

The Historical Society of Rockland County offers an exciting stop at its headquarters on Zukor Road in the New City district of Clarkstown.

The society occupies the historic Jacob Blauvelt House constructed in1832

This brick farmhouse, distinctive in its gambrel roof, was the residence of a prominent local farmer, community leader, and military officer, Jacob J. Blauvelt.

This farmhouse is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places and reflects the Dutch heritage of its illustrious former residents.

The Historical Society of Rockland County not only holds various events at this house with cultural and historical themes.

The society also keeps this house as a museum open to tours for visitors to appreciate its various archival collections.

Solve the Challenges of 5 Wits West Nyack

Exterior of 5 Wits West Nyack

John Arehart / Shutterstock.com

5 Wits West Nyack is another fun destination at the Palisades Center for family and friends.

It’s an expansive adventure venue, having taken the former screening rooms of an IMAX theater.

Players in 5 Wits West Nyack can pick from three simulated adventures: Drago’s Castle, Deep Space, and Tomb.

Play in any of these three combines the excitement of virtual reality and escape rooms.

Puzzles, challenges, and obstacles await the team of players in the hands-on environments of the multiple rooms in each adventure.

Browse the Rockland Center for the Arts

The Rockland Center for the Arts is a window to creative minds in various media.

Located on South Greenbush Road in West Nyack, this multi-arts center was founded in 1946 by an illustrious group of New York artists.

The Rockland Center for the Arts provides three indoor galleries for its themed rotating exhibits.

These galleries are open to the public and draw thousands of visitors annually.

The ten-acre arts center further whets visitor interest in a sculpture park with rotating exhibits.

In addition to its exhibits, the center runs a School for the Arts, Summer Arts Day Camp, workshops, and literary and performing arts events.

Pick Fruits at Dr. Davis Farm

Depending on the season, shoppers can pick apples, peaches, or pumpkins at Dr. Davies Farm on New York State Route 304.

This family-run farm has been operating since 1891 and is already an institution in its area in the Clarkstown hamlet of Congers.

Dr. Davies Farm is also famous for its corn maze and hay rides that kids can enjoy after picking fruits from the field.

Besides fruits, the farm’s stand also sells Amish goods in jars and local honey, jams, and jellies.

Special events like Octoberfest, offering beer, hard cider, wine, and food trucks, also bring shoppers to Dr. Davies Farm.

Master the Turns at the Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events

Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events is one of the top attractions of the Palisades Mall in the Clarkstown village of West Nyack.

This fun destination for kids and adults fond of go-karts is located on the southern side of Palisades Center Drive.

Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events provides Italian-made electric Pro Karts that can go up to 50 miles per hour in their 12-lap allotted run.

The Junior Karts aged eight to 12 can run 25 miles per hour for five to six minutes of races.

Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events also offers up to 1.5 hours of axe-throwing sessions for players at least 18.

Check Out the Shops at Nanuet

Signage of the Shops at Nanuet

TMBLover, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Shops at Nanuet is a one-stop lifestyle hub at the junction of Middletown Road and New York State Route 59.

This commercial center provides about 760,000 square feet for 56 stores and service providers, including its Stop & Shop and At Home anchors.

In addition, the Shops at Nanuet are home to store outlets of classic brands like GAP, Michael Kors, and Apple.

Dining in this mall can be enjoyed at Bj’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Sombrero Tacoria, and Patsy’s Pizzeria.

Regal Cinemas, operating multiple screens, is also a tenant at the Shops at Nanuet.

Buildings at the Shops at Nanuet

Alexisrael, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Enjoy Family Fun at Bounce! Trampoline Sports

Spend hours with your family at Bounce! Trampoline Sports on Corporate Way in the Clarkstown hamlet of Valley Cottage.

This indoor trampoline park opened in 2011 and has expanded its offerings.

For kids aged one to five, Bounce! Trampoline Sports offers its Bounce! Jr. designed not only jumping but also running.

Older children and adults can try this facility’s Bounce! Xtreme, a Ninja-style obstacle course.

You can also try other facilities in Bounce! Trampoline Sports, like slam dunk basketball and trampoline dodgeball.

Expect further excitement when this facility turns down the lights for its Jump N’ Glow when even its visitors glow as they leap and play.

Catch Fish at Congers Lake Memorial Park

Licensed anglers visiting Clarkstown will find fishing most convenient at Congers Lake Memorial Park on Gilchrest Road in the hamlet of Congers.

The park provides a fishing pier between Lake Road and Butler Street on its northern side.

Congers Lake Memorial Park also offers a lakeside trail and boardwalk, facilitating easy access to other fishing spots in the park.

The potential fish catch in the 100-acre Congers Lake includes largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and white perch.

Visitors of the park can also enjoy its picnic areas, tennis and handball courts, playground, and swimming pool with a water slide.

Roll Strikes at the New City Bowl & Batting Cages

Give your arms a good workout at the New City Bowl & Batting Cages on North Main Street in Clarkstown’s New City.

State-of-the-art technology runs its 24 lanes, certified by the US Bowling Congress and operated by a professional staff.

Sundays are special playing days at New City Bowl & Batting Cages, as it hosts Glow Parties for its players.

During Glow Parties, the bowlers enjoy music, flashing, and black lights.

Visitors can choose from five batting cages offering softball and baseball pitches at three speeds.

New City Bowl & Batting Cages has a snack counter and a full-service bar.

Hike the Nyack Beach State Park

The waters of Nyack Beach State Park

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The Nyack Beach State Park, established in 1911, spreads over 61 acres on the west banks of the Hudson River.

You can access this park from the northern terminus of North Broadway in the village of Upper Nyack, 11 minutes from Clarkstown.

Hiking along a flat, ADA-compliant pathway is among the popular activities at the Nyack Beach State Park.

The park’s pathway overlooks the Hudson to not only the east and the 700-foot cliffs of the Palisades opposite the river.

A trail at Nyack Beach State Park

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Raptors and hawks nest in these cliffs and can be easily viewed from the park’s trails.

Fishing, picnics, and cross-country skiing in winter are the other recreational activities you can enjoy at Nyack Beach State Park.

This park is part of Clarkstown’s Palisades Interstate Park system, extending northward along the Hudson River.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Check Out the Edward Hopper House

Exterior of Edward Hopper House

Ritzel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Drop by North Broadway in Nyack to draw some artistic inspiration from the Edward Hopper House, ten minutes from Clarkstown.

This circa 1858 dwelling is the childhood home of the eminent American artist Edward Hopper.

Converted into a museum, the Edward Hopper House dates back to Edward’s grandmother and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Historical marker of Edward Hopper House

, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This museum displays some of the renowned artist’s iconic paintings.

Moreover, the Edward Hopper House preserves many of Edward’s artifacts, like painting tools and kits, as well as journals and sketches.

The museum also hosts special events like jazz concerts and art lectures.

Enjoy the Outdoors at Buttermilk Falls State Park

An extended stay is tempting for visitors of Buttermilk Falls State Park, which features a campground in its 75-acre site in Orangetown, New York, eight minutes from Clarkstown.

The park’s main attraction is its namesake falls, cascading down a steep valley from Buttermilk Creek to Cayuga Lake.

A trail from the parking lot leads to the falls and several scenic vantage points overlooking New Jersey to the south and the Ramapo Mountains west.

The upper part of Buttermilk Falls State Park has a small lake visitors can reach via trails traversing woodlands.

Visitors can enjoy picnics at the base of the falls in this park, which also features a natural pool and playing fields.

Final Thoughts

The location of Clarkstown on the banks of the Hudson River provides compelling reasons to visit this town.

The town’s riverfront attractions are all iconic destinations of New York State that tourists look for.

Explore the best things to do in Clarkstown, New York.

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