Woodbury: Mountains, History, and the Long Path

Schunemunk Mountain borders Woodbury to the northwest, while the Hudson Highlands lie to the southeast. Woodbury Creek winds through the Town’s three hamlets. These landscape features shape different sides of the area: you can get to know Woodbury through its nature, history, and specific destinations. When planning a vacation rental, it’s therefore worth first considering which of these themes will shape your stay most.

Nature and the Long Path

For those who want to spend time outdoors, Long Path, Section 8, offers a clearly described route. It runs from NY Route 32 in the Town of Woodbury to the Heritage Trail in Monroe. At Schunemunk Mountain, the trail climbs and passes viewpoints, including Little Knob. The combination of a named climb and viewpoints makes this section a specific way to experience the landscape on foot. Plan it as an outing in its own right if the trail itself is an important part of your trip.

The section also reaches the entrance to Gonzaga Park. This 216-acre county park is located in the Towns of Blooming Grove, Monroe, and Woodbury. Two different details are useful for getting your bearings: the Long Path is a route that climbs Schunemunk Mountain and passes viewpoints; Gonzaga Park is a county park that spans three Towns. This makes it possible to factor these locations into your own plans based on your interests without conflating the park with the hiking section.

History and Things to Do

The Gatehouse Museum & Learning Center presents exhibitions on Woodbury’s history each year. It offers a cultural focus alongside the area’s natural attractions. The history of the Gatehouse itself also has a specific connection to the Town: in 1973, the U.S. government transferred the building to the Town of Woodbury so it could be used for youth activities. The annual exhibitions and the transfer of the building shed light on different aspects: Woodbury’s history on the one hand, and the specific use intended for the Gatehouse in 1973 for youth activities on the other.

Another destination is Woodbury Common Premium Outlet Center. It is a tourist attraction in the Town of Woodbury, located in Central Valley. This makes it a different kind of place to visit than the Long Path or the exhibitions at the Gatehouse Museum & Learning Center. If you’re traveling with a range of interests, you can think of these as separate options: a trail with a climb and viewpoints, a place with exhibitions on local history, and an attraction in Central Valley.

Other nearby places to explore: Walden, Montgomery, Unionville, Campbell Hall, Florida, Fort Montgomery, Greenwood Lake.

For the broader travel overview: Orange.