moments | life, a little bit at a time
T H E
M O U N T A I N S
20 the kids are alright The style in
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New Paltz, Old Ways Relish in the lush college town’s nonconformist, yet stylish vibe. | By Todd Plummer Photography by Beth Schneck exclusively for The Mountains
Win te r 2024 | Th e Hol i d ay s & B eyond
people come to new paltz to reinvent themselves. It’s why the French Huguenots settled there in 1678. It’s why students go there to study at the State University of New York. And it’s why outdoors lovers, artists and everyone seeking a quieter pace of life relocate to this idyllic village. New Paltz is a completely different vibe from the art galleries of Beacon or the seeand-be-seen verve of Hudson, and a lot of what you encounter here has to do with the town’s idyllic surroundings. New Paltz sits surrounded by lush forests, secluded hiking trails and some of Ulster County’s most dramatic mountains and ridges, making it a picture-perfect playground for nature lovers.
New Paltz is an offbeat, anything goes, come-as-you-are mix of high and low, at the intersection of cottage couture and rugged outdoorsiness. It’s also very much a college town.
With such a vivid history and rich landscape, the energy here’s an eclectic mix that represents a little bit of everything the region has to offer. Sleek city dwellers on weekend escapes wander around the historic 17th century structures that line the aptly named Huguenot Street. Flannelclad college students linger on downtown corners pouting over cappuccinos. Rugged rock climbers pass through on their way to or from the nearby Shawangunk Ridge, an iconic climbing spot. And on weekends, you can spot them all gathering
