A-Day 2011

For the life of me, I can't find the thread with suggested dining options in or around WP. We are staying in Fishkill that weekend. After the parade, we wanted to take DD to a nice restaurant. Can anyone give me some recommendations? It doesn't have to be fancy, just something a little less franchise.

I think I remember reading about the Culinary Institute being an option.


Thank you!

My cadet was desperate to hit Taco Bell! Fishkill has Taco Bell, KFC/A&W, Wendy's, Subway, McDonald's, etc., pretty much anything they have missed.

We have eaten at Charlie Brown's Steakhouse several times (in the shopping center by the movies) and the food is good and the waitstaff is always stellar! There is also a Ruby Tuesdays.

Google "culinary institute" and you will see the different options. We've never done that or gone up toward Poughkeepsie to eat. We have eaten a Schade's buffalo chicken pizza in the car in the rain and it was delicious!

We have eaten at Barnstormer Barbecue in Ft. Montgomery, but we weren't too thrilled with it. The service was very slow and the food was disappointing.

I seem to remember there are some good places to eat in Cornwall.

I think the thing to remember is that this weekend is about reconnecting as a family. My cadet just wanted to relax in the room with the family and nap from time to time. He also had just received his computer and was eager to get caught up with high school friends. He was also glad for the chance to relax in the room in casual clothes from home so he didn't have to put his uniform back on until it was time to head back to WP. Just be prepared to play it by ear once you hear from your cadet on A-Day.

Reef N Beef Banquet Dept

http://at-the-reef.com/

about 30 minutes from West Point (I think)

Took my 500th night date there and took my wife there when we visited West Point for the first time together.

Thank you both very much!

I love the Reef N Beef Banquet Dept---reservations made!!

Distance from West Point

It appears the directions for A day say that while cadets can go to the hotels of parents up to 75 miles away, they can only eat at restaurants within "walking privileges" which is basically Highland Falls and Ft. Montgomery. Or, they can eat at the restaurant within the parent's hotel or get take-out and eat it in the hotel room. It is in the A Day FAQ's on the West Point website:
http://www.usma.edu/class/2015/accept_faq.pdf

We are wrestling with the same issue. The uniform and haircut are a dead giveaway plus no one wants to aid their cadet in breaking the honor code. I'm thinking it is best to toe the line and follow the directions.

Keith Hatfield said:

It appears the directions for A day say that while cadets can go to the hotels of parents up to 75 miles away, they can only eat at restaurants within "walking privileges" which is basically Highland Falls and Ft. Montgomery. Or, they can eat at the restaurant within the parent's hotel or get take-out and eat it in the hotel room. It is in the A Day FAQ's on the West Point website:
http://www.usma.edu/class/2015/accept_faq.pdf

We are wrestling with the same issue. The uniform and haircut are a dead giveaway plus no one wants to aid their cadet in breaking the honor code. I'm thinking it is best to toe the line and follow the directions.

Click to expand...

I don't believe that is correct. They can eat anywhere within the 75 miles but must be in uniform while in view of the public. From Deb Dalton on West Point Parents Facebook wall: The FAQ states cadets may travel up to 75 miles away and must remain in white over gray. There are no limitations on where the plebes will be allowed to travel so long as they are with family. If you have specific questions - please direct ...them to our office, Public Affairs or directly to me, as we are in direct contact with USCC. As always the primary source for information will be your cadet as they will be briefed on the privileges. This page is an official source of information for cadet parents.

Deb is the official "voice" so contact her if it's still not clear. deb.dalton@usma.edu

Dixieland said:

I don't believe that is correct. They can eat anywhere within the 75 miles but must be in uniform while in view of the public.

Click to expand...

Lot's of chatter on this on the mailing lists... my read is the FAQ is less specific than last year. Even last year it only authorized eating in a restaurant en-route to or from the hotel.

Likewise, we've been told it's not a general 75 mile travel radius. It just allows for travel to hotel in that radius. I now see the comment from Deb on FB wall indicating travel is OK as long as with family, that's very different than past years. While hopefully that will be allowed, I'd not bank on it until published or briefed.

No matter what, you can eat out with your plebe or other things (picnic, etc) inside the defined walking privileges area. They must remain in uniform, etc.

We've been told from parents of past classes the cadets will be likely questioned hard by upperclassmen on what they did while out, so you do not want to even think of bending the rules. We've also been told the cadet's mostly sleep anyway, so it's best just to plan on eating in the room and visiting there. The last thing they want to do is be out in public in uniform.

No matter what, you can eat out with your plebe or other things (picnic, etc) inside the defined walking privileges area. They must remain in uniform, etc.

Suggest emailing Deb for further clarification........on West Point Moms Facebook she says the NCs essentially have Off Post Privileges but must be in the 75-mile range, with family, in uniform. Yes, last year my cadet could only eat on the way to and from West Point.....the year before that they could only go straight to the hotel.

West Point is always evolving!

If Off Post privs within 75 miles is the official answer that would be great.

I've had others tell me that it would be very unlikely for that to be the case, as it would create unequal privs for cadets who do not have family who will take them. (apparently some of the reasoning for the old restrictions)

This would be a huge change, and some of the experienced folks indicate it's very unlikely for a new commandant to make such a large change their first year. But it would be good news!

Hopefully we'll get a clarification from the Comm's office, as there are many who are confused. For now, we are planning on the strict interpretation and if it opens up it will be a pleasant surprise.

As it was last year:
- shopping at the PX, OK in uniform
- eating in restaurant within 75mi radius, OK in uniform
- swimming in hotel pool, NO
- going to the movies, NO
- hanging at the mall, NO
- chilling in hotel room; i.e. sleeping, relaxing, etc., OK in or out of uniform
- having fun in public places, NO

When in doubt? Have your new cadet ask his/her team leader or chain of command during re-orgy week. There could be last minute changes to the posted rules. Changes can occur at any time.

Father of Class of 2014 cadet