Overnight visit - what does the parent do?

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NJDadofDSUSMA2024Hopeful

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My DS has an overnight visit coming up for USMA. We live only about 75 minutes away, but I believe he said he had to report at 6:30am, so we'll probably spend the night...just head up after school and take in some of that fine Highland Falls cuisine for dinner.
But when he gets there at 6:30am, what should I plan to do all day? We talked about taking two cars and me just leaving, but not sure if there are worthwhile things to do as a parent? I took the tour over the summer but that was only about 1.5 hours.
I like to mountain bike, so if the weather isn't terrible (been warm here lately), I could do that for a bit.
What did other parents do on their Overnight Visits?

If we went up the day before, I guess I would need a hotel room for 2 nights, ie second night for myself while he's in the barracks.

Thank you.
 
I'm taking my DS up at the end of the month. We're 6+hours away, so I'm definitely going to do 2 nights in a hotel. We've been up there a lot over the past 14 years (for older son) and have continued to go back for different sports camps, etc. Things haven't really changed much over those years, but here are some ideas I can give you (hate to call them recommendations).

We've only stayed at the Thayer a couple of times, but even if you don't stay there, it's worth seeing and having a meal at the restaurant. The West Point Museum is awesome if you're into military history at all. We ALWAYS eat at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant - it's actually not too bad considering the location. In summer months, we always got ice cream right along the Main Street just outside the Main Gate. Obviously any time at Trophy Point and other scenic locations on post can't be beaten. We always go to the PX for some little souvenir. We've always been tempted to eat Chinese food from Dong Fong (a Cadet favorite), but in 14 years, I still haven't gotten the courage. We ALWAYS go bowling at the post bowling alley...beers are $2-3 bucks. And I ALWAYS have to get breakfast at the McDonalds right outside the gate...it's a tradition. I NEVER eat at another McD's anywhere else in the country, but it has a lot of memories through the years, so it's a MUST. Most of the other local eating establishments (including American Burrito) are pretty good. We heard that there was a new bakery that was opened by a former cadet that's a little further into HF (away from the gate), but I haven't tried it yet. Have fun!
 
Let me know if y’all find anything new and interesting. We will be up a couple of times in February and will be our first time there so it will all be new.
 
TexasAggie204 said:
I'm taking my DS up at the end of the month. We're 6+hours away, so I'm definitely going to do 2 nights in a hotel. We've been up there a lot over the past 14 years (for older son) and have continued to go back for different sports camps, etc. Things haven't really changed much over those years, but here are some ideas I can give you (hate to call them recommendations).

We've only stayed at the Thayer a couple of times, but even if you don't stay there, it's worth seeing and having a meal at the restaurant. The West Point Museum is awesome if you're into military history at all. We ALWAYS eat at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant - it's actually not too bad considering the location. In summer months, we always got ice cream right along the Main Street just outside the Main Gate. Obviously any time at Trophy Point and other scenic locations on post can't be beaten. We always go to the PX for some little souvenir. We've always been tempted to eat Chinese food from Dong Fong (a Cadet favorite), but in 14 years, I still haven't gotten the courage. We ALWAYS go bowling at the post bowling alley...beers are $2-3 bucks. And I ALWAYS have to get breakfast at the McDonalds right outside the gate...it's a tradition. I NEVER eat at another McD's anywhere else in the country, but it has a lot of memories through the years, so it's a MUST. Most of the other local eating establishments (including American Burrito) are pretty good. We heard that there was a new bakery that was opened by a former cadet that's a little further into HF (away from the gate), but I haven't tried it yet. Have fun!
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Love this... very helpful for the next four years. Thank you!
 
I did some running, and read a couple of books...mini vacation for me.
 
Go and take a tour of Fort Montgomery which is just a short distance out from post and a little before the Bear Mountain Bridge. A good friend was part of the archaeological dig team that first excavated it a couple of decades ago as it had been basically lost to history. Over time, the real importance was better understood and I was lucky to be part of the dedication ceremony which included reps from the US and British government as well as military historians.
 
I went fly fishing with my extra day. I posted a very detailed overnight visit report from November here. I have to admit I fell in love with it but doesn't matter now that it is out of play for my son (no nom):

USMA overnight visit report

Parent portion - I thought some might find info on the overnight visit helpful. This is parent information and hope to post some perspective from my son once I see him tomorrow (currently in the middle of the Mon/Tues overnight tour). I may not be 100% correct on the details but this is what I...
www.serviceacademyforums.com
 
We live a similar distance from WP and my cadet drove himself up when he stayed overnight. So if your son is comfortable driving that distance, it's definitely an option. My son liked the independence of not having me drive him. And I didn't mind not having to get up at O'dark thirty.

If/when you do go up, I highly recommend stopping in at Bear Mountain Bakery (which @TexasAggie204 referred to). Ed Major is the owner and he is an old grad. Now he loves on the cadets with his killer baked goods and amazing grilled cheese sandwich. He is truly a huge blessing to the cadets so you'll want to meet him. You can find his shop info on Facebook and you will likely see him on RDay in Ike hall with the other vendors.

If he already has an appointment by the time he goes up, it might be a good time to run into the cadet store to buy his low quarters and boots. This is where we bought our son's footwear (but we ended up making a separate trip to buy those - that trip is a good memory for me. :) )
 
If you like to shop, you can drive over to Woodbury Commons. FABULOUS outdoor outlet mall. (I am not a big shopper but it is a serious destination.) You can also go to Bear Mountain--there is a little park and a small zoo (if you have younger siblings in tow). There is antiquing in Garrison and other small towns. However, the West Point Museum and also the West Point Visitors Center... Eat at Tony's in Highland Falls. Best Eggplant Rollitini in the universe--look for my letter on wall in the frame thanking them for sending me the recipe when we had a vegetarian ambassador during an overseas posting. Love Tony's. Great Italian, Great Pizza.
On post, go to the Assoc of Graduates building--there is a fabulous little gift shop to get your Army Spirit going or walk around Trophy Point.
Also, if you have never taken the Admissions session--sit down and take the session. Also, take the West Point tour from the visitors center. It is so lovely there, even in the winter.

Edited Again; Bring the mountain bike and head over to Bear Mountain State Park for a bit. You will be thrilled.
 
DrMom said:
If you like to shop, you can drive over to Woodbury Commons. FABULOUS outdoor outlet mall. (I am not a big shopper but it is a serious destination.) You can also go to Bear Mountain--there is a little park and a small zoo (if you have younger siblings in tow). There is antiquing in Garrison and other small towns. However, the West Point Museum and also the West Point Visitors Center... Eat at Tony's in Highland Falls. Best Eggplant Rollitini in the universe--look for my letter on wall in the frame thanking them for sending me the recipe when we had a vegetarian ambassador during an overseas posting. Love Tony's. Great Italian, Great Pizza.
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Handmade Cannoli's at Schades......
 
Walman, you know I am Tony's loyalist from the old days, but it is true, Schades has a menu with EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD on it. How is that even possible? It is like magic.
 
DrMom said:
Walman, you know I am Tony's loyalist from the old days, but it is true, Schades has a menu with EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD on it. How is that even possible? It is like magic.
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DD just can't get past the Brisket Enchiladas..... Absolute slave to those things.....
 
Well this was super helpful, as expected! SAF never disappoints!
Weather permitting, I'll bring the bike and make sure I find time to do almost all of these other things, except Woodbury Commons since we have outlets and malls galore here in NJ!
I already took the tour and did the admissions presentation that same day (both with DS and his mom)--are those what you mentioned, @DrMom ?
 
As business has taken me to USMA over the years, I’ve enjoyed all the places above.

I also like the steak place, Schlesinger’s, over in New Windsor. Always a good choice when traveling with a more senior exec who would pick up the tab. When traveling solo, I often ate at the bar in the Thayer, Patton’s Tavern. Since I often wore a Navy Veteran pin with business attire, it was easy to strike up conversations. In the summer, they usually have an heirloom tomato salad that has those fabulous Jersey tomatoes.
 
Never liked Shades...my favorite is Andy’s on main st for breakfast, awesome corned beef hash. I‘ve always loved the Barnstormer BBQ in Fort Montgomery. Great food and craft beer and super nice people. If you stay at the Holiday Inn Express you can walk over since the Barnstormer is right next door. We tried Dong Fong for Chinese during plebe year but it was awful. If you translate Dong Fong to English it means “Go elsewhere “. LOL
 
Roadking said:
We tried Dong Fong for Chinese during plebe year but it was awful. If you translate Dong Fong to English it means “Go elsewhere “. LOL
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I can only imagine...I must admit that the name and presumed lack of culinary satisfaction has been the source of a lot of comedy in our house for over a decade.
 
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