We are planning to visit West Point in April during Spring Break before my son accepts his appointment. We are military so getting on base won’t be an issue. I know most things are closed and we can’t get to the cadet area, but are there good places to go where we can have a good view of campus? Things on base we must see? Fun things/hikes to do nearby? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Visit to West Point
- Thread starter CBJ
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Not clear on what’s allowed right now, but some things worth checking out:
Park near the baseball field and tennis courts, then walk along the Plain toward the core cadet area as far as you can. You’ll spot statues of Washington and various WP grads/generals, and a decent outside view of the dorms. The Plain is very pretty for just a broad expanse of grass.
Turn around, toward the Hudson, and stroll to Trophy Point. Check out the cannons from various wars. The view of the river gorge is fantastic.
Hop in your car and drive the whole area. It’s beautiful. Up to the chapel, and in if you can. Down to Michie Stadium too. You’ll pass a lot of residences and even an elementary school, I believe. It’s a fairly woodsy and hilly area with trails, if you like to hike.
WP has such a different feel from USNA and USAFA. You can feel the history there and see, along the gorge, why it was considered so strategic during the Revolutionary War. It’s got the outdoor sprawl and vistas of USAFA, plus the august and stately structures of USNA. Worth the trip.
Park near the baseball field and tennis courts, then walk along the Plain toward the core cadet area as far as you can. You’ll spot statues of Washington and various WP grads/generals, and a decent outside view of the dorms. The Plain is very pretty for just a broad expanse of grass.
Turn around, toward the Hudson, and stroll to Trophy Point. Check out the cannons from various wars. The view of the river gorge is fantastic.
Hop in your car and drive the whole area. It’s beautiful. Up to the chapel, and in if you can. Down to Michie Stadium too. You’ll pass a lot of residences and even an elementary school, I believe. It’s a fairly woodsy and hilly area with trails, if you like to hike.
WP has such a different feel from USNA and USAFA. You can feel the history there and see, along the gorge, why it was considered so strategic during the Revolutionary War. It’s got the outdoor sprawl and vistas of USAFA, plus the august and stately structures of USNA. Worth the trip.
UHBlackhawk
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Be aware that during the week parking may be tough on the "campus" area. You need a sticker to park in those areas on weekdays. Also, you need to download the LiveSafe app or drive through the Stoney Lonesome gate.
Drive down to South Dock. You can loop around. This is where the ferry service operates and has a nice view of the Hudson.
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As written above, drive over to Trophy Point. One parent may need to stay with the car. If it's a weekend, feel free to park and leave the car.
Drive over to North Dock and around Shea Stadium. You will have to drive back up Howard Road to the "main area" as Ruger Road is under construction. Drive down to the West Point Cemetary. You can park in front of the Starbucks/Subway.
Drive up to the Cadet Chapel. I'm not sure if it's open, but you can check.
Drive up Stoney Lonesome past Michie Stadium to the PX area.
Drive down to South Dock. You can loop around. This is where the ferry service operates and has a nice view of the Hudson.
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Drive over to North Dock and around Shea Stadium. You will have to drive back up Howard Road to the "main area" as Ruger Road is under construction. Drive down to the West Point Cemetary. You can park in front of the Starbucks/Subway.
Drive up to the Cadet Chapel. I'm not sure if it's open, but you can check.
Drive up Stoney Lonesome past Michie Stadium to the PX area.
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Right now cadets can barely leave post--I would predict that it won't be until the start of next academic year at the earliest. Only a quarter of the Corps has had the chance to be vaccinated as of yet but I believe it will open up more once the majority of us are protected.
JCSDVM1
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Is the Visitor Center open??
UHBlackhawk
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Yes.
My DD, who has an appointment with class of 2025, was able to schedule a visit on April 2nd. If you try doing the visit through the candidate portal, it will kick you out again and deny your tour. Have your appointee email admissions, Ms. Patricia Rose, patricia.rose@westpoint.edu, to schedule the Monday, Wednesday, Friday tours from the Visitor center in April. Definitely disappointed it is a pretty lame tour, given the Naval Academy is in a bigger ROM lockdown and offering a full day of events for appointed Midshipmen. But it is better than nothing! Ms. Rose was very helpful. The online tour registration still kicks you out if not from one of the five contiguous states. Be sure you book after April 1 as that is the date that Governor Cuomo lifted domestic travel restrictions into the state.
Thanks so much for the info- he sent an email to her tonight. So excited to visit!
Thanks so much. This will be super helpful when we get there.Be aware that during the week parking may be tough on the "campus" area. You need a sticker to park in those areas on weekdays. Also, you need to download the LiveSafe app or drive through the Stoney Lonesome gate.
Drive down to South Dock. You can loop around. This is where the ferry service operates and has a nice view of the Hudson.
As written above, drive over to Trophy Point. One parent may need to stay with the car. If it's a weekend, feel free to park and leave the car.Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.
Drive over to North Dock and around Shea Stadium. You will have to drive back up Howard Road to the "main area" as Ruger Road is under construction. Drive down to the West Point Cemetary. You can park in front of the Starbucks/Subway.
Drive up to the Cadet Chapel. I'm not sure if it's open, but you can check.
Drive up Stoney Lonesome past Michie Stadium to the PX area.
Thanks so much for the info!
Ncwp2025
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When you go April 2nd can you let us know if it’s worth making the trip? DS just scheduled tour for April 19th so if you have any other recommendations after your mini tour it would be appreciated.
Absolutely! I will be happy to report how the visit goes. Like I said above, not expecting much. I would rather West Point try doing a visit for appointees like the Naval Academy, a 6 hour event on the Yard (no parents allowed) and no midshipman interaction other than having a panel of mids coming to talk to them (that will be good!)
Military MOMx2
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Stay at the Thayer if you could...great to walk to the main area and get a feel for the grounds there. Beautiful area if you're up for a walk, you see so much more than driving (which is necessary to see the whole post). Enjoy!
Definitely stay at the Thayer if you can. We walked from Thayer to and through WP in 2011 and then again when my son was 6 (2017) and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The cadets were on campus during our second visit and 5 of them stopped to say "hi" to my son and talk to him about his plans. It was really adorable and it goes to show you how confident and in possession of already developing leadership skills that they would stop for a child. And it wasn't just a few minutes, 3 of the young women actually talked to him for about 15 minutes, filling him on all the responsibilities they had and how that helped them to develop.
ALF648
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All - if DS and I stay at the Thayer, is that considered to be on Post? Can we explore on foot from there, or is there an additional requirement? I understand that Covid restrictions will be in place but unsure if there is recent information about how those restrictions may play out. Thanks
UHBlackhawk
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Jein. (Yes/no). You will have to show your ID walking through the gate.
Did your also get an appt with USNA? It is a shame they aren't doing the same at USMA.
If you stay at thayer you will be on post but still will need to go through another screening point even if on foot.
I will hopefully be there to spend some time with my cadet over Easter. We don't have official word yet if they will get off post privileges that weekend but there are rumors...fingers crossed.