Historic Hotel Overlooking Hudson River and Military Academy

With the Hudson River to the east and the United States Military Academy to the west, the Thayer Hotel at West Point sits between a natural wonder and a historical landmark. Built in 1926, the hotel has hosted US presidents and international dignitaries visiting the Hudson Highlands. At first glance, some might mistake the hotel as part of campus, since its crenellated stone façades, soaring towers, and battlements reflect the design of the academy’s gothic architecture.

Inside the grand lobby portraits of military leaders and national flags hang on the walls. Other nostalgic displays include a lamp salvaged from the West Point Hotel, which served as the academy’s prominent hotel in the 19th century. Inside deluxe guest rooms, you’ll see dazzling views of either the rolling hills lining the Hudson River or the military academy’s prestigious buildings.

Several dining options are available at The Thayer Hotel. Named after General Douglas MacArthur—one of West Point’s most famous students—MacArthur’s Restaurant serves a diverse selection of international cuisine amid gothic windows and gold-trimmed pillars. Executive chef James Luque crafts dishes named after notable West Point graduates. The Chilean sea bass topped in a seafood cream sauce ($29) is named after Major General Hugh Kilpatrick, the US Minister to Chile, while the mixed-green salad ($12) is named after 1951 West Point graduate Buzz Aldrin. At night, crowds mingle under the stars at ZuluTime rooftop lounge. Grab a seat near the red-brick bar for a pair of complimentary cocktails, or nab a table and admire enchanting views of the Hudson River.

West Point, New York: Historic Town Along the Hudson River

Located about 50 miles north of Manhattan, West Point sits within the beautiful Lower Hudson Valley, a woodland region dotted with sleepy villages and plunging rock cliffs. Roam its campus—which was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960—to see the modest Old Cadet Chapel, built in 1863 , as well as monuments to George Washington, General Douglas MacArthur, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

For some of the best views of the valley, head to the Boscobel mansion, an early-19th-century neoclassical estate on a bluff above the Hudson River. Considered one of the Federal period’s finest examples of decorative arts, the mansion showcases original cabinetry, large-scale historical paintings, and horse-drawn grocery carts.

Other nearby attractions include the renowned Culinary Institute of America, with four public restaurants on campus, and the Storm King Art Center, a sculpture park set on more than 500 of the valley's acres.

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