The West Point Experience


General Info
Driving there
Map of local roads
At West Point
Map of West Point
Lodging
        List of local motels
Food and Dining
        List of West Point & local restaurants
 

General Info - Getting to West Point from N.E. Ohio is relatively easy.  You have a choice of driving (approx. 8 hours), or flying.  If you choose to fly, it's suggested that you arrive at any of the New York city airports and rent a car.  Public transportation around the West Point vicinity is nearly nonexistent, although within the campus itself is good.  If you drive, 95% of the trip is easy and straight forward, with most of the trip by intrastate highways.  But the last 20 miles or so can be confusing.  Although located within 50 miles of the largest metro area in the U.S., West Point is surrounded by mountains and the Hudson River, and has a poor major highway network, which might be by West Point's design.

Driving - (from NE Ohio)


The trip from the I-71/I-80 entrance in Strongsville is approx. 475 miles, and in good weather will take about 7 1/2 hours with 2 short gas stops.

Local roads
At West Point - There are two main gates, or entrances, to the main campus - the Thayer Gate to the south, and the Washington Gate to the north.  If this is your first visit to West Point, it's suggested that you use the Thayer gate because the visitor center is just outside that gate, and the people there can answer many of the questions you may have.  Just below are links to  maps, that are both viewable and printable, of the internal roads, buildings, and monuments in the main campus.
West Point Map

   Map in JPG   Both viewable and printable on most computers.
   Map in PDF  Same map in Adobe Acrobat Reader format.
 

The number one priority is spending time with your cadet, but if  he or she has duties, and you have time for yourselves, West Point offers sights that attract nearly 3 million visitors per year.  It's the oldest military post in the U.S. (since 1778), the oldest military academy (since 1802), and almost every graduating class has left their legacy with donations of buildings, monuments, and even specific trees.  Click on  Points of Interest  to access things to see.
 
 

Lodging - Although Highland Falls has a few motels, the majority of them which are the most accessible to parents arriving from the west,  are located in the Newburgh area, approx. 14 miles north of West Point, near I-84.  Considerations where to stay, other than the obvious of price, comfort, and amenities, are 1) do you plan to come back to the motel anytime during the day,  and 2) are you planning on bringing your cadet back to the motel with you, either for a short nap for them, or for their sleeping overnight.  Many times, cadets want to 'get away' from the rigors of West Point - sometimes far away.  For a listing of most  Motels  in the area, click on the 'motels'.  Please note that the rates on the following list are standard rates for 2 adults, unless stated otherwise, taken from the motel's internet sites.  Rates can be substantially higher during football weekends or special events, i.e., plebe/parent weekend, etc.  Recommendations from other parents will follow in the near future.
 

Food and Dining - The Highland Falls area is small and offers a limited number of restaurants.  For example, there's only one major fast food restaurant, a McDonalds, and no Taco Bell's or Burger King's.  All other off post restaurants are independently owned and operated.  Menu's, services, and decor vary greatly.  Click here Food & Dining for a listing of most West Point area dining, again with recommendations.