A full day in Nyack with nature, art and music.

If you haven't visited Nyack, then put it on your list! You can spend a lovely, leisurely day infused with nature, art, music, food and even a little retail therapy if you so choose.  

Start the day early at Nyack Beach State Park. and pack a breakfast or light snacks as there are plenty of places along the trail to sit down and take in the scenery of cliffs, the Hudson's swift-moving current and the old and new Tappan Zee bridges. I plugged into my GPS 698 N Broadway Nyack which took me straight to the parking lot of the state park (and yes, there are bathroom facilities there as well). You also have the option to drive up to the Plateau (there is another parking up there) for a different view, but I preferred the riverside trail.  Nothing beats the sounds of the waters lapping against the rocks. 

Just 2 miles from the park, head into historic downtown Nyack, where you will find beautiful antique stores, boutiques, bustling and cozy restaurants, and American realism. After all, this is the birthplace of Edward Hopper. Step right into the home Hopper inhabited before he moved to NYC at 28 years of age. Restored and on the National Register of Historic Places, the Edward Hopper House celebrates the legacy of the artist as well as emerging artists. 

Chances are you have worked up an appetite, and I highly recommend the Art Cafe. Art Cafe is an intimate, casual spot to enjoy drinks, plates of Israeli-inspired foods (the eggplant malawach was to die for and be sure to get the spicy shakshooka sauce on the side), local art and live music. You can check out their music and art events calendar online or follow them on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ArtCafeNyack. 

At the heart of every darling enclave is a beautiful public library and delightful independent bookshops. And Nyack delivers both with cultural and literary aplomb. Explore Nyack's rich history in the 138-year old, ivy-covered public library. Get lost among the towering piles of books in Pickwick Bookshop, a bookworm's daydream that's been in the neighborhood for 72 years. And who wouldn't love a shop that proudly boasts the best selection of books about the Nyacks and Hudson Valley! 

There's lots more happening in the nooks and crannies that make up this community, most of which seems available for your planning pleasure at Nyack News & Views:  ​http://www.nyacknewsandviews.com. Enjoy the find!