Hiking in the woods+ walking distance from Manhattan+sweeping views of the Hudson River... Does it exist?

Oh yes it does exist and and your options are called the Palisades Long Path and the Palisades Short Trail!!! There are multiple trail options for every level of difficulty.

The route goes from George Washington Bridge, north up to the Palisades which offer sweeping views the Hudson River and excellent vista points.

The New Jersey Palisades website has all the information you will need including detailed trail maps, access points, restroom locations and picnic areas.

To walk across the GWB, check out  this website. It is also possible to take public transportation, for more information click here.

For more information on the Long Path and how to take it all the way up to Albany, check out the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.

So with the great weather forecast for this weekend, I hope you'll check it out! Plus with no foliage on the trees yet, you are sure to have phenomenal views!

Brooklyn Bridge Park will be Completed!!!! :)

According to the New York Times, New York State has agreed to allow the completion of Brooklyn Bridge Park in DUMBO. Only a few small portions of the park are completed at this time, and each year more areas are expected to open.

This picture, courtesy of The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, is of part of the park that is currently open. Having worked in DUMBO I can promise that this area is a wonderful place to go for a walk or to eat your lunch. If you are looking for gorgeous views and a little hint of nature I highly recommend going to the area called The Cove,which is right between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.

This spring the Park is expected to make13 new acres available to the public with the openings on Piers 1 and 6. The New York Times also notes that Pier 2 is expected to open, which would be designed for sports, though I was unable to find any information on Pier 2 on the Park's website. Please note, that the Empire-Fulton Ferry location is currently closed for renovations, and plans to reopen in spring 2011.

If you do plan on taking a stroll through the Park, I highly recommend stopping by the Ice Cream Factory, located at 1 Water Street, it is absolutely delicious!