Just north of the hustle and bustle of New York City lies Nyack New York. Charming Victorian style houses line the main street, and quaint shops welcome you to stroll and browse through their goods. In this article I will let you in on some of the best places to go from a locals perspective!
First we will discuss the best spots to eat in Nyack! Unfortunately, one of my all time favorite places to go, Pie Lady and Son has shut down. Fear not though dear traveller! Nyack holds many other gems.
Breakfast:
Starting with breakfast, a family favorite is the Strawberry Place. Open since 1974, the Strawberry Place has been serving delicious breakfast food for locals and visitors alike.
Fluffy pancakes, warm belgian waffles, tasty eggs!
My favorite meal served here has to be the hot apple cinnamon pancakes however my family can’t get enough of the omelets served here!
As someone with food allergies I admire their commitment to making sure my food is always cooked safely. Unlike some restaurants I have never received an attitude from workers regarding questions on ingredients. Many of the meals can be adjusted to be gluten free as well!
It is important to note that this restaurant is cash only! You won’t have to withdraw too much from the ATM though, the prices are extremely reasonable and those coming in from the city will be pleasantly surprised. As of 2023 a bacon omelet costs $7.50 and comes with homefries and toast!
Lunch:
There are many options for lunch in Nyack depending on what you are craving!
Melissa McCarthy recently filmed a portion of her Christmas Movie, “Bernard and the Genie” at the village mainstay-The Art Cafe . This owners of this local mainstay drew inspiration from Tel Aviv, and their offerings include both coffee and tea, pastries, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Serving up borekas, torti, malawach, and toastinis, Art Cafe is one of the few local restaurants I have been to in the area that serves up Israeli cuisine. And they do it well!
Snacks and Treats:
One of my all time favorite spots in Nyack is Boxer Donut. Every so often my boyfriend and I will treat ourselves and pick out a dozen donuts for us and our family. It’s a hit every time!
Our favorites have to be the Maple Bacon, marbled old fashioned, cinnamon sugar, and vanilla glazed. There are many others to try though! And coffee as well to get you through the rest of a busy day of exploring.
Allergy/ Intolerance Note: I have seen vegan donut options available here as well, not as consistently as the main flavors though!
Dinner:
Casa del Sol is a big hit amongst my friends for grabbing some Mexican food and drinks. There are a bunch of live music events at Casa. The second Friday of each month there is a Drink and Drum event with a drum circle, and Friday and Saturday nights there is always live music featuring different local bands of varying genres from reggae to classic rock!
I have always had a great experience here, and love the menu. My friends are big fans of the Mexican Lollipops! Be prepared, these lollipops aren’t a candy but are chorizo meatballs, wrapped in bacon, and dipped in a Chipotle-Honey BBQ, yum!
Note: Although paying in cash is not required, a 3% upcharge is added to the bill when paying with a credit card.
I would also encourage you to check out the Olde Village Inne, an Irish Pub, or Prohibition River.
Although the restaurants I have recommended are some of my favorites, I have been to MANY good restaurants in the area. Too many to describe in one post! A ton of great restaurants are all located on the same strip!
Activities, Activities, Activities:
If you have never been to Nyack before, you may be surprised when you arrive and discover the village is very biker friendly. Although there are not necessarily bike lanes in the area, it is a frequent hot spot for cyclers and you will see bike racks filled outside of restaurants and stores.
If you like to cycle and are able to bring your bike along, you are in luck! And if you are not a fan of two wheeled travel, fear not, you are able to do all of these activities, wheels are optional!
A popular spot for cyclers and pedestrians, Nyack Beach State Park has a scenic path that winds along the Hudson River. Dogs are allowed (on leash) as well as bicycles. It would be a bit of a far walk from Main Street, about 2 miles, but you could ride your bike there or park right at the start of the trail.
(Keep in mind that there will be a fee to park in the parking lot) If you brought your bike though, this would be a good opportunity to get some exercise in, park near the shops, ride your bike down main street and to the park and then back to main street, possibly stopping for a treat after your workout at Boxer Donut!
Another site to check out would be the new Tappan Zee Bridge (aka the Mario Cuomo Bridge). The access point in Nyack is called Rockland Landing. There are 57 parking spots, 2 electric vehicle charging stations, bathrooms, and a bike repair station. It has it all! It takes about an hour and 20 minutes to get to the Westchester Side walking, and about 20-25 minutes biking at a quick pace. Six scenic overlooks with seating are spread out along the bridge with 10 pieces of art/sculptures.
I will say that the path does get loud and a bit dusty at times. I prefer Nyack Beach State Park, but it is nice to do it at least once, even if just to go to the first stopping point and turning back.
A heads up: the bridge path is not dog, roller blade, or skateboard friendly!
If you are a person who appreciates art, particularly the art of famed American painter Edward Hopper, you are in luck! The Edward Hopper House is open to visit. Some may find this museum to be disappointing as the museum contains only a small number of items belonging to the late artist, and a few sketches. But the museum also offers a short film about Hopper and his wife, art pieces by other artists, and a map to a self guided walking tour so that you may have better insight into how Hopper grew up in the area. For the $10 admission I would say you may spend about an hour or less inside. You can check the website for current exhibitions before you go to see if anything catches your eye, or they also have a 3D tour on their website!
Shop till you drop!
Shopping in Nyack can be refreshing for those used to typical suburban malls and even those in cities where chain stores have taken over blocks. The eclectic assortment of shops have something to appeal to all, it may be impossible to leave the village empty handed.
Pickwick Book Shop feels as though you have stepped into a fantasy novel. A bibliophiles dream- books are stacked from the floor to ceiling in some spots and you must carefully wind up and down the isles to avoid bumping into the stacks.
For those who believe in the metaphysical, or just appreciate a nice rock or stone like I do, you will definitely want to pop into Crystals on the Rocks. They have a wide variety of stones and beads and are extremely kind and helpful even with those just popping in to have a look around!
Hickory Dickory Dock has been a favorite store of mine since I was a child. They sell incredibly charming cuckoo clocks that are on my wishlist to buy, as well as various other cute items. I have picked out many Christmas ornaments in that lovely store!
Main Street Beat a record store that also sells a small amount of vintage clothes seen from the street is worth a pop in to look around! The vibes alone may convince you to finally get that record player that has been sitting in your cart!
Saffron Trading Company gets me every time as well. It is hard for me to walk out of there without having been enchanted by the different candles and home decor.
There are so many other local shops you can support in the area, so be ready to peruse more than the few listed here!
The Wrap-up!
I hope that my blog post encourages you to pop in and experience all of the charm of this little village! Whether you choose to spend the day in Nyack, or are just passing through en route to another destination, this hidden gem is worth your time!
If you have any other places in Nyack you would recommend let me know down in the comments! 🙂