Things to Do in Kiryas Joel

Delaware River Tubing launches tubes, rafts, and kayaks on five- to six-mile trips down scenic waterways just north of where George Washington historically crossed the Delaware River. Shuttles ferry groups to launch points, where watercraft journeys begin along the wide river. In addition to renting vessels, Delaware River Tubing's crew leads guided kayak tours that can highlight local wildlife and tackle class one rapids like a mall cop tackling a gummy-bear thief.

During river adventures, scents of barbecue waft across the water from the aptly named Famous River Hotdog Man. The riverside eatery, founded in 1987, partners with Delaware River Tubing to give each customer a hot meal, which they can devour at picnic tables in the water.

Even though the sprawling, bright-red barn that sits on Saddle Valley Farm holds 75 stalls, it doesn’t take up much space. That’s because the farm—home to riding lessons, horse boarding, and day camps—sits on 100 acres of rolling, emerald hills, lined by a thick of trees and white picket fences. The expanse of land also houses two indoor arenas and an outdoor show ring, lesson ring, and plenty of wide-open space for riding, training, and reenacting the opening sequence to The Sound of Music. Riding students can opt to learn English-style equitation or Western riding under the tutelage of instructors specialized in each field, while the farm also hosts day camps for kids aged 6–13, which include lessons in horse care, grooming, breeds, leading, and handling.

At Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center, 25,000 acres of snow-dusted state-park landscape surround eight trails, inspiring riders with scenic views and mountainous sanctuary. Four double chairlifts escort skiers and snowboarders to the peaks of eight powdery slopes, which dedicated trail-sculptors and snowmaking machines have modified to accommodate riders of all ages, abilities, and postmodernist persuasions. A beginners' area helps snowsplorers find their mountain legs, and the black-diamond racing hill and freestyle park challenge skis and boards with steep slopes, kickers, and rails. The rental shop at the bottom of the hill outfits run-tamers with downhill essentials, and a rustic lodge and pub warms bellies and thaws tongues frozen to metal poles with an array of hearty après-ski treats.

Over the course of its 22-year existence, Ocean Experience Surf School has helped somewhere in the neighborhood of over 15,000 students to safely discover and refine their passion for watersports. Students 6 or older hop atop surfboards, paddleboards, and kayaks for on-the-water practice under the care of experienced instructors during private lessons and group classes.

The local press and community showers the school's companion retail outlet with praise, which won both the Best Surf Shop and Best Skate Shop in CityBeat's 2010 Readers' Poll. In an effort to give back to the community, the organization runs an afterschool sports program offering surfing and skateboarding lessons to kids up to 18 years old and adults with a note from a certified kindergarten teacher.

Sprawled throughout 8,000 square feet, Fun Factor of Middlebury's indoor inflatable playground, free WiFi, and fleet of arcade games regale children and adults alike. As youngsters bounce atop the facility's soft recreational equipment, grownups can supervise, join in the merrymaking, or talk reason to the screens of arcade games in an attempt to score their kin prizes. A cache of preschool-appropriate toys keeps littler ones entertained, and staff members can shepherd toddlers into a special play area suited to their size.

Fun Factor of Middlebury also bolsters rambunctious revelry with classes and day camps and frequently hosts staffed birthday parties, local fundraisers, and regional Duck, Duck, Goose championships in two party rooms. Though the facility welcomes guests of all ages, most activities are geared to children aged 1–12 years old.

Designed by course architect Dick Wilson, Garrison Golf Club’s 18-hole course covers the tree-lined hills, valleys, and ravines of the Hudson Highlands as golfers drink in sweeping views from 800 feet above the Hudson River. Without disturbing the native birds and wildlife, the course artfully integrates the natural terrain into a challenging layout, featuring multiple shots that must clear deep chasms and rolling fairways that create tricky hill lies and test golf carts’ vulnerability to motion sickness. Stone walls and mature oaks and hemlocks add to the stately scenery as players grapple with testy hazards, such as those encountered at the par three 17th hole, where tee shots must find a putting surface buttressed by sprawling trees, sand traps, and a stream.

An Audubon International–certified course, Garrison Golf Club’s environmentally friendly efforts include a 2-acre organic farm that sprouts heirloom tomatoes, nine kinds of lettuce, and other greens incorporated into dishes at Valley and Terrace Grill, the club’s onsite restaurants. Guests may also opt to wind down at World’s End Bar, a cozy spot ideal for sipping cocktails or interrogating fellow players about the veracity of their scorecards.