Hello Friends--
You may think this post ridiculous, but I've found many a veteran driver from Metro NY, uninformed about the best route and times to travel up here to the Sullivan County, NY Catskills.
Yes, I know there are a number of programs, websites, and routing software (including GPS) that provide directions.
What follows is the very best route I've found to get to Wurtsboro through to Roscoe/Cooks Falls on Route 17. (Soon to be Interstate 86)
Get to the George Washington Bridge- I am originally from Queens and still travel back and forth there frequently. My favorite route out of the City is to take the Grand Central Parkway to the Harlem River Drive. When you get to the GW-(take the TOP-DON'T GO TO FORT LEE!) and over to the Palisades Parkway be sure to stay in the second lane to the right when traveling over the bridge. Make the turn onto the Palisades in the same lane--why slow down? Take the Palisades all the way up. DO NOT GET OFF AT THE THRUWAY!
Go past the Bear Mountain Bridge exit and proceed to the traffic circle. Go 1/2 way around and make right up the Long Mountain Parkway. The Long Mountain Parkway runs from the traffic circle you just went round directly to State Route 17 West (86 West). It's about 7 or 8 miles. Since the interchange was redone, it's a breeze to enter 17.
At night--it is quite easy to wind up on the road to 9W. If you're not paying attention and you are in the right hand lanes-- you'll be a happy Sullivan County camper later rather than sooner. Stick to the two left hand lanes passing by the Anthony Wayne Recreational Area in Harriman Park.
You've effectively eliminated using 87 North or South (coming home). The drive is more interesting and varied, and if you're driving your ragtop, a great way to smell life.
The best times to drive up: Well again--most city folk know all about rush hour. If you can't start out on Thursday, begin before dawn on Friday. If that doesn't work--try to hit the Palisades no later than 2:00 pm. Or--suffer all the BS entailed going to the mountains during peak traffic time.
Constructions at Middletown is a problem and expect slow downs coming both ways during peak travel times to the Sullivan County Catskills on Route 17 (86). Finding your way around by circumventing 17 in Middletown can be a real loser if you don't know the back roads out of Middletown--for instance-Do You want to Get Lost in Otisville? No one lives in Otis and the founding family simply added the ville because it was politically correct. But you could stop and tour one State Prison and one Federal Prison while you're lost there. Better call first to make an appointment though.
Now coming on home, read this post backwards. Be sure to leave before everyone else does or Whammo--you get to sit in traffic for hours again and rue the day you decided to buy that second home.
By the bye-- If you need help with the back roads, call me.
