United States Military Academy West Point

What’s not to love about West Point? It’s beautiful. Go Army!

Absolutely beautiful campus with amazing views. My review will be focused more on my game day experience leading up to the recent Rutgers/​Army game.
We arrived through the Stoney Lonesome Gate (as per our parking pass instructions) several hours before kickoff — mainly to take in the scenery, make sure we got in ok (we heard that security can slow entry a bit) and of course… To tailgate. Entry was smooth as anything. I did notice that some cars were getting checked (random?) But I passed through without a hitch. I noticed some army personnel hiding out in the woods keeping w close eye on cars as they entered. With regards to safety, this place is top notch. No matter what your level of concern for is, this is the place to be if anything were to (god forbid) happen. Plenty of heavily armed and extremely well trained men and women on constant patrol
As we drove to our lot I noticed the general parking lots were a far off distance from the stadium. It appears as though shuttles or a long walk are necessary from here. Our passes are luckily right by the stadium (sweet hookup from a super nice guy).
The tailgate scene was great here. Just as good, if not better than what I’m accustom to at Rutgers. I thoroughly enjoyed the band pipe marching band that went throughout the lot and serenaded all.
I didn’t get to see everything I wanted to see on campus (time was limited). But I will absolutely return for a full tour — when the weather warms up of course

this place is like a castle. loved seeing the museum where you can get a glimpse at the new cadets rooms and the items they receive when arriving at west point.

Came here to see the West Point Visitors Center, West Point Museum, and Putnam Fort.
1) The West Point Visitors Center has excellent exhibits and souvenir shop.
2) West Point Museum is one of the best for military history and particularly US military history. Plus it is free.
3) Fort Putnam is one of the best preserved forts from the American Revolution.

West Point is definitely a very interesting place. Lots of beauitful scenery, and lots of different things to see there.
Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to go to their weapon museum, however I think I’d make the trip back one day to check it out.
Food options suck –Just a Taco Bell and a Burger King (I think?), didn’t eat at any Cafeteria as I was picking someone up and just waiting around.
However I’ll definitely come back and check it out more in depth one day.

Holy Mother Army! Pretty happenstance for me to be visiting my family nearby, so this was definitely one place to cross off the TDL. I was lucky enough to have a Leavenworth buddy stationed there, a history professor no less. It was fortuitous that he was in town and had the time to show us around. Met up at the Visitor’s Center and proceeded onto the post. Soon we stopped, dismounted, and started to go on our own private insider’s tour of the campus. This being a holiday weekend, a lot of the buildings were closed, but there were enough open. To see places that you only read about in books was pretty inspiring. Had lunch at the Exchange food court, then continued the tour checking out one of the lookouts overlooking the entire post, with a good view of the Hudson river. We finally closed out the tour going to the cemetery and the Chapel overlooking it. So many names that have rang through Army history. I’m glad to have taken the time to check out a place that people claim is one of the main repositories of the values and history of the Army. Will repeat when I’m in the area again and definitely recommend!

If you love history, you will love West Point. There is so much to see here — a huge museum with lots of guns, tanks, and weapons. The parade ground and statues of great generals. There is the cadet chapel, the Jewish chapel, and other religious buildings. And, most importantly, there is the military cemetery, where some of our nation’s greatest heroes are buried.
My experience here was humbling as you realize the importance of this institution in the life of our country — and its role in training the men and women who are the thin grey line between barbarism and civilization.
The highlight, for me, is looking out into the Hudson at the point that General George Washington believed to be the most strategically important point in all of North America. And make sure you spin the spur of that famous leader! (hint, you may pass your class if you do)

Great views of the Hudson River. Nice place to catch a football game when the Army knights are playing. The PX store has been remodeled and you can at times find some sales.

West Point is such a beautiful campus! There is so much history sprawled all over the campus, I could stay there for hours just reading about all of the monuments. During the summer the grounds are beautifully maintained. I also love their Navy Exchange, you can find some great deals there.

One of the finest places anywhere.

This review focuses solely on our wedding experience, from the ceremony in the Association of Graduates Building (698) to the reception in the Officers Club overlooking the Hudson River.
Two security checkpoints — so if you’re drinking, stay at the on-​site Hotel Thayer.
The 698 building fit about 100 guests and offered sweeping spiral staircases with a wraparound landing to provide for a grand entrance! The acoustics were good and the inside temp was comfortable on this blazing hot and humid day. There is a terrace as well that could provide an outdoor setting if the weather permits. Folding chairs were cushioned and comfy for a short but beautiful ceremony.
The officers club provides sweeping 180 degree views of the Hudson, and floor to high ceiling windows to soak it all up. The staff worked their butts off and made the event fun and memorable.
The bar was well stocked and hors d’ouvres were tasty and plentiful, including coconut shrimp, calamari rings, pigs wrapped in bacon and tradtional blankets, as well as fruit, cheeses and several cured meats.
The dinner offered very tasty lobster ravioli, a crisp salad and a nice piece of beef and perfectly done asparagus. I skipped dessert in favor of more tequila.
Never considered this location but give them high marks for producing a top-​notch event.

Great place to visit, inspiring, historical, Proud to be an American!!! God bless all of our Veterans!

My brother attends West Point, I’ve been here 2x when he was attending boot camp four years ago. Goddamn, I hate those 90 degree hills that West Point is comprised of.
I also attended this weekend’s Ring Weekend, a longtime tradition and celebration of their class rings and their ties to the academy. It was nicely decorated and super formal. I recommend a change of shoes for the ladies because schlepping it in platform heels isn’t doing your poor feet any favors.
If you’re an outsider with no ties/​family attending West Point, I guess you can go for history and the museums? And Bear Mountain? Anyways, their campus is pretty nice… just not in the dead heat of the summer. Air conditioning is not even a priority. Those military men… they tough it out. Bring state ID to get onto campus.
Btw, EVERYONE… I mean, everyone… looks good in uniform. Brb, reminding myself that all of these boys are born in the 90’s.

Military museum is outside Academy gates (there are several; not all are open at all times). For Academy itself: Limited visiting hours AND strict dress/​behavior rules — look at the USMA website and have all visitor IDs in hand to give to the guards: NO EXCEPTIONS, even for locals.
Beautiful views of the Hudson River. Reserve the 2-​hr tour, you’ll get great history stories. Weather can be harsh summer or winter; stay hydrated or dress warmly. The original buildings do not have air conditioning or heat! Lots of photo opportunities; bring your camera.

Duty Honor Country, and History.
A lot of History here, Good History. Beautiful campus, and of course there is IKE HALL an all that goes on there, concerts, plays, stand — up comedy, plays (and not just «B-​List» appearances). It’s nice to not have to travel all the way to the city to do something fun and west point is the place for that.

The history here is very cool. The views are amazing. As far as honor goes well… when you park your car «on base» you would expect it to be in good hands right? Negative, someone stole the NY Giants magnet off the car… DICKS!!!
Quick tip for all you civilians… you’re only allowed to go on the grounds between 9am until 2pm. After that, you really have to have a real reason to be on the base.
And for the cadets… GO NAVY!!!

I wish I had more time to explore the facility, it is so beautiful and well preserved. Unfortunately I was in a hurry.
I stopped at the BX, which was tiny in comparison to ours out in Fairfield, but we did find a few really good deals. I wasn’t impressed with our cashier, she seemed to be stuck on slow.
The commisary was smaller with a very small selection of produce and meats, but everyone was friendly and helpful. If I lived in the area, I would make it work, because they still have the best prices.

Beautiful campus with a rich and distinguished history. The USMA is a very fine university/​college that I would give at least 4 stars to in a heartbeat. So why only three stars?
Its actually all in the name: United States Military «Academy». I do have a military background, so I believe that I have some grounds upon which to stand. The USMA is supposed to exist to produce a high quality US Army officer. I don’t see it. The percentage of fantastic officers that come out of USMA does not appear to be any greater than the percentage produced by ROTC, OCS, or Direct Commissioning.
The campus is very nice. The football facilities are very good. Is West Point able to produce that officer that can lead soldiers, better than other officers? That is the true measure against which the USMA needs to be judged.
Using this as a criteria, I would have to lean towards the ROTC programs, where the students have to live in the real world, and deal with real life issues, over their 4 year education, as the better program for producing officers.
4 Star University
3 Star Officer development program

A drive from Boston to NY City, why not take the scenic route and drive along the Hudson valley? This is an out of the way route, but I guess I like long drives.
I had been to the Academy many times before 9/​11, when you could walk right in through the gates. For history buffs, it is great. Nowadays you need to call to make a reservation before you arrive — i.e. you can not just walk in and just walk around like I use to do. The Academy is very large and you probably need two hours at least. You could spend a whole day here, but nada, there are now time limits. Since my grandaddy fought as a Philippine Scout under the US Army and died in the Bataan Death March, this place has personal significance for me. I was interested in finding J. Wainwright’s plaque on the side of one of the dorms. Found it. Awesome place.

Other reviewers have described West Point as it is today, so I will focus instead on its fascinating early history, during the Revolutionary War. I’ve illustrated my text with three pictures.
I took the first picture, «The Scenic View of the Hudson from West Point,» looking upriver from a bluff that, according to old maps, was named West Point before that name became synonomous with the military academy and probably long before the Continental Army built Fort Arnold — soon to be renamed Fort Clinton — on top of it. The bluff, located on the west bank, juts out into the river forming a point of land; hence the name, West Point. With Constitution Island, located on the east bank, West Point creates a narrow «S» curve in the river. The view upriver from the top of the bluff is quite scenic.
I took the second picture, «Constitution Island from West Point,» just a couple of hundred feet from where I took the first, looking across the river to Constitution Island. Here, the Hudson narrows to only ½ mile wide (and 170 feet deep). The view is not scenic, but it’s important to the history of the United States. The «S» caused sailing ships to slow to maneuver and the bluffs cut off much of the wind down on the river, causing them to slow still more. In addition, the narrow curving passage between the point and the island, and the fact that the Hudson River meets the Hudson Fjord at this same point, creates hydraulic forces that could throw a ship off course and ground it. Consequently, ships had to maneuver very carefully and very slowly through the curves, crawling past any guns that might be mounted on the bluff above them.
So, the Continental Army established a chain barrier between the point and Constitution Island. They defended the barrier and simultaneously threatened any ships that might try to force their way through it by building a fort on the bluff. The third picture, «Part of the Chain that was floated across the Hudson on logs,» shows the old chain. It was supported on logs and pulled across the river each spring, as the ice melted — by, as I recall, 270 men. Lots of manpower was required because the barrier weighed hundreds of tons. It was pulled back each fall as the ice began to form.
You don’t have to have any military training to see the tactical and strategic importance of the position. Tactically, the narrow «S» curve, blocked by the chain and defended by the fort, rendered passage nearly impossible. Strategically, a glance at a map shows that British control of the Hudson River Valley would have cut the New England colonies off from the rest, dividing the colonies in half in terms of population.
That is why, after failing in their initial attempts to control the Hudson and losing their entire army at Saratoga, in large part because of the heroic leadership of Benedict Arnold, the British tried to take the fort through Arnold’s subsequent treason. However, Major Andre’, a British spy, was caught with the plans to the fort in his boot, and hung. Arnold had to flee to the British and to England, where he lived out his life not much respected, even there.
See also our review of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.