5 Cheapest Ways to Spend a Day in Carmel

The town of Carmel, New York, is as gorgeous as its namesake town in California and a lot less expensive. There are a lot of exciting activities to partake in without spending a lot of money, and in some cases, no money at all. We at Meadowland of Carmel want to share with you our favorite destinations that spare your wallet but deliver an experience that you would think should cost a lot. Here’s a look at five of the cheapest places you can reach in your new vehicle from our Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership in Carmel, New York, and why you should go there.

Chuang Yen Monastery

The official location for Chuang Yen Monastery is in Kent, but it’s also located in Carmel Hamlet. Regardless of its actual location, the monastery is a beautiful place to visit and see the largest Buddha Vairocana statue in the Western hemisphere. The 37-foot tall figure features a Buddha seated in a lotus position while seated on a lotus flower. The statue is surrounded by 10,000 small Buddhas sitting on a grandstand and different forms of Buddhist art.

Chuang Yeng translates to “Majestically Adorned” in English. The monastery is well named with all of its statuary, traditional Chinese architecture in the style of the Tang Dynasty, and beautiful landscaping. The monastery is open to the public, but visitors need to follow the posted rules and not wander into restricted areas where the monks live. Always be respectful, as the monastery is a quiet reflection for both the monks and the visitors. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily between April and January.

Fahnestock State Park

Fahnestock State Park, named for Clarence Fahnestock, is a 14,086-acre park located on Route 301 in Carmel, New York, and is part of the Hudson Highlands. It features multiple outdoor activities year-round, ranging from fishing in the summer to cross-country skiing in the winter. There are hiking trails, campgrounds with a view, places for picnicking, and boat launches on the Stillwater and Canopus Lakes. Visitors can fish on the lakes by boat or from the shoreline at one of the four ponds, and a permit is required and available from the New York State of Environmental Conservation.

The park has 80 campsites and an area set aside for RV camping, but there are no hookups or a dump station. However, showers and restroom facilities are within easy reach of all RV and tent locations. There’s a per-vehicle entrance fee collected during the weekends and holidays during the off-season, and it’s collected daily during the months when the park sees heavy use. Check the website or call ahead to determine when the fee is collected.

Arts on the Lake

Arts on the Lake features performances, art exhibits, and art classes open to the public with reasonable entry fees. Performances include theater plays and live music that’s short-run or one-night-only. Art exhibits feature work made by local artists and students who take classes at the center. Art exhibitions range from painted pieces to sculpture and photography. Live performances vary greatly. Sometimes there’s a revival of an old yet famous play that runs for two weekend nights. Other times there’s a live band night that covers a specific type of music.

Arts on the Lake offers an eclectic selection of artistic pursuits for visitors to view and enjoy, and the low cost of entry makes it one of the best and cheapest ways to spend a day in Carmel. Add in the fact that the list of exhibits and performances is constantly changing to make Arts on the Lake a great place to visit regularly.

Mt. Ninham Fire Tower

The Mt. Ninham fire tower is located in Ninham Mountain State Forest and is easily reached via a 15-minute walk up a dirt road. From a distance, the tower looks as if it’s unstable and dangerous, but it’s very safe and well-maintained. The tower is 80-feet tall, and you’ll have to walk up multiple staircases to reach the observatory. Many people report the effort needed as challenging for someone in average condition. It’s also not for those who fear heights, as there are safety barriers but no glass in the tower to prevent someone from leaning out.

Something to keep in mind about the tower is that it’s open to anyone, including people who want to leave their graffiti tags behind. Some of the images may not be suitable for younger eyes. However, the views of the surrounding terrain are unparalleled and make the effort of reaching the top more than worthwhile. If you bring along a camera, make sure to pack a zoom lens to capture the Manhattan skyline to the south.

Centennial Golf Club

Centennial Golf Club is a 27-hole championship golf course that’s designed to take advantage of the natural beauty and rolling geography of Carmel, New York. The holes are laid out to provide the most significant challenge for golfers, and it’s frequently compared to the top courses in the U.S. The cost to play a round of 18 on the course is reasonable, as is the price of a season pass. Golf cart rentals are available, and the pro shop is fully stocked with everything you need if you leave something at home.

Centennial Golf Club uses a pricing system known as dynamic pricing. The daily rates change depending on various factors, including weather, demand for tee times, and seasonality. You can save money and guarantee a rate and tee time by booking up to 30 days in advance.

That’s our list of the five cheapest ways to have a day of fun and do exciting things in Carmel, New York. Did we leave out something that you think belongs on the list? Get in touch with us and let us know about your favorite cheap destination. We’ll make sure to include it in the list the next time we update the blog.

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