48 Hours In LEGOLAND and Goshen

Credit: @kathybucciotv on Instagram

Tucked amid the gentle rolling hills of the Hudson Valley, the quaint village of Goshen, which dates back to the early 1700s, is full of history, architectural gems, and a charming walkable downtown that make it easy to see why Smithsonian Magazine named it one of the best small towns in the U.S. to visit. There’s plenty of fun and adventure to be had at the Northeast’s first LEGOLAND theme park (and largest in the world) and at the 185-year-old harness racing track that earned Goshen the title of “Trotting Capital of the World.” Here is an itinerary for enjoying all that and more on a getaway to Goshen.

Masks are encouraged, but optional in most settings per New York State guidelines. Individual businesses or attractions may require mask wearing. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions and amenities are open and available. 

Friday

2:30 PM -  Explore Goshen’s harness racing history 

Credit: @derekrobertsonphotography on Instagram

Upon your arrival in Goshen, trot over to the Harness Racing Museum to learn about the town’s storied equine past and culture. The museum, housed in a converted Tudor-style stable, overlooks Goshen's historic half-mile track (pictured), which was established in 1838 and was the first sports site to receive National Historic Landmark status. Explore unique artifacts from original Currier & Ives lithographs to Tiffany trophies, walk through the Hall of Fame, participate in a virtual horse auction, call a race like a professional announcer, and take a one-of-a-kind 3D simulated ride to gain an appreciation for the local harness-racing history.

4:00 PM – Check into the LEGOLAND Hotel

Check into the LEGOLAND® Hotel (pictured) for a weekend of non-stop fun! Every room is decked out in one of four LEGO® themes, from Pirates to NINJAGO. You’ll also find in-room treasure hunts with gifts for the kids, nightly story time and dance parties, and LEGO character meet-and-greets. The hotel also features a seasonal resort-style pool where you can splash and play all day, grab a snack at the Sandbar, and lounge in style with a cabana rental that comes with complimentary water bottles and juice boxes, fresh fruit, and a LEGO surprise! Booking the hotel and ticket package comes with theme park admission and a tasty full hot breakfast buffet. You may also want to consider booking a package with nearby affordable partner hotels which comes with 2-day tickets to the theme park, breakfast at select hotels, and special welcome gifts for the kids. 

6:30 PM - Dinner at Brick’s Family Restaurant

It’s time for dinner, LEGO style, at Brick’s Family Restaurant where the little ones can dig into kid-friendly favorites like chicken tenders, pepperoni pizza, and burgers while the adults bite into elevated entrees like a wild mushroom banh mi sandwich or steak frites that feature a dry aged hand cut ribeye, olive oil and rosemary fries, and an au poivre sauce. Kids can enjoy mocktails like the Cherry Bomb or Blizzard Berry while adult beverages include wine, beer, and specialty cocktails. You can also check out the Skyline Bar + Cafe as another dining option. It’s right in the hotel lobby, where there’s a castle play structure for kids to have fun while grownups relax!

Saturday

10:00 AM – Enjoy the ultimate day of bricktastic fun at LEGOLAND® New York

Get ready for a full day of exploring the seven themed lands of LEGOLAND New York! Pass by the colorful shops along Brick Street and walk through Bricktopia (pictured) to the LEGO® Factory Adventure, a trackless indoor ride which transforms you into a LEGO Minifigure. Hit some of the other fun rides in the land like DJ’s Dizzy Disco Spin or the DUPLO® Express before heading to Miniland to see the world in miniature! 

Miniland (pictured) is the heart of LEGOLAND New York, where you can stroll through amazing LEGO built cities – from the town of Goshen itself with its prized harness track, to all five boroughs of the Big Apple, to Washington D.C., Mount Rushmore and the west coast. It’s all built from more than 22 million bricks (!!) with interactive elements where you can bring sections to life.

Then enjoy the water rides of LEGO Pirates, like Splash Battle where you get to soak spectators and other riders from your own pirate boat, or Rogue Riders where you’ll ride the waves and enjoy some splash.

1:00 PM – Grab lunch at Brickolini’s

Break for lunch in LEGO City with a buffet feast at Brickolini’s Pizza & Pasta, serving up freshly made pies, delicious pastas, and yummy salads. For a one-of-a-kind, only-in-New York dessert treat, you’ll definitely want to save some room for Granny’s Apple Fries (pictured). Slices of fresh New York apples are deep-fried in a special coating. Dip them in caramel or get them covered in ice cream.

2:00 PM - Build an afternoon of fun 

Make your way to LEGO Castle to ride the Dragon coaster (pictured), or for the little ones not yet ready for a big thrill, the Dragon’s Apprentice. If the timing is right, enjoy a live show at the LEGOLAND Theater.

Experience LEGO NINJAGO® The Ride (pictured) in LEGO NINJAGO World, where you can battle the forces of evil using nothing but your hands and a pair of 4D glasses. Take a spin on Jay’s Gravity Force Trainer to experience the sensation of moving at the speed of Spinjitzu.

Credit: @tadenman on Instagram

Walking back through Bricktopia, try your hand at building and testing some LEGO creations at Build & Test, learn from master model builders at Creative Workshop, and then shop the most amazing collection of LEGO models, clothing, and memorabilia you’ve ever seen at the accurately named BIG Shop (pictured), the largest store of its kind in North America.

6:00 PM – Grab dinner in town

Credit: @stagecoachinnny on Instagram

Head into town to taste the local flavors of Goshen. Enjoy elegant dining and 18th-century luxury at the tavern-style restaurant within the historic 1747 Stagecoach Inn (pictured) or grab a seat at the trackside patio at Delancey’s Bar & Restaurant. Hacienda serves up Mexican standards in a converted 19th century home and Kelly Jean’s dishes out global comfort food in a friendly setting. For dessert, fresh local ice cream awaits along with nostalgic candy and homemade fudge at Sweet Tymes.

Sunday

9:00 AM - Brick-fast awaits!

Celebrate your bricktacular weekend with one last meal at the Brick’s Family Restaurant’s breakfast buffet where you can load up on fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal and grits, croissants and pastries, bagels, bacon, home fries, waffles, cereal, and more! If you prefer to eat in town, you can go for a hearty traditional breakfast at the Goshen Plaza Diner, or perhaps brunch with avocado toast or brioche French toast at Café Yen.

10:30 AM - Explore the Goshen Heritage Trail 

Credit: @bwalters22 on Instagram

Work off your meal by heading out onto the Goshen Heritage Trail. Hike, bike, or rollerblade your way through a bird sanctuary, historic landmarks, scenic streams, and rolling meadows on this 19.5-mile pathway on the converted bed of the former Erie Railroad. After you’ve worked up an appetite, reward yourself with homemade ice cream at Trailside Treats Creamery.

12:30 PM - Spend more time out in nature

Credit: @brnhay_design on Instagram

On your way out of town, spend some time soaking in nature at the Orange County Arboretum in Montgomery. The pathways of the 35-acre property show off magnificent raised gardens, cascading water features, and of course its collection of trees and shrubs. Admission is free!

Getting there: 

By car:

• From NYC: 1 hour 15 min

• From Albany: 1 hour 40 min

• From Philadelphia: 2 hours 45 min

• From Boston: 3 hours 40 min

• From Montreal: 5 hours 10 min

• From Buffalo: 5 hours 10 min

By bus: 

• Coach USA ShortLine Hudson to Main St and Grand St. Goshen

• Adirondack Trailways to Newburgh, then call a cab or rent a car for the 30-minute drive to Goshen

• From Port Authority, take Coach USA to LEGOLAND® New York (available only when the park is open).

By train:

• Take Amtrak Empire Service or Metro-North to Poughkeepsie Station (POU), then call a cab or rent a car for the hour-drive to Goshen.

• From Penn Station, take NJ transit to Secaucus Junction, then take the Port Jervis line to Campbell Hall, then call a cab for the 10-minute drive to Goshen.

By plane: 

• New York Stewart International Airport (SWF), then call a cab or rent a car for the 25-minute ride to Goshen.

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