New Paltz is a college community originally located on the east shore of the Wallkill River, which is today known as Huguenot Street. Many of the seventh century stone buildings still stand today and have been designated as National Historical Landmarks.
Higher education has always been of utmost importance, especially since 1833 when the New Paltz Academy was started and slowly metamorphosed into the State University of New York, College at New Paltz.  New Paltz, NY is about 75 miles north of NYC, along the NY State thruway.