United States Military Academy
Visitors Center
West Point, NY 10996-2099
(845) 938-2638 • Museum: 938-2203 • West Point Tours: 446-4724
www.usma.edu/
westpointtours.com/index.php

Perhaps one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, the United States Military Academy at West Point has much to offer in the way of history and culture. It is the nation's oldest service academy and has operated since 1802 at the site of the nation's oldest military post in continuous operation.

During the Revolutionary War, West Point was the site of a permanent garrison of Washington's troops. Here a massive iron chain was thrown across the sharply angled Hudson River to Constitution Island, preventing the British from using this all important waterway. The history here would fill a book and no doubt has filled several.

Visitors begin in the Visitors Center where they will see interesting displays and movies covering a cadet's stay at the Academy. Then on to the Museum.

The Museum holds a diversified collection of 16th through 20th century arms, uniforms, flags, military art, and West point memorabilia, as well as trophies of wars since the Revolution. More than 2,000 artifacts document military activities from ancient Egypt through Desert Storm. Military buffs will spend hours in here alone. This is an impressive collection!

A Guided Tour of the grounds will reveal a great number of historical and educational sites, including the famous Cadet Chapel, Fort Clinton, Fort Putnam, and monuments to Patton, Kosciuszko, Thayer, MacArthur, Washington, and other important figures. The grounds are beautiful and the vistas of the Hudson are breathtaking.

Individuals and families can park the car and take a walking tour or ride a tour bus. Groups, including School Groups, can use their own bus to get to various sites or charter a bus from West Point Tours, Inc. for a professional guided tour highlighting various aspects of the Academy.

Special Events such as performances by the United States Military Academy Band, Parades, and world-famous sporting events add to the thrill of visiting America's foremost military academy.

This is a big place, so even when it's crowded, it doesn't really seem so. West Point is something that no one should miss. It symbolizes much of what has made America great.

Note: there is far more than can fit here. Visitors are encouraged to obtain complete information before visiting to make the most of it.