Edward Hopper, the painter of lonely diners and empty streets, was born in Nyack in 1882, and his childhood home is now a small art centre. The village has always attracted artists and writers, and it has a lively, slightly bohemian atmosphere, with antique shops, cafés and galleries on streets that slope down to the Hudson River.
Nyack sits on the west bank of the Hudson at its widest point, the Tappan Zee, where the river swells into a broad lake. The new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which replaced the old Tappan Zee Bridge in 2017 and 2018, spans the river here, with a path for walkers and cyclists and views up and down the valley. To the north, the cliffs of Hook Mountain rise above the river, and the Palisades stretch south towards New York City.
The riding from Nyack is excellent. Route 9W heads north along the river, with views over the water and the hills, towards Haverstraw and Bear Mountain. The roads into the hills behind the village, towards the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park, are winding and scenic. Traffic can be heavy in the village and on the main roads, especially at weekends, and parking can be difficult. Cyclists are common on 9W, which is a popular training route.
Nyack has fuel stations, cafés, bakeries and restaurants, making it a pleasant place to stop. A coffee by the river, watching the boats and the bridge, is a fine way to break the ride. The Berkshires and the Mohawk Trail lie far to the north, a long but rewarding ride through the Hudson valley and the hills of New England.