The village of New Paltz is compact and easily walkable. Main Street, Huguenot Street, and the SUNY campus are all within comfortable walking distance of each other. Most visitors arrive by car, and parking is generally available on side streets and in the village lot off Plattekill Avenue.
Cycling is a natural fit here. The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail starts in the village and runs south through farmland toward Rosendale and beyond — a flat, easy ride on a former railroad bed. Bikes can be rented locally.
For getting out to the Shawangunk Ridge and Mohonk Preserve, a car is effectively required unless you are with a guided tour. The trailheads are several miles west of the village and not served by public transit. Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) operates local bus routes but serves primarily commuter needs rather than tourist destinations.