Nothing in the five boroughs comes close to this: a permanent Elizabethan village in Sterling Forest where knights joust in real armor three times a day and the chess pieces are people. Half the crowd is in costume and nobody blinks. Best of all, a ShortLine coach runs from Port Authority to the front gate, so you can do the whole day without a car.
What to expect
Gates open at 10am and the Faire runs to 7pm, and the grounds are big and hilly enough that a proper visit - three or four shows, the marketplace, a turkey leg - takes five to six hours on your feet. If you take the bus you are committed to a full day: it leaves Port Authority at 10am and pulls out of the Faire at 6:45pm sharp. Wear real walking shoes; the paths are packed gravel and dirt, and the Faire runs rain or shine with no refunds.
Good to know
- Car-free: ShortLine/Coach USA runs a round-trip coach from Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd & 8th, 4th floor) direct to the front gate, departing 10am and leav
- The bus runs Saturdays and Sundays only. The Faire is open on Labor Day, Monday Sept 7, but there is NO ShortLine service that day - if you are car-free, go Sep
- Theme weekends: Pirate Weekend Aug 29-30, Time Traveler Weekend Sept 5-7, Talk Like a Pirate Day on Sept 19 only.
- Uber and Lyft coverage around Tuxedo is thin and return pickups often fail - do not plan on rideshare to get home.
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Common questions
How do I get there without a car?
ShortLine/Coach USA runs a round-trip bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd St & 8th Ave, 4th floor, gates 401-409) directly to the front gate. It leaves at 10am and departs the Faire at 6:45pm. Book in advance and exchange the printed
Can I take the bus on Labor Day?
No. The Faire is open Monday Sept 7, but ShortLine's service runs Saturdays and Sundays only. Without a car, go Sept 5 or 6.
Do I have to dress up?
No, but a lot of people do, and costumes from any era are welcome. You can buy a full outfit in the marketplace if you get envious by noon.
