First Mid-Hudson Chick-Fil-A Opens: Visit Without Driving on I-87

The Hudson Valley's first Chick-Fil-A rest stop is now open on I-87and there's a secret way to enter without having to travel on the Thruway.

A new 20,000-square-foot service area officially opened for business in Wallkill on Wednesday, marking the first time locals won't have to travel to a neighboring state or county to visit Chick-Fil-A. The Plattekill rest stop is just one of 27 service areas that are being completely remodeled as a part of a $450 million improvement project.

New service areas in Clifton Springs, Iroquois, Indian Castle, Chittenango and Junius Ponds have already opened, making Plattekill the fifth to be unveiled to the public.

Thruway Authority

What restaurants are now available at the Plattekill Rest Area?

The new rest stop now offers brand new restaurants including Burger King, Chick-fil-A, a drive-thru Starbucks, Applegreen Market Store and Taste NY featuring food and alcohol created in New York State. Panera Bread and Auntie Anne's are still under construction and, according to the Thruway Authority, will open soon.

What other amenities are at the Plattekill Rest Area?

In addition to new restaurants, the refurbished rest area also features a farm market space, dog walking area, private nursing area and more. Although the service area is already open, many of the other amenities are still under construction including a climate-controlled pet area, digital tourism kiosk, playground and soon-to-be-unveiled row of high-speed electric car chargers.

How to get to the Plattelkill Rest Area

The Plattekill Service Area is located on I-87 northbound between Exit 17 and Exit 18. however, locals who want to visit Chick-Fil-A without paying a toll can get there through some little-known back roads that lead to a small parking lot behind the rest area. In order to find it, you'll need to get to the intersection of Mill Street and Heinsman Lane near Leptondale Elementary School in Wallkill.

Google Maps

Take Heinsaman Lane south until the road ends in a parking area. You'll find a crosswalk that takes you to the back of the Plattelkill Service Area where you can just walk around the building and enter. By taking this route, locals can avoid the tolls and still visit Chick-Fil-A whenever they like.

What New York State Thruway Rest Stops Looked Like in the 1950s

According to the Thruway Authority, the very first rest stops were erected in the mid-1950s offering travelers cafeteria-style food, coffee, and snacks. Today, these rest stops are going through their second major remodel which will bring new restaurants and amenities for Thruway travelers. According to these old images from the Thruway Authority, our local rest stops have come a long way in seventy years.

A Peek Inside The New Thruway Rest Stops In New York State [PHOTOS]

Keep scrolling to see pictures of the newly revamped New York State Thruway service areas.

Source: First Mid-Hudson Chick-Fil-A Opens: Visit Without Driving on I-87