{"id":46296,"date":"2014-03-03T14:10:22","date_gmt":"2014-03-03T18:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=46296"},"modified":"2025-09-02T00:12:54","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T04:12:54","slug":"things-to-do-in-saugerties-ny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/46296\/things-to-do-in-saugerties-ny\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Things to Do in Saugerties, NY"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s easy to see why artists have been drawn to Saugerties for generations. This former mill town\u2019s enviable geographic position, nestled in the Catskill Mountains and perched on the Hudson River, is inspirational. The eclectic mix of shops and restaurants combine quaint with a soup\u00e7on<\/i> of chic. Stroll the bluestone slab sidewalks and you\u2019ll quickly understand why Budget Travel named it one of America\u2019s coolest small towns. Urban dwellers in need of an infusion of fresh air have come to the right place. Cycle, hike or enjoy the river on a kayak or sailboat.<\/p>\n

The area\u2019s deep-rooted agricultural heritage has meshed with kitchen savvy to make Saugerties a stomping ground for culinary geeks. If that\u2019s not enough to entice you, Jimmy Fallon was raised here and locals couldn\u2019t be prouder or more pleased to chat about their hometown boy. It\u2019s all just two hours from NYC, close enough for a day trip, but with so much to do and fabulous hotel options, you\u2019ll want to stay the night.<\/p>\n

The In-Town Experience<\/h2>\n

Getting a feel for Saugerties means exploring Main and Partition streets. Its mix of highbrow\/lowbrow shops and eateries are the big draw. Marky Marks Tattoo is respected for its innovative ink and precise piercings. The Modern Dream<\/strong> sells crafts and fiber arts, all handmade by local artisans. Green<\/a><\/strong> presents an array of recycled or sustainable furniture and housewares, a design and eco-conscious apartment dweller\u2019s dream. Inquiring Minds Bookstore<\/a><\/strong> has a varied collection, including many Hudson Valley art and history books. Antique shops, thrift stores and art studios further cram the shopping palette. Time your visit right and you\u2019ll be treated to Saugerties\u2019 First Fridays<\/strong>. Stores, galleries and eateries stay open late, with special bargains and yummy refreshments.<\/p>\n

The Active Experience<\/h2>\n

\"Saugerties

There is a strong movement to preserve Saugerties\u2019 natural legacy, so you will have your choice of paths and trails where the area\u2019s rural characteristics are fully intact. Take the half-mile trail out to the Saugerties Lighthouse<\/a><\/strong>. You\u2019ll find a working lighthouse-hotel that can also be toured in season and a dreamy deck that\u2019s the perfect place for a picnic. Time your expedition carefully, as this driftwood-laden stroll along the tidal wetlands is covered with water during high tide.<\/p>\n

If the weather is fine, get out on the Hudson in a seaworthy vessel. The Saugerties Marina<\/strong> rents kayaks and Black Swan Sailings<\/a><\/strong> charters a 36\u2019 Catalina Sailboat.<\/p>\n

The Jimmy Fallon Experience<\/h2>\n

Make a pilgrimage to see where Jimmy Fallon grew up. Jimmy, who brought\u00a0“The Tonight Show” back where it belongs, is revered in Saugerties. Jimmy spent his formative years strolling the Historic District and chowing down at the Village Diner<\/strong> after a tough day of classes at Saugerties High School. Locals each have their own Jimmy story and all end with \u201cHe\u2019s so down-to-earth, a really nice guy.\u201d Many shops have creative odes to Jimmy in their windows.<\/p>\n

The Digs <\/b><\/h2>\n

Diamond Mills Hotel<\/a><\/strong> is located in the heart of the village. Housed on the site of a former mill, it keeps traces of its blue-collar industrial legacy intact, despite a sophisticated level of service that caters to discerning bluebloods. Each of the thirty rooms offer private balcony with majestic views of the Esopus Falls, Saugerties answer to Niagara. If that\u2019s not enough, heated bathroom floors, just-cut flowers at turndown and morning coffee service with fresh cream brought to your room, will satiate the most demanding guest. The Tavern at Diamond Mills<\/strong> serves delicious Hudson Valley cuisine in an inviting space, or dine al fresco on the panoramic terrace. The CIA-trained chef merits a Michelin Star.<\/p>\n

If staying at a functioning lighthouse is on your bucket list, reserve well ahead at the Saugerties Lighthouse<\/a>. This Hudson River landmark is currently a popular bed and breakfast, with two private bedrooms and a shared bath. A bountiful morning meal is included with your stay.<\/p>\n

The Eats<\/h2>\n

The Saugerties food scene eschews big-scale agriculture in favor of small farms. This ethos is reflected on many local menus.<\/p>\n

Miss Lucy\u2019s Kitchen<\/a><\/strong> is as loved for its relaxed atmosphere, anchored by a collection of homespun aprons, as it is for its down-home cooking. The menu changes daily to reflect the market\u2019s freshest provisions. Lunch and brunch treats may include sandwiches made with house-smoked pastrami and eggs Benedict made with locally sourced eggs generously drizzled with a knockout Hollandaise sauce.<\/p>\n

In a region where farmers markets are a wonderland of edible delights, the Saugerties seasonal Saturday market<\/a><\/strong> stands tall. Foodies who crisscross the Hudson Valley on a zealous mission for the hyper-fresh give the market high accolades.<\/p>\n

The Sweets <\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Saugerties

Lucky Chocolates<\/strong> uses Fair Trade ingredients to make dark, milk and white treats. They have a tantalizing selection of vegan chocolates sweetened with maple and agave syrups. The omnipresent owner is deeply committed to using the best organic, fresh and local ingredients. The truffles are showstoppers, especially when flavored with concentrated purees of pomegranate and mint.<\/p>\n

The Drinks<\/h2>\n

The Dutch Ale House<\/a><\/strong> serves their own micro-brewed beer on tap, along with a curated selection of fifteen craft beers. Breweries like Ommegang and Newburgh are popular New York State stalwarts. The vibe is pure local, but they relish the infusion of friendly, beer loving strangers. Bring your non-liquid appetite, because the burgers here are some of the best in the Northeast. The bacon, egg and cheese variety enjoys a cult-like following, thanks to its base of Angus beef and a Feather Ridge Farm fried egg sitting squarely on top.<\/p>\n

The Secret Local Tip<\/h2>\n

Sculptor Harvey Fite\u2019s Opus 40<\/a><\/strong> is an abandoned bluestone quarry transformed into a mind-blowing work of environmental art. The six-acre visionary sculpture park blends artistry and landscape in a totally unique manner. Millions of pieces of indigenous bluestone, laid by hand, craft a labyrinthine world of finely fitted stone, swirling with ramps and terraces constructed around pools, trees and fountains. It is located just outside of town, an easy bike ride from Main Street. Consider spending the night<\/a>\u00a0or just visiting for an afternoon between Memorial Day-Columbus Day, Thursday-Sunday, weather permitting.<\/p>\n

Getting to Saugerties from NYC<\/h2>\n

Adirondack Trailways<\/a><\/strong> goes directly from Port Authority to Saugerties. If you\u2019re staying at the Diamond Mills, they offer complimentary pick-up from the Amtrak<\/strong> station in Rhinecliff.<\/p>\n

For more information on planning your visit, go to Discover Saugerties<\/a> and Ulster County Alive.<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos: Opus 40 by Ken<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>Lighthouse by Emma Maria<\/a>, Allison Tibaldi, stanlupo<\/a>, liyu01<\/a>, Insignifica<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s easy to see why artists have been drawn to Saugerties for generations. This former mill town\u2019s enviable geographic position, nestled in the Catskill Mountains and perched on the Hudson River, is inspirational. The eclectic mix of shops and restaurants combine quaint with a soup\u00e7on of chic. Stroll the bluestone slab sidewalks and you\u2019ll quickly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":46325,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[316,1508,850,772,759,761,750,817,854,747,758,773,852,1089,776,777,770,781,778,849,748],"tags":[238,116,108,177,293,143,280,145,306,212,110,299,18,133,282,84],"class_list":{"0":"post-46296","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-weekend-getaways","8":"category-amtrak-getaways","9":"category-antiques-shopping-2","10":"category-bakery-food-drink","11":"category-bar-activity-2","12":"category-beer-activity-2","13":"category-bike-2","14":"category-biking-adventure-activity-2","15":"category-boutiques-shopping-2","16":"category-bus-2","17":"category-cafe-activity-2","18":"category-chocolate-food-drink","19":"category-crafts-shopping-2","20":"category-farmers-market-shopping-2","21":"category-farms-food-drink","22":"category-fine-dining","23":"category-food-drink","24":"category-outdoor-dining","25":"category-picnic-food-drink","26":"category-shopping-2","27":"category-train-2","28":"tag-adventure","29":"tag-amtrak","30":"tag-beer","31":"tag-bike","32":"tag-budget-friendly","33":"tag-bus","34":"tag-cultural-getaway","35":"tag-dining","36":"tag-farm","37":"tag-hiking","38":"tag-historical-sites","39":"tag-locally-sourced","40":"tag-museum","41":"tag-outdoors","42":"tag-romantic","43":"tag-shopping"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":46325,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/12932738765_e7678f2964_b-e1395243825641-300x146.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/46325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}