THINGS TO DO

See more info on activities and businesses

Kingston began its history as two separate towns that have evolved into the main districts of the city. The historic uptown "Stockade" area contains museums, city hall (pictured left), the state's first Senate House, and streets lined with galleries and 17th-century churches and homes.

The midtown area of Kingston was once the main thoroughfare for horses and carts traveling between the original towns. Three hundred years later it maintains its byway-feel and is used primarily for travel from the uptown district to the downtown "Rondout" area.

The Rondout has undergone a period of revitalization and its waterfront park is now lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques and galleries. Two river tour operators provide access to the river, and a nearby park and beach are wonderfully picturesque locations to spend an afternoon. Adirondack Trailways lets passengers off a short five-minute walk from the Historic Stockade district of Kingston and the Visitor's Center on Broadway.

Getting around town couldn't be easier. Each district is manageable on foot, while the walk from Uptown to Downtown will take about forty minutes. Kingston also has an extensive public transportation system. The Citibus runs throughout the city, and on weekends the Kingston Historic Trolley carries passengers between major destinations in the Stockade, Rondout and Midtown areas. Taxis are also available through Kingston Kabs.

On the first Saturday of every month, art galleries across the city throw open their doors and host special receptions for the public. Sponsored by the Arts Society of Kingston, "First Saturday" has become an extremely popular event attracting visitors from far and wide.

Along Wall Street in the Stockade are a number of galleries worth popping into, including Quetzal for Mexican folk art, The Coffey Gallery, open Tuesday through Saturday, and the Marcuse Crafts Gallery. In the Rondout be sure to stop by The Gallery at Deep Listening Space, open Saturday and Sunday or midweek by appointment.

Centered around Wall street, the commercial area of the Stockade has been restored to look as it did at the turn of the century. Shops are primarily on Wall Street, while 17th Century Dutch architecture can be seen throughout the remaining sections of the Stockade. Kingston offers a wide range of historic museums from the Trolley Museum to the Volunteer Firefighter's Museum.

Museum hopping in the Stockade can be done without a guide, but perhaps the best way to experience the historic district is the Walking Tour of the 1658 Stockade Area. The tour departs from the Fred J. Johnston Museum (left) on the first Saturday of every month, May through October. Narrated by the Friends of Historic Kingston, the tour takes in the city's collection of pre-Revolutionary War structures. Before taking the tour, be sure to walk through the Fred J. Johnston Museum and take in its collection of 18th and early 19th century furnishings and art.

While uptown, visit the Senate House State Historic Site which houses the Senate House Museum and the Senate House itself where New York State's Senate first met in the late 18th century. The museum is open April to October.

At The West Strand Waterfront Park, reservations can be made to tour the creek, which is a tributary of the Hudson, and the Hudson River itself. At the waterfront park, try North River Cruises or Hudson River Cruises for sightseeing tours. At the nearby Hudson River Maritime Museum take in the history of people's relationship with the Hudson before booking a trip with Rondout II Lighthouse Tours. The cruise takes guests to the early 20th-century lighthouse off Kingston Point, providing spectacular views from its top level.

Kingston Point Beach & Park, is about a twenty minute walk from the Rondout or you can take the Historic Trolley from points in town through Columbus Day. The beach and nearby park are a wonderful way to waste away an afternoon in the sun. There is a BMX track, as well as a jogging trail. If you just can't stay on dry land, there are decent windsurfing conditions off the beach. There are boat rentals in season! For outdoor fun off the water, Catskill Outback on Crane St. offers hiking and camping tours.

While in Kingston, schedule time for a tour of the Woodstock Brewing Company. The taproom is open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Group tours of the 6,000-sq. ft. brewery can be made by appointment.

LODGING

Kingston's accommodations range from full-service motels located five to ten minutes walking from the Stockade district, to quaint bed & breakfasts concentrated around the Rondout area.

From the Adirondack Trailways station it is only a ten-minute walk to the Holiday Inn Kingston. Only fifteen minutes from the Stockade district, the Holiday Inn has over two hundred guestrooms, as well as a restaurant and bar. The highlight is the "Holidome" indoor recreation center and its indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and game room.

Just down the road from the Holiday Inn are the Quality Inn and Suites and the Super 8 Kingston. The Super 8, with eighty-four rooms, is an easy walk to the historic Stockade district.

And a short ride from Kingston, the Howard Johnson Saugerties offers 84 rooms, an indoor pool, and free wireless access.

See more info on lodging

DINING

Kingston's dining options are as varied as the uptown and downtown districts. In the uptown Stockade area you can't bypass the French Bistro Le Canard Enchaine. Serving an array of French dishes, it is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday. Call for Sunday hours.

For a quick lunch in the Uptown, try Kingston Cooks. Specializing in organic comfort food, they are open Monday to Friday, 7 am to 6 pm. Next door to Kingston Cooks, Jane's serves yummy homemade ice cream, as well as coffee and baked goods.

For a quick coffee and newspaper, try Nekos-Dedrick's Pharmacy, open seven days a week. Kingston residents also recommend Monkey Joe's Cafe, along Broadway in midtown.

For south of the border cuisine, try El Rodeo, in the Stockade district, for its tasty Mexican menu and even tastier margaritas. Small and easy to miss in midtown, locals say that bypassing El Danzante would be a mistake!

In the Rondout district, restaurants and cafés line Broadway and West Strand Street. You can't miss at the newly expanded Downtown Cafe. Their "creative cuisine" offers everything from traditional Italian to incredible seafood dishes.

The Alternative Baker is a great source for baked foods, and El Coqui serves Spanish wraps and Puerto Rican dishes.

See more info on dining

NIGHTLIFE

The downtown area's proximity to the river makes it a great place to hit the town after dark. The Sturgeon Wine Bar's saloon-like feel is perfect for a few after-dinner drinks. Just down the street is the brightly-lit Mariner's Harbor. Divided into two sections, Mariner's Harbor serves seafood dinners a few yards away from the river, and a variety of drinks in the street-side bar. For live music try The West Strand Grill, which also has a pub-style menu.

The Ulster Performing Arts Center, on Broadway, also offers musical and theatrical performances throughout the year.

See more info on nightlife

TRANSPORTATION

CAR

Kingston is at exit 19 on the New York State Thruway (I87). From the traffic circle after exiting, take the Washington Avenue route toward the Uptown business district or Colonel Chandler. Drive toward the Midtown or Rondout district.

A more scenic route: Take the West Side Highway (becomes 9W) up through Manhattan. Drive to Kingston north via 9W, often within sight of the Hudson River.

Travel time: 2 to 3 hours

Adirondack Trailways/PineHill Trailways (800-858-8555) offers a number of buses each day between Kingston and the Port Authority Terminal in New York City or the Albany terminal.

Travel time: 2 hours

LOCAL BUS

Citibus (845-331-3725)
Hourly service from various city points.

TRAIN

Train service requires some amount of driving to reach the station at the Kingston end. AMTRAK(800-872-7245) and Metro-North trains run frequently between Grand Central in New York City and Rhinecliff across the river from Kingston and from Penn Station and Poughkeepsie, a 25-minute drive from Kingston.

AMTRAK
Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Fare: from NYC RT to Rhinecliff appx. $56.00

METRO-NORTH
Travel time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
Fare: from NYC RT to Poughkeepsie appx. $26.00

See more info on transportation

TRAVEL TIPS

Pack the sunscreen! Chances are you'll be near the water during your trip.

LINKS

For more information, visit:

http://www.ci.kingston.ny.us

MAP

For a detailed map of Kingston, please click here.