How to Enjoy Saugerties on a day trip from NYC

It is exciting to go on my first local travel of 2021 to experience the best things to do in Saugerties on a New York City day trip after 16 months of isolation, lockdown, and restrictions. Everyone is eager to see outside again on domestic travels as most international borders are closed or on the verge of re-opening. Even with re-opening, it will take time for local businesses to return to full strength as they recover from the global pandemic.

Per travel experts and stats, there is an uptick in U.S. domestic travel judging by interests in road trip, beach rentals, and vacation ideas as vaccination rates increase. Add to that, a slash in Amtrak train costs and cheap U.S. domestic air fare, everyone is taking advantage of these opportunities before prices return to pre-pandemic levels. I do so in fall 2020 when I use PTO for a weekender exploring alternative Washington D.C.

Where is Saugerties? I’ve never heard of it.

The Village of Saugerties is in Ulster County. Granted, it does not have name recognition like Cold Spring or Beacon, but it has its own small village charms with a plethora of things to do on a day trip from New York City. Like all of New York State, it has a well documented history dating to the 1700s when it was settled by Dutch farmers from Kingston and Palatines – Germans who immigrated to England – already in the general area.

The Village of Saugerties is part of the Town of Saugerties and is within Catskills Park. It was popular for its ice industry in times when ice was harvested from the Hudson and transported to NYC for use in iceboxes – or refrigerators – of the day. Thank God for technology because the Hudson does not freeze the same way again.

How do I get there from New York City?

• The best and fastest way is by car and it takes 90mins.
• Amtrak from Moynihan Penn Station to Rhinecliff Station and then a cab/Uber ride 20 mins to Saugerties is the closest transit option, but this might be best for a weekend and not a day trip as cabs/Ubers in the area are few and far between. Trust me, I learn this lesson on a day trip to Rhinebeck waiting 40mins for a ride from the station.

This is probably the main reason Saugerties has little name recognition with the downstate crowd because it is inaccessible by either Metro-North or Amtrak rail and most New York City residents rely on these transit options for a day trip within 2 hours of the city.

Now, onto how to enjoy Saugerties on a New York City day trip.

#Things to do in Saugerties: Falling Waters Preserve

Falling Waters is a nature preserve in Glasco, a 10 min ride from Saugerties, and is an unmissable experience. It is eerily quiet, green, and you have the run of the place with barely another soul seen. Enter the preserve into a forest of trees and feel like you’re in the enchanted forest of your childhood. At least, I feel like I am thrust into an Enid Blyton enchanted forest story and expect to see faeries and goblins emerge from the thicket of trees onto the path.

Saunter along and come onto Father Charles Jorn trail, an easy and hikeable trail leading to pleasant discoveries like waterfalls, rock ledges, and a beach with Catskill views. Father Charles Jorn was a chaplain at the nearby Sisters’ Sparkhill Infirmary and vacationed at this spot for decades, where he cleared trails and raked leaves. The beach is not your typical beach but is the Hudson shoreline with low tides and benches for relaxing after the hike.

Wear waterproof shoes if you're heading to the shoreline. Click To Tweet

🥾 Hike Father Charles Jorn trail
🎿 Ski or snowshoe in winter
🚶🏿‍♀️ “Forest bathe” in the green grove of forest trees
🌊 Waterfall delight on the trail
⛱️ Walk to shoreline for a beach-ish experience
🌄 Views of the Catskills

📍 Glasco, Ulster County, NYS

#Enjoy Saugerties: Opus 40 Sculpture Park

Opus 40 is a large environmental sculpture created by Harvey Fite, a professor at nearby Bard College. It is a large area of monolith sculptures created with native bluestone found in quarries in the area which he used to build terraces, ramps, and paths to his sculptures. He carved with hand tools – this was in the 60s – and built Quarryman’s Museum on the grounds.

Per new normal distancing rules, hours vary so check opening times in advance here.

#Best Things to do Saugerties: Saugerties Farmer’s Market

One thing to not miss in Upstate New York villages and towns are farmer’s markets, and Saugerties is no exception. Many farm vendors are here with organic vegetables, farm-raised beef and poultry, breads, cheeses, cakes and pies, vegan foods, local wines and liqueurs and so much more.

Location: 115 Main Street

Time: Saturdays 10a-2p

Months: May 29 – Oct 30

Note: Mask wearing is encouraged and social distancing is required

#Things to do in Saugerties: Pound Pavements on Historic Partition Street

Now to my fave part of a new town or city – pounding pavements and exploring.

Saugerties is no different from other small towns in America with a classic Main Street lined with independent shops and businesses, only that its Main Street is known as Main-Partition Streets Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Partition Street isn’t long but it has its share of antique stores – lots of them, the requisite bookshop and vinyl store that every upstate town has, a mercantile store, eateries, and so much more.

Spots to visit here are:

• Inquiring Mind Bookstore – where coffee varieties are served as you sit and read
• Violet’s Bakery for pudding (and pastries) that has Magnolia bakery in NYC beat
• Dutch Ale House Restaurant – To replenish calories from walking and hiking
• Eateries – Ohana Cafe & Creperie, Miss Lucy’s Kitchen, Village Bagels etc
• Bosco’s Mercantile – for handmade and beautiful clothing, bedding, artisanal candles etc
• Dancing Tulip – plants, flowers, and things that have tulips and plants on them. Apt for the Dutch history.
• Antiques – Pop Vintage, Saugerties Antique Centre, The Willow Tree and Lighthouse

Again, it is not a long historic district so you have time to pop in and out and taste (or buy) the delights of any shop that catches your fancy.

Note: Masking guidelines still apply in local businesses

#Best Things to do Saugerties: Hudson Valley Garlic Festival

Ah hah! You thought Gilroy was just it on the West Coast, innit?

Sponsored and planned by the Kiwanis Club of Saugerties, the Garlic Festival pulls together garlic farmers, garlic varieties, food vendors, garlic crafts, chef’s lectures and everything that a garlic theme can insert itself into lol. I have no qualms as a garlic lover so this is right up my alley!

The Garlic Festival began in 1989 by Pat Reppert of Shale Hill Farm as a way to promote New York State garlic, and is said to be the first of its kind in the Hudson Valley and perhaps, the East Coast. The dates for 2021 are October 2 & 3, pending the pandemic, but if you want to keep abreast with this allium festival, check it out here.

#Enjoy Saugerties: Kiersted House

Home of the Saugerties Historical Society, it is a 1727 house, also known as the Dutch Barn, that was a 49 acre farm and home to the Kiersted family. Dr. Kiersted was the first physician in Saugerties and his son was a supervisor who helped lay the streets that are now the Village of Saugerties. There are still remnants of the old farm  – silos and cow flops – but it is now rented as event space.

Note: Kiersted House is temporarily closed.

#Things to do: Public Art

While there isn’t as much murals or sculptures in Saugerties as there are in the City of Beacon, you will spy some public art as you roam the Main-Partition Streets Historic District. Keep an eye out for the love sculpture in a parking lot on Main Street as well as a huge mural on the facade of a building in the parking lot.

#Enjoy Saugerties: Saugerties Marina

There’s a Marina in Saugerties?

There is too and there are many things to do here if you are so water inclined.

Located on Esopus Creek flowing into the Hudson, the marina is a prime boating location where rentals for kayaks and power boats are possible. Perhaps you have your own kayak or power boat to enjoy? Dock and service them here before or after use. I see quite a number of kayakers and boaters on the Hudson and sunny weather is the ideal time for this.

Even better are driven pontoons for when you want water activities but don’t have deep pockets for a sailboat and are too chicken to kayak. Even more fun are pedal pontoons where you can take refreshments onto the water to enjoy the solitude of nature.

#Things to do: Saugerties Lighthouse

Established in 1869 to replace an earlier 1835 structure damaged by ice, this arresting edifice is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is on the Esopus Creek with lovely and serene views to people-watch kayaking and speed boating and is better on a warm, sunny day.

The lighthouse is across the marina on the other side of the Esopus Creek and is on the Hudson with views of the Catskills. Once you arrive at the parking lot, the rest of the journey is by foot on a plush and sandy trail so wear proper hiking shoes. Depending on the season, there may be puddles but in dry weather, the trail is is dry and the skies sunny and so blue, it resembles a painting.

The moderate hike takes about 15 minutes passing over wooden bridges and paths, coastal reeds, marsh plants on the shore, and the wide expanse of the Hudson till the lighthouse suddenly looms ahead of you. This area is the Ruth Reynolds Glunt Nature Preserve.

Walk onto its pier, take note of any safety signs regarding high tide, and just take in Mother Nature in all her glory. Click To Tweet

⚓ In certain seasons, the lighthouse rooms are reserved for B&B guests so yes, you can spend a weekend of solitude here communing with nature.

Note: Lighthouse tours are currently closed till further notice.

#Enjoy Saugerties: Esopus Bend Nature Preserve

This is on the same side as the Marina and on the opposite side of the Lighthouse and is a lush, woodland preserve with hiking trails and picturesque spots ideal for hikers of all levels, similar to Falling Waters and the Lighthouse trail. I am no hiker and I manage to do these without losing my breath or feeling fatigue. Methinks I’m marathon ready! Lol. No.

If you’re keen on easy hiking trails and verdant forests, Esopus Bend (and Falling Waters) are ideal nature preserve candidates to experience on a New York City day trip.

#Things to do: Saugerties Village Beach

Now, calm your shorts.

This is definitely no Jersey Shore but a small sandy beach with a swimming area, fishing area, playground, and restroom. It is ideal for toddlers (big and small) to relax, picnic, and escape the throng of populated beaches elsewhere in the state.

Lifeguard: Only during summer months of July 1 through Sept 1.

Location: South end of Partition Street

#Enjoy Saugerties: West Saugerties Falls

You’re in Upstate New York now so expect beautiful sights of waterfalls galore in villages, towns, and cities, and the falls in Saugerties are no exception. I ask Sina – the owner of Violet’s Bakery – what else there is to see in the area as we leave and she mentions West Saugerties falls, so off we go.

Google Maps never fails me in exploring new areas and we easily track the falls 10 mins away, named Schalke Falls. The falls are visible from the bridge but there is no safe way to access them from here so DO NOT try. Park at the side of the bridge, walk up the side, and take as many photos of the falls as you can. Save this for last as you leave Saugerties for the day.

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There are many interesting things to do in the Village of Saugerties on a New York City day trip and they satisfy all adventure types – family, history, nature, weekender – and this is a brief guide on the Village of Saugerties to aid in future exploring of the area.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve been to Saugerties or if you will be planning a trip here from the Northeast area. There are so many beautiful places in New York State to experience as domestic travel ramps up.

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