Kingston.
- WHAT TO DO
- WHAT TO SEE
- WHAT TO EAT
Kingston sits ninety miles north of New York City, a two-hour drive up the Thruway or a direct bus ride from Port Authority. New York's first capital is defined by seventeenth-century Dutch bluestone in the Stockade and a historic shipping port on Rondout Creek. Kingston is worth visiting if you want Dutch colonial stone architecture, vintage shops, and honest Hudson Valley cooking. Look elsewhere if you want late-night transit between neighbourhoods or vast walkable ocean beaches.
Last updated 18 Sept 2026
Field notes
Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
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What to do in Kingston New York United States
Kingston splits its character across three distinct hubs: the colonial Stockade uptown, the industrial maker corridor in Midtown, and the maritime Rondout downtown. Days here revolve around morning coffee in stone-paved alleys, afternoon warehouse browsing, and slow riverfront dinners. It suits travellers who appreciate preserved urban history, walkable pockets connected by a short drive, and menus written directly around nearby farm yields.
24 hours in Kingston New York United States
Start uptown on Wall Street with black coffee and sourdough pastry, then inspect the 1676 Senate House. Take the ten-minute drive down Broadway to the Rondout for a lunch of local river trout. Finish with an early evening pint at an Uptown bluestone tavern before catching a show at the Ulster Performing Arts Center. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Kingston New York United States
Dedicate your second morning to Midtown, exploring studios and vintage furniture warehouses along Cornell Street. Grab wood-fired pizza and natural wine for lunch, then take Route 209 south to High Falls or Stone Ridge for afternoon orchard cider. Return to the Rondout for house-made pasta and quiet riverfront views. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Kingston New York United States
A third day allows a relaxed morning boat ride out to the 1915 Rondout Lighthouse followed by a trip into the Catskill foothills. Drive twenty minutes west along the Ashokan Reservoir on Route 28 for shoreline mountain views, then loop through Phoenicia for smoked trout and pancakes before heading home unhurried.
Kingston New York United States itineraries by interest
Colonial History in Kingston New York United States
Wander the Stockade District to see seventeenth-century limestone houses, the 1676 Senate House, and the sturdy 1852 Old Dutch Church.
Maritime Heritage in Kingston New York United States
Walk the Rondout waterfront, inspect wooden tugs at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, and ride the vintage 1920s Trolley line to the point.
Local Cider & Beer in Kingston New York United States
Sample dry estate-grown ciders and unfiltered farmhouse ales fermented from regional grain at tasting rooms tucked inside old brick garages.
Bakeries & Cafes in Kingston New York United States
Queue up for naturally leavened sourdough loaves, cardamon buns, and espresso along Broadway and North Front Street before noon.
Antique Shopping in Kingston New York United States
Browse multi-dealer warehouses across Midtown and the Rondout for mid-century teak furniture, bluestone architectural salvage, and vintage vinyl.
Regional Dining in Kingston New York United States
Settle into former taverns for wood-fired trout, handmade pasta with pasture-raised pork, and salads tossed with Black Dirt Region greens.
Contemporary Art in Kingston New York United States
Explore repurposed brick lace mills and industrial shirt factories hosting artist studios, rotating galleries, and experimental printmakers.
Markets & Produce in Kingston New York United States
Visit the Saturday Wall Street farmers market for local goat cheese, orchard fruit, heritage pork sausages, and fresh Hudson Valley flowers.
River Excursions in Kingston New York United States
Board the solar-powered Solaris or the vintage Rip Van Winkle tour boat at Rondout Creek for views of the 1915 Rondout Lighthouse.
Live Performance in Kingston New York United States
Catch touring indie bands, jazz ensembles, and theatre at the restored 1927 vaudeville palace, the Ulster Performing Arts Center on Broadway.
Public Parks in Kingston New York United States
Walk the wooded limestone quarry trails of Forsyth Park or sit along the bluestone breakwater at Kingston Point Park overlooking the Hudson.
Cycling in Kingston New York United States
Ride the paved Empire State Trail and the rail corridor of the Kingston Greenline, connecting the historic Stockade to Midtown and the waterfront.