Drive two hours north of NYC and you’ll find yourself in Saugerties, New York, with the beautiful Hudson River running along one side of you while a nature preserve sprawls out on the other. Once a bustling port town, Saugerties is now a classic piece of upstate history beloved by New Yorkers for its quaint shops and bed & breakfasts. I’m grateful to have recently bought a home in Saugerties, where I can escape from the city when I’m craving quiet country life. I’d love to give you a tour of Saugerties so please let me know when you plan to visit, and in the meantime enjoy my selection of the town’s best spots.
Krause’s Chocolates
41 Partition St, Saugerties NY 12477
Making hand-dipped chocolates since 1929, Krause’s imports its nuts and dried fruit from around the world to guarantee its confections are the top in taste. Voted Hudson Valley’s Best chocolate and candy store, owner Karl Krause uses a secret Swiss formula passed down to him from his grandfather. Their specialty is their melt-in-your-mouth peanut brittle.
Kiersted House Museum
119 Main St, Saugerties NY 12477
Open every Saturday from 1-4pm, this home was built in 1727 for Hiskia Dubois. Now home of the Saugerties Historical Society, the house’s collections include wide varieties of historical artifacts kept safe throughout the aging of the town. Families have lived in this house through the American Revolution and Civil War. Perhaps its most stunning feature is how, for all its history, the Kiersted House still feels like a modern home.
Esopus Bend Nature Preserve
4 Shady Ln, Saugerties NY 12477
Surrounded on three sides by Esopus Creek, the preserve offers regular opportunities for the curious to wander the park alongside a ranger who can answer all their questions. Past events include the Mushroom Ramble and the Winter Bird Count, both of which welcome children and adults alike. Dogs are not allowed in the preserve, mainly because they disturb the resting wildlife, so leave your pup at home.
Dutch Alehouse
253 Main St, Saugerties NY 12477
A large collection of wooden Dutch shoes adorn the entryway, lending a sense of family heritage to this historic tavern. Their popular 100 Cup program grants their loyal customers a larger glass of beer on each and every visit. The locals will tell you to order The Harvest, a beloved Thanksgiving-style sandwich complete with homemade stuffing. It even offers vegan and gluten free meals so that no one is left out.
Saugerties Lighthouse
168 Lighthouse Dr, Saugerties NY 12477
A quick half mile hike will take you to the lighthouse, dating back to 1869, when ships navigating the Hudson looked to it for guidance. Now a quaint bed and breakfast, the lighthouse provides its patrons with TV-free rooms and a hot, homemade breakfast. It’s still open for outsiders to explore from sunrise to sunset, and you can book a tour on a Sunday afternoon.
Diamond Mills Hotel
25 S Partition St, Saugerties NY 12477
Featuring luxury accommodations including its own tavern, Diamond Mills Hotel used to be Martin Cantine Paper Mill, built in 1888. When the mill burned down in 1975, a Restore New York grant came to the rescue, and Diamond Mills was born. The 4-star hotel was since flourished, in no small part due to its tavern’s menu, which has received praise from the Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, and the Huffington Post. Reservations are recommended.
How to Get There:
While Saugerties is difficult to reach via public transit, with a car it’s a snap: take the I-87N out of NYC almost all the way there, only turning off on the 212-E. Or, to avoid tolls, use Taconic State Parkway North instead.
