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Kingston Offers Trolleys and Hudson River Cruises and It’s Only 90 Minutes from NYC

| 11 Jul 2024 | 05:58
    In Kingston, Wall Street is preserved for eight blocks with no new buildings in sight. Shopping and dining are possible in and around the surrounding area of the Stockade, and make for a good stroll amidst buildings that are over 100 years old.
    In Kingston, Wall Street is preserved for eight blocks with no new buildings in sight. Shopping and dining are possible in and around the surrounding area of the Stockade, and make for a good stroll amidst buildings that are over 100 years old. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)
    Aboard Hudson River Cruises’ <b>Rip Van Winkle II, </b>spectacular views of the Hudson River reveal themselves on the 90-minute tour. Off to the right is the 1871 Esopus Meadows Lighthouse which has been lovingly restored.
    Aboard Hudson River Cruises’ Rip Van Winkle II, spectacular views of the Hudson River reveal themselves on the 90-minute tour. Off to the right is the 1871 Esopus Meadows Lighthouse which has been lovingly restored. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)
    Deising’s Bakery is a wonderful throwback to the bakeries and casual restaurants of 75 years ago. Large counters and great table spaces are conducive for conversation, hearty meals and wanting everything that the bakery counter displays.
    Deising’s Bakery is a wonderful throwback to the bakeries and casual restaurants of 75 years ago. Large counters and great table spaces are conducive for conversation, hearty meals and wanting everything that the bakery counter displays. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)
    On historic Front Street in Kingston’s Stockade District, at the north end of well-preserved Wall Street, a chance to eat and drink is enhanced by upscale restaurants housed in 19th Century buildings.
    On historic Front Street in Kingston’s Stockade District, at the north end of well-preserved Wall Street, a chance to eat and drink is enhanced by upscale restaurants housed in 19th Century buildings. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)
    Former St.Lawrence River tugboat had been donated to the Hudson River Maritime Museum. It sits outside, showing its full height, as an important part of the museums’ collection, dating from 1898.
    Former St.Lawrence River tugboat had been donated to the Hudson River Maritime Museum. It sits outside, showing its full height, as an important part of the museums’ collection, dating from 1898. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)
    West Strand Street, in Kingstons’ Rondout National Historic District has many untold tales to tell about its existence during the era when canal boats spent a week bringing coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania, rail freight over the Catskills, the many enterprises that took care of the boats that plied the waters into the nearby harbors, and the residents who have lived here over the years.
    West Strand Street, in Kingstons’ Rondout National Historic District has many untold tales to tell about its existence during the era when canal boats spent a week bringing coal from Honesdale, Pennsylvania, rail freight over the Catskills, the many enterprises that took care of the boats that plied the waters into the nearby harbors, and the residents who have lived here over the years. ( Photo: Ralph Spielman)

Looking for a day trip not from NYC? Kingston, a city of 24,000 has one advantage the others many travel destinations can’t offer: it’s just 90 miles north of Manhattan. By bus or car from our isle, it’s a little over two hours, and by Amtrak to Rhinecliff, an equivalent ride with a taxi ride to the Hudson, the most scenic way to get there.

Within Kingston, drive, taxi or even ride UCAT, the local bus (limited service on weekends).

But be forewarned: many venues are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays; the best days to visit here are Wednesdays through Sundays, best times Late Spring and Early Fall.

Choices abound in the two historic areas; the Rondout National Historic District and the Stockade

Rondout National Historic District

As a 19th and early 20th Century hub for shipping and commerce, this part of the city was shaped by the Hudson River and Roundout Creek. Many of the former buildings that were part of this economy have been well-preserved and repurposed.

You can discover some of the sites on a simple neighborhood amble including:

The Hudson River Maritime Museum, which focuses on preservation of the river’s maritime history and environment, through a large collection of exhibits embracing both local and Hudson River ship transportation. A large St. Lawrence River tugboat, the 1898-built Mathilda, stands outside as the largest artifact in the museum. New Yorkers may identify with a 1/25 scale model of a Staten Island Ferry, the Dongan Hills from 1929.

Hudson River Cruises offers an hour and a half cruise out of Kingston along the Hudson River. Two amazing lighthouses, large riverfront mansions and small Hudson River communities are visible on these narrated tours that run until the end of October. Snacks and beverages are available with enclosed and open decks.

The Trolley Museum of New York, open on Saturdays and Sundays through Late October, just a few steps from the Maritime Museum has a collection of buses, subway and trolley cars from the US and Europe, focusing on NYC. One treasure is PATH car 143, which was sitting at the World Trade Center station on 9/11/2001. As part of the experience here, short rides are given along Rondout Creek.

ArtPort Kingston, a contemporary art gallery, is housed in the historic Cornell Steamboat Building along Rondout Creek, the easternmost of the Historic District attractions. Changing exhibitions are housed in the open three-story tall building.

Want a meal here? Both Ole Savannah and Mariner’s Harbor provide waterside dining within walking distance of the above attractions. There are some unique shops as you head up somewhat hilly Broadway.

From there, head uptown, along the Broadway Corridor to:

The Stockade District

The Dutch Colony here was established shortly after the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts, In 1658, Peter Stuyvesant, arrived with Dutch military personnel along the nearby Esopus River, summoned by Dutch settlers upset, by Esopus Indians raids. The forays were fueled by liquor sold by the Dutch in Albany.

Stuyvesant, helped them build a stockade on the bluff in just 17 days and then the Dutch governor of New Amsterdam left, returning to his adopted homestead in what is now downtown Manhattan.

Old Dutch Church is an 1852 structure, the fifth in a series since the original congregation was organized the year after Stuyvesant arrived. At 225 feet high, it is the tallest building in Kingston. George Washington paid a 1782 visit to one of the former buildings, his thank you note preserved as part of the church history, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 2008; the church and the adjoining burial grounds are perfect for self-guided visits,

Senate House State Historic Site is a Museum about NY State’s first governing body. Here, elected representatives of a rebellious Revolutionary War, New Yorkers, met in Kingston to form a new state government in 1777.A two story building of exhibits highlights this activity and local Kingston history.

Wall Street showcases what historical preservation can do along an eight-block stretch. Reflecting the political, military, and religious history dating back to the 17th century, these blocks are perfect for eating, strolling and shopping, filled with 19th and early 20th Century architecture.

Deising’s Bakery was made famous by John Oliver of HBO fame; a cupcake with his face is a hot item for sale here. If you’ve ever wanted to be back in a 1950’s bakery and restaurant, come here for sumptuous breakfasts and lunches. Sit, dine and reflect on your wisdom to visit Kingston

Planning Your Visit

Kingston has many places that offer lodgings, many restaurants and stores. Unlike our beloved Manhattan, where everything happens in a New York minute, and we can depend on places being open seven days a week year ‘round, when you visit here, please be aware of weekly and seasonal closings.

Call ahead to double check openings and closings.

For more information:

Kingston Tourism. https://visitulstercountyny.com/plan-your-visit/things-to-do/town/kingston/

UCAT. https://ucat.ulstercountyny.gov/

Hudson River Maritime Museum https://www.hrmm.org/

Hudson River Tours https://www.hudsonrivercruises.com/

Trolley Museum of New York http://www.tmny.org/

ArtPort Kingstonhttps://artportkingston.org/

Old Dutch Church https://olddutchchurch.org/

Senate House State Historic Site https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/senatehouse/details.aspx

WallStreet https://www.planning.org/greatplaces/streets/2012/wallstreet.htm

Deising’s Bakery https://www.deisings.com/