Points of Interest
Forsyth Nature Center
157 Lucas Avenue • ForsythNatureCenter.org
The Forsyth Nature Center has dozens of animal exhibits, themed gardens, and green infrastructure displays. The nature center is FREE and open every day from 9am to 5pm.
The Fred J. Johnston House
63 Main Street • fohk.org
Tour a c.1812 Federal-style townhouse that contains a private collection of 18th and early 19th century American furnishings and decorative arts in eight elegant room settings as arranged by noted 20th century antiques dealer
Fred J. Johnston.
Open from July to end of October,
Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.
Admission Charge.
Friends of Historic Kingston Gallery
The gallery showcases Kingston’s history and culture with special exhibits each year. Available in the gallery are brochures, books and items of local interest. Donations are welcome. Register in the FHK Gallery for a guided house tour, $10 fee for admission. Open from July through the end of October on Fridays and Saturdays from 11am–4pm.
Volunteer Firemen’s Hall & Museum
265 Fair Street
KingstonVolunteerFiremens Museum.weebly.com
A “Little Gem of a Museum” housed in the 1857 Wiltwyck Fire House. A child friendly and family educational museum.
Parks & Trails
Explore
Sojourner Truth State Park
100 Sojourner Truth Way
sojournertruthstatepark.info
Named for the 19th century Black abolitionist and suffragist, Sojourner Truth State Park is the first state park in the City of Kingston. With spectacular views of the Hudson River, historic industrial ruins, and diverse habitat areas including woods, wetlands, and steep cliffs and ridge line, the park also includes the popular Hudson River Brickyard Trail, a section of the Empire State Trail, and scenic hiking trails.
Kingston Library
55 Franklin Street • KingstonLibrary.com
Kingston Library offers more than just books. Ongoing workshops, classes, and discussions for all ages are scheduled. The library is open 10am–6pm Monday and Friday, 10am–8pm Tues, Wed, and Thurs and 9am–5pm Saturdays.
Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC)
601 Broadway • bardavon.org
UPAC is a 1,510-seat capacity Classical Revival theater built in 1927 as a combination vaudeville house/ movie palace. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is today a premier non-profit performing arts venue in the Hudson Valley. Owned and managed by the Bardavon, it regularly presents a diverse line-up of national and international headliners in music, dance, theater and more.
The Kingston Greenline kingstongreenline.org The Kingston Greenline is a network of urban trails, complete streets, improved sidewalks, bike lanes, and linear parks through Kingston that connects to a wider network of surrounding rail trails including the O&W Trail The Wallkill Valley Trail and the statewide Empire State Trail.
The Midtown Linear Park
a newly finished section of the Kingston Greenline, is an 0.8-mile paved pedestrian and bike trail that traverses the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad Corridor from Cornell Street to Westbrook Lane, providing off-street access from Midtown to Uptown Kingston.
Kingston Point Beach and Kingston Point Park End of Delaware Avenue Kingston Point offers over 87 acres of open space with incredible views of the river, and many amenities including softball fields, a BMX Track, volleyball, dog park, nature trails, picnic tables, and more. The beach offers Hudson River swimming (lifeguards seasonal) and a boat launch. A brand-new youth soccer field and playground at Kingston Point Park adjacent to the beach were recently completed, along with a new green parking lot. Open dawn to dusk.
Soccer Field at Kingston Point Park
Visitors Guide Map
The Matthewis Persen House Museum and Cultural Heritage Center
74 John Street clerk.ulstercountyny.gov/archives/persen-house
The Persen House, named after its former resident Matthewis Persen (1739–1819) has witnessed the entire history of Kingston and even pre-dates the formation of Ulster County. The house is open May 27–Sept 2 Thurs and Fri 9–4:30 and Sat 10–4. Sept 10–Oct 29 Saturdays 10–2 only or by appointment.
Old Dutch Church
272 Wall Street • OldDutchChurch.org
The Old Dutch Church, a National Historic Landmark, was a part of the Dutch Colonial Village of Wiltwyck; the original church structure was built on the present site in 1660. In addition to being an event venue, the church maintains a museum of historical records & artifacts, including a letter from George Washington. The cemetery dates to 1600’s and has 77 Revolutionary War soldiers buried there including Vice President and NY Governor George Clinton. The church’s Heritage Museum archives are available for public research.
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout Landing • hrmm.org
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is dedicated to the maritime history of the Hudson River and offers educational tours/programs, historical exhibits, visiting heritage vessels, events, lectures, docking, and a research/ archival library. Museum campus includes the Kingston Home Port and Education Center and the Wooden Boat School & Sailing and Rowing School offering youth and adult programs and restoration services. Open 11am–5pm Wednesday–Sunday.
The Trolley Museum of NY
89 E. Strand • tmny.org
The Trolley Museum offers weekend rides in their 1925 trolley car from TR Gallo Park on the Historic Rondout Waterfront to Kingston Point by the beach and back. See exhibits and displays at their visitors center about trolleys and related history, including PATH car 143, saved from the ruins of the World Trade Center attack.
Open weekends & holidays late April through late October Noon–5pm, available for charters.
The Reher Center for Immigrant Culture and History
99-101 Broadway • rehercenter.org
The mission of the Reher Center is to preserve and present stories about immigration, community, and culture.
The Senate House State Historic Site
296 Fair Street • SenateHouseKingston.org
In the fall of 1777, the elected representatives of rebellious New Yorkers convened in Kingston to form a new state government. New York’s first capital was born. The session, New York’s first Senate, met in a simple stone house of a local merchant. Now part of a complex of five buildings, the Senate House tells the story of New York’s early government and gives a taste of life in the Hudson Valley 200 years ago. The site is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am–5pm and Sunday 1pm–5pm. Contact Thomas.Kernan@parks.ny.gov.
The historic bakery building in Kingston’s Rondout offers tours and programs. Gallery hours are Fri–Sun 1 pm–6 pm
Rondout Lighthouse hrmm.org/rondout-lighthouse.html
Located on the Hudson River where it meets the Rondout Creek.
Originally constructed in 1837, the current lighthouse, built in 1915, is the newest lighthouse on the Hudson River.
Book tours online.
Snowflake Festival
Special Events
Celebration of the Arts • July 8 • MADKingston.org
• The 9th Annual Celebration of the Arts EXPO will take place at SUNY Ulster’s Kingston Center and will feature a full day of free workshops in a variety of arts genres - including dance, music, performing arts, folk arts, and more. Professional teaching artists will lead all of the workshops with assistance from PUGG, MAD’s teen workforce interns managed by The D.R.A.W. arts education program. The EXPO will also feature panel discussions and tables featuring local arts and culture organizations.
Kingston Artist Soapbox Derby • August 20 at 1:00pm kingstonartistsoapboxderby.com • Now celebrating 28 years, the soapbox derby is a parade of non-motorized kinetic sculptures racing lower Broadway. Make your own soapbox car or watch the excitement from the sidelines!
Antique Fire Engine Muster August 19, 10am–4pm kingstonvolunteerfiremensmuseum.weebly.com The Antique Fire Engine Muster and Open House at Volunteer Firemen’s Hall and Museum is an event not to be missed. The muster is one of the Annual Fundraisers and events for the Volunteer Fireman’s Hall & Museum. Bring the family for free hot dogs, soda, raffle prizes and more!
Hooley on the Hudson • September 3, 11:30am–9:00pm • ulsteraoh.com The Ancient Order of Hibernians are proud to announce the annual Hooley on the Hudson™ Irish Festival. The Festival will include four main venues spread across T.R. Gallo Park on the Rondout Creek. Live music, step dancing, storytelling, & traditional music for all ages.
Art Walk Kingston • September 16 & 17, 12pm–5pm • artsmidhudson.org • Art Walk Kingston is a celebration of the arts and the local community. Visitors and local residents are invited to explore the city of Kingston and immerse themselves in a range of art and events. Paintings, photographs and sculptures and more will be on display at home studios and galleries.
Forsyth Nature Center Family Fun Day • September 16 • forsythnaturecenter.org • Friends of Forsyth Nature Center and the City of Kingston are excited to host the Fall Festival. FREE.
O+ Festival • October 6–8 • opositivefestival.org • A weekend-long celebration featuring concerts and performances, murals and other public art making, and wellness offerings for the entire community. Your all-access wristband via donation includes all the music in unique, intimate venues as well as classes in yoga, dance and meditation, cycling events and a wellness EXPO+.
Ulster County Italian Festival
Visit
A brand-new youth soccer field and playground at Kingston Point Park adjacent to the beach were recently completed. A new parking lot next to the soccer field incorporated a green design approach to elevate the land, adapt to sea level rise, and avoid flooding. 845-331-0073
Programs & Activities
• October 8 • UCIAF.org • Ulster County’s annual celebration of Italian food, music, dance, and culture features live bands, dozens of vendors including a variety of great local restaurants, and activities for the whole family. Funds raised at the festival go toward student scholarships.
2023 Burning of Kingston
• October 13–15 • burningofkingston.com • Various Locations. The Burning of Kingston, which commemorates historical events in Kingston in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War, is a weekend of reenactments, story-telling, fascinating historical talks, and other events.
Boo at the Zoo • October 21 • A Halloween-themed kids event at Forsyth Nature Center. Visit: forsythnaturecenter.org
Fall for Art • November 4–10 • fallforart.org • This popular annual event, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Ulster County, supports regional not-for-profit organizations. Fall for Art features a juried art show, sale, cocktail reception, and community fundraiser featuring more than 25 of the Hudson Valley’s most gifted artists.
Snowflake Festival • December 1 • kuba.network/snowflake • The Kingston Uptown Business Association (KUBA) presents this beloved holiday season event complete with carolers, Santa’s arrival on an antique fire truck, tree lighting, street performers, horse and carriage rides, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, and the annual holiday bike raffle.
Kingston, NY is the perfect destination for a day trip, long weekend, extended stay or business relocation.
Visit: Kingston-NY.gov
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