I’ve always loved how easy it is to escape to Saugerties—it’s only about two hours from the chaos of New York City, but it feels like a totally different world. If you haven’t been yet, I think you’ll be surprised by how much this little town packs in. I was first drawn here by the scenery, tucked between the Hudson River and the breathtaking Catskill Mountains, and I keep coming back for everything else. You can spend your day visiting farms, spotting rescued animals at a local sanctuary, or exploring nature preserves that I’ve found incredibly peaceful. If you're anything like me, you'll also love the mix of local art, historic lighthouses, quirky museums, beautiful parks, and food spots worth writing home about.
Best Things to Do in Saugerties
The Saugerties Lighthouse - We enjoyed panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley from the lighthouse.
Opus 40 - Explore Opus 40, walk through it, around it, and even over it.
Catskill Animal Sanctuary - Go on a tour or stay overnight at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
Esopus Bend Nature Preserve - Open to visitors from dawn until dusk, the nature preserve offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
HITS-on-the-Hudson - These horse shows take place between the month of May and the month of September.
Saugerties Farmers Market - I found seasonal vegetables and fruits, baked goods, breads, cheese, eggs, herbs, seafood, meats, cut flowers, plants and more.
The Red Onion - The casual, yet fine dining, full-service restaurant is open for dinner Sunday through Saturday.
Dutch Ale House - I had a great burger at this family-friendly restaurant and bar.
LOX of Bagels - Now open for over twenty years, LOX of Bagels offers delicious bagels to visitors.
Black-Eyed Suzie's Upstate - Natural poultry and meats are used in the variety of dishes, as well as local, fresh produce and dairy sourced from several neighboring farms.
Along with the many things to do, Saugerties also boasts a relaxing small town charm that makes it an ideal escape from the city.
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In Summary...
(and if you want to revisit my photo journey)