14 Best Things to Do in Saugerties, New York

By VacationIdea Staff on October 28, 2022 - Updated

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Saugerties, New York is a town within Ulster County, only around two hours outside of the hustle and bustle of New York City. It’s also the hometown of the popular television host Jimmy Fallon. Located between the Hudson River and the stunning Catskill Mountains, Saugerties is home to numerous cultural and vacation experiences, such as farms, an animal sanctuary, a nature preserve, art, lighthouses, museums, parks, restaurants, and more. Along with the many things to do, Saugerties also boasts a relaxing small town charm that makes it an ideal escape from the city.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.The Saugerties Lighthouse

The Saugerties Lighthouse is a restored historic lighthouse and Hudson River landmark that was built back in 1869 to help ships navigate the area near Esopus Creek. The lighthouse grounds include the keeper’s quarters, a kitchen, a parlor, a gift shop, a small museum, and even overnight bed-and-breakfast accommodations in the two-guests bedroom. Still in operation, the Saugerties Lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley. Visitors can reach the light tower from a nature trail found where Lighthouse Drive ends. There is also a picnic area along the banks of the river.

168 Lighthouse Dr, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-247-0656

2.Opus 40, Saugerties, New York

Opus 40 in the town of Saugerties, New York is both a museum and sculpture park built by the famed sculptor Harvey Fite in 1938. Formerly an abandoned quarry, Fite bought the original land to create a world-acclaimed, monumental bluestone sculpture called OPUS 40. Over the years, he bought more land and constructed several structures on the property, including a blacksmith shop, garage, studio, and a large stone and wood home, as well as the Quarryman’s Museum featuring a unique collection of indigenous tools. Visitors of all ages today can explore Opus 40, walking through it, around it, and even over it.

50 Fite Rd, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-246-3400

3.Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Saugerties, New York

The Catskill Animal Sanctuary of Saugerties is a non-profit organization established to rescue animals, provide rescued animals a safe place, and to help fight against animal cruelty. Encompassing around 150 acres in the Hudson Valley, the sanctuary offers tours, overnight stays, camps for childrens, and special events, as well as a variety of programs designed to educate visitors. Volunteers are also very welcome at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Guided family-friendly tours are offered from 11:00am until 2:45pm on Saturdays and Sundays from April through October. Guests can also stay the night in The Homestead, a pre-Civil War farmhouse.

316 Old Stage Rd, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-336-8447

4.Esopus Bend Nature Preserve

The Esopus Bend Nature Preserve spans across more than 160 acres of land in Saugerties, set along a bend of the Esopus Creek. Open to visitors from dawn until dusk, the nature preserve offers many opportunities for outdoor recreation activities to the public, including trails for hiking, canoe tours of the shoreline, kayaking, birding field trips, guided nature walks, animal tracking adventures, butterfly walks, and more. A wide variety of wildlife also frequent the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve or call it home, such as red fox, several species of birds, eagles, baby fawn, and turkeys among many other animals.

4 Shady Ln, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-247-0664

5.HITS-on-the-Hudson, Saugerties, New York

HITS-on-the-Hudson in the town of Saugerties, New York hosts numerous Olympic-level, international equestrian horse shows throughout part of the year. Guests can sit and watch as some of the top riders in the world jump six-foot fences and more. These horse shows take place between the month of May and the month of September, typically Wednesday to Sunday. Great for both tourists and locals alike, visitors can find free family fun in one of the most impressive horse parks in the northeastern United States. The grand Catskill Mountains also give a sweeping backdrop to the events at the park.

454 Washington Ave, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-246-8833

6.Saugerties Farmers Market

The Saugerties Farmers Market is a season market open on Saturdays from 10:00am until 2:00pm between the middle of May to the end of October. Set in the Village of Saugerties along Main Street, the farmers market features more than twenty farmers and vendors selling a broad array of items. Within the Saugerties Farmers Market, visitors can find seasonal vegetables and fruits, baked goods, breads, cheese, eggs, herbs, seafood, meats, cut flowers, plants, jams, maple syrup, hone, and much more, including non-plant or food products like crafts, lotions, and soaps. There’s also an on-site cafe and often live entertainment.

115 Main St, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-681-1160

7.The Red Onion, Saugerties, New York

The Red Onion has been serving handcrafted cuisine to the locals and visitors of the Saugerties, New York community for more than ten years and has become one of the highest rated destinations for dining in the Hudson River Valley. Located within a mid-nineteenth century restored farmhouse, the bistro-style restaurant offers a welcoming and warm atmosphere. The casual, yet fine dining, full-service restaurant is open for dinner Sunday through Saturday, serving hand-made, fresh food, including soups, daily seafood specials, and house-made desserts and pastas. The Red Onion also offers a carefully selected wine list and “properly made cocktails.”

1654 NY-212, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-679-1223

8.Dutch Ale House, Saugerties, New York

The Dutch Ale House in Saugerties, New York is a family-friendly restaurant and bar that provides a perfect place for people all ages to grab a bite to eat or for adults over the age of twenty-one to enjoy a refreshing beer, glass of wine, or craft cocktail. With a cozy and comfortable atmosphere, the casual restaurant offers the “Hudsons Valley’s Best Beer,” as well as meals for all-day dining. The Dutch Ale House originally first opened on the same day that Prohibition was repealed and has long been a popular local watering hole for the community.

253 Main St, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-247-2337

9.LOX of Bagels, Saugerties, New York

LOX of Bagels was opened in the small town of Saugerties by a couple from New Jersey who had moved to the area after their first child was born to be closer to family. Upon arriving in town, they soon discovered there wasn’t anywhere to get a bagel like they could back in New Jersey, so one day they decided they would open up their own “mom-and-pop” bagel place. Now open for over twenty years, LOX of Bagels offers delicious bagels to visitors.

3103 Rte 9W, Saugerties, NY 12477, Phone: 845-246-0594

10.Black-Eyed Suzie's Upstate, Saugerties, NY

Opened by Cheryl Paff in Saugerties, New York in 2015, Black-Eyed Suzie's Upstate serves both healthy options and modern comfort food made with seasonal and local ingredients. The seasonal menu of this casual cafe is designed to highlight the ingredients found within the region of the Hudson River Valley. 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 its friendly and warm environment indoors, Black-Eyed Suzie's Upstate also offers patio dining when the weather is nice, along with catering and take-away dining.

14 Hurley Ave, Kingston, NY 12401, Phone: 845-247-3069

11.Main Street Restaurant

Allow your tastebuds to take you from New York to the Southwest at the Main Street Restaurant. Conveniently located at the heart of Saugerties, the restaurant wins patrons over with a great vibe, an inviting atmosphere, and even more spectacular food. There is no shortage of dishes to try, but for first-timers, some items that are sure to please include Argentinian Steak with Chimichurri sauce, the Baja Fish Tacos, and the Carne Asada. Main Street Restaurant also has a fantastic selection of desserts to finish your meal on a high note. Regulars adore the Tres Leches Cake and the Café con Churros. If you’re coming after a day at work or for a night out with some buddies, stop by to maximize specials like their Happy Hour and make sure to try their margaritas which come in flavors like coconut, strawberries, guava, or lime.

244 Main Street, Saugerties, New York 12477, Phone: 845-246-6222

12.Miss Lucy’s Kitchen

Farm-to-table restaurants have grown in popularity over the past few years, but Miss Lucy’s Kitchen was dedicated to the farm-to-table model before it ever became popular. This rustic café was opened in 2003 by its chefs and owners, Marc Propper and Michelle Silver. Both bring tons of experience with them, especially Michelle, who ran a popular restaurant in Manhattan’s snazzy West Village called the Grove. Miss Lucy’s Kitchen’s menu is entirely farm-driven and is determined to be budget and family-friendly. The restaurant features is a lovely interior that is characterized by charming French farmhouse dressers, various kitchen antiques, well-used chopping boards, and more. But what brings people back over and over again is its menu. Try out classics like the Bella Bella Roasted Duck Breast or the Kilcoyne Farm Select Cut Grass Fed Steak on for size at your first visit.

90 Partition Street, Saugerties, New York 12477, Phone: 845-246-9240

13.Ohana Cafe

Say “aloha” to the best brunch that Saugerties has to offer at the fantastic and much-loved Ohana Café. This café has been serving hungry diners since 2008 and was inspired by owner Aimee Marone’s 10-year stint in Hawaii. While there, Aimee fell in love with island culture and came back to New York to open a space that would bring the “Ohana” mindset to her community. It’s safe to say she’s done just that as the café is surrounded by a family-like community that keeps coming back for Ohana’s mouthwatering menu. The café’s menu is built around a Hawaiian and French-inspired culinary style that shines in its specialty: crepes. Brunches are made a fantastic experience with their tantalizing sweet and savory crepes like the Aloha Berry Crepe and the Huli Huli Pork Crepe. Other insanely delicious menu options include the Loco Moco, a Hawaiian-style breakfast bowl, and the Seasonal Poke bowl, which heroes the market’s freshest catch.

117 Partition Street, Saugerties, New York 12477, Phone: 845-217-5750