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Best Towns in Ulster County NY: Ulster County NY Tourism

View of the Hudson River with Ulster County on the left side.

Best Towns in Ulster County NY:
Ulster County NY Tourism

The air seemed still as I walked onto the Walkway over the Hudson State Park for the first time back in 2014. Located in Highland, NY, I quickly learned why certain towns in Ulster County NY were so popular.

This Ulster County NY treasure was not a place that had been advertised and I really didn’t know anything about it.

Since moving up to Ulster County NY about one year prior, I saw the sign for the Walkway several times while driving North on 9W. This day I decided to drive down the road where the sign was located to check it out.

And that’s when everything changed.

If you’re in the planning stages of your trip, make sure to check out some of these Ulster County NY posts that will help you choose what to do during your adventure:

Benmarl Winery: Amazing Wine & Amazing Views

The Walkway over the Hudson: A Visit you will not forget

Meet the Animals that Call Forsyth Nature Center Their Home

What to Know Before Visiting Towns in Ulster County:

  • Ulster County NY is located approximately 90 – 120 minutes from New York City and the Hudson Valley border and 90 minutes south of Albany.
  • Some more popular towns in Ulster County include: Kingston, Woodstock, New Paltz and Saugerties.
  • Although not densely populated, there is still plenty to do when visiting different towns in Ulster County NY.

Where is Ulster County NY?


Map of Ulster County NY

Ulster County NY is located left of the Hudson River in the Hudson Valley region of New York State.

It borders Rockland County to the North and Dutchess County on the right with the Hudson River in between them. It is also located directly south of Greene County, NY.

Many people love Ulster County’s larger towns & cities, most notably New Paltz, Woodstock & Kingston, NY.


Cities & Towns in Ulster County NY


Ulster County has 1 city, 20 towns, and 3 villages.

  • Denning
  • Esopus
  • Gardiner
  • Hardenburgh
  • Hurley
  • Kingston
  • Lloyd
  • Marbletown
  • Marlborough
  • New Paltz
  • Olive
  • Plattekill
  • Rochester
  • Rosendale
  • Saugerties
  • Shandaken
  • Shawangunk
  • Ulster
  • Wawrsing
  • Woodstock
  • Ellenville

Check out posts all about: Ulster County, NY


How Far is Ulster County NY from NYC?


Depending on many factors, it can take anywhere from 90 minutes – 120 minutes to arrive in the most southern towns in Ulster County by car.

These are the factors that affect how fast you can make it to Ulster County.

  • Month of the Year/Season
  • Day of the Week
  • Time of the Day

Ulster County is easily accessible by car using the New York State Thruway/I-87.


10+ Popular Places to Visit in Ulster County NY Towns


Ulster County covers a fairly large area of the Hudson Valley and sometimes a little planning ahead may be the best way to experience more than one thing in a day. The following Ulster County Map will help you when making plans.


Ulster County NY for Art Lovers


– Opus 40 (Saugerties, NY)

Hudson Valley Sculpture Park i slocated in one of the great Ulster County NY towns

SEASONAL HOURS
Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11am – 3pm
WEBSITE
opus40.org

Located in Saugerties, Opus 40 is located on the northern tip of Ulster County.

Opus 40 is open seasonally, typically from May – November, is an awe-inspiring art & landscape phenomenon.

This impressive outdoor sculpture created by Harvey Fite is made of the blue quarry from this land. The most interesting part is that the sculpture is comprised of ramps and pedestals that you can explore.

Click here to read my article all about my visit to Opus 40

– Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art (New Paltz, NY)

Visitors to Katonah Museum of Art

HOURS
Wed – Sun: 11am – 5pm
WEBSITE
www.newpaltz.edu/museum

If you’re looking to spend the day in New Paltz, then a visit to the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art should be on your list.

In addition to being located on the campus of SUNY New Paltz, the museum houses over 6,000 pieces of art and is an important influencer in the Hudson Valley when it comes to art.

Open year-round, they welcome all visitors to enjoy their permanent and temporary exhibits.

READ MORE
Enjoy these Ulster County Museums are Worth a Visit any Time of the Year


Ulster County for Outdoor Lovers


– Mohonk Preserve (Gardiner, NY)

Hiking in the Hudson Valley through the woods is a popular activity any time of the year.

HOURS
Visitors Center – Weekdays: 9am – 5pm | Weekends: 8am – 6pm
Trailheads: Open daily 7am – 7pm (members) 9am – 7pm (Visitors)
WEBSITE
www.mohonkpreserve.org

This nature preserve is located on the famous Shawangunk Ridge. Attracting hikers and rock climbers from all around, the Mohonk Preserve is a favorite spot for many.

Other activities that you can do on the trails are cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, & horseback riding.

The Visitors Center is the hub of the preserve and is open year-round. It offers information and exhibits. The trails in the immediate area of the Visitor’s Center & the Butterfly Garden are open to the public for free.

Land further out of the Visitor’s Center are accessible with a day pass or membership.

Click here to read my article all about the Best Hudson Valley Hikes Around

– Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park (Highland, NY)

Bridge Music, Hudson River and the Walkway over the Hudson

HOURS
Open Daily: 7am – Sunset
FEE
Free – Donations appreciated
WEBSITE
walkway.org

Walk over the Hudson River on the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Connecting Highland, NY (Ulster County) to Poughkeepsie, NY (Dutchess County), this spectacular structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open year-round.

It’s a popular place for walkers, joggers, bikers and rollerbladers. They also host popular events throughout the year. If you work up an appetite after your visit, you can always visit Gunk Haus Restaurant, also in Highland.

Click here to read my article all about the Walkway over the Hudson.


Ulster County for Animal Lovers


– Forsyth Nature Center (Kingston, NY)

Feeding goat at Forsyth Nature Center

HOURS
Summer Hours: Mon – Fri: 7am – 7pm | Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Winter Hours: Mon – Fri: 7am – 5pm | Sat & Sun: 9am – 1pm
FEE
Free – Donations always appreciated
WEBSITE
www.forsythnaturecenter.org

Explore this outdoor learning center in Kingston. Forsyth Nature Center is open year-round and get visitors up close and personal with nature and animals.

Bring a lunch, some snacks for yourself and the friendly animals and spend the day enjoying the nature center.

Each animal has a special sign listing favorite foods or you can bring a mixture of carrots, apples, lettuce/spinach/greens & plain popcorn to share. They also host special events throughout the year.

Click here to read my article all about my visit to Forsyth Nature Center

– Catskill Animal Sanctuary (Saugerties, NY)

Meet the rescued animals that call the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, in Saugerties, their home.

These farm animals have been rescued from cruelty, abandonment & neglect. With over 11 species, you can visit these animals, from April through November, by purchasing a Day Pass or by taking a tour.


Ulster County for History Lovers


– Historic Huguenot Street (New Paltz, NY)

HOURS
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10am – 5pm
WEBSITE
www.huguenotstreet.org

Here is another reason to visit New Paltz.

Stroll down Historic Huguenot Street, lined with original 18th-century homes that are in their original village setting. Open from May through December, guided tours are available for a fee. 


For Those Who Love Unique Experiences


– Joseph Bertolozzi – Bridge Music (Highland, NY)

Bridge Music at the Mid Hudson Bridge in Ulster County NY

HOURS
Open seasonally (April – October)
FEE
Free
WEBSITE
josephbertolozzi.com/bridge-music

This unique experience showcases music by Joseph Bertolozzi on the Mid-Hudson Bridge (between Highland and Poughkeepsie) where the bridge is the instrument.

The Listening Stations are located on the bridge’s towers and are open seasonally (April – October) to the public. You can also listen from your car in any of the parks located on either side of the bridge.

Click here to read my article all about my experience listening to Bridge Music at the Mid-Hudson Bridge


Ulster County for Wine Lovers


– Benmarl Winery (Marlboro, NY)

Benmarl Winery

HOURS
Thu – Sun: 12pm – 5pm
WEBSITE
www.benmarl.com

Benmarl Winery is America’s Oldest Vineyard and boasts an award-winning collection of wines. Among its 37 acres, Benmarl Winery is the location for premier wines and impeccable hospitality.  

Located in Marlboro, NY, it is close to the Orange County border in Southern Ulster County.

Click here to read my article about my visit to Benmarl Winery.


Ulster County for Music Lovers


– The Falcon (Marboro, NY)

The Falcon, Marlboro, NY

HOURS
Fri 4pm – 9pm
Sat 1pm – 9pm
Sun 1pm – 9pm
WEBSITE
www.liveatthefalcon.com

Sitting above the beautiful Marlboro Falls in Marlboro, NY is The Falcon, home to live music and great food.

Formerly a 19th-century button factory, The Falcon has become an important part of music history in the Hudson Valley. Hosting the music industry’s most impressive acts, The Falcon is a well-known and loved establishment in Ulster County.

– Ulster Performing Arts Center (Kingston, NY)

Visit the only un-altered pre-World War II theater left in the city of Kingston and one of three left in the Hudson Valley.

Ulster Performing Arts Center does not only host performing arts events for adults, but this venue also shows classic and vintage movies, musical performances, and children’s theater, dance and musical performances.

Because of the acoustics, it is home to the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Open year-round.

Tips for an Amazing Visit to Towns in Ulster County NY:

  • With any place your visiting in the Hudson Valley, make sure you check individual websites for current days/hours of operation.
  • Unlike New York City, many places in the Hudson Valley are not open year-round and are only open 6-8 months out of the year.
  • Weather is always a factor when visiting any county in the Hudson Valley and is particularly true when visiting different towns in Ulster County NY.
    • Check the weather before heading out to your outing.

More Things to do in the Hudson Valley:

Hudson Valley Tours that will Make an Impression on you

The Best Hudson Valley Attractions Perfect for Any Weekend

Visit the Mid-Hudson Bridge and listen to Bridge Music

Until the Next Adventure…

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