Kingston: Trails and History on the Hudson River

Kingston lies at the confluence of Rondout Creek and the Hudson River, in the shadow of the Catskill Mountains. When choosing a hotel in Kingston, it may help to consider whether you want to focus on trails and scenery, the city’s history, or a mix of both. The offerings vary in form: there is a trail system, a long route through Kingston, museum exhibitions, historic walking tours, and seasonal kayak tours.

Trails and Routes Through Kingston

The Kingston Greenline is a system of trails, linear parks, and complete streets. It gives residents and visitors access to the city’s natural, historic, cultural, and commercial offerings. It is therefore not the same as a single hiking trail: the Greenline includes several types of connections and extends beyond nature-related attractions. This can be helpful if you want to explore Kingston beyond a single destination.

The 750-mile Empire State Trail passes through Kingston. There, it connects with the Kingston Greenline and other nearby trails. The route invites cyclists and hikers to explore New York’s experiences, people, and places. The Kingston Heritage Trail also takes visitors through the City of Kingston. Taken together, these names refer to different types of routes: a system of trails, linear parks, and streets; a long route through Kingston; and a visitor trail through the City. This distinction can help you decide what kind of route to include in your trip.

Exhibitions and Guided Tours

The Senate House Museum presents exhibitions on Kingston’s history. These include Revolution Comes to Kingston, Vanderlyn the Artist, and Kingston Stockade: New Netherlands Third City. The exhibition titles cover different subjects, from revolutionary events to an artist and the history of the Stockade. This sets the museum apart from the trails mentioned above: exhibitions are the focus here, while the Heritage Trail and guided Stockade tours are designed as visitor routes.

The Stockade National Historic District Walking Tours take visitors through New York’s largest surviving early Dutch settlement, where the State of New York was founded. The guided tour departs from the Friends of Historic Kingston Gallery at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month from May through October. It is accessible, suitable for children, pets, and groups, and requires a fee. The regular schedule gives the tour a different framework from the trails described as available year-round and the museum exhibitions. Since the monthly schedule may change, check the current tour dates before your visit.

Nature Trail and Seasonal Kayak Tours

The Interpretive Nature Trail in Hasbrouck Park is about one mile long and suitable for everyone from young children to adults. Both the approximate trail length and the age suitability are specified. If you are traveling with children, this information can help you compare the nature trail with Kingston’s other offerings.

The City of Kingston Parks and Recreation Department offers a different kind of activity with its guided kayak tours. They take place between Memorial Day and Columbus Day; dates may change. The difference from the nature trail is clear: one is an approximately one-mile trail with a stated age suitability, while the other is a guided activity on the water offered seasonally. Check the current tour dates if you want to plan your trip around them.

You can explore Kingston in different ways, depending on your interests: through the Greenline connections, a route through the city, exhibitions, guided historic tours, or a nature trail. When looking for accommodation, these differences can help you decide what to focus on during your trip to Kingston.

Discover more destinations: Accord, Wallkill, Kerhonkson, Oliverea, Highland, Shandaken, Boiceville, Phoenicia

For the broader travel overview: Ulster.