This post is all about fun things to do in Kingston NY
Looking for a weekend getaway in the Hudson Valley? Cue Kingston for a great addition to your bucket list! My husband and I had a great time and made the best of our two night anniversary get-away. We loved it so much, my sisters and I ended up returning with my mother to celebrate her 70th birthday. Between the two trips, we found some truly fun things to do in Kingston NY. I hope you find them helpful in your planning!
PL&Co.’s 11 Fun Things to Do in Kingston NY (and beyond)
Brunette Wine Bar
You guys. I think Brunette Wine Bar was truly the deciding factor that convinced us to head to Kingston. We were looking for a get away with a short drive, affordable lodging and unique finds. Fortunately, we have plenty of lovely options near us on the east coast, but once I found Brunette Wine Bar’s instagram, I was sold. It’s such a quaint, unique space with delicious wines and small plates. If you enjoy wine or a beautiful setting, you will not regret visiting Brunette Wine Bar, owned by a married couple.
Kingston Consignments
If you enjoy shopping for vintage and antique finds, stop by Kingston Consignments. They have two floors of goodies to sort through. I found some lovely green appetizer dishes and a beautiful green vase that I was super excited about. Nearly two years later, both are still on heavy rotation when entertaining.
Rondout Lighthouse
We decided we needed to make it a point to walk to see the Rondout Lighthouse. Truly, it did not disappoint. From where we stayed, it was a bit of a walk, but we put on our activewear early on Saturday morning and headed out. We walked down some backroads and took in the sites.
Then, we hit some railroad tracks and followed those to a path which led us to the Rondout Lighthouse. As we walked, the sun sparkled on the water and beyond the brush, the lighthouse peeked out. There’s such beauty in a sunny, quiet Saturday morning, especially when it’s paired with calm, sparkling water and the majestic beauty of a lighthouse.
Hudson River Maritime Museum
We didn’t actually visit inside the Hudson River Maritime Museum due to COVID, but we enjoyed walking past the museum on the water. It really added a well-rounded touch to Kingston, including beautiful artwork on the outside of the building.
Kingston Farmers Market
After our walk to the Rondout Lighthouse, we walked down to the Kingston Farmers Market. It was a really sweet little outdoor market located right by the river. We grabbed an açaí bowl, iced coffee, local hot sauce, freshly baked bread and gorgeous flowers. I mean, what better way to kickoff a Saturday?!
Restaurant Kinsley
Restaurant Kinsley is a beautiful, upscale restaurant located within Hotel Kinsley. When we return to Kingston again, I would love to stay here. We ate outside for dinner because of COVID, though the inside of the restaurant is beautiful, with high ceilings and curated design. Our server was wonderful, as was our food. We shared a lovely bottle of Sancerre that we still talk about!
Sweet Maresa’s
Sweet Maresa’s was, well, just so sweet. It’s a light and airy bakeshop, with beautiful sweets.
Rough Draft Bar & Books
We love an independent bookstore and search for one in every town we visit. Rough Draft Bar & Books has a great variety of books and drinks! You can sit inside or outside with coffee, tea, beer and wine. I just love this concept.
Clove & Creek
Clove & Creek is a beautifully curated shop. I didn’t take any pictures while in the shop, but know that you won’t regret stopping by.
https://www.instagram.com/cloveandcreek
Kingston Wine Co.
If you enjoy wine, stop by Kingston Wine Co. During both my visits we weren’t able to actually make it during the open hours, but I heard wonderful things and wished I was able to visit. Add it to your list.
Hops Petunia
Hops Petunia is another lovely shop, boasting fresh flowers and specialty items for thoughtful gifts and items for the home. I bought several P.F. Candle Co. candles for myself and for gifts. It was a lovely experience to walk through this shop. Add this to your list of fun things to do in Kingston NY!
Locations beyond the ‘fun things to do in Kingston NY’ list that are worth a visit:
Picnic at the Roosevelt House in Hyde Park
This picnic was the highlight of the visit with my mother and sisters. We had packed a picnic and asked someone in Rhinebeck about a good place to hold the picnic. I will be forever grateful that they suggested the Roosevelt House in Hyde Park. It was truly such a magical experience. The weather was absolutely perfect and we were able to steal away a bit of time together, chatting, laughing and enjoying the view. If you enjoy being in nature, I highly suggest making it a point to visit. There are also walking trails we stumbled upon as we were leaving.
Butterfield
Butterfield is in Stone Ridge; we ventured here for a special dinner to celebrate my mother’s birthday. The service was wonderful, as was the food. We also had a lovely bottle of Sancerre that we still talk about. If you choose to visit outside of Kingston, Butterfield would be a great stop. Check out their website – it’s stunning.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck needs no introduction. Because it was so close to Kingston, we felt we had to visit. It’s such a lovely little town, boasting various restaurants and shops.
Migliorelli Farmstand
We stumbled upon the Migliorelli Farmstand on our way into Rhinebeck. It was such a happy surprise. They had beautiful fresh veggies, as well as a bunch of other goodies: flowers, granola, cheeses, meats, etc. We grabbed a few goodies to bring back to our Airbnb at the Strand House.
Lodging: The Forsyth Kingston
During my anniversary trip with my husband, we stayed at The Strand House in Kingston. It was a lovely space, very close to town.
While visiting during my second trip with my sisters and my mother, we chose to stay at the Forsyth B&B. This was a lovely experience as well. Since we discovered Kingston a few years ago, it looks like a lot of wonderful lodging opportunities are available. Word to the wise — if you are a planning a trip in the fall during “leaf season”, book early. We heard that it gets very busy, as many visitors flock to the Hudson Valley to admire the beauty of the foliage.
More East Coast Travel inspiration:
What To Do in Lewes Delaware
More summer inspiration:
How to Host an Inspired Summer Book Club
Summer Entertaining Menu
And that wraps it up for fun things to do in Kingston NY!
Any questions? Send me a message at @peonylaneandco .
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