This Charming New York Town Along The Hudson River Is A Laid-Back Hub Of Arts & Recreation

In 1994, when event organizers wanted to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the iconic 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair, they chose a farm in New York's Hudson Valley as the venue. The location made sense: a small town just a two hour drive north of Manhattan, nearly adjacent to Woodstock, NY itself, that had its own fascinating arts-related history. It was close enough to the original site, and it embodied a creative legacy appropriate for hosting the second iteration of, arguably, America's most archetypal outdoor concert.

That town is Saugerties, NY, a former 17th-century Dutch settlement along the Hudson River that, over the next two centuries, shifted from a farming community (though some original agricultural settlements, like Black Walnut Farm, still operate today) to an industrial and riverside shipping hub. That was thanks in part to the 18th-century construction of the historical Saugerties Lighthouse, built to guide ships navigating tricky river waters. Since then, Saugerties has grown to attract both modern-day settlers and tourists seeking art, nature, and a bit of serenity.

Saugerties is a quintessential small New York town that's a great escape from the busy city. A plethora of relaxed outdoor recreation lends itself to the overall chill, "I'm cool, man" energy of Saugerties. There's a walkable river trail to the historical lighthouse, access to and views of the Catskill Mountains, and even closer access to the Turkey Point State Forest located within the limits of Saugerties. And, of course, there's the art — so much art. Saugerties may have a population of under 20,000, but the artistic concentration is high; dozens of artists have established their studios there, and that's only a fraction of its visual creative endeavors.

Saugerties is an enchanting Hudson Valley town with quite a history of artistic flair. Central to that history is Opus 40, a 6.5-acre bluestone sculpture that took Harvey Fite, an artist and professor, nearly 40 years to build. It opened to the public in 1968 and today exists within a museum dedicated to Fite's life and work, as well as a sustained home to the bluestone quarries from whence the sculpture came.

Perhaps it was Fite who laid the foundation for myriad other artists to find inspiration and settle in Saugerties. The town offers an annual tour of artist studios and, year-round, several area businesses display and sell the work of local creators. For instance, Newberry Artisan Market and Jane St. Art Center, located within blocks of each other in downtown Saugerties, both offer visitors an opportunity to interact with different artistic formats. At the market, dozens of vendors, sometimes rotating, sell everything from bespoke cowboy boots to pottery to birdhouses. Jane St., meanwhile, serves as an all-in-one event space, gallery, and arts education center.

In the small downtown area surrounding both venues, art galleries abound. That three-block radius alone offers at least six spaces with art on display, all set among niche boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Even the local Main Street cinema, Orpheum Theatre, looks beyond ordinary movie-going experiences, screening independent works and various film series, such as the "Revival House" series for classics like "Jaws." For visitors and residents alike, it offers the perfect rainy day recreation, and, for the latter, memberships are available to help support the theater's programming.

Deciding when to visit Saugerties depends on several factors, like weather preference, chosen activities, and tolerance for crowds. Winter, for instance, is cold and snowy (with temperatures known to drop as low as 18 degrees), making it a less-than-ideal time to experience the area's outdoor activities. Although Saugerties is somewhat close to ski resorts, most require a drive, which can be a gamble in winter weather conditions. It's a quiet season, but there are things to do. Shops and galleries are likely open, and spectators can enjoy hockey games and ice skating at Kiwanis Ice Arena. Spring and fall are more popular times to visit, with equestrian events and apple and pumpkin-picking. Summer might be the most popular season in Saugerties, bustling with farmers' markets and annual festivals like the Sawyer Motors Car Show and the aforementioned artists' studio tour.

Busier seasons tend to be pricier, so if you're looking for a place to stay, check prices ahead of time. A range of lodging options are available; downtown, there's the highly-rated Village Inn, with rates starting at about $150/night. A bit further out, the Renwick Clifton House starts at $239/night, and Smythe House Luxury Rooms start at $225/night.

Saugerties is close enough for Manhattanites to make it a perfect fall day trip from New York City. But for those beyond driving distance, there are transit options like the Rhinecliff Amtrak station, which is less than a 30-minute drive to Saugerties. By air, the closest regional airport offering commercial flights is Stewart International Airport, which is about 50 miles away and services routes on Allegiant and Breeze airlines. Slightly further away (between 50-67 miles, depending on route) is Albany International Airport, offering a wider range of routes and airlines.