Anyone who has been following me for a while knows that I love to explore places near New York City, especially in New York State. I feel that few people know the tourist potential of this area, which has so many activities. Last week, we spent 2 nights and 3 days in Saugerties, a small town in the north of the state. And visiting places like this is to dive into another reality, although nothing in this brief routine of two days was new to me since I’m from a very small town in Brazil.
It is impossible not to remember my life in Meleiro, South of Brazil, with that small-town atmosphere. Main Street is the busiest street – but is not as busy as the quietest avenue in NYC. You don’t see tall buildings – the houses are everywhere and I keep asking myself who are the people who live the houses and what are their stories. In Saugerties, you see scenes like a mom and a boy in a plastic pool on the backyard, a lazy cat resting at the sidewalk, and a couple that seemed curious about our presence. There is also a sign in front of a store saying “Sale Today” that is so old as the antiques inside. Not so far I saw some people swimming in the “beach” area. It was a hot day and I couldn’t help but remember my afternoons swimming in the river in my hometown. I had a lot of emotional memories, but from all of them, certainly, the most magical thing was seeing the stars at night. What was once routine became something rare. Now that I’m back in the city, check my tips on things to do in Saugerties!
Transportation
As the idea was exploring a little bit of the area, we rented a car through Getaround. After Thiago and I discovered this app, we’ve been using it a lot! Think of Getaround as an Airbnb for cars. You register through the app and then you can search for cars near you. Everything is through the app – including unlocking the car. No stress, no bureaucracy, no lines and no paperwork. We love!
Accommodation – Diamond Mills Hotel
Diamond Mills is a Luxury Boutique Hotel, nestled between the mighty Hudson River and the majestic Catskill Mountains. Each of the 30 well-appointed guest rooms offers individually furnished balconies overlooking the Esopus Creek. The rooms are really spacious and feature bathroom, office table, TV, hairdryer. It is one of the most famous hotels in the area – it is also a wedding destination. The architecture is beautiful and there is free parking. If you wanna stay there, you can take advantage of the Save Now, Stay Later deal, with discounted rates when you book in August for a November stay – rates start at just $205 a night. Click here to book
Restaurants
The Tavern at Diamond Mills – this is the restaurant located in the hotel. In addition to the open area with a privileged view of the waterfall, the bar and the saloon are also beautiful! The food is delicious! You will find options such as steaks, pizza, burgers, and even vegetarian dishes. The bruschetta (appetizer) and the mango mousse (dessert) were so good! In addition, the restaurant has cocktails, beers, and wines. The service was excellent. The main courses here cost from $15 to $30.
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Miss Lucy’s Kitchen – a lot of followers recommended this restaurant and we had lunch before checking into the hotel. It has a super cute rustic atmosphere and it is located in the central area of Saugerties. The food is simply amazing! Here, I highlight the Barbecue Plate ($23, for two), Quinoa Bowl ($28 with shrimp, fantastic) and Fried Chicken Sandwich ($13) which is one of the best sellers of the place. Seriously, absolutely everything we ordered here was incredible!
Josie’s coffee shop – this cafe is so cute and has several tables to sit in. On the menu, you will find not only a variety of coffees but also teas and some pastries such as muffins, cookies, and croissants. I got a croissant with butternut and goat cheese that was just fantastic. It can be a great option for a stop for an afternoon bite as well.
The Meltaway bakery – that was a recommendation from a local – this place specializes in coffeecake. There is no place to sit, you have to buy it and take it with you. We love it, it was super fresh and delicious! $9 on average each.
Dutch Ale House – I loved the atmosphere of this place! It is a great spot if you are a beer lover and the menu features options like burgers, salads and sandwiches. Here, it’s worth trying the Blue Cheese Burger ($18) – so delicious! – and also the Lobster Roll – with tons of lobster. In addition, hummus with vegetables and pita bread is an unmissable appetizer ($13). Fresh and homemade hummus.
Things to do
Opus 40 – Harvey Fite, one of the founders of the Bard College Fine Arts Department, purchases an abandoned quarry in the town of Saugerties, NY, in Ulster County, about 100 miles north of New York City. On this property, Harvey will construct Opus 40, a labyrinthine world of finely fitted stone swirling with ramps and terraces, constructed around pools, fountains and trees and rising out of bedrock a half-mile deep, using dry keystone masonry techniques inspired by his time restoring the Mayan ruins at Copan. Open from April to November, the place has a huge green area and the sculptures are impressive. The tickets are $11.
PLUS:
- Visit Saugerties Village Beach – it is a waterfront park (yes, you can bathe) featuring playgrounds, tables, and also barbecue grills. We bought our breakfast and ate there one morning.
- Stroll down Main Street and explore the shops – if you like antiques and vintage items, Saugerties has several Antique shops.
Content creator and journalist in New York City. Here, I share lifestyle, beauty, NYC tips, thoughts, and the struggles about living in the most amazing city in the world! I’m not gonna pretend to be another person: I’m a Brazilian immigrant and I think this is my soul, it is part of who I am. I hope you enjoy my content! Follow me on Instagram!
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