Kingston Guidebook
Neighborhoods
Stockade District
Walkable, historic neighborhood replete with shops and cafes
The downtown area of Kingston--picturesque waterfront district with plenty of restaurants to choose from.
54 locals recommend
Rondout
The downtown area of Kingston--picturesque waterfront district with plenty of restaurants to choose from.
Food scene
This is my favorite place to grab coffee and a croissant or sandwich from Wednesday-Sunday. Delicious house-made pastries.
62 locals recommend
Kingston Bread + Bar
43 N Front StThis is my favorite place to grab coffee and a croissant or sandwich from Wednesday-Sunday. Delicious house-made pastries.
Sissy's Cafe
324 Wall StGreat for a casual, takeaway sandwich.
Vegetarian option that's great for non-veg eaters as well. All antiques inside the cafe are for sale!
84 locals recommend
Outdated, Antique Cafe
314 Wall StVegetarian option that's great for non-veg eaters as well. All antiques inside the cafe are for sale!
Many of the walkable restaurants are closed Sunday-Tuesday. Hanniford is a 2 min drive away--I recommend having groceries on hand for those days, since takeout in the area isn't very good.
257 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
295 NY-375Many of the walkable restaurants are closed Sunday-Tuesday. Hanniford is a 2 min drive away--I recommend having groceries on hand for those days, since takeout in the area isn't very good.
Food is pretty good (average to above average by NYC standards), but ambiance is very sweet. There's an outdoor tent for nice days.
28 locals recommend
Hoffman House
94 N Front StFood is pretty good (average to above average by NYC standards), but ambiance is very sweet. There's an outdoor tent for nice days.
Boitson's
47 North Front StreetGood food and nice outdoor roof deck for dining and drinks!
Delicious pizzeria + pasta + bar. Outdoor and indoor seating--very high quality food!
70 locals recommend
LOLA Pizza
243 Fair StDelicious pizzeria + pasta + bar. Outdoor and indoor seating--very high quality food!
The hotel restaurant is excellent, and they have just set up outdoor dining for the season.
79 locals recommend
Hotel Kinsley
301 Wall StThe hotel restaurant is excellent, and they have just set up outdoor dining for the season.
Great food here--they are still waiting on their liquor license, though. There's a fantastic "dinner for 2" takeaway option available on their website for Wed-Saturday.
Grainne
299 Wall StreetGreat food here--they are still waiting on their liquor license, though. There's a fantastic "dinner for 2" takeaway option available on their website for Wed-Saturday.
Terrific food, takeaway available starting midweek. Cute Italian specialty market too, attached to the resto.
8 locals recommend
Palizzata
298 Wall StTerrific food, takeaway available starting midweek. Cute Italian specialty market too, attached to the resto.
The food here is pretty good/casual--nice for midweek takeaway as well.
18 locals recommend
Front Street Tavern
63 N Front StThe food here is pretty good/casual--nice for midweek takeaway as well.
Brunette
33 BroadwayThis is a nice wine bar with small plates in the Rondout district.
Le Canard Enchaine
276 Fair StI haven't been here yet, but it's been recommended by friends!
This is a wonderful little restaurant that's off the beaten path! A special occasion option.
7 locals recommend
The Tasting Room Resturant Rhinebeck New York
3767 New York 9GThis is a wonderful little restaurant that's off the beaten path! A special occasion option.
Tinker Taco Lab
54 Tinker StA Woodstock favorite
Early Terrible
45 Mill Hill RdNice bar in Woodstock (indoor/outdoor)
Lovely hotel/resort with a terrific indoor restaurant and outdoor bar (with bar menu). Reservations necessary.
42 locals recommend
Hasbrouck House
3805 Main StLovely hotel/resort with a terrific indoor restaurant and outdoor bar (with bar menu). Reservations necessary.
This is great for sitting outdoors around a fire pit with a beer! Perfect for groups. It's outside of the town of Woodstock.
265 locals recommend
Woodstock Brewing
5581 NY-28This is great for sitting outdoors around a fire pit with a beer! Perfect for groups. It's outside of the town of Woodstock.
I haven't been here yet, but it's a local favorite! It's located in midtown Kingston. Indoor and outdoor seating.
33 locals recommend
Lis Bar
240 Foxhall AveI haven't been here yet, but it's a local favorite! It's located in midtown Kingston. Indoor and outdoor seating.
I love this place for breakfast or lunch! it's fantastic, and they're expanding. I believe it's Australian-owned, though I'm not sure--but they do sell a nice flat white. It's a 5 min drive from the apartment.
62 locals recommend
Village Coffee and Goods
17 Railroad AveI love this place for breakfast or lunch! it's fantastic, and they're expanding. I believe it's Australian-owned, though I'm not sure--but they do sell a nice flat white. It's a 5 min drive from the apartment.
Fun local brewery in midtown with outdoor seating and food options!
49 locals recommend
Kingston Standard Brewing Co.
22 Jansen AveFun local brewery in midtown with outdoor seating and food options!
Delicious sandwiches! Order ahead, or you might be waiting for 20 min.
33 locals recommend
Lunch Nightly
636 BroadwayDelicious sandwiches! Order ahead, or you might be waiting for 20 min.
Gaskins
2 Church AveFantastic, higher-end restaurant in Germantown.
Very popular for brunch among tourists from NYC! Delicious food. Occasional celebrity sightings. =)
597 locals recommend
Phoenicia Diner
5681 NY-28Very popular for brunch among tourists from NYC! Delicious food. Occasional celebrity sightings. =)
Peekamoose
8373 NY-28A favorite! My friends and I have been coming here for years.
Decent tacos. Pretty tasty, but if you're a taco connoisseur, this probably isn't for you. (Sadly the Mexican food in the area is somewhat lacking.)
65 locals recommend
Diego's Taqueria
38 John StDecent tacos. Pretty tasty, but if you're a taco connoisseur, this probably isn't for you. (Sadly the Mexican food in the area is somewhat lacking.)
Fancy bakery (think: macarons) that also sells some really nice ceramics and other small home decor items.
15 locals recommend
Sweet Maresa’s
291 Wall StFancy bakery (think: macarons) that also sells some really nice ceramics and other small home decor items.
Shopping
This is a lovely bookstore + coffee shop + bar. They often have outdoor seating available.
144 locals recommend
Rough Draft Bar & Books
82 John StThis is a lovely bookstore + coffee shop + bar. They often have outdoor seating available.
My favorite shop in the area--terrific for gifts and locally made home goods. It's located in the Rondout district.
58 locals recommend
Clove & Creek
73 BroadwayMy favorite shop in the area--terrific for gifts and locally made home goods. It's located in the Rondout district.
This antique/estate warehouse is an absolute maze! You can find real treasures here--it's four floors of anything home-related you can think of. Lots of junk but lots of gems too. (Are you looking for an original stained glass window? Go here!) Open Thurs-Sat, I think. It's really fun to stroll around in here, but beware of safety hazards. (It would be easy to trip on something sharp!)
27 locals recommend
Zaborski Emporium
27 Hoffman StThis antique/estate warehouse is an absolute maze! You can find real treasures here--it's four floors of anything home-related you can think of. Lots of junk but lots of gems too. (Are you looking for an original stained glass window? Go here!) Open Thurs-Sat, I think. It's really fun to stroll around in here, but beware of safety hazards. (It would be easy to trip on something sharp!)
bluecashew Kitchen Homestead
37 N Front StLove this home store. Lots of great stuff here!
By far the most expensive/high-end boutique in the neighborhood, but beautiful.
6 locals recommend
River Mint Finery
270 Fair StBy far the most expensive/high-end boutique in the neighborhood, but beautiful.
LOVE this place!!! Some great treasures on the first floor. High-end antique purveyors on the second.
36 locals recommend
Kingston Consignments
66 N Front StLOVE this place!!! Some great treasures on the first floor. High-end antique purveyors on the second.
Sightseeing
There are many wonderful trails within 10 minutes' drive of my apartment. This is a favorite walking trail--easy, scenic, no hiking involved.
141 locals recommend
Ashokan Rail Trail- Woodstock Dike Trailhead
1285 NY-28There are many wonderful trails within 10 minutes' drive of my apartment. This is a favorite walking trail--easy, scenic, no hiking involved.
Opus 40
356 George Sickle RdSculpture park! I haven't been, but it's supposed to be great!
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Peekamoose Roadswimming hole
This is a lovely park right in my backyard (behind the parking lot)! Apparently this is the smallest national park in the U.S.
15 locals recommend
Friends Of The Senate House
296 Fair StThis is a lovely park right in my backyard (behind the parking lot)! Apparently this is the smallest national park in the U.S.
This is an incredible church that dates back to the 17th century--it's one of the oldest active churches in the country! If you like wandering old cemeteries, you'll love it.
33 locals recommend
Old Dutch Church
272 Wall StThis is an incredible church that dates back to the 17th century--it's one of the oldest active churches in the country! If you like wandering old cemeteries, you'll love it.
Hudson River Maritime Museum
50 Rondout LandingI have not been here yet, but it seems cool!
Practical Needs
Target
1300 Ulster AveHannaford Supermarket
295 NY-375Walgreens
316 BroadwayBed Bath & Beyond
1187 Ulster AveHerzog's Home Center of Kingston
151 Plaza RdWoodstock Meats
57 Mill Hill RdMy go-to for high-quality meats in the area (for cooking).
A high-end grocery store, similar to Union Market in NYC or Whole Foods (but smaller than Whole Foods). Located in Woodstock.
202 locals recommend
Sunflower Natural Foods Market
75 Mill Hill RdA high-end grocery store, similar to Union Market in NYC or Whole Foods (but smaller than Whole Foods). Located in Woodstock.
An offshoot of Village Coffee, this market just opened. It offers fresh produces, cheeses, and specialty items as well as coffee and sandwiches. Conveniently located next to Kingston Standard (brewery). =)
22 locals recommend
Village Grocery and Refillery
2 Jansen AveAn offshoot of Village Coffee, this market just opened. It offers fresh produces, cheeses, and specialty items as well as coffee and sandwiches. Conveniently located next to Kingston Standard (brewery). =)
Local wine shop, located 3 minutes (by foot) from my apartment
21 locals recommend
Ester Wine and Spirits
34 N Front StLocal wine shop, located 3 minutes (by foot) from my apartment
Kingston Farmers Market
285 Wall StEvery Saturday!
City/town information
Full of cafes and high-end shops, this town is very popular among tourists. Located about 45 min north of Kingston.
442 locals recommend
Hudson
Full of cafes and high-end shops, this town is very popular among tourists. Located about 45 min north of Kingston.
Rhinebeck
Great town, a must-see. Lots of food and shopping options here.
This area is known for its gorgeous, historical stone houses. One of my favorite bars/restaurants in the area is located here. (See: Hasbrouck House.) However, this isn't much of a walking town! I wouldn't suggest stopping here unless you'd like to see some beautiful homes and stop at Hasbrouck House for a bite to eat. (Though I haven't explored it in its totality.)
42 locals recommend
Stone Ridge
This area is known for its gorgeous, historical stone houses. One of my favorite bars/restaurants in the area is located here. (See: Hasbrouck House.) However, this isn't much of a walking town! I wouldn't suggest stopping here unless you'd like to see some beautiful homes and stop at Hasbrouck House for a bite to eat. (Though I haven't explored it in its totality.)
Saugerties
Another cute, walkable town--located about 20 min from Kingston.
City advice
What to pack
stock up on drugstore necessities/groceries
There is a Hannaford and a Walgreens, both within 5 minutes of my apartment by car--but there is nowhere to buy cooking basics or things like toilet paper that you can get to on foot. (Technically you could walk to Kingston Plaza for the Walgreens and Hannaford, but I wouldn't recommend it.) I will of course provide necessities to get you started; but sometimes it can be a pain to realize you need to drive to the store for items you run out of. (This might just be from my Brooklyn-centric perspective, though!)