The Catskills town that has it all

A couple of weeks ago, The WeekEnder went glamping in the Adirondacks. We loved it so much we’re going glamping again—this time, at an Airstream hotel in the Catskills. In Saugerties, New York, to be exact.

Why Saugerties? It’s one of the most central spots in the Catskills, set between the banks of the Hudson River and the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. The artsy town of Woodstock is just a 15-minute drive. Not far away are some other WeekEnder favorites, including the historic city of Kingston (20 minutes south), the village of Rhinebeck (20 minutes southeast), the antique Mecca of Hudson (30 minutes northeast), and the ski town of Hunter (30 minutes northwest). And Saugerties itself has more than enough to keep you busy for a weekend, with art galleries, antique stores, vintage clothing boutiques, and farm-to-table restaurants.

That’s exactly why AutoCamp founder Neil Dipaola chose Saugerties as the latest location for his high-end glamping concept that includes converted Airstreams and modernist cabins. “The Catskills are iconic. For 100 years, people have escaped the city for the respite of the mountains,” says Neil. “And we love that it’s a community of makers and outdoor-connected people. There’s a lot going on: skiing in the winter, dozens of waterfalls within a 15-minute drive, and tons of artists working out of studios and barns.”

Dallas Gilpin is another entrepreneur who is putting her mark on Saugerties with her company, Shale Hill Hospitality. She spent 13 years on Wall Street before moving here fulltime and taking over The Dutch, a cozy pub that she transformed with a farm-to-table approach, plus Windmill Wine and Spirits, which specializes in small-batch producers. Now, she has partnered with James Beard-nominated chef Dan Silverman to open new food concepts in the area, including Millstream Tavern in nearby Woodstock.

What Dallas loves about Saugerties: “We are in a unique spot—nestled two hours from New York City with a bounty of produce and meat and breweries and vineyards,” says Dallas. “Plus there’s so much amazing talent. We have new art galleries. We have jewelry makers. And it’s growing beautifully and gracefully and it’s very diverse in a way that it wasn’t when I moved here 10 years ago.”

So let’s head to Saugerties for the weekend and enjoy the bounty that this area has to offer.

-Laura Begley Bloom, New York's Senior WeekEnder Writer

Hidden away in 37 acres of forest between Saugerties and Woodstock, AutoCamp Catskills is for glampers with an emphasis on the glam. The property has 65 tricked-out Airstreams, 10 cabins, and 10 “basecamps” (an Airstream plus a luxury tent). At the center of it all is a modern Clubhouse where guests gather for locally brewed coffee and craft cocktails, cornhole matches, and evening bonfires. As if that weren’t enough, there’s an in-house fleet of free bikes for exploring, along with a long list of immersive activities both on and off-site, from forest bathing to yoga to foraging.

For oasis-seekers: The Villa at Saugerties - With its vaulted ceilings, French wood floors, and exquisite gardens, this luxurious country retreat offers a taste of the Mediterranean in the Hudson Valley. “​​It’s such a hidden gem,” says Dallas Gilpin. “What the owners have done to the property is just phenomenal.”

For history buffs: The Saugerties Lighthouse - Take a page out of history and stay in a landmark lighthouse from 1869 set right on the Hudson River. The property is only accessible by boat or a half-mile walking trail.

For sweethearts: Diamond Mills Hotel - Each of the 30 guest rooms at this boutique hotel has a private balcony and serene views overlooking the Esopus Creek waterfalls. Enjoy a meal at the Tavern, which has al fresco and fireside dining, an impressive wine list, and a menu featuring the region’s best meats, fish, and breads.

Restaurateur Dallas Gilpin was attracted to Saugerties due to all its natural resources. “It’s close to the earth,” says Dallas. “Going to a restaurant and knowing that I can have something that just came from a farm down the street is really special.”

Love Bites Café - While downtown, be sure to stop at this family-owned diner that’s known for its farm-to-table menu and decadent brunch specials like vanilla custard bread pudding French toast or lobster eggs Benedict.

Olsen & Co. - For breakfast sandwiches, local pasture-raised eggs, and coffee any-which-way, start your day at this tucked-away spot. You can also pick up provisions for an afternoon picnic.

Bluestone Roasting Co. - With coffee sourced from all over the world, milk from a local dairy supplier, and homemade baked goods, this coffee house aims to please. If you’re looking for something hearty, it also serves up delicious brunch and lunch menus.

Josie’s Coffee Shoppe - It’s more than a coffee shop: Josie’s was created to be a community gathering space with good food and good drinks. The wood floors, sun-soaked seating, lush plants, locally-sourced wood furniture, and cozy rugs make it a place you’ll want to linger.

ImmuneSchein Tea Haus and Shop - Boost your body’s immunity naturally and try the handcrafted ginger elixirs or choose from over 70 loose-leaf teas at this health-focused tea room.

Ohana Café - Hawaiian cuisine in the Catskills? Absolutely. Enjoy Aloha-style flavors at this friendly cafe that serves offbeat dishes like a savory crêpe filled with pulled pork, slaw, sprouts and pineapple or a poké bowl with coconut rice.

Mirabellas - This friendly pub has everything from tacos to burgers to pizza to sandwiches—with an excellent selection of craft beers. Grab a spot on the patio when the weather’s nice.

The Dutch - This restored tavern is a nod to Saugerties’ Dutch history, which dates back to the mid-17th century. It’s also the perfect cozy spot to try a flight of local craft beers or a specialty cocktail.

Pig Bar & Grill - You’ll find casual bar bites—jerk chicken kebabs, a pulled pork sandwich with whiskey BBQ sauce—a fun atmosphere, and live music.

Bina’s Café - Indian and Middle Eastern dishes are on the menu, and the service is quick and friendly.

Main Street Restaurant - If it’s Tex-Mex your taste buds are craving, make a bee line for this Southwestern grill that's got a killer happy hour seven days a week.

Miss Lucy’s Kitchen - The rustic-chic spot serves up homestyle cooking with locally sourced ingredients. We love the fried chicken sandwich, slathered in herbed aioli and topped with sharp cheddar cheese and hot cherry peppers.

The Kitchen at Salt and Fire - New to downtown Saugerties, this restaurant uses a traditional wood-fired oven to craft modern American cuisine to perfection. Don’t miss the rooftop bar for pre-dinner drinks.

Red Onion - Highly rated among Hudson Valley dining destinations, the Red Onion is set in a restored mid-19th century farmhouse on the outskirts of Saugerties. The welcoming, bistro-style atmosphere, the award-winning chef, and the hand-selected wine menu attract epicureans from all over.

The Partition Bar - Looking for a side of music with your cocktail? Head to this open-air bar with live performances and tasty bar bites, from flatbreads to burgers.

Catskill Mountain Moonshine - Grab a spot at the bar to sample the spirits distilled on-site (the friendly bartenders whip them up in flights or cocktails). Pair your drink with an order of chips topped with pork and cheese.

Krause’s Chocolate - For nearly a century—and through four generations—Krause’s has been putting a smile on people’s faces with its family recipes of made-daily sweets. Stop in to make your own custom chocolate box from a huge assortment of treats.

Alleyway Ice Cream - The small-batch, handmade offerings at this friendly little ice cream shop are a mix of the unconventional and the classic. Case in point: The current menu features flavors like Madagascar Vanilla, Thai Tea Cookies and Cream, Ube Heath Bar Crunch, and Buttermilk Strawberry.

Violet’s Bakery - A quality bakery that is the next best thing to a Parisian patisserie.

Sawyer Ice Cream Co. - This 1950s-themed ice cream establishment is set to open any day now and will serve all kinds of ice cream flavors, plus specialty treats like sundaes, banana splits, and shakes. Word on the street is that there will even be a custom root beer tap for ice cream floats.

The nature in this area is endless. Here are just a few of the highlights right in Saugerties.

Falling Water Preserve - If you don’t have time for a hike in the Catskills, get your nature fix at Falling Water Preserve. It has a meadow with fantastic views of the neighboring mountain range, picturesque waterfalls along the trail, and rock ledges that jut into the Hudson River.

Seamon Park - Cherry Blossoms in April, mums in the fall, winter wonderland decorations in December—no matter what time of year you visit, there’s much to enjoy at this serene park.

Saugerties Lighthouse - The restored, red-brick lighthouse, first erected in 1869, is reached via a half-mile nature trail. Tour the small museum and operational light tower, which has a panoramic view of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains. And see above: On the weekends it transforms into a B&B.

An owl named Rocky was rescued by the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center, and his tale of rehabilitation has become a local legend. You can see Rocky the Owl figures throughout town until an auction in September. If you don’t catch that display, here’s some other artwork to check out.

Opus 40 - Artist Harvey Fite spent 40 years crafting stonework sculptures amid the woods, grasslands, and mountains on the outskirts of Saugerties. This showcase of natural beauty has been dubbed “the Stonehenge of North America.” Opus 40 also hosts outdoor musical performances.

The Dutch Barn at Kiersted House - Experience Saugerties history at the Dutch Barn, which dates back to the 1760s. It’s often used as a wedding venue, but the Historical Society offers an array of community programming, like artist studio tours and musical performances.

Love Knot - Ze’ev Willy Neumann creates sculptures out of wood. His Love Knot project links Woodstock and Saugerties via identical sculptures, featuring a knot in the shape of a heart.

Orpheum Theater - Open since 1908, this not-for-profit cinema started out as a vaudeville theater and has famously hosted performances over the years by Gypsy Rose Lee, Cary Grant, and more. These days, it screens indie, foreign, and classic films.

There’s plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained in Saugerties.

Puttin Plus - It’s not just putt-putt: Besides the beloved classic, families can enjoy water tag, go-karts, arcade games, and batting cages.

HITS - Got a horse-lover in the family? The HITS Saugerties Series is a nine-week stretch of hunter/jumper horse shows and dressage shows throughout the summer—with the Catskills providing a sweeping backdrop for the events.

Saugerties Stallions - Root for the home team at a Saugerties Stallions baseball game. The team is part of a collegiate summer baseball league and competes against other New York-based teams.

When it comes to the Saugerties retail scene, it’s all about one-of-kind boutiques and craftsmanship from local artisans.

Pop Vintage Antiques - On the hunt for a retro souvenir? This is the place for clothing, art, and jewelry from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Green - A beautiful collection of mid-century furniture and housewares, fine art, and unique gifts.

Inquiring Minds Bookstore & Cafe - An independent, locally-owned bookstore where you can settle into a big leather chair and relax with a book and a good cup of coffee.

Bosco’s Mercantile - Ethically and sustainably made bedding and home goods, from organic linens to vintage indigo-dyed pillows to tabletop ceramics.

Capsule Collection Boutique - A thoughtfully curated selection of on-trend women’s fashion pieces at great prices.

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