Hudson River Maritime Museum
Hudson River Maritime Museum
Hudson River Maritime Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
Tour Hudson River Lighthouses aboard SOLARIS- Our 100% Solar Powered Tour Boat! Take a sailing lesson at our Sailing School. Take a class our Wooden Boat School.Check out our variety of beautiful spaces for events that include boat tours. 2022 Exhibits - "A New Age of Sail: The History and Future of Sail Freight on the Hudson River": examines the long history of sailing cargo vessels on the Hudson River, from the 17th century until their decline in the mid-20th century, and how the lessons of that era might help us combat the challenges of climate change in the 21st century. "Warning Signs: Climate Change in the Hudson Valley" Exhibit This new permanent exhibit at the Hudson River Maritime Museum examines the science and history behind climate change and how it has affected and will continue to affect the Hudson River Valley. "Rescuing the River: 50 Years of Environmental Activism on the Hudson" Tracing the roles of individuals and organizations in the environmental movement in NY.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
168 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
70
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
0
ordinarytraveller1
6 contributions
Aug 2022
We took a lighthouse tour on the Solaris that was so brilliant we booked another one! The first trip took us out to the Rondout Lighthouse. The boat trip itself was beautiful, and our guides were friendly, funny and knowledgeable about the river's history. Their love of the region & for the environment was palpable. Next, we went on an early morning birding tour with an expert who lent us his fancy specialist binoculars. We saw bald eagles, ospreys, cormorants, blue herons, and many more. Booking a tour on the Solaris means you get free entry to the spellbinding Museum, and we ended up spending the whole day. The boat tour changed what I thought about the river in general and lighthouse living in particular. I didn't realize that little slice of water had so much history, and such environmental significance. Frankly, I think the price is a real bargain, as you get hours of entertainment and a unique experience. Highly recommend.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much!!
Written October 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan M
Corpus Christi, TX232 contributions
Oct 2022
My daughter and I were on our way back home when we took a detour to Kingston. Since we are museum-goers, we headed to the Maritime Museum. My daughter noticed that the lighthouse tour was beginning shortly, so we signed up. What a wonderful two hours we had! We basically started with the lighthouse tour. Had a very pleasant boat ride out and loved the tour. Back at the museum we had a wonderful (and informative) time browsing in the museum which was larger than we thought. Definitely worth planning a visit here!
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jacqui F
London, UK213 contributions
Sep 2019
We visited this great museum because we read somewhere that they had a lighthouse tour and decided to sign up. If you arrive by car, there’s parking right outside, but you have to pay for it at a meter. Across the road there's some free parking. The lighthouse tour goes from a landing stage at the back of the museum. It’s worth visiting the museum restrooms before you set off, since there are no toilets en route. The trip out takes just a few minutes on a solar-powered boat. The lighthouse itself is fascinating and we were lucky enough to have an excellent docent tour guide show us around. The building has been left as it was when it was last occupied; so it's very atmospheric, if a little spidery. At the top of the building a small ladder leads up to the lantern, which now houses automated lights which are also solar-powered. The tour price ($25 for adults and $20 for kids) includes entry to the museum itself, and the exhibits give a comprehensive history of the Hudson and New York City; and Kingston’s place in the scheme of things.
Written March 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
So happy you enjoyed the day! Thanks for visiting!
Written July 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Diane C
3 contributions
Sep 2020
We spent yesterday afternoon at the Hudson River Maritime Museum -admission was included as part of the Fall Foliage boat tour aboard the Solaris that we had booked. The museum is a fascinating look at life along the river In bygone years right up to today’s ecological/environmental efforts in place. There are many artifacts that transpose one back in time. We then set sail on the solar powered boat for a trip down Rondout Creek where we saw several examples of the area’s insutry from tugboats in dry dock for repairs, a barge being towed out of the water on air pontoons, and an example of an old lock along the river. Captain John and crew-mate Tanya were very knowledgeable about the area and seemed happy to answer any of our questions in a fun and friendly manner. The ride was very smooth and quiet and the scenery was beautiful. There is plenty of room on the boat for social distancing and it was immaculate so no worries there.
Written September 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you!
Written December 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ChrisH
Frederick, MD454 contributions
Aug 2022
Two seniors visited this museum on a Sunday in late August and had a wonderful time. The museum is small but the exhibits are packed full of information if you like to read the details (which we do). We spent about four hours in the actual museum learning about the Erie Canal, the Hudson River history from Henry Hudson through to this century, the ships that used to tour the river and much more. We also took the Rondout Lighthouse tour for about 1 ¼ hours. This is the only way to actually tour the lighthouse as the museum has an agreement with the Coast Guard. We were able to see the entire inside of the lighthouse and climb to the top and walk around outside the lens housing. Never been able to do that before in any other lighthouse tour. Of course, the lighthouse is fully automated now but still in service. The town of Kingston looked very interesting also, as we walked about for a while after the museum closed. There is a small municipal parking lot across the street from the museum and metered street parking (free on Sundays). Many restaurants are available within walking distance. There is even the Trolley Museum of New York across the street that was giving trolley rides while we were there.
Written August 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much!
Written October 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nafiza
4 contributions
Jul 2022
Staff was super nice and answered our questions without hesitation. It's a smaller museum, doesn't need a lot of time to do a walk through so a good stop for an hour or two between other attractions. The exhibits are small but full of lots of info, a few interactive pieces here and there. I love history but not particularly in to maritime history, though my husband is, and even I found everything interesting and very well done. The boat/lighthouse tour wasn't an option for us considering my husband's wheelchair but another boat cruise option is only a few feet away so there's still options for that though it's not related to the maritime museum. Just nice to have that option there so close by. The museum also has a wonderful collection of models and miniatures of historic boats that we both loved and original pieces of historical vessels. Will def stop by again when we're back in the area!
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
M. Cleary
14 contributions
Nov 2020
We loved the Haunted History Solaris Boat Tour! We went 11/1/2020. Greg our guide was very sweet and told great spooky campy stories. It was very cold and rainy out and I didn't mind at all. We were offered blankets and hot tea to make us comfortable. We live locally and I have never been on the river at night. It was a great experience. Everyone wore masks, the Captain gave is a run down of their Covid protocols and I was very comfortable with it. It was great way to be outside during Covid. Dress warm and enjoy the super quiet solar boat on the water at night!
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for coming.... so happy to be able to get you all out on the water!
Written December 10, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
patriciay455
Baltimore, MD251 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Included with our tour of the lighthouse by solar boat, the Hudson Maritime museum was much more extensive and fascinating than I would have thought. We are not “water” people and have limited knowledge of maritime history. Despite that fact, the Museum was incredibly interesting. It really was well done. There was also good information about the Hudson River and it’s history including information about native populations
Written September 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much!
Written October 2, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Howard S
Albany, NY750 contributions
Feb 2020
Nice small museum dedicated to the Hudson River where you can learn about Henry Hudson and the role the river has played in American History. And appropriately so, it is right on the waterfront. They have steam boat models and whole ice sailing boats on exhibit. When we were there, there was the
Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Water/Ways which explores "the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality."
Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition Water/Ways which explores "the endless motion of the water cycle, water’s effect on landscape, settlement and migration, and its impact on culture and spirituality."
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you so much for visiting!
Written July 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tricia S
Schenectady, New York130 contributions
Aug 2022
There was a lot to see and do from this surprisingly little museum. Started out with a little history, native Americans, Henry Hudson etc. but quickly branched into the steamboat history, the Erie Canal, industrial archaeology in the Hudson Valley, the ecology, recreation like boating and fishing, the ice harvesting industry, and even stuff that is threatening the river nowadays like climate change and invasive species. There was even a great little gift shop and boat building workshop. Outside in the yard there was a big tugboat too. We took the boat ride out to the Rondout lighthouse, enjoying the views, the breezes, the sunshine and the tour of the lighthouse. Such fun!
Written August 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nana7320
72 contributions
Are you running tours this year to the Roudout Lighthouse? Love lighthouses and would like to get a schedule if you are running the tours. Will be in Kingston on Friday May 22. Thank you in advance for your time and information.
HRMM
Kingston, NY5 contributions
Picture
June Lighthouse Tours
JUNE 27-28. Join us for Rondout Lighthouse tours on Hudson River Day and a Two Lighthouse Tour with Rondout and Esopus Meadows Lighthouses and a boxed lunch. Book your Rondout Lighthouse tour and Two Lighthouse Tour today. Advanced tickets strongly recommended as seating is limited.
Hudson River Maritime Museum (Kingston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Hudson River Maritime Museum
- Hudson River Maritime Museum is open:
- Mon - Mon 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wed - Thu 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Fri - Sun 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Hudson River Maritime Museum:
- (0.29 mi) The Forsyth B&B
- (0.36 mi) Church des Artistes Guest House
- (0.37 mi) Church Des Artistes
- (0.40 mi) Bel's Inn Bed & Breakfast
- (3.29 mi) The Baker House Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Hudson River Maritime Museum:
- (0.11 mi) Savona's Trattoria
- (0.13 mi) Ship to Shore Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) Ole Savannah Southern Table & Bar
- (0.12 mi) Mariner's Harbor
- (0.11 mi) Golden Ginza