Region
Ulster County
Base in Kingston or New Paltz with a car; a bus-only trip covers one town, not the county.
Key facts · United States
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Currency
- US dollar (USD, $)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- A · B · 120 V
- Time zone
- Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Ulster County runs from the Hudson River west into the Catskill foothills: Kingston and Saugerties on the river, New Paltz under the Shawangunk ridge, Woodstock and the mountain towns inland. Sights sit 20–50 minutes apart with thin bus coverage, so a car turns three days into a full trip; without one, pick a single walkable town and stay there.
Sleep
Which bed, for how many nights, and what to do from it
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- KingstonCity guide
Stockade district, riverfront, Saturday farmers market; best all-round base.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND - New PaltzPlanned
Walkable college village; closest base to the Gunks and Minnewaska.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Day trip
- WoodstockPlanned
Green, shops and live music; 20 min from Kingston by car.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- SaugertiesPlanned
Village, lighthouse and the Garlic Festival each fall.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- KerhonksonCity guide
Rural base for Minnewaska's west side and Mohonk Preserve.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND - EllenvilleCity guide
Southern gateway to the Shawangunks; bus from New York City.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND - MarlboroughPlanned
River town with old vineyards and orchards.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Kingston 2 nights; one day for New Paltz and the Gunks
- 3 nights
- Kingston 2 + New Paltz 1; add Woodstock or Saugerties as a half-day
- Deer on rural roads at dusk and after dark; wet and snowy roads in winter.
- Cell signal is spotty west of the Thruway and inside Catskill Park — download maps before you drive.
- Summer burn bans and storm closures can shut trails; check park status before setting out.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Paltz | Kingston | 30 min | check | Drive or limited bus; trailheads fill by mid-morning on weekends. |
| Woodstock | Kingston | 25 min | check | Evening music possible; check the last bus if you are not driving. |
| Saugerties | Kingston | 25 min | check | Pair with the lighthouse and a river walk. |
| Ellenville | Kingston | 50 min | check | Long drive for a day; better as an overnight if you hike. |
Bags between cities
No rail line enters the county; the UCAT bus from Poughkeepsie station is timed to specific Metro-North trains and carries bicycles. With a car, I-87 exits 18 (New Paltz) and 19 (Kingston) are the usual entry points.
When and how
Months, arrival and passes
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingston | × | × | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok |
| Kerhonkson | × | × | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok |
| Ellenville | × | × | ok | ok | go | go | × | × | go | go | ok | ok |
| United States (country-wide) | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson Valley and Catskill foothillsKingston, New Paltz, Saugerties, Woodstock | cold | cold | ok | best | best | ok | hot | hot | best | best | ok | cold |
- Hudson Valley and Catskill foothills
- Four seasons: snowy winters, humid summers; heavy snow from nor'easters, occasional Alberta clippers. Fall colour peaks in October.
Summer weekends and October fill lodgings first; book ahead for those dates.
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City (Port Authority) | New Paltz / Kingston | Trailways bus | ~1 h 40–2 h | Several trips daily; you still need local transport at the far end. |
| New York City | Ellenville / Kerhonkson | Shortline–Coach USA bus | ~2 h+ | About three trips daily; ground transport needed once inside the county. |
| Poughkeepsie (Metro-North / Amtrak) | Rosendale / New Paltz / Highland | UCAT bus across the river | ~40–60 min | No rail into the county; the bus is timed to specific Metro-North trains. Bicycles carried. |
| Stewart International Airport (SWF) | Kingston | Car or taxi | ~50 min | Closest airport; limited airlines. A UCAT connection may exist — check. |
| New York City airports (JFK / LGA / EWR) | Ulster County | Car, or livery car | ~2–2.5 h | Rental cars available at all three; traffic on I-87 peaks Friday evening and Sunday. |
Eat and move on
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Orchard fruit and cider | Marlborough, New Paltz, roadside stands | Pick-your-own in fall; Esopus Spitzenberg and Jonathan apples started here. |
| Farmers market produce | Kingston, Wall Street | Saturdays 10:00–14:00, late May to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.Saturdays 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, late May to the Saturday before Thanksgiving. |
| Wineries, cider houses and breweries | County-wide, notably Marlborough | Benmarl has grown grapes since at least 1878; tasting rooms often close early — check hours. |
| Latin American and Caribbean food | Kingston and the larger towns | Long-standing Jamaican and Latin American communities; portions are generous. |
Go next
Catskills
plannedWest on NY-28
The rest of the mountain region; pair with Ulster for a longer loop.
Delaware County, New York
NY-28 west, ~1 h+
Quieter rivers and reservoirs.
Greene County
plannedI-87 north, ~40 min to the county line
Northern Catskills and ski country.
Orange County
plannedI-87 south, ~30–40 min
Newburgh, Storm King and Stewart airport.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source