Escape Upstate | Saugerties, NY

What is it about New Yorkers? In a city with so much to offer, we all inevitably tend to follow the same trends, footsteps, ideas. The hottest town on everyone’s lips once the beaches close is Beacon. Beacon Beacon Beacon. Bacon. Beacon. How did this happen how did this town evolve into the top “upstate” destination for us city folk? Anchored by a world-class art museum, it’s easy to see the evolution and inevitable appeal. But for those of us who want to write our own upstate story, there are so many towns to discover and experiences to have and places to get to know. find your own beacon.

As I was planning a trip upstate, I saw a town called “saugerties” on the map, a name that seemed completely foreign to me. “What about this one?” I asked my travel partner. “saw-jee-air-twas” I said, with a slight accent, thinking honestly that it was some former European settlement. He laughed, “you mean sogerties?? Sure, looks nice.”

My initial fascination with the place fizzled with the loss of syllables. Saugerties? Oy, not so European. But there was a draw there, a charming little inn right in the center of town, that led me to believe this place had so much more to discover.

Saugerties is perfect for the art lover, the beer enthusiast, the antique collector, the urban nomad with an appreciation for small-town life, and the city-dweller that wants to decelerate. Located just one hour from Storm King, the expansive modern art sculpture garden, it’s the perfect town to settle down in after an afternoon of sculpture scavenger hunting. There are 20 breweries within a 50-mile radius of Saugerties, and the tiny town itself boasts home to 12 bars that specialize in local microbrews. For every Brooklynite who wants to have that apartment with super rad decor that doesn’t scream Ikea, Saugerties is a mecca of antique shops with amazing vintage finds for half the price that you get in the city. The way of life is predictably and perceptively much slower than Brooklyn, but the local charm, impressive restaurants, and not-so-quiet nightlife will satiate your desire for a little urban refuge outside the city. Read below for my top picks on where to stay, things to see, what to do while you’re in Saugerties.

Since the inception of Airbnb, accommodations have somewhat become destinations. And such was my initial draw to visit Saugerties, wanting to check out this charming, eclectic little inn. Owner Stephanie Hatzakos is a Brooklyn ex-pat who fell in love with the house and town and bought it as a project, a side

We were in the Athens room, which felt regal and timeless, peppered with vintage finds and had one of the most comfortable beds I’ve ever slept in. Stephanie is an ideal host, offering local knowledge and personal anecdotes while keeping a politely low profile. Steps away from the center of town and with a security code allowing you to enter and exit as desired, we felt like locals or at least temporary transplants. We felt pleasantly and eclectically right at home, and at around $150/night per room, we had absolutely no reservations about making a reservation and making our day trip into a full weekend. Follow her here to fall in love with this beautiful house, then book your stay here. The Bohemian Inn is located at 44 Partition St which is literally a five minute walk from everything in town.

Start your day at local favorite Delicioso, a Cuban-inspired cafe that serves breakfast all day. I opted for their signature Cuban sandwich and spicy deviled eggs. The cafe is colorful and simple, and the flavors speak for themselves.

Grab a coffee at the cafe tucked deep inside Inquiring Minds Books, right on the corner of Main and Partition. Sit and sip and play chess. Peruse new and used books and vinyl. Spend some time remembering and appreciating how good it feels to be in a bookstore.

A town that is known for its antiques, dedicate the afternoon to finding something old and new. My favorite spots were Saugerties Antique Center and the Newberry Antiques Co-Op both on Main, and Fed-On Lights on Market.

Take your loot back to the Bohemian Inn and then head to the historic Saugerties Lighthouse, a 5-minute drive or 15ish minute walk from town. This lighthouse is tucked away through a nature preserve, so you’re trekking a bit through the woods and marshy coastline. The massive lighthouse seemingly comes out of nowhere, a daunting brick structure protruding off the tip of a peninsula. We brought a full wine bota and sat back behind the house at some picnic tables, waving at the boats floating by. Which of course is the only way to do it.

Grab a pre-dinner beer at the Exchange Hotel bar. Right on the corner on Main Street, this dive bar is the best spot to experience the local flavor of the town. Talk to Donna, the owner of the hotel and bartender. Admire the Bevador, an antique rotating beer cooler of which only eleven exist in the world. ELEVEN. This thing looks like a time machine, literally. Like you get in it and close the door and beam yourself into another era. The beers, however, were quite fresh. Perhaps even future fresh. Have a few. Play a game of pool.

When searching for dinner spots, three were consistently recommended to us. Miss Lucy’s Kitchen, Rock Da Casbah, and The Red Onion.

Miss Lucy’s seems to be the favorite local eatery. Upscale down-home dining with a modern edge, go here for seasonal, market-fresh dishes in a charming, kitschy setting. Rock Da Casbah is the hip Italian spot on Main, keen on funky decor and bold flavors. Plenty of vegan menu items and amazing homemade pastas, plus they often have live music. It’s right on the corner of Market and Partition.

Inevitably we chose The Red Onion, for the utter consistency in reactions and recommendations from people in town. “If you want a memorable meal, to go the Red Onion, our innkeep Stephani

e told us with confidence. “Oh yeah of course, the best food in town. This is the place to if you are only here for one night. Without a doubt,” Donna at the Exchange told us.

The experience did not disappoint. A restaurant in an old farmhouse, the atmosphere was charming and historic. Fine dining in a low country setting. We had a bottle of the cab franc which offered a fresh and dynamic balance to the food. We split the oven-poached cod and Long Island duck breast, and each dish was perfectly balanced with seasonal flavors that spoke of the local farms and fields from they were sourced. Our experience at the red onion was not only unforgettable but also fresh, Localized. Impressive yet approachable.

After dinner we were admittedly thirsty for whiskey and a little bit of mischief. Because after all, you can take the bartender/writer out of Brooklyn, but you can’t take the … ok well you get it.

Nightlife doesn’t disappoint in Saugerties, especially for someone who was desperately seeking a reason to be in bed before 2.

Assuming we wouldn’t find many options considering the overall early hours of the sleepy town, what we found instead was a packed bar at Mirabella on Partition St. Everyone was nice to us and curious as to why we were there. Admittedly, we didn’t look like locals, but in a town that is rather starved for tourism with the exception of a massive horse festival once a year, they were happy to have us.

Next, we ducked into the Dutch Ale House and sampled a few beers from local breweries, including a Peekskill made by the expert hands of our new friend Ed who we met on the way up. The atmosphere was cozy and laid back with local art on the walls and a bartender that made is irises to come back. And soon.

Finally we headed back to our favorite local spot, the bar at the Exchange, where we were the liveliest ones there. At that point in the night we were a bit past keeping a low profile, and had a blast talking to everyone at the bar, laughing, and helping to clean out the Bevador. And doing a little bit of dancing.

If you’re seeking a quieter evening, check the film schedule at the Orpheum Theater, a historic little cinema on Main Street that features new, independent, and classic films. Or instead follow our rather meandering footsteps through the bar scene in Saugerties for a reasonably rowdy night filled with local color.

Saugerties is a town shrouded I history and local flavor. Seemingly untouched by us upstate seeking city folk, it’s the best place to decompress while taking in all of the charm and culture New York has beyond the city.