Activities for Kids

We'll start off by acknowledging 2 websites that focus on children's activities in and around Saugerties:

Macaroni Kid - they keep a calendar of events that is focused on kids. So if you're in Saugerties for a weekend and want a quick check on whether there's something of interest going on for your young ones, give it a try.
The Saugerties Public Library Calendar page always seems to have a few interesting items for kids .... of course, mostly focused on events right at the library. Conveniently located in the Village (91 Washington Avenue).

In general, some "must see's" for kids in our area are our beautiful Cantine Field complex, where there is a baseball field (Lorenz Field, next to the main Washington Avenue entrance) that rivals professional baseball fields, in terms of how well it's kept up. The Cantine crew does a great job on the other baseball and softball fields as well. Cantine Field and the adjacent Lions Club Playground on Washington Avenue also have swings, sliding boards, a small merry-go-round, basketball courts and other types of activities for kids. The Lions Club Playground (right along Washington Avenue, across the entrance road to the main ballfield) also has a kiddie pool that is open Monday through Saturday, from July 1 to September 1 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). There are tennis courts and pickleball courts in the Cantine Field area as well. Further up Washington Avenue (actually across from the HITS complex) is the Kiwanis Ice Arena and a bit further there's a skateboarding area. Next door to the skateboard park is a business called "Puttin' Plus" . . . with miniature golf, laser tag, batting cages and go-karts.

For movie entertainment, there's the Orpheum Theater, a vaudeville-era theater that has been divided into 3 movie theaters. Usually there is something playing that would be entertaining for children up through their teenage years.

The theater is owned by regional cinema non-profit Upstate Films, and in addition to showing great films, they hold events every week, often on the weekend.

If you appreciate a good movie with an immersive sound system, you'll be glad to know that the Upstate Films owners of the Orpheum invested in the renovation of a screening room, called THE MARK, in honor of a Saugerties legendary, generous businessman named Mark Braunstein. In addition to a beautiful decor make-over, the room has been fitted out by experts with a Dolby Atmos sound system designed to fully immerse audiences taking in a movie in that room.

See Orpheum Theater for information about the theater itself.

This Upstate Films-Saugerties page lists what's playing now and in the near future, at the Orpheum.

Seamon Park offers great views of the Catskills and while it peaks during the Fall, with its thousands and thousands of Mums, and beautiful and antique fountains, rolling hills and beautiful views (it is the most-often used location for outdoor wedding pictures in Saugerties) . . . it's an impressive place to visit any time of the year.

See the Seamon Park page for more info.

The Seamon Park image on the right is from Trip Advisor.

The beautifully updated Saugerties Public Library is very active in terms of community events, including events for children. An example is shown on the left, of an art and craft class that was held at the library on a Monday afternoon in November, 2022.

Examples of regular sessions (which do have sign-ups and -- warning -- can run up against sign-up limits) are Dungeons and Dragons (grades 7-12), Storytime sessions (one is for children 1 to 3 years old and another is for children 3 to 6 years old) and a teen club (13+)

For a full list events at the Saugerties Public Library, please visit the Saugerties Public Library calendar page.

Puttin' Plus (Washington Avenue) has go-karts, batting cages, mini-golf and laser tag.

For history buffs, be sure not to miss the Historic Kiersted House, on Main Street. See Historical Society for more information. And the local American Legion (Post 72) has a museum with over 300 artifacts ranging from the French and Indian War to modern times.

Owls - Anita Barbour Art Corner at the Saugerties Farmers Market There's always something for children at the Saugerties Farmers Market. From June through October, along with the fresh food offered by the market every Saturday, there is also a fun Art Corner, by area artist Anita Barbour. Art Corner offers children the opportunity to expand their arts and crafts skills. On the right is an example of some artistic versions of Rocky the saw-whet owl, who was rescued from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and set free in Saugerties. (Rocky was the inspiration for the 2022 Saugerties summer street art exhibit. The 2025 street art name is "Barkin' Around Saugerties" and of course it will be dog artwork that our artists will be decorating.

To find out what's happening this week at the Saturday farmers market, visit the Saugerties Farmers Market website.

Kids Out in Nature

For more nature-oriented activities, you can consider the following:

The Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, a 156-acre preserve right on the Esopus Creek that winds through Saugerties. You can find out more about the preserve and its very easy-walking trail at Esopus Creek Conservancy Web Site.
In general, a nice activity (for you and for the kids) is a good, scenic HIKE! Knowing this, we've put together a great resource for you ... a guide to the many opportunities for hiking in Saugerties and around its neighboring towns and mountains. Click here to learn more.
Another nice choice ...bordering right on the Hudson River, is the Falling Waters Preserve. Three miles of not-too-challenging trails will connect you to streams, meadows, wetlands, a hardwood forest, dramatic waterfalls and more than a mile of Hudson Riverfront.
The Saugerties Lighthouse (built in 1869) . . . there's a nice walking path out to the lighthouse (from where you park on Lighthouse Drive it takes all of 15 minutes to get to the lighthouse). The Lighthouse itself is impressive, and there's space for a picnic if you're so inclined. Visit the Saugerties Lighthouse Web Site for more information.

Saugerties is home to the Arm-of-the-Sea puppet theater group. Their website describes them as a group that "fuses visual storytelling with live music, in contemporary works of mask and puppet theater. Founded in 1982 by Marlena and Patrick Wadden, the company channels the evocative power of the arts as a force for insight and community uplift. Their low-tech devices of theatrical enchantment illuminate relations between humans and life-support networks of (our) planet".

In 2023, the group began holding a Wednesday summer series called Waterfront Wednesdays. We'll see if those carry on into 2024, when their schedule comes out. There are hands-on art projects, river ecology education, local history and Arm-of-the-Sea Theater live performances. Family friendly. Community mending. Admission by donation.

For more information, visit their Arm-of-the-Sea website.
Young and old always enjoy the opportunity to share moments with animals. Saugerties is fortunate to be the locale for the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, a 150-acre refuge for 11 species of farmed animals rescued from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. The Sanctuary offers tours, but it is important to note that they must be contacted in advance and any tours must be arranged/scheduled.
Opus 40 . . . an unbelievably impressive bluestone sculpture by sculptor Harvey Fite, that you can walk on . . . see the Opus 40 Web Site for more info.

Youth Organizations:

Summer Day Camp

For over 50 years (!) Saugerties has been running a Summer Day Camp, for children. Generally, it runs from shortly after the July 4th celebration, to mid-August. For more information and forms for signing up, visit the Summer Recreation Page.

Sports Enthusiasts (for winter sports, see next heading)

Hiking. Many great family days have involved a good hike, and Saugerties is a great place from which to plan and carry out your family hiking jaunts. There are very easy trails (e.g. the Saugerties Lighthouse Trail) and there are trails that can challenge more experienced hikers. See our "Hiking" page for more information.

Also, be aware that there is a website called Saugerties Macaroni Kid, that has a good list of trails that children will enjoy.

Skateboarding. As of November, 2009, the Skate Park Committee can proudly say that all their hard work has been rewarded . . . and the Town of Saugerties Skate Park (next to the Kiwanis Ice Arena and across from HITS, on Washington Avenue Extension) is a reality. Skateboarders are already making good use of it. Visit the Town of Saugerties Skate Park page for a description, some photos, and the list of rules. In 2022, the Skate Park has been given a facelift, and so is even more of a destination for area skateboarders than ever before.

Golf. There is an executive (9-hole, par 30) course in neighboring Kingston, called Alapaha Golf Center ... and another Kingston course (9-hole, par 36) that's wide open ... called Green Acres Golf Course.

Or just a little north of Saugerties, there is the Rip Van Winkle Country Club (9-hole Donald Ross Design).

For a more exhaustive list of area courses, visit Ulster County Golf Courses.

Little League. The Saugerties Little League was established in 1951. The teams play in New York District 15 of Section 3. The league is comprised of over 675 baseball and softball players ages 5-16 and is proud to host the only Challenger program in the Hudson Valley.

For more information about Saugerties Little League, visit the Saugerties Little League website or the Saugerties Little League Facebook page.

Soccer. Saugerties has a very active AYSO Soccer chapter, with a good number of teams and an involved community, including participation of Saugerties parents as AYSO board member and an involved business community, sponsoring teams.

Saugerties AYSO runs Fall and Spring seasons. Most all of the games are played in one convenient location at our beautiful soccer complex located at the north end of Cantine Veterans Memorial Complex. Click here for the field map.

See the Saugerties AYSO website for more information.

Wrestling. For any children interested in learning the sport of wrestling, wrestlers and prospective wrestlers of all ages are welcome to regular wresting get-togethers. They take place every Wednesday and Friday in a room located on the backside of the Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties (5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

Swimming/Camping/Fishing. In summer, there are great swimming opportunities available right in Saugerties, at the Saugerties Village Beach and at the Lions Club Wading (Kiddie) Pool (Washington Avenue, near the Cantine Field entrance, and next to the Lions Club Playground.

The beach is open with lifeguards from July 1st to late August for swimming at the beach. Lifeguard hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (7 days/week). Bring along a blanket and you can swim on a sandy beach that borders the beautiful Esopus Bend Nature Preserve property. There is also a kayak/boat launch available (see "Kayaking" below for more info). (Photo on left by Nancy Campbell.)

As mentioned above, there is a Lions Club Wading (Kiddie) Pool at Cantine Field (also July 1 to late August). It is free, and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lifeguards, Monday through Saturday (closed Sundays). The kiddie pool is located between the basketball courts and the Lions Club Playground, near the Cantine Field Washington Avenue entrance.

For camping, you can visit the Rip Van Winkle Campground. Or for more of a "glamping" (glamorous camping) experience, you can try the AutoCamp Catskills location here in Saugerties. And the fishing in the Esopus Creek and the Hudson River is top-notch as well.

Within a short drive, there are other swimming/camping/fishing possibilities as well . . . good examples are North Lake and South Lake Campground beyond Palenville (another neighboring town).

Kayaking/Canoeing. (photo on left by Doug Freese) Even casual kayakers are finding out what local kayak and canoe enthusiasts have been aware of for years . . . Saugerties has great accommodations for kayakers/canoers ... at 2 Village locations on the Esopus Creek (Saugerties Village Beach (upper Esopus) and Tina Chorvas Park (lower Esopus)) and at 2 locations set right on the Hudson River (Glasco Mini Park and the Malden Riverfront Park, ). See Saugerties Kayak/Canoeing page for more information, including a map on how to get to the launch sites.

Bicycling. Some enterprising volunteers (Mike Harkavy, the late Gil Hales, Joy Moore and Barbara Bravo) put together a nice bicycling map brochure that shows 3 different bicycling routes that have been identified on Village, Town and County streets that run through Saugerties. Note that there are some areas where care has to be taken, based on traffic patterns, and as always, be sure to wear a helmet. If you want to get a jump on things, and print out the bicycle maps before you get to Saugerties, you can find them on the Saugerties Bike Routes Page.

Equestrian. Like horses? You won't see any more impressive horses or horse riding than you can see at the Horse-Shows-in-the-Sun (HITS) Inc. complex, off Washington Avenue.

The horse-show season in Saugerties typically runs from the last week in May to the last week in September. Visit the "Horse Shows by HITS" page on this website for more info, or the HITS-Saugerties page for much more info and specific dates.

The events are fun to watch, there are food vendors onsite, or you can bring along your own refreshment. And other than the end-of-the-season championships, admission is typically free.

The events include timed equestrian jumping (as you might see in summer Olympic Games), as well as Hunter Derbies. Most hunter derbies are run as a two-round competitions. Both rounds typically include natural fences reminiscent of the hunt field in a fox hunt. Examples of such fences are stone walls, logs, brush jumps, white board fences, post-and-rail jumps, gates, coops, banks and ditches.

Winter Sports

Ice Skating/Hockey. (Winter season.) Saugerties is thankful to their Kiwanis Club, for a great Ice Arena located on Washington Avenue. See Kiwanis Ice Arena for more information about skating schedules, etc.

And for information about the Saugerties Youth Hockey Association, visit their website.

Sleigh Riding. There are a number of places to ride on sleds. One of the most popular is what has traditionally been known as "Snyders Farm Hill", off Route 212, on the right-hand side of the road, within 500 yards of the point at which 212 meets Route 32. Be careful that your car is parked well off the road, if you park on the shoulder of Route 212, as it is a busy State highway.

Skiing/Snowboarding. The Catskills offer some great skiing and snowboarding trails, and Saugerties makes a nice, close, warm and comfy base station to visit any of the following nearby ski resorts:

Basketball. When folks in Saugerties think about kids playing basketball, they think Donlon Auditorium. The Saugerties Athletic Association (SAA) runs these leagues and the practices and games all take place at Donlon Auditorium.
3 leagues are run there:

A 5-8 "Pre-Biddy" League, run by Mike Tiano (Pre-Biddies shown in picture on the left)
A 9-12 year-old "Biddy" League, run by John Parisio
A 13-15 year-old "Junior" League, run by Greg Decelle

In general, registration for these leagues runs from early November to early December. The practices for these teams/leagues start in December and the games begin in January and run into March.

So to register a child in one of these leagues, sometime in November, you should visit the SAA website and they will have all the information you need.

Above and beyond the formal leagues run at Donlon Auditorium, the auditorium can be reserved for use by contacting the Village Clerk (845-246-2321, extension 1). Rental is $25 per hour. For the rules of conduct for anyone using Donlon Auditorium click DONLON AUDITORIUM RULES.

Other Places to See Within a Short Drive

As far as items of interest that are a short drive away:

Woodstock is a neighboring town and it's the origin of the concept behind the first Woodstock festival (although not the location). It's interesting to note that none of the 3 Woodstock festivals were held in Woodstock ... the 1st Woodstock festival was held in 1969 in Bethel, NY, the 2nd Woodstock festival (25th anniversary) was held in Saugerties in 1994 and the 3rd Woodstock festival (30th anniversary) was held in 1999 in Rome NY.

Woodstock has unique/fun shops, great restaurants, and is on many people's lists of places to visit.
The world's largest kaleidoscope is located on Route 28 in Phoenicia.
Kingston, NY is the home of preserved, historical buildings from Colonial times. Kingston was the original capital of New York and was burned down during the Revolutionary War.
There is tubing on the Esopus Creek in Phoenicia (40-minute drive from Saugerties). For rentals, Google "Tubing Esopus Creek".
Throughout the Catskills, there are trails, trails, trails . . . if your family is into hiking. We've put together a "Hiking" page just for visitors to Saugerties. Also, you can find trails by using Google search (e.g. "Catskill Mountains trails"). One example of a good trails page is this Catskill Mountaineer site.
And if you want to take a breath-taking walk on the world's largest pedestrian bridge . . . within a 50-minute drive, you can be at the Walkway Over the Hudson, a New York State Park where you can "walk on air" between the Ulster County hamlet of Highland and the Dutchess County city of Poughkeepsie. There's nothing greener than a healthy walk across a river!
During the summer, Hunter Mountain has a zip line ride that is not to be missed. During the winter, their website does not have information about the zip line. But in the summer, you should be able to visit https://www.huntermtn.com and search on "zip line".

And the above is what I could think of off the top of my head in a spare hour or so that I had one day. In general, you can browse through our Village Web site and perhaps find some other events (see the calendar) and/or attractions that might interest your family.

Best of luck and we hope you enjoy living in Saugerties (or your visit to friendly, historic Saugerties)!