Read an Excerpt
Saugerties Lighthouse Trail
168 Lighthouse Dr., Saugarties, NY 12477; 845-247-0656; SaugertiesLighthouse.com
The family-friendly half-mile trail features a mixture of earth, sand paths, and wooden boardwalks. Portions of the trail flood twice a day, so check the timetable at the entrance or on the website before venturing out. The 10-minute walk ends at the Saugarties Lighthouse, built at the mouth of Esopus Creek in 1869. Twenty-minute guided tours are given on Sunday afternoons from Memorial Day through Labor Day, noon to 3 p.m., and include a visit to the museum, formerly a bedroom, and a glimpse of the view from the tower. The deck next to the lighthouse offers picnic tables for the public. The lighthouse contains a bed & breakfast that books up months in advance—just remember that all guests must arrive on foot or by private boat for their stay.
Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
33435 County Road 6, Cape Vincent, NY 13618; 315-654-2700; www.capevincent.org/lighthouse
Marking the place where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse contains an original Fresnel lens—made much thinner than regular ones to increase the lighthouse’s visibility—and the only original working one in Lake Ontario. While you cannot climb to the top, there’s a telescope to check out the view and a small museum. The lighthouse’s first tower and keeper’s quarters were built in 1827 after Capt. John Tibbetts gave three acres to the government. In 1984, the Victorian-era quarters became a hostel for overnighters. Open from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day.
Rondout Lighthouse
50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, NY 12401; 845-338-0071; www.hrmm.org/rondout-lighthouse.html
One of only seven lighthouses still on the Hudson River, the Rondout Lighthouse was built three times—a wood version in 1837, then a stone one in 1867 replaced it (look for remnants of the foundation when you visit) and was eventually abandoned. The current brick version opened in 1915. Only accessible by boat, guided tours of the facility, from the first floor to the observation deck, are available on Saturdays and Sundays from June to October via the Hudson River Maritime Museum. The lighthouse contains several stairs, a ladder, and no restrooms, so plan accordingly.
