I stay in the Catskills a couple times a year and one my favorite ways to spend a day is stopping into Saugerties, NY. The claim to fame here is that Saugerties is the home of Jimmy Fallon but they don't capitalize on that, instead they stick to good old small town charm. There is a small little main street (Partition St.) area of restaurants and shops. The signs and storefronts are artsy and fun. I will start with the shops- Light House is a beautiful little store packed with great finds for the kitchen, bathroom or baby and a super friendly shop owner that is not pushy, just genuinely nice. Another fun home store to browse is Bosco's Mercantile, across the street and through the garden gate. There are thrift stores and antique stores and Dig, a woman's clothing store with great window displays each time I've been around. The fan favorite for us is Inquiring Minds Bookstore & Cafe with just the right amount of new and used reads to wander through, not just trains for the kids but blocks and cars and a great little cafe. There are many spots to take a load off and stay awhile and there are chess sets out for those that want to play. Bookstores are always a favorite of mine but this is a favorite for the rest of my crew too, even if its just because there is air on a hot day and warm drinks in winter.
The coffee at the bookstore has always worked for me, but I think next time I would like to head into town early and grab breakfast and coffee at Love Bites Cafe. I have also had a super yummy tofu scramble lunch in the very cozy Miss Lucy's Kitchen. I would go back there any day but would love to try a new lunch spot also. Last time in town Miss Lucy's was closed so we stopped and grabbed lunch at Mirabella's and I have to say it was nothing special. The pizza had a little too much gooey cheese and the menu was very standard. If that's what you want than the service was good and the restaurant was clean, so you should be happy. The next spot on my lunch list is The Main Street Restaurant for some Mexican flavor. Also on the list is Black-Eyed Suzie's which seems to have fresh takes on comfort food and sells family style take out for nights when you don't want to cook and you don't feel like wandering out. This little town also boasts 2 chocolate shops-Lucky Chocolates and Krause's Chocolate. I have ventured into Lucky and love the hip decor, gifts and chocolates. Krause's has been around since 1929 and is a little out the main part of town. With Krause's "sweet" reputation, we know its a must to find our way there one of these times. There is also the Hudson Valley Dessert Company and 2 ice cream shops. There is really no shortage of choices for foodies in Saugerties!
Diamond Mills Restaurant photo credit: https://offmetro.com/ny/46903/restaurants-with-a-view-boston-new-york/
Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast http://www.lighthouselodging.net/2008/03/saugerties-ligh.html
Saugerties also has great places to rest your head. There is the Saugerties Lighthouse that was constructed in 1869 on the creek and is a bed and breakfast that offers a true get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday. It sits at the end of Lighthouse Drive and down a half mile nature trail and is a quiet and rustic retreat. The other spot that stands out is The Diamond Mills Hotel is a hotel built in the old Martin Cantine Paper Mill years after the mill left the building and the property was left vacant. Each of the 30 rooms at this hotel looks over Espopus Falls, along the creek. There are also rooms for rent above Miss Lucy's and she rents them short or long term and at Lucky Chocolates. The Lucky Loft rents for weekends or whole weeks. The rooms for rent get you a spot right in town.
If you are looking for more than just the regular shopping while in town, be sure to visit for the annual Hudson Valley Garlic Festival held in Saugerties every fall. The show has more than 75 crafters plus food vendors, garlic growers and live music. The other one of a kind stop is Opus 40, an abandoned quarry that I really need to wander through with my camera one nice day. Skiing is just minutes away, as well as, great hikes and more fantastic little towns.
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