Ulster: Nature, History and Unique Experiences

Ulster combines experiences in nature, distinctive trails and historic sites of the Hudson Valley. If you are looking for a holiday rental or vacation home for varied days away, you can tailor your trip planning to your preferred experiences: hiking, waterscapes, historic sites, regional traditions or winter sports each offer a different focus.

Nature Between Lakes, Mountains and River Landscapes

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is home to four Sky Lakes. Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting have swimming areas supervised by lifeguards during the summer swimming season. This allows you to plan a stay centered on landscape and water without equating the two lakes with the other offerings.

For hikers, Mohonk Preserve offers five main trailheads. In the Big Indian Wilderness, 30 miles of trails lead through a rugged, mountainous landscape. The Ashokan Rail Trail offers a different perspective: it runs for 11.5 miles along the Ashokan Reservoir between West Hurley and Boiceville. These different formats can help you choose the right focus for your trip, since a longer route along the reservoir calls for different day planning than a hiking area in mountainous surroundings.

Sojourner Truth/Ulster Landing Park also combines several landscape impressions. There you will find scenic views of the Hudson River, a large beach area, a boat launch and hiking trails. The Ulster County Nature Bus offers free rides and admission to the most scenic places in Ulster County. For planning purposes, it is worth deciding on the type of outing you want before choosing your accommodation.

History and Culture as Travel Experiences

Historic Huguenot Street in New Paltz is a National Historic Landmark District. The site includes seven historic stone houses, a reconstructed 1717 French church, a replica of an Esopus Munsee wigwam, special exhibitions, a research library and a historic cemetery. Guided tours convey the multicultural history of a unique American settlement and include three historic buildings. Historic Huguenot Street also offers a free tour of the National Historic Landmark District with historical information, background information, archival photographs, as well as images of house interiors and collection items.

At Senate House State Historic Site, you can explore the rooms where New York's first Senate met. Museum collections and interactive exhibitions complement the visit, including “Revolution Comes to Kingston.” Those interested in political history, buildings and exhibitions can deliberately plan this focus alongside days spent in nature.

Another notable structure is the Walkway Over the Hudson bridge. It is 6,768 feet (1.28 miles) long and rises 212 feet above the surface of the river. The Ashokan Bridge is a wooden covered bridge over Esopus Creek on the grounds of the Ashokan Center and one of five covered bridges in Ulster County. At the Ashokan Center, maple syrup production is also connected with the seasonal cycles and agricultural history of the Hudson Valley.

Choose the Right Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

For a trip with many days devoted to hiking and nature, your accommodation decision may depend primarily on which landscape experiences you want to put at the center of your stay. Those interested in culture, on the other hand, can make the historic sites and museums the common thread of their trip. Anyone who also wants to include winter sports will find Belleayre Mountain, a ski resort operated year-round in the Town of Shandaken. This allows Ulster's different facets to form a personal travel plan without every accommodation having to cover the same attractions.

For further orientation, you can also visit Saugerties, Kingston, New Paltz, Ellenville, Kerhonkson, Shandaken, Wallkill, Oliverea, Phoenicia, Highland, Rosendale, Stone Ridge, Clintondale, Boiceville, Hurley, High Falls, Accord and Lake Katrine.

For the overarching travel overview: New York.