Rosendale: Rail Trail, Trestle, and Local History

Rosendale is especially easy to explore through the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and its varied local history. The trail, which is more than 22 miles long, follows a former railroad right-of-way and is also a linear park that runs through Rosendale. It is free and open to the public every day, year-round, from sunrise to sunset. On the trail, you can hike, jog, bike, horseback ride, or cross-country ski. This range of activities makes the trail appealing to travelers who want to spend time outdoors in different ways.

Rail Trail and Rosendale Trestle

A notable structure along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is the Rosendale Trestle. The former railroad viaduct is 940 feet long and rises 150 feet above Rondout Creek. Since 2013, it has served as a pedestrian bridge on the trail. Here, the site’s former use by railroads meets its current use by pedestrians. If you’re interested in the structure’s history, you can take these details into account along with the Rail Trail’s long route when planning your visit.

When planning your trip, you may want to start by deciding whether you’d like to focus on getting active along the railway or include cultural discoveries as well.

Industrial History, Museum, and Cinema

The Century House maintains a museum about the history of the Snyder Estate, the industrial history of the Rosendale Cement District, and the history of Rosendale. One focus is also the workers who produced Rosendale Natural Cement for nearly a century and a half. The museum offers several ways to explore the area’s past: the history of an estate, the local cement industry, and the people whose work was connected with cement production.

The Rosendale Theatre offers another perspective on local culture. This family-run, independent cinema has one auditorium and a diverse film program. The museum and cinema appeal to different cultural interests: one focuses on local and industrial history, the other on film. If you enjoy combining different kinds of activities on a trip, you can consider both alongside outdoor experiences.

Market, Art, and Local Experiences

The Rosendale Farmers Market offers baked goods, prepared foods, local crafts, and weekly live music. Its summer market is held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from early June through late October. The market is located at 408 Main St. in Rosendale, outdoors behind the Rosendale Theatre. The stated market hours can help you plan a visit during this period; the mix of food, crafts, and music adds a local market experience to an interest in nature and local history.

Women’s Studio Workshop is also located near Rosendale. By appointment arranged in advance by phone, visitors can tour the studios, visit the gallery, and watch visiting artists at work. Its offerings include artist residencies, public art programs, and workshops in printmaking, papermaking, ceramics, darkroom photography, and book arts. These different techniques give art-minded travelers specific topics to explore while they’re there.

Planning Your Trip

When looking for a vacation rental in Rosendale, it’s also worth deciding what you’d like to focus on during your stay: will the long Rail Trail shape your trip, or would you rather focus on the museum, cinema, market, and art? The experiences described here cater to different interests, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one kind of trip.

For travel by electric vehicle, the Town of Rosendale provides a public Level 2 charging station with two charging ports. It is located in the municipal parking lot behind Main Street (Route 213). This is a useful landmark for travelers who would like to account for the station when they arrive.

More local pages to explore: Wallkill, Phoenicia, Kerhonkson, Kingston, Boiceville, Saugerties, Highland and Lake Katrine.

See the overview of the wider area: Ulster.