Kingston blends outdoor adventure with nearby conveniences
Kingston is a community defined by its expansive natural beauty and accessible wilderness. Stretching over 3,000 acres, the Bluestone Wild Forest dominates the southern reaches of the township, offering nearly 30 miles of scenic trails, snow-covered landscapes in winter, and waterways teeming with fish. “The Bluestone Wild Forest is definitely a big draw,” says Matthew Gibbs, an associate broker with Keller Williams Realty Hudson United. “There’s lots of hiking trails and stuff through there. You have access to the Hudson River and the Esopus Creek, and there’s a lot more outdoor activities to be involved in within the town of Kingston.” Despite its enveloping foliage and sense of remoteness, Kingston is located less than five miles from a bustling retail corridor, striking a balance between tranquility and convenience. Homes are relatively spaced apart, adding to the atmosphere of seclusion while staying connected to amenities and community life.
Kingston attracts second-home buyers and city escapees
Homes in Kingston are spread out along the few winding roads that cross the quiet neighborhood. “The town of Kingston’s really great because it’s more rural,” Gibbs says. “I think of it as a suburb connected to the city – it’s the town that kind of surrounds the city of Kingston. You’re going to find houses that sit on 2 to 5 acres, rather than city lots in the city.” Smaller cabins and ranch-style homes typically sell for between $200,000 and $645,000, while larger single-family properties, including colonials and larger cabins and retreat-style houses, can range up to $1 million. “A lot of people who have second homes are now coming up here permanently,” says Patty Kowatch, an associate broker with Keller Williams Realty Hudson Valley North, “or people who had visited, were getting out of New York and bought second homes.”
Bluestone Wild Forest is a focal point for recreation
Within Bluestone Wild Forest, year-round recreation includes hiking, biking and boating, while in the winter locals can go ice fishing, snowshoeing and skiing. Hunting and trapping are also permitted, depending on the season, within the wilderness that also offers forests, ponds, hills and quarries. Anglers can also cast lines in Onteora Lake, a rectangular body of water in southwestern Kingston. Onteora Lake’s trailhead is off Route 28, and Kingston also features the Red Eft Loop and Quarry Loop among its other wilderness trails.
Elementary through high school options with solid ratings
Kingston City School District serves over 6,200 students in prekindergarten through 12th grade and earns an overall B score from Niche. Kids may begin at E.R. Crosby Elementary School in Lake Katrine for kindergarten through fourth grade. The elementary school earns a B with Niche. M. Clifford Miller Middle School garners a B-minus rating and funnels to Kingston High School, which receives an A-minus and offers extracurricular activities like robotics, peer court and a daily television program.
Hudson Valley Mall and nearby shops offer daily essentials
The main shopping hub is along Route 9W, just east of Kingston, offering numerous national retailers, grocery stores and chain restaurants. Route 28’s southwestern corner features local spots like Mara’s On the Way Deli and Hickory BBQ and Smokehouse. South of the highway interchange, options include chain restaurants, Mid Hudson Buffet and grocery stores like Hannaford and ShopRite. The Hudson Valley Mall has Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods, with Walmart nearby, while Meredith’s Bread and the Barnyard provide fresh baked goods and pet supplies close to the neighborhood.
Annual festivals and waterfront fireworks draw local crowds
While there are few neighborhood events, Kingston hosts annual celebrations like the Shamrock Run, Italian and German festivals, and Fireworks on the Waterfront. The Shamrock Run has lasted over 30 years. Fireworks light up New Year's on the Hudson River, drawing crowds every year for the waterfront event. Although Kingston is close to Woodstock, the actual 1969 festival site is nearly 60 miles away.
Interstates and state routes to the east
The New York State Thruway flashes north and south just east of the town of Kingston, separating it from the city of the same name. Motorists head about six miles south to jump on the highway in either direction, while access to Route 9W is about 4 miles east. “The thruway is only a few minutes away, depending on exactly where you are in Kingston,” Gibbs says. New York City sits about 100 miles south, while Albany is just over 50 miles north. The nearest medical center is the HealthAlliance Hospital in the city of Kingston.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Photography Contributed By
Brandon Schulman
