Kingston was once the capital of New York and if it is capital no longer, it retains much of its history. Its Stockade section dates back to 1658 and many of the buildings are almost as old. Here is the Senate House where New York's first senate meeting was conducted, the Old Dutch Church, and the Ulster County Courthouse. Old homes, perhaps less grandly named, still stand along the tree-lined streets. Kingston's Stockade is a draw for tourists . . . so is the Roundout Lighthouse, which sits on a man-made island in the middle of the Hudson River. Here, visitors can observe how the lighthouse keeper lived and worked in the 1950s (when the building was operational). They can also visit the nearby Trolley Museum and explore transportation, trolley style.

The fisherman will want to spend some time fishing for trout in the Esopus River, and the Ulster Performing Arts Center is worth a visit by any who appreciate music and theater, whether modern or classical. Kingston is very diverse . . . more than historical curiosity.

Kingston is 90 miles north from New York City and 60 miles south from Albany (both on I-81). Look at the left-hand column for more information about Kingston's attractions.