Kingston, dating back to the arrival of the Dutch in 1652, is a vibrant city with rich history and architecture and was the state’s first capital. Kingston’s history is the history of America itself.
Originally home to the Esopus, Lenape, and Mohican tribes, the city was also “discovered” by early Dutch settlers. After European trading brought wealth and growth to the city, it was designated as New York’s first capital. Kingston paid a high price for that status by being burned on October 13, 1777, by the British after the Battles of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War.
With both railroad and canal connections to the Hudson River, the Rondout Creek became an important shipping hub for coal, bricks, cement, and stone, the materials used to rebuild Kingston’s handsome buildings, which now span centuries of architectural styles. They were also the building blocks that helped create NYC.
Nowadays, Kingston is as inviting as a city can be. Historic neighborhoods, a spectacular waterfront, antique shops, hipster hideouts, stone houses and churches, and an authentic charm draw attention from yet another new generation. Come tour this historic city, with restaurants among the region’s finest, a vibrant artists community, and local shopping that promises unique finds.