Brownstoner Upstate: Hudson Valley Towns Close to the NYS Thruway

New York State Thruway photo via Wikimedia Commons

A couple weeks ago we explored the possibility of car-free getaways to the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Now we’re changing course and delving into a more convenient endeavor for many: driving along the New York State Thruway.

Anyone who owns a second home up north near a major thoroughfare will tell you that the location has its perks. Weekending is much easier when it’s nearly a straight shot between your downstate and upstate homes (and for our purposes, “upstate” refers to the Hudson Valley and Catskills, not Buffalo and other northern locations along I-90). When winter’s bad weather hits, the major roadways get cleared much faster than the back roads, making the commute safer. And because we’re up in the country, one does not have to venture too far outside of a Thruway community to find a tucked-away property in the Hudson Valley.

But most importantly, some of our favorite west-of-Hudson towns are located off of or close to one of the Thruway exits below.

Liberty Street in Newburgh. Photo by Daniel Case via Wikimedia Commons

Exit 17, Newburgh/Scranton/I-84: You don’t have to live right in the guts of Newburgh in order to benefit from its proximity to the Thruway, I-84 and Route 9W.

Although Newburgh’s urban areas are becoming popular among those looking for a Hudson Valley riverfront address with a smaller price tag as well as brick-row-house-renovation enthusiasts, there are suburban neighborhoods surrounding the city rife with gorgeous, affordable homes with a bit more than a tenth-of-an-acre postage stamp for a yard.

Newburgh Vintage Emporium photo via Facebook

If You Go: Make a pitstop at the Newburgh Vintage Emporium to brainstorm interior looks for your new home.

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274 Fostertown Road, Newburgh: $219,000

This circa-1750 farmhouse is located about 10 minutes from the I-87/I-84 interchange in Newburgh. Aside from its convenience, we love the oak plank floorboards, large kitchen with center island and the half-acre of land that comes with the property. Plenty of space inside and out. Beds: 4. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2,000. Lot Size: 64 acres. Est. Taxes: $5,189. 274 Fostertown Road, Newburgh [John J Lease Realtors] GMAP.
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Exit 19, Kingston/NY Route 28/Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge: No need for us to tout the city of Kingston — it gets plenty of love all on its own and for good reason. It’s blossoming into an erudite intersection of creativity, industry and history in the mid-Hudson Valley.

Kingston Senate House. Photo by Dmadeo via Wikimedia Commons

The Kingston exit also offers a gateway to the Catskills (follow Route 28 around the Ashokan Reservoir), rural Ulster County (Route 209 runs along the Esopus Creek toward Stone Ridge and Route 32 toward Rosendale) and Dutchess County east of the Hudson (Rhinebeck is on the other side of the Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge).

If You Go: There’s no narrowing point of interest in Kingston and surrounding environs because there are many. So, we suggest keeping it simple with a craft beer from Keegan Ales and a wander around Kingston’s historic Stockade District.

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39 Mt. View Avenue, Kingston: $319,900

Speaking of the Stockade District, this family-friendly dwelling is just a block or two away, which means that you can enjoy good restaurants, live music, and the local park and playground. Even if none of that were true, we’d still be enamored based on the tricked-out kitchen alone. But the rest of the house is lovely, too, with wood floors, French doors and an enclosed porch. Beds: 4. Baths: 2.5. Square Feet: 1,968. Lot Size: .32 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,705. 39 Mt. View Avenue, Kingston [Murphy Realty Group] GMAP.

Historic Coxsackie brick building. Photo by Kandy Harris

Exit 21B, Coxsackie/Ravena/US Route 9W/NY Route 81: Once you hit Exit 20 (Saugerties/Woodstock) on the Thruway, you’re already close to the good stuff in both the Hudson Valley and the Catskill Mountains. The Greene County village of Catskill is a quick 20-minute drive from Saugerties village. Same goes for Woodstock.

The Coxsackie/Ravena exit north of Catskill will take travelers east along NY-385 toward picturesque Coxsackie village and its gorgeous, historic homes. Keep going south on 385 and eventually you’ll find yourself in the waterfront village of Athens.

Stewart Hotel, Athens. Photo by Kandy Harris

If You Go: Both Coxsackie and Athens offer Hudson River views, stately old architecture and steps-away access to the great outdoors. Check out our post about Athens attractions in pictures.

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2890 Route 81, Coxsackie: $257,500

With this vintage farmhouse in the town of Coxsackie, located about 10 minutes from the Thruway exit, you get the coveted trifecta of Hudson Valley properties: The gorgeous and pristine interior, plenty of land, and a big barn ready for conversion. Beds: 4. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 1,890. Lot Size: 2.8 acres. Est. Taxes: $4,309. 2890 Route 81, Coxsackie [Halstead] GMAP.

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