NEWSLETTER
Newburgh offers a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy, with a lively waterfront boasting a diverse food scene and picturesque views of the Hudson River. Motorcycle enthusiasts will love cruising along the scenic Route 9W from New York City and getting their gear fix at the Motorcyclepedia Museum while history buffs can explore the birthplace of the American Republic at General George Washington's headquarters. Here's a sneak peek at your weekend in Newburgh.
This article was originally publish on 01/09/2016, and last updated on 04/03/2026.
FRIDAY
3 pm: Get Revolutionary
A perfect stop to honor America’s 250th anniversary, head over to Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, which served as General George Washington's headquarters in 1782 and 1783 and became the nation's first publicly owned historic site. Visitors can tour the fieldstone farmhouse and museum building overlooking the Hudson River, ascend the Tower of Victory (when weather and staffing allow) and see where history was made in the critical months of the American Revolution.
6 pm: Dinner with a View
Head to one of Newburgh's best restaurants for dinner and catch a stunning sunset. The Lakeview House Restaurant is housed in an 1837 Victorian-inspired building, right along the shores of Orange Lake. Enjoy a variety of upscale American dishes while you take in lake views from the charming dining room or outdoor patio.
8:00 pm: Craft a Cone
Hope you saved room for dessert because Midnight Ferry is scooping out icy delights with flavors like campfire smores, cappuccino explosion, and raspberry swirl, as well as sundaes, shakes, and boozy concoctions, that can be enjoyed alongside sweeping views of the Hudson River.
8:30 pm: Dance the Night Away
Bring your best moves to Billy Joe’s Ribworks, where Friday nights are all about line dancing at this waterfront smoked ribs joint.
SATURDAY
9 am: Cozy up with a Coffee
Start your morning at Blacc Vanilla, an artsy lounge cafe known for its delicious coffee and eclectic breakfast and lunch menus. While you're there make sure to try the signature Blacc Vanilla latte.
10 am: Motorcycle Madness
The Motorcyclepedia Museum offers 85,000 square feet filled with over 650 motorcycles built since 1897, including rare vintage bikes (more than 100 Indians comprising an almost complete timeline!) Other exhibits include Chopper City, featuring crazy custom bikes from the 1960s and 1970s, as well as police, military, and Harley Davidson galleries. Plan to spend between 2 and 2 1/2 hours there.
12pm: Grab lunch
How does pizza or tacos sound for lunch? Head over to the waterfront and take your pick of gourmet pies at the Pizza Shop or Mexican street food at Hudson Taco, both housed in the historic West Shore Train Station.
1pm: Set Sail with Pride of the Hudson
Credit: @iamsophiestark on Instagram
Cruise through history and revel in the majestic beauty of the Hudson Highlands on a 2-hour narrated sightseeing cruise aboard the luxurious Pride of the Hudson. Sit on the sundeck or grab a seat inside in climate-controlled comfort as you take in views of the Scottish-style castle on Bannerman Island (pictured), Mount Beacon, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain, Cold Spring, and West Point. Two cash bars and light snacks are available.
3 pm: Tour the Architectural Oasis
Take a self-guided tour of Montgomery and Grand Streets, where you’ll pass many houses that have their own hundred-plus year histories and architectural significance. Highlights include: the Crawford House (an 1830 Federal-style mansion that’s now home to the Newburgh Historical Society), Calvert Vaux's Warren House at 196 Montgomery Street; the Montgomery Street Station, one of Thomas Edison's first power plants (Did you know that Edison lived on Montgomery Street for a time, and as a result, Newburgh became America's first electrified city?); and The Dutch Reformed Church on Grand Street, designed by Alexander Jackson Davis in 1835.
4 pm: Appreciate the Arts
Credit: @newburghmercantile on Instagram
Swing by the Ann Street Gallery, a contemporary gallery specializing in emerging and established artists that hosts five exhibitions per year, each open and free to the public. Then, pop on over to Broadway to pick up an unforgettable souvenir at Newburgh Mercantile.
6 pm: Where Else but The Wherehouse
See for yourself what the New York Times referred to as “The Place with the East Village vibe…” Choose from more than 20 types of burgers along with an impressive selection of wings, nachos, mac-and-cheeses, and a full vegan and vegetarian menu at the Wherehouse, located in a lovingly restored building from the 1860s. Sip your way through their 16 rotating draft lines featuring some of the best New York based beers. If that's not enough to rope you in, the Wherehouse also offers live music!
SUNDAY
10 am: Rise and Shine, and Dine
Stop into The Alexis Diner, a local landmark doling out heaping dishes of hearty breakfast classics.
12 pm: Brewery Stop
Before you head out, stop by the taproom at Newburgh Brewing Company for a tasting of locally-sourced beers, wines, ciders, cocktails, and bites.
GETTING THERE
By air:
- Stewart International Airport (SWF) Newburgh, NY: 20 minutes
- Westchester County Airport (HPN) White Plains, NY: 1 hour
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Queens, NY: 1 hour 45 minutes
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Queens, NY: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, NJ: 1 hour, 30 minutes
By train:
- Metro-North Railroad Hudson Line from Grand Central Terminal in New York City to Beacon, which is just across the river. NBBC operates buses on local routes and between Newburgh and Beacon.
- For train travel from north of Poughkeepsie, take an Amtrak train to Poughkeepsie and transfer to a Metro-North train to Beacon (second stop), which is just across the river from Newburgh.
By car:
- From New York City: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- From Albany: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- From Boston: 3 hours, 30 minutes
- From Philadelphia: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- From Montreal: 4 hours, 30 minutes to 5 hours