EAT. STAY. PLAY.
Gardiner
photos by Matt Petricones
This cozy little town is both bustling and peaceful in the most balanced of ways. It’s all about appreciating the outdoors here: Gardiner’s landscape varies between the Shawangunk Mountains’ rock cliffs and forests and the Wallkill River, Shawangunk Kill, and Mara Kill basins and floodplains.
The rail trail runs right through town, and activities like hiking and rock climbing are readily available for every experience level.
Revel in the phenomenal views in every direction, and feel welcomed by some of the friendliest locals you’ll ever meet. The best of local cuisine, hospitality, adventure, shopping, drinking, and farming all await you in this perfect little village.
- 1. Minnewaska State Park
- 2. Mohonk Preserve
- 3. Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center
- 4. Shawangunk Gateway Campground
- 5. Minnewaska Lodge
- 6. DM Weil Gallery
- 7. White Barn Farm Sheep and Wool
- 8. Goodnow Family Farm
- 9. Tuthilltown Spirits
- 10. Tuthill House at The Mill
- 11. Whitecliff Winery
- 12. 1796 House Inn at the Ridge
- 13. Skydive the Ranch
- 14. Tantillo’s Farm Market
- 15. Wright’s Farm
- 16. Ulster Savings Bank
- 17. Yard Owl Craft Brewery
- 18. The Inn at Kettleboro
- 19. Ulster County Fairgrounds
- 20. Gardiner Animal Hospital
- 21. Majestic Park
- 22. Uptown Attic Consignment Boutique
- 23. Gardiner Liquid Mercantile
- 24. Sunflower Art Studios
- 25. Village Market & Eatery
- 26. Café Mio
- 27. Meadowscent Florist
EAT/DRINK
CAFÉ MIO
2356 Route 44/55, Gardiner
845-255-4949 miogardiner.com
Café Mio is a great place for breakfast or lunch, offering a diverse menu made with fresh local fare. Culinary Institute of America graduate Chef Michael Bernardo has a passion for incorporating the freshest local ingredients from purveyors who share his love for simple food. Their hand-cut fries are excellent, and we definitely suggest the Seared Ahi Tuna Wrap. Sit in the bar area, or pick a table—inside or out. Café Mio now serves beer and wine, so you can perfectly pair a beverage with your meal of choice for a tantalizing culinary experience.
GARDINER LIQUID MERCANTILE
128 Main Street, Gardiner
845-633-8764 gardinerliquidmercantile.com
Partnering with a local fourth-generation orchard, Gardiner Liquid Mercantile brings the still to the farm in order to focus on estate spirits from the Gardiner and New Paltz area. What started as a desire to distill at Dressel Farms has evolved into a nanodistillery with a satellite retail shop and tasting room on Main Street. Stop in at the Farm Bar to have a bite and a drink. All their syrups are made in-house with real fruit (so you won’t get a headache from fake sugar additives), and they have the best traditional whiskey sour around. Do a little shopping at The Mercantile to find your favorite libation for the evening. Everything is hyperlocal, ethically handmade, and delicious.
TUTHILLTOWN SPIRITS
14 Grist Mill Lane, Gardiner
845-255-1527 tuthilltown.com
Tuthilltown Spirits is New York’s first whiskey distillery since prohibition, distilling some of America’s most prized spirits here in the Hudson Valley. Before Prohibition, more than 1,000 farm distillers produced alcohol from New York grains and fruits. Tuthilltown Spirits brought the tradition of small-batch spirits production back to the Hudson Valley in 2005. Tuthilltown Spirits distills its Indigenous Vodka from apples grown at orchards less than five miles from the distillery, and the highly awarded Hudson Whiskey line uses grain harvested by farmers less than ten miles away. The distillery’s visitor center and on-site restaurant, Tuthill House at the Mill, offer guests the opportunity to taste the collection of whiskeys, vodkas, gins, liqueurs, and other unique spirits. Visitors are invited to tour the distillery and learn how Tuthilltown’s spirits are made by hand, one batch at a time.
TUTHILL HOUSE AT THE MILL
20 Grist Mill Lane, Gardiner
845-255-1527 tuthilltown.com/tuthillhouse
Tuthill House at the Mill Restaurant and Tavern offers homemade, American cuisine with a creative twist on classic favorites. Located in a historic 1788 grist mill, the menu is inspired by American country cooking and features fresh, local artisan products and Hudson Valley ingredients. The bar offers handcrafted experimental cocktails that combine local spirits and ingredients in new, lively ways.
VILLAGE MARKET & EATERY
125 Main Street, Gardiner
845-255-1234 villagemarketandeatery.com
Smack in the middle of town, this is a perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, or snacking. The Village Market and Eatery has a delicious food menu and freshly baked goods. (Try their cookies!) They also have a full coffee bar to fulfill any caffeine needs and even offer nitro cold brew and Kombucha on-tap. There is something for everyone. Indoor and outdoor seating are just an added bonus. On Saturday evenings, the eatery offers great live music along with dinner, beer, and wine. It’s an awesome place, no matter the time of day.
WHITECLIFF WINERY
331 McKinstry Road, Gardiner
845-255-4613 whitecliffwine.com
This is one of our favorite wineries in the Hudson Valley for two big reasons: the incredible wine and the exceptional view. Everyone who works there seems to be a wine master and can chat about Whitecliff’s different reds and whites in an understandable way. (The Awosting White is a must-try.) Be sure to take at least five minutes to enjoy their deck, which overlooks the Gunks—a stunning sight in the fall. Don’t forget to take some bottles with you; you’ll definitely want to share them back home.
YARD OWL CRAFT BREWERY
19 Osprey Lane, Gardiner
845-633-8576 yardowlcraftbrewery.com
A small-batch brewery on one side and tasting room on the other, the interior of Yard Owl is simplistic. Located in a warehouse, the ceilings are high, the bar chairs are industrial-style, and the front and back garage doors open up to fresh air on warm days. Choose from a variety of food and beer offerings posted on chalkboards behind the bar. You can even walk back to town afterwards on the rail trail, which is literally right out the back door.
STAY
1796 HOUSE INN AT THE RIDGE
2098 Bruynswick Road, Wallkill
845-895-9251 innattheridge.com
This marvelous four-bedroom/three-bathroom vacation rental home provides a perfect combination of historic charm and modern comfort for up to 10 guests in search of a memorable New York retreat. You’ll love the abundant scenery in every direction! Upon arrival at the astounding property, be captivated by the immense peace and quiet that characterizes the area’s silent beauty. The surrounding land is garnished with a blueberry patch, a natural lotus pond, assorted flower and vegetable gardens, and a picturesque tree swing hanging from the 150-year-old weeping willow. Settled in the shadow of the Shawangunk Mountain Range, this farmhouse includes all the simple and rustic characteristics necessary to create a calming ambiance for your stay.
MINNEWASKA LODGE
3116 Route 44/55, Gardiner
845-255-1110 minnewaskalodge.com
Minnewaska Lodge is a lovely cabin-style hotel on Gardiner’s outskirts. It’s surrounded by 25,000 acres of state park preserve with breathtaking views of the Shawangunk Ridge, 1,200 feet above.
This Hudson Valley hotel offers a tranquil boutique experience and is truly a treat. Enjoy your morning coffee in the lounge area, which has floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the ridge. The view is especially brilliant when filled with autumn colors.
THE INN AT KETTLEBORO
321 Route 208, Gardiner
914-213-2487 kettleboro.com
This circa 1830 Dutch Colonial home offers modern amenities in a beautiful historic setting. Wake up to a farm-to-table breakfast every morning in their breakfast room overlooking the Shawangunk Mountains—how dreamy is that? Watch the sunset on the expansive blue stone patio, or, on those chilly autumn days, relax with some local coffee or tea by a fireplace in one of their downstairs parlors. Enjoy your own in-suite private bath, available in every room. The inn is located on a 12-acre apple and peach orchard. It’s an ideal place to unwind and recharge.
PLAY
DM WEIL GALLERY
208 Bruynswick Road, New Paltz
845-255-3336 dmweilgallery.com
Just a short drive outside of town, this 3,000-square-foot modern art gallery’s backdrop is the Shawangunk Mountains. The eye-popping abstract creations of acclaimed painter DM Weil decorate the room, while complimentary wine, espresso, and other goodies are offered to visitors. The gallery even boasts a carefully restored 1911 Grotrian-Steinweg grand piano, which provides the foundation for many of the gallery’s free mini-concerts. Spend time with the artist herself, DM Weil, and learn the story behind each painting. To top it off, admission is always free!
GOODNOW FAMILY FARM
2767 Route 44/55, Gardiner
845-750-7729 facebook.com/goodnowfamilyfarm
The Goodnow Family Farm is now open! Located on the old Widmark Honey Farm, Goodnow is a domestic-only petting farm with many educational opportunities for kids and adults. Learn about all of the animals, including how to milk a cow, egg incubation, and much more. Animals on the farm include cows, horses, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, pigs, and donkeys. Fresh produce, pumpkins, haunted hay rides, horse-drawn hay rides, Christmas trees, and a live nativity scene will be offered seasonally.
MOHONK PRESERVE VISITOR CENTER
3197 Route 44/55, Gardiner
845-255-0919 mohonkpreserve.org/visitor-center
Not sure where to start exploring Mohonk Preserve’s trails and carriage roads? Go to the Visitor Center for recreation suggestions, directions, and information on local wildlife and geology. The Visitor Center is open year-round, free-of-charge, 9am to 5pm, daily (except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve after 12-noon, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day). The short, self-guided trails around the Visitor Center are designed to give you a quick and easy introduction to the ridge. Check out the indoor exhibits and get a bird’s eye view of where you are on the Shawangunk Ridge with an interactive, three-dimensional topographical model of the region. Learn why the Visitor Center won a “green design” award and how a GeoExchange system heats and cools the building while saving energy. Then, share your discoveries on their interactive blog.
SUNFLOWER ART STUDIOS
120 Main Street, Gardiner
845-419-5219 sunflowerartstudios.community
Sunflower Art Studios is committed to bringing visibility and accessibility to the arts in the Mid-Hudson Valley. It also seeks to create experiences for the community and collaborate with a broad scope of local artisans.
In addition to the Sunflower Art Festival launched in August 2015, the studios recently hosted a pop-up store featuring over 39 local artisans. Sunflower works to provide art classes for children and adults and will be offering other creative experiences and classes throughout the year.
TANTILLO’S FARM MARKET
730 Route 208, Gardiner
845-256-9109 tantillosfarm.com
A fourth-generation, family-owned fruit and vegetable farm with a seriously gorgeous view, Tantillo’s won an award for “best in the Hudson Valley” for both their apple pie and cider doughnuts. In the fall, they also offer a hot apple crisp sundae that is just heavenly. Their ice cream stand carries local, all-natural Ronnybrook soft serve in classic flavors as well as lunch items, coffee, spiced hot apple cider (seasonally), and a fully stocked snack shop. Lots of homegrown veggies, including canning tomatoes, squash, peppers, and pick-your-own pumpkins and apples, are available too. The market also offers local maple syrups, homemade jams and jellies, pickles, gifts, and much more. Enjoy a tractor-pulled wagon ride out to the orchards during the fall season.
WHITE BARN FARM SHEEP AND WOOL
815 Albany Post Road, New Paltz
914-456-6040 whitebarnsheepandwool.com
Founded and run by artist-turned-farmer Paula Kucera, White Barn Farm is a small fiber farm located between the beautiful towns of New Paltz and Gardiner.
The farm is home to a growing flock of registered Cormo sheep, renowned for their incredibly soft fleece that is perfect for all types of fiber work.
Visit the farm to watch the sheep graze, check out the beautifully rustic and colorful fiber shop, or even take a knitting class.
WRIGHT’S FARM
699 Route 208, Gardiner
845-255-5300 eatapples.com
An inviting abundance of perfectly organized flowers, plants, and veggies line the exterior of the market at Wright’s, a five-generation family-run farm. Open year-round, it carries a huge selection of homemade baked goods, including pies, cookies, fruit breads, and—of course—apple cider donuts. Peruse their impressive stock of jams, jellies, pickles, and apple sauces, all homemade with the freshest local ingredients available. During September and October, Wright’s offers pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, bringing the farm experience full-circle!
SHOP
MEADOWSCENT
2356 Route 44/55, Gardiner
845-255-3866 meadowscent.com
Meadowscent is a wonderful flower and gift shop with locations in both Gardiner and New Paltz. Choose from a delightful selection of freshly cut flowers, and they will create a gorgeous arrangement for you on-the-fly. Or, preorder if you have more of a set idea in mind. Meadowscent carries an ample variety of treasures, from jewelry, to bath bombs, to artisanal chocolates. This is a perfect stop in Gardiner to find a gift or treat yourself to something special.
UPTOWN ATTIC CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE
133 Main Street, Gardiner
845-255-0093 uptownattic.net
Uptown Attic carries a vast selection of brand-name clothing, accessories, and designer labels for women, junior girls, children, and infants. With almost 2,000 consignors and new items arriving daily, you never know what you may find. Everything is in like-new condition, fairly priced, and very well organized—what we always hope for in a consignment shop. Shoes, bags, jewelry, and every category of clothing are available. It may actually be impossible to leave without something wonderful.
SERVICES
GARDINER ANIMAL HOSPITAL
177 Main Street, Gardiner
845-255-1549 gardineranimalhospital.com
Gardiner Animal Hospital treats their clients—and their pets—as they would treat their own families: with respect, dignity, and compassion at all times. As a team, as a family, and as pet owners themselves, the staff and doctors of Gardiner Animal Hospital pledge to always do their best to provide your pet with quality veterinary care and service.
GARDINER ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESSES
gabny.com
The Gardiner Association of Businesses (GAB) is a network for the Gardiner-area business community. Run by small business owners—people who both live and work in Gardiner—GAB knows the town inside and out, and it wants others to get to know it just as well. GAB membership is open to anyone who owns a business in Gardiner or who lives in Gardiner and owns a Hudson Valley business.
ULSTER SAVINGS BANK
2201 Route 44/55, Gardiner
845-255-4262 ulstersavings.com
Ulster Savings is perfect for banking locally, for a mortgage on your new Hudson Valley home, or even for just a roll of quarters. It has an ideal location on Route 44/55 and even hosts art exhibits!
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