Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruises 2026

A Hudson River fall foliage cruise in 2026 leaves from one of two docks between Kingston and Beacon: Rondout Landing in Kingston, where Hudson River Cruises and the Maritime Museum's solar boat both sail, and 2 Red Flynn Drive in Beacon, where the Bannerman Castle Trust's boat crosses to Pollepel Island. Seasons run into late October, and the details below come from each operator's own site, read the week this went live. Check the operator's booking calendar for the exact sailing you want.

Color timing is its own question. I LOVE NY posts a statewide foliage report every Wednesday afternoon, and its report for the week of September 30 to October 6 put Kingston and New Paltz among the most advanced Hudson Valley spots, with about half of the leaves changed, while most other counties sat at 10 to 25 percent. That points to good color on the river through the middle of the month and after.

Which boats run Hudson River fall foliage cruises from Kingston?

Hudson River Cruises. Narrated sightseeing from the Rondout Landing waterfront in Kingston. The boat cruises south on the river to about Hyde Park before doubling back, and the cruise is 90 minutes long, with the historic sites pointed out along the way. The operator's FAQ says the season runs from mid-May through the end of October. Seating is both inside and on the upper deck, mostly benches up top and chairs below, all first come first served, so arrive early for a particular spot. Two small free lots sit nearby, one in front of the ticket booth and one across the street, with metered street parking as the fallback. Advance purchase is recommended, and the booth sells tickets starting an hour before departure.

Solaris, the Hudson River Maritime Museum's solar-powered boat. Dock at 50 Rondout Landing, Kingston, a few doors along the same waterfront. Solaris runs on solar power and moves silently through the water, with views of the Hudson River's wildlife, historic lighthouses and Rondout Creek, and lighthouse tours are offered too. Every Solaris ticket includes free admission to the museum. The cruise calendar is on the museum's site.

From either Kingston dock, the drive home runs down the Thruway to Exit 18. Kingston is about 18 miles and 25 minutes from Farmers Choice New Paltz at 1 Old Route 299.

What is the Bannerman Island tour from Beacon?

Bannerman Castle Trust, Estuary Steward. Dock at 2 Red Flynn Drive, Beacon, next to the Metro-North lot. The Cruise and Walking Tour is two and a half hours in all: a ride of about half an hour across to Pollepel Island, a guided walk of about 45 minutes through the castle ruins, then the ride back. There are 72 steps from the dock to the trail and the island is not ADA accessible, so it is a tour for steady legs. Tours run rain or shine. Arrive 30 minutes before departure; the Trust cannot accommodate late arrivals, and there are no refunds or reschedules. The island season runs from the end of April through late October or sometimes early November, mostly on weekends, holidays and select Friday evenings. Free parking in the adjacent Metro-North lot applies on weekends and Friday evenings. The Third Sunday Music program on Sunday, October 18 features Route One, with a self-guided island visit and the boat ride.

Beacon is about 5 miles and 10 minutes from Farmers Choice Fishkill at 18 Westage Drive, by Route 52 or I-84. From Newburgh, the Beacon dock is straight over the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, and the Fishkill store is about 10 miles and 16 minutes from downtown.

Who is not sailing this fall?

Hudson River Sloop Clearwater ended its 2026 season on Saturday, July 25 so the sloop could go into the Maritime Museum's yard in Kingston for the third and final phase of a hull restoration, an eight-month project on the transom and topsides. Its 2027 season is expected to start on time in April, with the calendar out in March 2027.

In Poughkeepsie, Destination Dutchess lists private sailing charters from the city waterfront, plus Black Swan Sailing excursions that include a sunset cruise and day sails. Those are small boats with their own schedules, so check them directly. Poughkeepsie is about 18 minutes from Farmers Choice Fishkill on Route 9.

How to pick a cruise by where you live

If the western shore is your view, Kingston is the easy choice: Hudson River Cruises for the full 90-minute river run with narration, Solaris for a quieter creek-and-lighthouse trip. If you are on the Dutchess side, the Beacon island tour is the most different thing you can do on the river this month. Our guide to the Dutchess river towns covers what to do in Beacon and Poughkeepsie before or after a sailing.

Each dock is a short drive from a Farmers Choice. Kingston sailings finish about 25 minutes from the New Paltz barn at Thruway Exit 18, open 8AM to 10PM daily. Beacon sailings finish about 10 minutes from the Fishkill store, open 8AM to 10PM Sunday to Wednesday and 8AM to 11PM Thursday to Saturday. Both carry lab-tested flower, pre-rolls, edibles and infused beverages from licensed New York producers.

Keep a purchase sealed

Nothing comes aboard. Hudson River Cruises bans smoking on board, and the Bannerman Castle Trust bans smoking of any kind on the island. New York does not allow consuming cannabis in a vehicle, so a purchase stays sealed until you are home, and our guide to New York cannabis laws covers where consumption is and is not allowed.

The simple version: boat first, store second. Order Now from the New Paltz menu after a Kingston sailing, or from the Fishkill menu after Beacon, once you are back on land; most orders are ready inside an hour. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID showing you are 21 or older.