Maritime and transport museum

Hudson River Maritime Museum

About 2.6 road mi

A Rondout Creek transportation-history campus with museum galleries, the 1898 tug Mathilda, classes, and separately ticketed solar-boat cruises, about 2.6 road miles from Westbrook Station.

The place

About Hudson River Maritime Museum

Hudson River Maritime Museum extends a Catskill Mountain Railroad day from rail history into the river, canal, steam, and working-waterfront systems that shaped Kingston. Current galleries address war, working waterfronts, sail, environmental change, and the Hudson River steamboat Mary Powell; the outdoor campus landmark is the 1898 steam tug Mathilda.

The museum is more than a row of display cases. It operates a woodworking school, sailing programs, walking tours, lectures, and the 100% solar-powered tour boat Solaris. A Solaris ticket includes museum admission, but the boat schedule, age rules, boarding conditions, and accessibility are separate from an ordinary gallery visit.

The Rondout setting is the point: coal arriving over the Delaware & Hudson Canal transferred to river traffic, passenger steamboats called here, and maritime industries employed much of the neighborhood. A museum visit works as a focused 60–90-minute stop; a guided tour, class, cruise, or lighthouse visit needs its own larger block.

What stands out

Rail-to-river Kingston story

Connect the Ulster & Delaware corridor with Rondout’s canal coal, steamboats, shipbuilding, and waterfront labor.

Mathilda and changing galleries

See the 1898 steam tug outdoors and current exhibits spanning work, war, sail, environment, and passenger travel.

Optional Solaris cruises

Turn the museum into a larger destination with a separately scheduled solar-powered cruise or lighthouse program.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Catskill Mountain Railroad trip

The measured road route from Kingston Plaza is about 2.6 miles. Allow roughly 15 minutes each way for driving, municipal or metered parking, and walking to the museum-store entrance, plus Catskill Mountain Railroad’s boarding margin.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Current summer hoursMonday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday–Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; closed Tuesday. Check the official homepage for seasonal transitions, holidays, and weather closures.
  • Museum admissionCurrent onsite prices are $10 adult, $7 senior 62+, $6 age 6–18, $25 family rate, and free age 5 and under, veterans, active-duty military, and members. Tickets are sold in person.
  • Guided museum toursCurrent guided tours are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1 p.m. for an added $5 and cannot be reserved in advance.
  • Visit lengthAllow 60–90 minutes for the museum and Mathilda; add time for a guided tour, waterfront walk, class, or the separate Solaris schedule.
  • ParkingFree municipal parking is across the street. Metered street parking is in front; the museum says meters are free after 6 p.m. and on Sundays.
  • Museum accessibilityMost campus spaces are accessible, but the East Gallery and Green Room require exiting and using a back ramp. The West Gallery and store use the street-side ramp; call for route-specific help.
  • Solaris accessibilitySolaris requires steps and an 8–12-inch dock gap and cannot board a passenger who must remain in a wheelchair. Floating dock ramps can be steep or slippery and narrow to 24 inches.
  • Lighthouse limitsThe separate Rondout Lighthouse tour requires a boat, stairs, a ladder, thresholds, and open grating. It is not accessible; children under 8 are not permitted, and each child under 12 requires an adult.
  • Pets and service animalsWorking service animals are permitted throughout campus buildings. Leashed pets are allowed on campus but not inside buildings or closed areas.

Add operating electric rail

Add Trolley Museum of New York

Use a confirmed weekend afternoon for a weather-dependent trolley ride a short distance along the Rondout waterfront.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

What are Hudson River Maritime Museum’s current hours?

The current summer schedule is Monday 11–5, Wednesday–Sunday 11–6, and Tuesday closed. Check the official homepage for seasonal changes and special closures.

How far is the museum from Catskill Mountain Railroad?

The measured road route from Kingston Plaza is about 2.6 miles. Allow around 15 minutes each way once parking and walking are included.

Does museum admission include a Solaris cruise?

No. A Solaris ticket includes museum admission, but ordinary museum admission does not include a cruise. Select a current boat date separately.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Most campus spaces are accessible, with separate ramp routes between galleries. Solaris cannot board someone who must remain in a wheelchair, and the lighthouse tour is not accessible. Call about the exact visit plan.

Can young children visit the Rondout Lighthouse?

Children under 8 are not permitted on the lighthouse tour. Every child under 12 must have an accompanying adult because of stairs, a ladder, and other physical obstacles.

Where should I park?

The museum identifies a free municipal lot across the street plus metered street parking in front. Accessible spaces are distributed near the building, barn lot, and municipal lot.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-14. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.