Hudson River Cruise Ports
Town by town up the valley, from Washington Irving country to the home of the Hudson River School.
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The ports on overnight Hudson River cruises are small river towns, each a short walk or coach ride from historic houses, museums and viewpoints. Order and stops vary by sailing.
Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown
Washington Irving’s legend country. Lyndhurst, a Gothic Revival mansion overlooking the Tappan Zee, is a regular visit.
West Point
The U.S. Military Academy, founded in 1802, sits on a bluff above a sharp bend in the river. See the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for visitor rules.
Hyde Park
Two National Park Service sites: the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (National Park Service) and the Vanderbilt Mansion (National Park Service).
Kingston
New York’s first state capital in 1777, with a stockade district and a historic waterfront at Rondout.
Catskill
Home of Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School, and the christening place of the newest Hudson riverboat in 2026.
Hudson and Olana
Frederic Church’s hilltop home Olana State Historic Site looks across the river to the Catskills.
Getting the Most From Each Stop
- Carry photo ID on West Point days.
- Expect walking and some hills at Olana and Lyndhurst.
- Free time in Kingston is a chance to explore the Rondout waterfront on foot.
- Combine Hyde Park visits: the Roosevelt and Vanderbilt sites are a few miles apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit West Point on a Hudson River cruise?
West Point appears on the overnight cruise programs. Access to the Academy grounds is controlled and visits are guided; bring government-issued photo ID.
What is at Hyde Park?
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s home and his presidential library, the first of the presidential libraries, and the Vanderbilt Mansion, both managed with the National Park Service.
What is the Hudson River Skywalk?
A walkway across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge linking Thomas Cole’s home in Catskill with Frederic Church’s Olana on the east bank.
Beyond the Cruise
Many travelers add nights before or after: Manhattan at the southern end, Albany and Saratoga Springs at the northern end. Our advisors arrange hotels at either end. For more on the northern terminus see Albany.
Pacing Your Days Ashore
Hudson ports are close together, so a week on the river rarely involves long sailing days. That leaves time for a guided visit in the morning and free time in the afternoon. Pick one major site per day rather than trying to see everything; the estates at Hyde Park and the grounds of Olana reward a slow walk. Many of the historic houses are reached by coach from the landing, and some have steps, gravel paths or uneven floors. If mobility is a concern, ask our advisors which excursions involve the least walking before you book.
Plan Your Hudson Valley Stops
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will match you with the departure and excursions you want, free.
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