A one-day Newburgh itinerary can bring together local Revolutionary-era history and views along the Hudson River. Start at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, then make time for the riverfront and, if its opening hours work, the Crawford House Museum.
- Start: Washington’s Headquarters, at 84 Liberty Street.
- History: The site includes a museum with two floors of exhibition galleries.
- Riverside break: A described section of the Hudson River Waterfront Trail runs about 1 mile from Washington Street to Ward Brothers Park.
- Getting around: Newburgh city centre is about an 11-minute drive from The Crossroads Hotel - Newburgh.
Start with Newburgh's Local History
Begin your Newburgh historic sites itinerary at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, where George Washington used the Hasbrouck House as his headquarters.
The house, at 84 Liberty Street, was built in 1750 and served as Washington’s headquarters for more than 16 months, from April 1782 to August 1783. The site opened on July 4, 1850, as the nation’s first publicly owned historic site.
Its museum has two floors of exhibition galleries, with exhibits including “George Washington: His Life & Legacy,” “Defense of the Hudson,” and “Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington’s Headquarters’ Collection.”
For a first visit, give the museum the main part of your morning. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students; children 12 and under enter free. The grounds are free to visit, and parking is free, with handicapped parking beside the museum. Enter through the main gate at 84 Liberty Street.
The Hasbrouck House is not currently part of the guided-tour schedule during restoration, though the museum building remains open during normal operating hours. The Tower of Victory may be open for visitors to ascend when weather and staffing permit. If you’re arranging a group visit to the grounds, reserve in advance; permits may be required.
The site’s history and museum galleries are covered in this guide to Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site.
Plan a Midday Riverside Break
A section of the Hudson River Waterfront Trail offers a riverside walk between Washington Street and Ward Brothers Park.
The City of Newburgh describes this trail segment as about 1 mile long and notes that the trail is not continuous along the riverfront. Treat it as a defined stretch rather than a continuous waterfront route, and plan your return or onward trip accordingly.
For a ride across the river, NY Waterway’s Newburgh ferry terminal is at 2 Washington Street. The Newburgh–Beacon ferry connects with Metro-North’s Hudson Rail Line at Beacon, and ferry service is among the transportation options identified for morning and event rush hours. The terminal is handicap accessible, and its parking facilities are accessible 24 hours a day.
Transit Orange local bus service and the Newburgh Area Transit are also transportation options; the practical guide to Newburgh and New Windsor puts these local connections in the context of the wider area.
Add a Nearby Historic Site
The Crawford House Museum adds another historic-house stop to a Newburgh day itinerary when its Sunday opening hours suit your schedule.
At 189 Montgomery Street, this 1830 home was built for Captain David Crawford and serves as the Newburgh Historical Society’s headquarters. Its opening season runs from April through December, with Sunday hours from 1–4 p.m. The suggested donation is $5 per person. Private tours, group visits, and school visits can be arranged by appointment.
New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site is another local-history stop beyond Newburgh; its role in a wider itinerary is covered in this guide to visiting New Windsor Cantonment.
How do you get around Newburgh in a day?
Newburgh city centre is about an 11-minute drive from The Crossroads Hotel - Newburgh, a hotel in Newburgh. The hotel is about 5.5 miles from the place coordinates for the city centre. You can find room details for this Newburgh hotel.
Once you’re in town, choose your route around the stops you plan to visit: Washington’s Headquarters is on Liberty Street, the Crawford House Museum is on Montgomery Street, and the ferry terminal is on Washington Street. The city identifies local bus and ferry services as options, while the waterfront trail provides a walking segment rather than an uninterrupted route.
Before you go: Washington’s Headquarters hours vary by season. Spring, summer, and fall hours are Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday, 1–5 p.m.; fall and winter hours are Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., from October 21 to mid-April. Check the official site before you go.
FAQs
What should you see first in Newburgh?
Start at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site for its museum galleries and the history of Washington’s time in Newburgh.
Is the Hudson River Waterfront Trail continuous?
No. The described stretch is about 1 mile from Washington Street to Ward Brothers Park, and the trail is not continuous along the riverfront.
Can you take a ferry from Newburgh to Beacon?
Yes. The Newburgh–Beacon ferry connects the waterfront terminal with Metro-North’s Hudson Rail Line at Beacon.
When is the Crawford House Museum open?
Its opening season runs from April through December, with Sunday hours from 1–4 p.m. Private tours and group visits can be arranged by appointment.