Marlborough is a town of 8,700 people (2020) in Ulster County, New York state. It is sometimes listed as Marlboro, though that is the name of only the southernmost village. This article also covers the hamlet of Milton, which is inside town limits.
Understand
[edit]The town was named after the Duke of Marlborough. It has been a major fruit-producing agricultural hub since the 1700s, and was a popular vacation spot in the early 1900s among Italian-Americans from New York City.
- Local tourism board. Local tourism consists especially of agritourism at local farms and "U-picks", the Saturday Farmers Market (June–October), and the town's many wineries, cider-houses, and distilleries.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]U.S. Route 9W passes through the eastern part of the town and connects to Newburgh to the south and Highland to the north. Further 9W Northbound takes you to Kingston and eventually Albany (New York).
The New York State Thruway and I-84 are major thoroughfares that run near Marlborough. Thruway exits 17 (Newburgh) and 18 (New Paltz) are each about 10-15 miles' drive from most destinations in the town. From I-84, take exit 37 to get on 9W northbound.
US-44/NY-55 cross the northwestern corner of the town, and goes to Poughkeepsie due east and Clintondale, Modena, Gardiner, and Minnewaska State Park Preserve, and Kerhonkson due west.
By train
[edit]The Metro-North railroad has nearest stops in Beacon and Poughkeepsie. The Beacon station has a cheaper fare to/from New York City and a shorter total travel time. Amtrak operates trains that stop in Poughkeepsie, bound for either Albany or New York.
By bus
[edit]Regular buses run from New York City to nearby New Paltz and Newburgh. Charter buses and wine tour buses can be a good option for travel to and between local wineries. A non-exhaustive list:
- Hudson Valley Bucket List, ☏ +1 917-414-7947. Private tour provider.
- Hudson Valley Wine Tours, ☏ +1 917-414-7947. Private tours, aimed especially at corporate events. Can visit most major wineries in town.
- The Little Wine Bus, ☏ +1 917-414-7947, [email protected]. Public tours departing from Manhattan and some Hudson Valley locations, and private tours available. Visits Benmarl, Quartz Rock, and Nostrano vineyards, depending on tour. $155/person.
Get around
[edit]
By car
[edit]Due to Marlborough's rural nature and distance from the minor cities, a car is highly recommended, as it is in most of the Hudson Valley. If you are driving, watch out for deer and cyclists on back roads.
Most travel within Marlborough involves the roads US-9W (North-South traffic), Western Avenue (to/from the village of Marlboro), the Milton Turnpike (to/from Milton), and Lattintown Road (rural North-South traffic).
Taxis, Uber, and Lyft are available but can involve long waits, especially on fall and summer weekends.
By bus
[edit]As of 2025, there is no regional bus service from Kingston, Poughkeepsie, New Paltz, or Newburgh.
By bicycle
[edit]Bicycling on Marlborough's hilly roads can be dangerous and difficult, and is generally not recommended for local transportation. However, some dedicated cyclists find the hills a challenging and beautiful workout.
By foot
[edit]Walking within the villages of Marlboro or Milton is pretty reasonable, as most businesses are within a 5-block radius of the village centers. Walking from the villages to almost any winery/cider house is not advised, except Locust Grove (Milton), and maybe Benmarl or Stoutridge (Marlboro).
See
[edit]- 1 Gomez Mill House, 11 Mill House Rd. Maybe someday the museum and mill will re-open for tours (it's been closed since 2020), but it's generally allowed to park and walk the beautiful grounds. The oldest Jewish dwelling in North America. Built by Sephardi Luis Moses Gomez in 1714, on what was named "Jew's Creek" for his family (but also known as Mill Creek these days).
- 2 Marlboro Falls. A pleasant sight of the Lattintown Creek before it flows into the Hudson. Best viewed from The Falcon (see Do section below), day or night. Look to the bottom of the falls at the "Sucker Hole", long-rumored to be a site for witch covens and prohibition-era mob hits.
- The mountains have great eastward views of the Hudson River. The wineries/cider houses/farms best known for their views are Benmarl, Locust Grove, Prospect Hill Orchards, and Quartz Rock Vineyard (see Do or Drink sections in this article).
Do
[edit]- Go to a winery, distillery, or cider-house (see Drink section below).
- Go to a pick-your-own orchard, either the below or others in nearby New Paltz or Highland:
- 1 Prospect Hill Orchards, 340 Milton Turnpike, Milton (From 9W, turn west on Milton Turnpike, enter in 2 miles on your right), ☏ +18457950001, [email protected]. June-Nov. Quieter orchard with multiple sites and good variety. Depending on season, strawberries, cherries, peaches, apples are available. Also a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, and bakery!
- 2 Weed Orchards & Winery, 43 Mt Zion Rd (From Lattintown Rd, turn west onto Mount Zion road, enter in ½ a mile on your left), ☏ +1-845-236-9357. June-Nov. Pick-Your-Own orchard with apples and peaches, open from late spring through fall. Tractor rides, kids' playground, bakery, pizza, non-alcoholic (sweet) cider, and wine all readily available.
- 1 Prospect Hill Orchards, 340 Milton Turnpike, Milton (From 9W, turn west on Milton Turnpike, enter in 2 miles on your right), ☏ +18457950001, [email protected]. June-Nov. Quieter orchard with multiple sites and good variety. Depending on season, strawberries, cherries, peaches, apples are available. Also a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, and bakery!
- 3 Heart of the Hudson Valley Farmers Market, 1801-1805 Rte 9W, Cluett-Schantz Park, Milton (on Route 9W, just South of Milton Turnpike). Jun-Oct: Sa 9AM-2PM. Visit this small local farmers market featuring fresh Hudson Valley fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, bread, and a small rotation of other vendors. Near to 'downtown' Milton.
- 4 The Falcon, 1348 Route 9W, ☏ +1 845-236-7970. W-Su 5:30-10PM. See a performance at this excellent live music venue with year-round weekend lineup. No tickets or cover, but suggested donation is $30/person (and 100% goes to the performers). Food and drink also served. Seasonal outdoor seating has the best (only) view of the Marlboro Falls in town. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made online. $30-60 (donation and meal).
- 5 Marlboro Nature Trail (Parking downhill and to the southeast of the church parking lot) Hike this easy 1-mile loop, down to "Two Creeks Point", where Lattintown Creek meets Mill Creek before flowing into the Hudson. Watch for wild wineberries in July. Free.
Buy
[edit]Fresh produce, including locally-grown peaches, stone fruit, apples, and grapes, can be found at many farms and farm stands. The Farmers Market in Milton (see above) is a good choice for this, but there is also:
- 1 Caradonna Farms, 1394 US-9W (North of the village of Marlboro, south of Milton, on the east side of Rte 9W). May-Nov, 9AM-6PM. Farm stand and garden center with fruits, vegetables, and flowers grown on-site and throughout Marlboro. Cash preferred. Well-loved vendor at New York City farmers markets.
- 2 Overlook Farm Market (Home Stand), 144 Old Indian Rd, Milton. 10AM-5PM. The family used to operate a bigger farm market on Rte 9W, but now only does retail from the home stand. Great fruits and vegetables at good prices.
- 3 Trapani Farms and CSA, 700 Lattintown Rd, Milton (North of the village of Marlboro, south of Milton, on the east side of Rte 9W). Jun-Aug; W-F noon-6PM, Sa-Su 9AM-3PM. Local family farm for over 100 years, commercial-scale producer of apples. Regular vendor at farmers markets throughout the Hudson Valley.
Some other shopping options of note:
- 4 Hepworth Farms CBD, 11637 US-9W, Milton, ☏ +18459688002. 10AM-5PM. Hepworth's organic fruits and vegetables are well known in the area and often available at the Milton Farmers Market, but owner Amy Hepworth branched into commercially growing hemp a few years ago. CBD flower and derived products like lotions and balms are available for purchase at this roadside shop.
Eat
[edit]In addition to the fresh produce available at farm stands and pick-your-own apple orchards, there are many restaurants worth visiting:
- 1 The Angry Chef, 1191 Route 9W (Southernmost unit), ☏ +1 845-236-9650, [email protected]. Tu–Th 3–9PM, Sa 3–10PM, Su 3–9PM. Upscale Italian dining, great for date night. Reservations recommended. $30–60.
- 2 Comparetto Bakery, 20 Western Ave, ☏ +1 845-236-4440. Tu-Su 7AM-2PM. Italian bakery with old-school feel. Good cookies and biscotti. $1-10.
- 3 Frank’s Village Market & Deli, 4 Western Ave, ☏ +1 845-236-7393. M-Sa 6AM-6PM, Su 7AM-4PM. A classic New York Italian-style deli. Good hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches on a "hard roll" or sub. $10-20.
- 4 Henry's at the Farm, 220 N Rd, Milton, ☏ +1 845-795-1500. Dinner W-Th 5-9PM, F Sa 5-10PM, Su 5-8PM; Brunch Sa Su 11AM-3PM. Very good farm-to-table restaurant at Buttermilk Falls Inn. $50–100 for dinner, $20–30 for brunch.
- 5 Pizza Town, 1396 Route 9W, ☏ +1 845-236-4261. Tu–Sa 11AM–9PM, Su noon–9PM. Great pizza in the local style, right in the village; pizza by the slice is available for a quick bite. $10–20.
- 6 Raccoon Saloon, 1330 Route 9W, ☏ +1 845-236-7872. W Th 11:30AM-9:30PM, F Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 11:30AM-8PM. Historic building that overlooks the Hudson River and Lattintown Creek (and the infamous "Sucker Hole"). Well-known for their burgers.
Drink
[edit]For non-alcoholic beverages, try sweet (unfiltered) cider at any pick-your-own apple orchard, or:
- 1 Fermata Cafe & Roastery, 1313 Route 9W (next to the Key Bank). Th-Tu 6AM-3PM. New coffee shop in 'downtown' village of Marlboro. Hours are in flux during opening months. $5-10.
Marlboro and Milton are known for their many wineries, distilleries, and cider-houses with open tasting rooms, featuring alcoholic beverages made from local fruit. Dogs, kids, and outside food are welcome at many, but not all; hours often vary seasonally and most are open only on weekends. At wineries, try especially varietals from the Hudson Valley's signature grapes: Cabernet Franc, Noiret, Chambourcin, and Seyval Blanc.
- 2 Benmarl Winery, 156 Highland Ave, ☏ +1 845-236-4265. daily 11AM-6PM. The oldest vineyard in America, holding New York Farm Winery license No. 1. Well-respected and known locally. Wood-fired pizza available on weekends (cash only for pizza, ATM on site). Regular weekend events (e.g., rosé festival, grape stomping). Reservations for fall weekends recommended. $15+.
- 3 Fjord Vineyards, 251 Ridge Rd, Milton, ☏ +1 845-393-0094. M Th 1-5PM; F Sa 1-6PM; Su noon-5PM. Excellent, certified sustainable estate wines, from this very well-regarded winery owned by the same family as Benmarl. $20+.
- 4 The Kedem Winery, 1519 US-9W, ☏ +18452363651. Su-Th 11AM-4PM. One of the largest and oldest kosher winemakers in the world, with concord grape vineyards in Marlboro. Huge variety of wines in an old-world winery atmosphere. Closed Saturdays. Free tastings.
- 5 Locust Grove Brewing Company, 162 N Rd, Milton (Right outside the village of Milton, take Main St west), ☏ +1 845-795-4104. Th 5–9PM, F 4–9PM, Sa noon–9PM, Su noon2–6PM. Nice beer and cider in a casual pub setting, on a farm that's been in the Kent family for 200 years. Rotating selection of food trucks, popular on Thursdays and Fridays for happy hour. Close-up views of the Hudson River. $20+.
- 6 Nostrano Vineyards, 14 Gala Ln, Milton (From Lattintown Road, turn west onto Gala Lane), ☏ +1 845-795-5473. Sa Su 11AM-5PM; F 2-8PM in summer and fall, Th noon-7PM in fall. Nice wines and sangrias. Good views, well-liked wedding venue. Friday night happy hour is popular with locals and industry insiders. $10+.
- 7 Stoutridge Distillery and Winery, 10 Ann Kaley Ln, ☏ +1 845-236-7620, [email protected]. F-M 11AM-6PM. Quiet distillery with fantastic spirits and unique natural wines. Locavores: take note of the brandies and applejacks made from local fruits and incorporation of locally-sourced botanicals in gins and genièvres. Distiller Steve owns the property with his wife Kim, and they are often working the tasting room. Private in-depth tastings also available. $20+.
- 8 Quartz Rock Vineyard and Cider House, 40 Mountain Road (from Lattintown Road, turn west onto Reservoir or Mount Zion Roads, drive uphill 1 mile and turn onto Mountain Road), ☏ +1 845-236-3265. Sa Su 11AM-5PM, Fridays in summer and fall. 100% estate wines made with grapes grown on the attached farm. Outdoor seating with relaxed atmosphere and outstanding views of the Hudson River. $20+.
Sleep
[edit]The most recommended and unique are:
- 1 Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa, 220 North Rd, Milton (About half a mile north of the village of Milton), ☏ +1 845-795-1310. A very nice inn, spa, and grounds, with restaurant on-site (see below). $450.
- 2 Danskammer House Bed & Breakfast, 5 West St, ☏ +1 845-236-9836. Small bed and breakfast in the village of Marlboro, open seasonally. $200.
In addition to these, there are several AirBnBs and other short-term rentals in Marlboro that cater to the agritourism crowd and usually cost $200/night or more.
More traditional chain hotels can be found in nearby Newburgh and New Paltz.
There are also many cheap motels along Route 9W that are mostly aimed toward seasonal agricultural workers.
Though Marlboro doesn't have any areas to camp, camping can be found nearby in Wallkill, at the Hemlock Ridge Multiple Use Area (free, no official campsites, but primitive camping is allowed away from trails), and the KOA Holiday ($50+, tent and RV sites available, seasonal)
Go next
[edit]If this is your first time in the Hudson Valley, some other places that are short jaunts from Marlborough are Beacon across the river and New Paltz to the northwest, both about 20-30 minutes' drive away. Also consider checking out Kingston, Newburgh, or Poughkeepsie, three bigger Mid-Hudson cities that have deep history and a number of good places to visit, even though they're less popular as tourist destinations than Beacon or New Paltz. All five of these nearby locales have great food, art, history, and local flavor.
A bit further away, there is of course New York City to the south, Albany to the north, and Hartford to the east, each about 1-2 hours away. If you're taking a big trip, any of them would be a fine next stop.
| Routes through Marlborough |
| Albany ← Highland ← | N  S
|
→ Newburgh → Fort Lee |
| Kerhonkson ← Clintondale ← | W  E
|
→ Poughkeepsie → Hartford |