Behind the Screens: A Journey Through the Woodstock Film Festival’s Venues and Villages
Written by Chris Coughlin and Jack DeAngelis for the Woodstock Film Festival
With the 27th annual Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) around the corner (October 14-18), it’s never too early to start planning for your fall trip upstate. Centered in the beautiful community of Woodstock, New York, with screenings and events across nearby towns, the annual film festival presents a great opportunity to experience the art, natural beauty, and local attractions of the Hudson Valley.
Read on to discover WFF venues, nearby restaurants, shops, hidden gems, and more to check out when you’re in town!
WOODSTOCK
Home to WFF headquarters, box office, and a number of arts and music venues, Woodstock has a long history as a haven for artistic expression. The town’s many venues host screenings and panels during the festival, including the Bearsville Theater and Utopia Studios, Tinker Street Cinema, the Woodstock Community Center, and the Woodstock Playhouse.
Highlights:
Woodstock is home to a variety of restaurants. For a quick bite, visit spots like Yum Yum Noodle Bar, Sharkie’s, or Bread Alone. You can find vegan fare at Garden Cafe, and check out the seasonal menu at The Penny, which serves up unique farm-to-table dishes. For something lighter, check out their café, which offers made-to-order or grab-and-go sandwiches, salads, pastries, and fresh coffee. For a high-end dinner, consider Nirvana Indian Cuisine, Good Night, Cucina, or Medo—food from all over the world in the heart of Woodstock!
Find Woodstock nightlife (karaoke and pool tables!) at Tinker Street Tavern in the Bearsville Center and at Station Bar & Curio, just down the street from Tinker Street Cinema —enjoy a pint and a hot dog!
For dessert, check out the delicious cookies at Overlook Bakery or stop for ice cream at Sweet Dreams.
Fans of the outdoors, consider hiking the Overlook Mountain Trail during the day. Gaining an elevation of nearly 1,400 feet with a fire tower at the top, this trail features beautiful views of the Hudson Valley. The Comeau Property Trail is another great spot, a peaceful walk right in the heart of Woodstock.
Check out the HERbal Woodstock dispensary, focusing on locally grown cannabis, and their sister location HERbal House, based in a historic cidermill at a local farm.
Woodstock is home to several art galleries and exhibitions to visit between your festival screenings, including Calico Exhibitions, Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, Cross Contemporary Art Projects, and Azart Gallery.
To shop antiques, art, and goods from community vendors, visit Mower’s Flea Market, open every Saturday and Sunday. Also stop by The Golden Notebook for a wide selection of books and selections by local authors.
Looking to stay in Woodstock during the festival? The town is home to a number of cozy lodging options! The Woodstock Inn on the Millstream is situated near a soothing stream perfect for swimming and stunning views while you enjoy a breakfast buffet. Artists are welcome to book a stay at AutoCamp Catskills, where boutique hotel meets nature escape – just minutes from both Woodstock and Saugerties. Use promo code WFF26 at checkout or click the button below to book your stay now and save! Consider also looking into the Woodstock Way Hotel, which features views of the Tannery Brook Waterfall, and The Herwood Inn and Hotel Dylan—some festival favorites!
KINGSTON
The first capital of New York, Kingston is rich in history and home to a variety of screenings and events for the Woodstock Film Festival at Assembly Kingston and Upstate Midtown, Upstate Film’s intimate 41-seat theater, and new for this year is Unicorn Bar, the only queer-focused nightlife space in the Hudson Valley.
Highlights:
To learn about history while enjoying views of the Kingston Waterfront, visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum – you can learn about maritime artifacts and tour both historic boats and vessels built in-house.
If you’re looking for lodging in Kingston, check in to Hotel Kinsley. With four unique buildings to choose from, Hotel Kinsley offers a variety of historic and cozy rooms along with a delicious restaurant and relaxing massages at the wellness center. The Hutton Brickyards, which delivered bricks used in the Empire State Building and Yankee Stadium, now features lodging, restaurants, and outdoor event spaces. Don’t forget to pack your bike!
For expertly crafted cocktails, delicious wines, and tasty bites, check out Chleo on Fair Street. For larger meals, head over to Eliza and dig into their refined American food with global influences, Blue Duck Brewing Company for lagers with a Czech and European influence and food from the Phoenicia Diner Canteen, Mirador for a menu of small plates that changes seasonally, Sorry, Charlie for inventive pizzas in a laid-back setting, or Rosie for fresh bread and baked goods. For a fun night out, consider Tubby’s, a local haunt with a live-music scene, or Salt Box, a retro bar that often hosts watch parties and outdoor film screenings, a short walk from Assembly. Brickmen Kitchen + Bar, named after Kingston’s historic brickmaking industry, features an open kitchen and offers both indoor and outdoor dining. For high-end waterfront dining in downtown Kingston, visit The Cornell Restaurant + Bar.
For outdoor exercise and breathtaking views of the Hudson River, visit Sojourner Truth State Park. The City of Kingston’s first state park offers hiking trails with woods and wetlands, as well as paved trails with access to the Hudson River Brickyard Trail and part of the Empire State Trail.
Rough Draft Bar & Books is a Kingston institution—a bookstore café with selections of beer, cider, wine, coffee, and local pastries from Kingston Bread + Bar, which also has a location right near Upstate Midtown. Camp Kingston is another great option for pastries, coffee, and incredible lunchtime bites (like their iconic tofu Bahn Mi).
To appreciate diverse forms of art and culture, visit local exhibitions and galleries like ArtPort Kingston, Arts Society of Kingston, 68 Prince St. Gallery, Pinkwater Gallery at Kingston Social, Kingston Pop Museum, One Mile Gallery, The Lace Mill, and Cornell Creative Arts Center, each featuring a wide range of paintings, sculptures, and more.
Anyone looking for antiques or handcrafted goods might try Red Owl Collective, a vintage store and event space in Kingston’s midtown arts district.
SAUGERTIES
A short drive from Woodstock takes you to Saugerties, a lively village with shops, restaurants, and beautiful nature. Woodstock Film Festival screenings are hosted at the Broken Wing Barn at White Feather Farm and Upstate Films’ Orpheum Theatre, which features an iconic and recently revitalized classic movie marquee. For the first time ever, this year’s Maverick Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 18 at Oz Farms, a horse farm and event space featuring a 3,200 square foot rough-cut oak barn and stunning views of the property and surrounding landscape. Owner Jennifer Oz Leroy has fascinating ties to the film world: her great-grandfather was Jack Warner, one of the Warner Brothers, and her grandfather, Mervyn Leroy, produced the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz.
Highlights:
For a historic tavern experience with food and drinks, visit The Dutch, located on Main Street and operating since 1933. Classic rock fans should check out the menu at Rock Da Casbah for Fleetwood Mac and Cheese and Springsteen Rolls! For tasty, affordable Mexican food with a cheerful vibe, visit Little Cinco de Mayo. Miss Lucy’s Kitchen serves up Southern cuisine with a modern twist, and be sure to visit the new Margaux Bar from the same owner, featuring small bites and cocktails. For authentic Indian cuisine with fresh ingredients and a lunch buffet, visit Namaste. If you’re hurrying to a screening, you can stop for hamburgers, hotdogs, and thin-cut fries at Buns Burgers, which also has a location in uptown Kingston, or a slice and order of garlic knots at Slices of Saugerties.
Step outside for a breath of fresh air and visit Falling Waters Preserve, part of Scenic Hudson which features a meadow with views of the Catskills, waterfalls, and a historic lighthouse. Fans of local history would love to discover the Mulford ice house that remains on the preserve, a windowless building which stored ice collected from the river for decades in the 1800s.
Shop antique jewelry, art, furniture, and more at the Saugerties Antique Center, one of the Hudson Valley’s oldest antique centers operating since 1978. For cozier stores, visit Inquiring Minds Bookstore, Chambers Vintage, and Quick Brown Fox Letterpress for stationary. All of these stores and more are located on Main Street in the heart of the village.
Check out local art at Opus 40, sculptor Harvey Fite’s environmental piece that he worked on for over 35 years. Rising from an abandoned bluestone quarry at the foot of Overlook Mountain, Opus 40 is an incredible work of art that should not go unseen. Enjoy tours of the vast acreage surrounding the sculpture, and don’t forget to stop at The Quarryman’s Museum while you’re there to experience more of Harvey Fite’s work. More exhibits worth checking out include Emerge Gallery & Art Space, Jane St. Art, and Rohmer Gallery. For live music and performing arts, catch a show at The Local.
Looking to stay in the peaceful nature of the Catskills during your trip? Pitch your tent, park your RV, or rent a cabin at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds or Blue Mountain Campground. Each featuring comfortable amenities and events for the whole family, these grounds are charming options for your stay during the festival. Diamond Mills Resort and Spa is another great option right along the Esopus River, featuring a Waterside Spa and Blackbarn Restaurant.
ROSENDALE
A small, historic former mining town in the center of Ulster County, Rosendale is home to the Rosendale Theatre, a former casino/vaudeville theatre hybrid that now operates as a volunteer-run movie theater. Today, it serves as a beloved local hub for screenings during the Woodstock Film Festival.
Part of Rosendale’s history as a mining town is Joppenburg Mountain. You can take trails starting from Willow Kiln Park to reach the top for some gorgeous views of the area—plus, see how many fossils you can find along the way! You can also walk along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and across the iconic Rosendale Trestle, a converted 19th-century railroad over the Roundout Creek. Be sure to stop by Widow Jane Mine, a 19th-century natural cement mine that has been repurposed into a unique venue for live music and film screenings. There are also guided tours of the area focusing on history and geology.
For unique finds and vintage shopping, visit Clubhouse Vintage and Soiled Doves. Both located on Main Street, Clubhouse Vintage is a family-owned store that specializes in Americana clothing for all ages. Soiled Doves houses vintage treasures, from gorgeous bowling shoes to novelty salt & pepper shakers. Also stop by Postmark Books, a bookstore and florist, for creative gifts.
For outdoor dining, check out Creekside Bar and Bistro for bar snacks, sandwiches, and more, or head down to Soy on Main Street for home-cooked, fresh Japanese meals (be sure to call ahead for reservations!) If you want something quick and tasty, check out The Big Cheese, which sells prepared foods, made-to-order sandwiches, and groceries. Don’t forget to take a look at the racks of vintage clothing for sale in the back. If classic American dishes are more your speed, try a luxurious meal at The Feather’s Tavern, located in The Six Bells Countryside Inn, a historic building that has been operating as a hotel since 1850. For another local dining option, try Darlings in Tilson, just outside of Rosendale, which offers quality southern food and excellent cocktails as well as regular live music performances and special events.
The Muse offers a wide selection of live performances, workshops, and art exhibitions for sharing and learning about the arts from community performers.
During your trip to the Hudson Valley for the Woodstock Film Festival, you will get to experience the beauty and unique charm of some of the area’s local movie theaters and venues. Be sure to check out some of the nearby businesses, restaurants, and attractions that make our community special.
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