Among our list of things to do in life, staying overnight at a lighthouse is right up there. Whether it be the allure of a seafaring life or bragging rights to be one of the few to have this rare opportunity, it is quite a desirable destination. It was more than a year and a half ago that we booked a room for the Saugerties Lighthouse. After a three hour drive from Manhattan with traffic, we arrived at a dead end. From there we had to hike a half mile through a woodland landscape with the view of the Hudson peering through the reeds and brushes. The path can be inaccessible due to high tides during different times of the year. Fortunately the tide didn’t prevent us from reaching the lighthouse.

The space is quite modest with only two bedrooms available for guests. What is spectacular is the view you get once your reach the beacon. Looking north, the Catskills are visible to the left and over the Hudson is Tivoli and Germantown. For something even more special, we recommend going up to the tower at night. You’ll be able to check off stargazing from a lighthouse from your list. Reservations for the rest of this year is nearly filled but come September 2nd the books will open for 2011.