Forsyth Nature Center and Park in Kingston New York

We’ve spent a lot of 2020 taking day trips to the western part of Connecticut and the Hudson Valley and Catskill areas of New York state. We have close friends that live near Utica New York and we recently met them in Kingston, New York. We were looking for an outdoor space and discovered the Forsyth Nature Center- the perfect spot to entertain the kids for a few hours and enjoy the outdoors.

Forsyth Nature Center is part of an 18 acre park that also includes a playground, tennis courts, and open fields. The nature center opened in 1936 and has 24 animal exhibits and a dozen gardens, many of which are sponsored by local civic organizations. 

Travel Tips:

• The Forsyth Nature Center is FREE to explore and open 9am-5pm seven days a week- check here for updates and changes.

• The Forsyth Nature Center offers a variety of programs, including Bookworms and Junior Naturalist Programs. Check here for more information. 

• There are small parking lots in front of both the playground and the nature center.

• Bring veggies and fruits like carrots, celery, lettuce, and sliced apples to feed the animals- the goats, alpacas, and cow are NOT shy!

• There are two portapotties with running water located between the playground and nature center.

• A covered pavilion includes several picnic tables available to the public. Find information about local dining establishments and take out options here. 

Six Things to Do at Forsyth Park:

1. Swing, slide, and climb all over the playground, which includes tunnels and a medieval theme.

2. Visit with (and feed!) several native and exotic animals including turtles, birds of prey, goats, alpacas, and a reptile house. 

3. Follow along on the audio tour at the nature center- find the link here. The audio tour includes trivia facts and interesting stories about many of the animals who call the center home. Keep an eye out for placards throughout the nature center that indicate an audio tour stop.

4. Grab a book from the Little Book Library and read it in one of the gardens or the Burroughs Reading Nook. There are various flower gardens, a vegetable garden, a butterfly garden, and even a hummingbird garden.

5. Toss a ball or frisbee in the open fields. There is a softball dugout fence installed on one of the fields.

6. Play tennis on two upper level courts (north of the playground)

For more family fun nearby, check out our City Guide to Dutchess County, New York. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.