Germantown, New York, offers residents and travelers plenty of activities, beautiful landscapes, and promising real estate opportunities. Situated along the Hudson River, this town provides a close-knit community with a population below 2,000. The small area incorporates natural views of the river, several town-favorite establishments, and enticing real estate opportunities for investors and families. Located two hours away from New York City, travelers can also make a weekend getaway to this cozy town.
A Brief History of Germantown, New York
Before 1700, Mohican Native Americans originally occupied the land that consists of modern-day Germantown. In 1710, around 1,200 Palatines came from Southwest Germany to establish “East Camp” along the river. A series of European settlement purchases drove the Mohican people to other parts of the country; they now reside in Wisconsin. The town developed the name “Germantown” as a direct result of the Germans who settled in the area.
Germantown features several locations that draw audiences who wish to learn more about the town’s long history. The Rockefeller family owned several buildings, like the Central House on Main Street and the Rockefeller House on Country Route 8.
What to See in Germantown
As the town is right on the river, there are plenty of outdoor adventures around Germantown. Along with observing nature, the town is full of fun shopping markets to explore.
Rip Van Winkle Bridge
Stretching over the Hudson River is the gorgeous Rip Van Winkle Bridge. This bridge is about 145 feet above the water and spans over 5,000 feet from end to end. Tourists and residents can take a walk along the built-in pathway to get an up-close view of the river. Built in 1953 as an early project of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, the bridge got its name after Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle.
The bridge connects US 9W and NY385 and allows people to travel by car and foot. the bridge spans over 5,000 feet from end to end. Nearby trails lead to the bridge and attract visitors year-round, as long as the weather is nice.
Otto’s Market
A staple in the Germantown community since 1927, Otto’s Market combines great service and high-quality items. Featuring specialty items in the grocery department, a full-service deli, and an online ordering system, locals and visitors alike can source a delicious meal from this local establishment. Locals can also pre-order a wide selection of holiday dishes for the Thanksgiving season, from classic dishes like stuffing and mashed potatoes to desserts like a mixed balsamic berry crumble.
The store has a rustic look on the outside and a warm, contemporary feel to it on the inside. As part of the market’s mission, the market encourages sustainable practices and works to acquire ingredients from the surrounding community farms. At the end of the day, the market donates leftover food and gives back to the community.
Olana State Historic Site
Located just outside of Germantown, New York is the Olana State Historic Site. This series of buildings hold a museum as well as a historic house. Visitors can take a guided tour from Friday through Sunday, but the park is open daily from sunrise to sundown. Past guests recommend scheduling time for the guided tour as tour guides bring participants around the entire property to view the landscape while sharing plenty of information.
Check out the website for special events occurring on the property as well. Special hikes, on-site guest speakers, and indigenous events take place to honor the history around the property year-round. This is a must-see site for those who love to learn about history or appreciate breathtaking scenery.
Germantown Town Hall
Another way to check out the different events happening all around town is to visit the Germantown Town Hall. Here, residents and guests can find information on local events and town activities like annual parades and memorials throughout the year. Germantown hosts its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Stroll during the upcoming holidays. Make sure to bring the kids, as Santa will be there for a meet and greet and pictures after the tree lighting.
Investors can also learn more about short-term rental opportunities by familiarizing themselves with the town’s committee. The committee hosts online meetings monthly.
Palatine Park
With a name that pays tribute to the town’s German settlers, Palatine Park offers several facilities to nature lovers in the area. Wrapping around a small lake, locals, and tourists can take a dip in the water at the beach, cook a meal on the barbeque grills, and play a game of soccer or take to the playground after lunch. The area provides enough activities for a full afternoon for the family.
Best Restaurants in Germantown
While the town offers many exciting outdoor attractions, they also have some delicious restaurants. From American to Italian food to ice cream, there is an option for everyone to enjoy.
Gaskins
Located right in town is one of the local’s favorites, Gaskins. This restaurant serves American-style food featuring local ingredients. The menu changes daily based on the local ingredients the restaurant receives. They serve exciting appetizers like Fried Celery Root and Sunchoke Soup. For entrees, some favorites include Baked Mac and Cheese and Steelhead Trout. Make sure to save room for desserts like Goat Cheesecake!
Those dying to try Gaskins should plan accordingly, as the restaurant does not take reservations for parties under six people. Guests can dine indoors or outdoors in the warmer months.
Palatine Park Pizza
Those looking for a tasty pizza slice for dinner should check out Palatine Park Pizza, located just South of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. They serve heros, burgers, pasta, and of course, pizza. Residents claim this is the best place in town to go for those craving Italian. To create the pizza, they use a blend of homemade dough, sauce, and the finest low-fat Wisconsin cheeses. The restaurant offers dine-in and take-out options.
Valley Harvest Ice Cream and Grill
For those visiting Germantown in the spring and summer months, check out Valley Harvest Ice Cream and Grill. This local business serves dinner items like burgers, salads, and sandwiches from the grill to go along with many ice cream flavors for dessert. Guests say to try the BBQ Petal Burger, the Garden Bruschetta Salad, and the Caprese Sandwich. With plenty of options to choose from, this hot spot provides options for the entire family.
Valley Harvest Ice Cream and Grill is open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm during the warmer months, and guests can choose to dine in or get takeout.
The Germantown Real Estate Market
The Germantown real estate market provides opportunities for singles, families, and investors.
*Photo contribution: RealtyHop
16 Mclean Ave
Situated right on the Hudson River, this three-bedroom, three-bathroom home at 16 Mclean Ave sits on the top of a hill at the end of a dead-end road. This house offers privacy and unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. Owners will appreciate amenities like the wood-burning fireplace, cooled glass sunroom, and the oversized in-ground pool in the backyard. Boasting over 2,460 square feet of space, potential buyers can envision their families in this home or use it as an investment property to rent to travelers.
The house currently sits on the market at $895,000, dropping $55,000 from when it entered the market in October 2022. Investors considering renting the property can expect to generate a yearly net rental profit of around $20,700.
*Photo contribution: RealtyHop
168 Round Top Road
Horse owners can settle in at 168 Round Top Road, which offers a renovated home and a barn with five riding stables. Located right in between the village of Red Hook and Hudson, the home includes one bedroom and one bathroom with a detached work studio. The barn spans over 4,500 square feet and includes a riding area and includes electric heat, and a separate panel.
Listed for $399,000, this area makes an ideal location for someone who works with horses on a larger scale or an investor looking to provide a stable spot for horse owners in the area. New owners also have the opportunity to build another home on the property, pending town approval. Past owners previously put in a foundation that measures 54 by 33 feet.
*Photo contribution: RealtyHop
4470 Route 9G
This newly renovated farmhouse is a tasteful property in Germantown, New York. Sitting right on the top of a hill, 4470 Route 9G features a stunning private backyard and gorgeous mountain views. Oak hardwood floors run throughout the entire house, and the renovated kitchen includes brand-new, updated appliances and a custom-built breakfast nook. Outside, a newly-built deck overlooks the backyard, and the front of the house also has a pouch with space for furniture. With three bedrooms and one bathroom, this property is ideal for a family.
This property came onto the market in August 2022 and dropped in price to $475,000. This home provides an appealing opportunity for families with children who need space to run around.
*Photo contribution: RealtyHop
1320 Woods Road
Built by the Rockefeller family in the 1870s, this historic home at 1320 Woods Road features four bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a primary and secondary kitchen. The home maintains original features like the 19th-century slate-roofed barn, brick fireplace, and wide-planked hardwood floors. Modern features include a sleek kitchen with white cabinetry, marble countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
Listed for $750,000, this home provides opportunities for investors and families alike. Those who appreciate Germantown’s history may decide to take their piece of the town’s history. Investors can take measures to preserve the original features and continue with tasteful updates throughout the home to flip it for a profit or rent it out to history-loving travelers.
*Photo contribution: RealtyHop
227-219 Church Ave
A rare find in Germantown, 227-219 Church Ave, is the last Dutch barn in the area. Sitting on 28 acres of land, this recently restored property now maintains its original brick foundation. The Dutch barn itself features over 5,000 square feet of living space, equipped with five bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a full kitchen, a finished basement, and two brick fireplaces.
A renovated dairy barn also resides on the property, now serving as a cottage with over 2,000 square feet that still includes the original hardwood floors. This property also consists of a wood stove, an open kitchen, three bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms.
The compound boasts natural amenities like ponds, fields, forests, and walkway paths and currently sits on the market at $1,995,000. Homebuyers looking to spread out and enjoy the natural landscape can find plenty of aspects to adore about this property. This a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the area, and interested buyers should act soon.
Conclusion
Germantown resides in a picturesque location and continues to boast examples of its long-winded history through its local establishments and renovated properties. Though the town hosts a smaller population, many visit the area each year to learn more about the past and appreciate the tight-knit community. With great restaurants, markets, and trails, many can envision moving to the area and taking a bite of the real estate market.
