Athens Riverfront Park
Waterfront park with scenic views of the Hudson River and Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.
Relax and enjoy the tranquility of Athens Riverfront Park, with beautiful views of the Hudson River and the surrounding natural landscape. The park is a great spot for picnics, strolls, family playtime, and summer Friday evening concerts at the bandstand, presented by the Athens Performing Arts Council.
Launch your boat from the NY State boat launch or take your kayak or canoe out from the new 4th Street launch. For four-legged visitors, Bunker Hill Dog Park offers plenty of space to run and play.
Good to Know
Address
1 S Water St
Athens, NY 12015
Price
Free
Phone
518-945-2176
- Activity Level
- Relaxed
- Duration
- 1-2 hrs
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Athens Riverfront Park Events
October 2026
Oct 3, 2026
Painting the Day: A Community Plein Air Event
Athens Riverfront Park, 4 N. Water St.
Join us for the second annual Painting the Day Community Celebration at Athens Riverfront Park! Inspired by the rich history of the Hudson River School of Art and held in memory of beloved local artist Jim Cramer, this community gathering welcomes artists and art lovers of all ages to “paint the day” with artwork inspired by nature and the historic charm of the Village of Athens. Enjoy a live plein air demonstration, a children’s art area with water-based paints and drawing supplies, and refreshments served at noon. Artists are welcome to arrive early to choose their painting location. FREE AND OPEN TO ALL! Schedule: 10:00am – Welcome at the Pavilion 10:15–10:45am – Plein air demonstration 12:00pm – Refreshments at the Pavilion 1:30–2:00pm – Plein Air Appreciation Walk In conjunction with Painting the Day, the Athens Cultural Center will be open from 1–7pm on October 3 to view Seasons of Greene VII, a collection of landscape paintings by some of the area’s finest landscape artists. The exhibition is on view August 21–October 11, 2026. LEARN MORE
Oct 10, 2026
Hudson-Athens Lighthouse Tours
Athens Riverfront Park
Enjoy autumn views in the Great Northern Catskills by exploring the Hudson River and stepping inside one of the region’s most distinctive historic landmarks. Guided boat tours to the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse offer visitors the chance to experience this historic lighthouse from the water and learn about the people who once lived and worked there. Volunteer guides will share stories of the lighthouse, its keepers, and its place in Hudson River history during the guided tour. Built in 1874, the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse stands in the middle of the river between Athens and Hudson and remains an active aid to navigation. Tours depart every 20 minutes from 10:00 AM through 12:20 PM from Athens Riverfront Park on Saturday, September 12 & Saturday, October 10th.
