For many, the Orange County hamlet of Pine Bush conjures images of extraterrestrials and paranormal activity—it is the “UFO Capital of the East,” after all. But for residents like Ellen Lois Quimby, it’s a tight-knit place to call home. “I’ve lived in the Pine Bush area my whole life. I love the smalltown feel, the people, and what’s available close by,” says Quimby, who serves as president of the Pine Bush Chamber of Commerce.
Pine Bush was first settled in the mid-1700s, but the area began to see more traffic in the early 1800s when the Town of Crawford was formed from part of Montgomery. The town bustled with lumber mills, gristmills, and farms— the latter still has a high regional presence.
Since the ‘80s, when there was a boom in alleged alien sightings and other unusual activity, Pine Bush’s paranormal reputation has preceded itself. In 2011, the hamlet began hosting an annual Pine Bush UFO Fair, complete with a variety of vendors, live music, and a spirited costume contest. For year-round haunts, visit the Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum; in addition to self-guided explorations of the exhibits, the museum offers haunted lantern tours throughout the hamlet every Saturday.
Family Life
Children living in Pine Bush attend the Pine Bush Central School District, which serves the hamlet and the surrounding towns. In the 2022-2023 academic year, the district had a total enrollment of 4,590 students across four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.
Throughout the year, several organizations in Crawford host family-friendly community events. Pine Bush First Fridays puts on an outdoor live music and craft fair on the first Friday of each month from May to November. In December, the fair is on the first Saturday (December 7) to coincide with the annual Town of Crawford Country Christmas and Holiday Celebration, which features live performances and a tractor parade.
On the Town
Despite Pine Bush’s petite size, its business district is buzzing. Per Quimby, “I love our quaint little Main Street and how the business owners are community minded.” Around the town, residents and visitors enjoy a variety of restaurants: One With Land, a hyperlocal farm-to-table restaurant that opened last year; Mexican cuisine at Sabroso; French-Mexican fusion eats at Bistro du Mexique; lunch at café All Things Delicious; and classic bar fare at Longstreet Tavern.
An assortment of small shops is scattered around Pine Bush as well. Thrifters sift through secondhand clothes at Affordable Finds Family Consignment; hobbyists buy crafting supplies (and take classes) at Quilter’s Attic and Uptiquing; The French Connection has gifts and homemade confections; and Soulshine Market sells food and gifts for healthy living.
Get out There
Part of Pine Bush’s appeal is grounded in its proximity to nearby nature preserves and hiking trails. A short drive from the hamlet brings you to the Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, a 5,000-acre protected forest with ice caves, a 187-foot-tall waterfall, and cliffs with scenic vistas of the Shawangunks. There’s also the Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge in Wallkill, a scenic birding destination with 3.6 miles of walking trails.
When combined with welcoming residents, Pine Bush’s rural setting, charming downtown, and quirky history make for “a great place to live,” Quimby says. “Come join us and experience everything we have to offer. This is a beautiful area.”
To find a real estate agent in Pine Bush or any Hudson Valley town check out near-me.hvmag.com/realtors.
Neighborhood Stats
Area
2.1 sq. mi.
Population
1,659
Median value of owner-occupied homes
$250,900
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