Wappinger comprises three-fourths of the incorporated village of Wappingers Falls, several unincorporated hamlets such as Chelsea, Diddell, Hughsonville, Middlebush, Myers Corners, New Hackensack, and Swartwoutville, and a number of neighborhoods.

The Wappinger were a confederacy of Native Americans whose territory, in the 17th century, was spread along the eastern shore of the Hudson River.

Primarily based in what is now Dutchess County, their territory bordered Manhattan Island to the south, the Mahican territory bounded by the Roeliff Jansen Kill to the north,[5] and extended east into parts of Connecticut.

The geographical area of Wappinger was first illegally settled in 1659 by members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Seeking religious freedom, they settled near the mouth of the Wappinger Creek until Dutch Authorities removed them months later.

The first meeting was held at the Brower Brother's Wagon Shop on Mill Street.

[4] Part of the western town line is located at the Hudson River and borders Orange County.

Wappinger's boundaries are Fishkill to the south, East Fishkill across Sprout Creek to the east, the town of Newburgh across the Hudson River to the west, Wappinger Creek to the northwest, and LaGrange to the northeast.

The highest point in Wappinger is 545 feet (166 m) above sea level on a hilltop between Smithtown Road and Cedar Hill Road in the southern part of the town, and the lowest point is sea level, along the Hudson River.

Hudson Valley Regional Airport is located in Wappinger's New Hackensack hamlet.

Metro-North's Hudson Line tracks go through Wappinger, with the nearest stop being at New Hamburg.