Roadtrip: A Guide to The Catskills
My first trip to the Catskills was only 3 years ago. We drove through Catskill Park along scenic route 23A towards Tannersville, through the bends and curves of the scenic byway with Kaaterskill Wild Forest on the left and ravines on the right. It was love at first sight.
I’ve spent a lot of time since then getting to know the Catskills and I have developed some opinions! When planning a trip to the Catskills the most important thing to keep in mind is that the Catskills is an extensive area, so it’s best to decide what you want to do then pick your home base based on that decision. Below, I’ve broken the Catskills into three sections and included my favorite places and things to do in each area. Spoiler Alert! Heart of the High Peaks Region is my personal favorite. Happy Trip Planning!
Kingston, Phoenicia, Big Indian, Mt. Tremper, Woodstock
Click HERE to see the best spots to visit while here.
How to Spend a Long Weekend in
The Heart of the High Peaks
Thursday: Check-in late afternoon, and then it’s off for your first adventure! Drive to Big Indian and stop at Utility Pole 167 1/2 off rt 47 (no, this isn’t on Alltrails!). Find the light path and follow the sounds of heavy running water. After a very short downhill walk you’ll be at Otter Falls. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, cannonball into the watering hole as the stress of city life washes away. Dry off, then it’s off to dinner at The Pines in Mt Tremper for some fantastic dinner and homemade cocktails outdoors. Snag a table near a fire pit.
Friday: Wake up to that fresh mountain air! Start your day with breakfast at Bread Alone in Boiceville for coffee and some breakfast sandwiches. After, acquaint yourself with the mountains by taking an after-breakfast stroll along the Ashokan Rail Trail. The best views of the high peaks can be found at the northern end of the 11.5-mile rail-trail along the Reservoir at the Boiceville Bridge trailhead entrance. Grab an apres-beer and lunch outdoors at Woodstock Brewing in Phoenicia. The owners began brewing in their Woodstock backyard and after gaining 10k followers on Instagram, decided they needed an upgrade and opened up the brewery on Rt 28. After sundown, head to Foxfire Mountain House for some pre-dinner cocktails at the fire pit before you enjoy your 3-course pre-fixe dinner inside. The eclectic hearty menu will ensure you sleep deeply and fuel up for your Saturday adventures ahead.
Saturday: Grab a coffee and a quick breakfast at Maeve’s in Phoenicia close to the trailhead of Mt. Tremper Fire Tower. The moderate-upgrade on the switchbacks are manageable but will feel never-ending until you reach the fire tower. Climb the fire tower for 360-degree views of the Catskill high peaks and you’ll hear yourself saying
”switchback, what?” You’ll be all smiles on your way back down to the trailhead. Spend the afternoon catching rays at the outdoor West Kill Brewing on Spruceton Rd. Take a seat near the fire pit or at the many picnic tables looking out on West Kill Mountain. Located within the notch, the surrounding views are as good as the artwork on the beer cans (the beer isn’t half bad either!) Food trucks rotate throughout the year being a great option to fuel up post-hike. After sundown, head to Woodstock for some pre-dinner cocktails at the eclectic Early Terrible- a cocktail bar literally built around a tree. At night they have fire pits going all over the property. Head across the street for dinner at Silvia for wood-fired vegetables and meats.
Sunday: You’re probably tired from all the hiking by now, but you’ve saved the best for last. Giant Ledge to Panther Mountain views will leave you speechless. (For an easier option, stop at Giant Ledge for some of the best views of the Catskills before heading back down to the trailhead rather than continuing on to Panther). Apres eats at Phoenicia diner followed by a quick stop at the Abandoned Cider Outpost tasting room on Rt 28. Abandoned Cider crowdsources apples from backyards and abandoned properties to make their cider. Because the apples come from all over the Hudson Valley, each batch will taste different. Grab a quick 4-ounce tasting in their back patio before heading back to reality after a fantastic Catskills weekend.
Click here for more information on what to do and see.
Note: Due to the pandemic many businesses are only open Thursday-Monday or just weekends for winter hours. TBD on how this will change over the summer so plan accordingly.
Livingston Manor
Click HERE to see the best spots to visit while here.
How to Spend a Long Weekend in The Western Catskills
Friday: Go bold on your first day with a hike to the Balsam Lake Fire Tower, a Catskill 3500 peak, not far from downtown Livingston Manor. Enjoy a post-hike lunch at The Smoke Joint with you guessed it- some great bbq. Spend the afternoon enjoying spirits tasting at Catskill Distilling Company @ the Dancing Cat Saloon. Grab a quick nap before closing out your first day with a casual dinner and drinks outdoors in Mountain Dale at the Creek Bar at High Voltage with nightly music from 6 pm-9 pm.
Saturday: Spend the day learning to fly fish or spend the afternoon on a quick hike to the Red Hill Fire Tower which affords great views of the Eastern Catskills. Grab a light lunch at Main Street Farm followed by some downtime before your 10-course tasting dinner at DeBruce- the new chef is pushing limits and it’ll be difficult to identify your favorite course! Arrive early for a cocktail in the Adirondack chairs by the creek.
Sunday: Sleep in late followed by an early lunch at The Kaatskeller for some woodfired delights then it’s on to Sunday Funday with some brewery hopping! The first stop is Callahoon Brewery, followed by Catskill Brewing and my personal favorite Upward Brewing. Pick up some snacks and dinner at Van Smokey Meat Shop for a nice grilled dinner at home to close out your Western Catskills weekend!
Click for more information on what to do and see.
Note: Due to the pandemic many businesses are only open Thursday-Monday or just weekends for winter hours. TBD on how this will change over the summer so plan accordingly.
Westkill/Spruceton, Elka Park, Tannersville, Hunter
Click here to see the best spots in the area
How to Spend a Long Weekend in the Great Northern Catskills
Friday: Enjoy that fresh mountain air! After breakfast, head to the Kaaterskill Rail Trail that leads right to the Kaaterskill Falls with easy trail add ons, depending on how ambitious you’re feeling. After your hike, head to Last Chance Cafe for a cheese plate (or fondue in the winter) and wine kind of lunch (or burgers and sandwiches if you’d prefer!) Enjoy the golden hour at the Mountain Top Arboretum Loop in Tannersville, followed by a casual Friday night with music, food, and drinks at the outdoor Woodhouse Pizza.
Saturday: Start your day by building your own breakfast sandwich at Bear and Fox. Hands down, one of the best breakfast sammies in existence! Caffeinated up, head to Lanesville for the Diamond Notch Falls hike followed by apres at Hunter Mountain Brewery with outdoor tables overlooking Hunter Mountain. From there, head up to Arkville, to Union Grove Distillery to taste their vodka, whiskey, and gin. Finally, close the day with a fantastic fireside dinner at Deer Mountain Inn. Deer Mountain Inn has a rotating door of chef pop-ups so you’ll always experience something interesting.
Sunday: After breakfast, it’s adventure time! Head to North/South Lake to hike Sunset Rock the best spot along the longer trail that includes Artist’s Rock, Sunset Rock, and Newman’s Ledge. It’s time to close out your trip with a stop in Saugerties for Alleyway Ice Cream- where they’ve concocted some of the most interesting combinations like sweet corn, black sesame, or ube heath bar. It’s your final stop, before stepping back to reality, therefore, treat yourself to two scoops rather than one.
Click here for more information on what to do while in the Great Northern Catskills.
Note: Due to the pandemic many businesses are only open Thursday-Monday or just weekends for winter hours. TBD on how this will change over the summer so plan accordingly.
