Catskills
A mountain getaway north of New York City, with the waterfalls and mountain vistas painted by the Hudson River School, plus the artsy town of Woodstock and ski resorts scattered throughout.
The Catskill Mountains lie in southeastern New York State, west of the Hudson River, about 2–3 hours' drive from New York City, and are the oldest mountain resort area in the northeastern United States. In the 19th century, Thomas Cole and other Hudson River School painters captured the waterfalls and valleys here, giving rise to America's earliest mountain tourism; today, vast tracts of forest belong to the Catskill Forest Preserve. Main areas to explore: the north centers on Kaaterskill Falls, North-South Lake, Kaaterskill Clove and Tannersville, with skiing at Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain in winter; in the southeast, the arts town of Woodstock is the base for climbing Overlook Mountain and visiting the Ashokan Reservoir and Opus 40; in the central Catskills around Phoenicia, summer means tubing on Esopus Creek and climbing Slide Mountain; and along the river, the village of Catskill and the city of Hudson have Thomas Cole's home and Olana. Music fans can drive a bit farther to the site of the Woodstock festival in Bethel. Fall foliage is at its best from late September to mid-October, which is also the most crowded time; summer is great for hiking and swimming in streams, and Dec–Mar is ski season. Public transportation is limited, so you'll basically need a car; parking at popular trailheads is tight on weekends, so arrive early. Plan on 2–4 days; lodging is mostly B&Bs, mountain cabins and boutique motels.
Top sights
- Kaaterskill Falls – One of the tallest two-tiered waterfalls in New York State (about 79 meters), a classic subject of the Hudson River School and the top attr…
- North-South Lake & Catskill Mountain House Site – The most popular lakeside campground in the Catskills. The cliff-top site of an old mountain house offers views over the Hudson Valley and…
- Woodstock – A century-old artists' town where hippie flair coexists with galleries, record shops and cafés. The music festival itself was held elsewher…
- Overlook Mountain Fire Tower & Hotel Ruins – A classic hike on the mountain behind Woodstock, passing the ruins of an abandoned hotel at the summit. The fire tower at the top offers vi…
- Hunter Mountain – One of New York State's most popular ski resorts, about 2.5 hours from New York City. In summer and autumn, you can ride the gondola for fa…
- Windham Mountain – A family-friendly ski resort in the northern Catskills with gentle slopes and refined service. In summer, you can ride mountain bikes and t…
- Belleayre Mountain Ski Center – A ski area run by New York State, with affordable tickets and a lookout at the summit. In summer, you can swim and boat at the lakeside bea…
- Olana State Historic Site – A Persian-style estate designed by Hudson River School master Frederic Church, overlooking the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains.
- Thomas Cole National Historic Site – The home and studio of Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School, where you can see the original Catskill landscapes he painted.
- Opus 40 – A giant land art sculpture built by the artist Harvey Fite over 37 years, dry-stacked from bluestone in an abandoned quarry.
- Ashokan Reservoir & Ashokan Rail Trail – A major reservoir supplying New York City's water. The dam promenade and the old rail trail along the lake are ideal for cycling, walking a…
- Phoenicia & Esopus Creek Tubing – The mountain village of Phoenicia is known for its famous breakfast spots and tire tubing down Esopus Creek, the most popular summer water…
- Slide Mountain – The highest peak in the Catskills at 1,274 m. Naturalist John Burroughs once wrote here, and the summit overlooks Ashokan Reservoir.
- Kaaterskill Clove – A deep valley cut through by Route 23A, the “valley of paintings” favored by Hudson River School artists. It is ideal for a scenic drive du…
- Tannersville – A mountain village whose main-street buildings are painted in vivid colors. It is close to Kaaterskill Falls and Hunter Mountain.
- Karma Triyana Dharmachakra – A Tibetan Kagyu Buddhist monastery on the hill above Woodstock, with a gold-topped shrine hall and prayer flags. Visitors can tour the shri…
- Saugerties Lighthouse – A brick lighthouse built in 1869 where Esopus Creek meets the Hudson River. It is reached on foot along a wetland trail, and overnight stay…
- Bethel Woods Center for the Arts – The actual site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. The museum recreates 1960s culture, and the grassy hillside amphitheater still hosts perfor…
- Diamond Notch Falls – A small twin-curtain waterfall on Seekill Creek, reachable on a gentle trail. It is suitable for easy family hikes and creekside picnics.
- Mount Tremper Fire Tower – A moderately challenging hike near Phoenicia. The summit fire tower offers 360-degree views of the central Catskill peaks and their fall fo…
Where to eat
- Phoenicia Diner – A 1962 railroad-style diner serving all-day breakfast with local ingredients. Nearly every Catskills food guide mention…
- Peekamoose Restaurant – Farm-to-table restaurant in a renovated farmhouse in Big Indian. The menu changes often with seasonal farm supplies, an…
- Silvia – Family-run restaurant in downtown Woodstock. A wood-fired oven sits at the center of the open kitchen, and it is known…
- Woodstock Brewing – Craft brewery on Route 28 in Phoenicia. Order a beer flight with oversized beer-battered onion rings and Mexican-style…
Itineraries
- Hudson Valley to Adirondacks Loop – Head north from New York along the Hudson River to Lake George and Lake Placid, then return south via the Catskills.