10 Best Things to do in Catskill, New York

Photo by Perry Grone on Unsplash

10 Best Things to do in Catskill, New York

These Legendary mountains and lush forests hold spectacular views and unlimited adventures.

Your visit to this area will involve swimming in crystal-clear lakes, going tubing on Esopus Creek, check out autumn’s magnificence from a vintage train, or ski at resorts like Hunter and Windham.

The rivers flowing from these mountains have fish in abundance, you can, therefore, cast alike and catch some dinner.

You can as well hike to the endearing cascades and later on feast on delicious farm-to-table meals from the restaurants and inns.

There are antique stores and art galleries tucked in charming villages like the Andes, Phoenicia and Woodstock.

These villages have been here since the early 20^th century and are the world’s most famous villages because of their unique art.

As you plan your next gate away to Catskill for your family or just you, here are the 10 best things to do.

1. Hike up Slide Mountain

One of the activities that you can get involved in as you stay around the Catskill area is hiking. There are several mountains to explore and one of them is Slide mountain.

This mountain has the highest peak in Ulster County standing at 4,180 feet above sea level. The mountain is popular with hikers both experienced and those with little or no experience.

The trail that you choose will determine its difficulty; They have been marked and there is the bushwhacks option too. These trails can be accessed from three different trailheads.

As you walk through the forest, you will see different kinds of maple trees, beech trees and yellow birch. Being a back-country experience, you will enjoy your hike with no interruption. The trail is 35 miles long.

2.  Explore Hunter Mountain from the sky

Photo by Perry Grone on Unsplash

The other outdoor adventure to explore is the Hunter mountain that is two hours from New York City and one hour from Albany.

This mountain has the longest and highest Zipline in the continent, they also have a scenic Skyride chair lift to the mountain summit that is 3,200 feet above sea level.

You can also go fly fishing, take off-road rides, biking and also hiking through its dense pristine forest.

Hunter mountain hosts several festivals and you may be lucky to attend one. Some of the most loved festivals are Mountain Jam, the German Alps Festival, the TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival.

The Hunter Mountain Resort has comfortable accommodations and a ski school. Being a four-season resort, there is plenty of fun activities to enjoy.

3. Empire State Railway Museum, Catskill Mountains

Have you ever thought of visiting a museum tucked away in a mountain? Well, there is one in the Catskill area high up the mountains.

The Empire State Railway Museum holds the history of the railroad that dates back to 1899.

This railway connected many upstate New York towns from Kingston Point to a shared station with New York, West Shore & Buffalo.

After years of no use, the station was turned into a museum that is dedicated to preserving the memory of the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad and Phoenicia station.

You will see historic photos and ancient railroad artefacts. If you are lucky, you can board a train at the Phoenicia station for a short but scenic ride through the Catskill Mountains.

4. Zip lining with New York Zipline Adventures

Another Zipline adventure is at the Mid Mountain tour that offers family-friendly adventures like Skyrider, Mid-Mountain Canopy tour and the Adventure Tower.

The adventure here is not only limited to daytime, you can zipline at night. There are 6 ziplines and 4 suspension bridges that are 60 feet high.

During the night zipline adventure, you can enjoy sighting nocturnal animals, and stargaze.

5. Have fun at Zoom Flume

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Zoom Flume is a popular family water park in East Durham. This park has a Gravity Gorge Zipline which is the main attraction here.

The waterpark zipline rises at 100 feet above the park grounds. There are exciting waterslides built for speed and thrilling fun.

If you have children and their birthday is coming up, you can celebrate it at the space reserved for such events. It is not only limited to birthdays but also family reunions and other get-togethers.

This park is seasonal and opens between June and early September. During this time the accommodations nearby offer attractive deals to vacationers.

6. Spend some time browsing the local stores

There are several antique stores in the Catskill area that sell cute and charming pieces. Check out Rick’s Barn which is a gigantic store selling European and American antique furniture.

The Phoenicia Homer and Langley Mystery Spot is another place to go. They stock antiquities that you may want for keepsake.

As you browse through the store, you will find stuffed animals, creepy dolls, household goods, fashionable pottery, glassware and other cute vintage pieces.

7. Check out the Art at Greene County Council

If you are curious about art or an ardent art lover, then the Greene County Council is where to go. You will find art shows, exhibitions and information on the pieces.

This place has been running for the past 40 years curating, presenting and advocating for the arts in Greene County. The gallery is on Main Street and has a popular children’s arts program.

You can join them in one of their many installation projects that involve both professional and amateurs. Art enthusiasts can be part of the art classes the avails all forms of art and authors.

8. Sample Krause’s Chocolates

Photo by Dmitry Khrustalev-Grigoriev

This is a family-owned business that first opened its doors in 1929. The recipe used for their delicious and creamy chocolate has been passed down from their grandfather.

This family makes 50 different hand-dipped chocolates. The hand-dipping chocolate process makes each piece of chocolate pure, fresh and silky.

The company has won awards for being Hudson Valley’s Best Candy Store for the last 13 years; they are the best in the business with the best products.

Grab yourself a seasonal treat, gift packages, and pre-assorted chocolate boxes. You can also place a custom order.

9. Explore Thomas Cole National Historic Site

This next place is renown as the home of Thomas Cole, he inspired the Hudson River School of Art.

Thanks to the beautiful and rugged landscape, Catskill has been a haven for many artists that draw inspiration from.

Walking along the streets in Tannersville, you will see all the colourful art painted on the streets.  You will get to learn about Washington Irving’s beloved rascal and Rip Van Winkle.

Take some time and explore the gardens and groves that inspired many painters, poets and philosophers that visited Catskill.

Watch a short film about Thomas Cole’s life, and the influence that he and other Hudson River School painters had on conservation.

10. Appreciate street art and food

Photo by Lily Banse on Unsplash

The streets in the Catskill region are dotted with art galleries, museums, restaurants and antique stores. Some of the places to check out include the Stray Cat Gallery in Bethel, Delaware Valley Arts Alliance in Narrowsburg, Catskill Art Society in Livingston Manor, and Open Studio.

Check out Trey Speegle’s studio where he sells his prints at his gallery 52. He also has exhibitions of his work.

The restaurants also offer the best fining options and serve global cuisines.