NYC Getaways: Catskill Mountains, New York

The main motivator for us moving to New York two years ago was John’s job, but a major perk was the city’s proximity to the Catskill Mountains. Technically known as Catskill Park, this beautiful part of the country has been one of our favorite vacation spots since John took me there when we first started dating. He spent the summers going to camp there as a kid.

I’ve been wanting to write a Catskill Mountains guide for a while now, but I’m worried I can’t do it justice. There’s a peacefulness there that I haven’t really experienced in many other places, and lots of people I’ve talked to feel the same way. It’s hard to put down in words, but I’ll try.

Visiting The Catskills

The Catskills are about a two-hour drive north of New York City. You can easily make the drive up interstate 87, or take the Catskill Mountain Railroad, which runs from Kingston to various mountain locations and back.

Aside from having some of the most incredible natural beauty, the area is dotted with dozens of little mountain towns that are filled with charm. I’m partial to one of those small towns, which is where I’ve spent the most time in the Catskills: Tannersville, New York.

Downtown Tannersville is made up one main road with a single stoplight. The main street is lined with historic buildings painted in vibrant pinks and yellows and greens—hence the nickname ‘the Painted Village In the Sky.’ Does it get any cuter?

If you’re looking into visiting the Catskill Mountains, it’s a great place to choose as the home base for your trip.

Things To Do In The Catskills

The real question is, what can’t you do there? The great thing about the Catskills is that there’s plenty to do no matter what time of year it is.

In the summer, go hiking on Overlook Mountain up to the Overlook Mountain House ruins. This crumbling structure and its grounds were once the site of a fancy shmancy Catskills resort, and it’s a really cool area to explore.

Kaaterskill Falls right outside of Tannersville is another scenic and relatively quick hike to a beautiful two-tiered waterfall.

After your hike, reward yourself with a Hudson Valley wine tour at one of the area’s many wineries. I love Hudson-Chatham Winery, which has its main location in Ghent and a tasting room in Tannersville.

In the winter, ski or snowboard at Hunter Mountain or Windham Mountain. Windham is my pick between the two because it feels a little more laid back, whereas Hunter seems to be the choice for more “serious” skiers.

Spring and fall are the in-between months, but I think they might be my favorite because the weather is just so beautiful. Crisp, sunny days and cool nights—perfect for camping, which is the next adventure I want to tackle on my Catskills bucket list.

Where To Eat In The Catskills

Assuming you’re staying in or around Tannersville, Last Chance Cheese on Main Street is a must-visit. It’s everything you could want in a mountain town café: cozy, delicious and filled with antique tchotchkes hanging on the walls. Everything on the menu is good, but I almost always end up getting a reuben. They also have a stockpile of more than 300 beers to choose from.

Just down the street from Last Chance Cheese is an awesome breakfast spot, Twin Peaks Coffee and Donuts. They make homemade donuts and breakfast sandwiches that put my beloved Dunkin to shame. Everything is made to order, so just be sure you’re not in a hurry (which I feel is a good rule for the Catskills in general).

Burgers and fries on the front lawn at Mama’s Boy are also a great dining option when it’s nice out.

If you’re feeling lowbrow, pop into one of my favorite dive bars of all time, The Spinning Room, on Tannersville’s Main Street. This place has it all: a juke box, a foosball machine from 1994, whiskey shots that make you want to die. You can’t miss it.

Where To Stay In The Catskills

You won’t find many chain hotels almost anywhere in the Catskills, which is an upside in my book. Part of the experience is staying at a local inn, bed & breakfast or historic Catskills resort, many of which date back to the 1800’s when visitors would take the now-defunct railroad up from the city.

I was recently given a complimentary stay at Scribner’s Lodge, a property that’s been around since the 1960’s, and I highly recommend it as a Catskills lodging option. The Lodge recently underwent a total facelift incorporating many of the original fixtures, like wood-burning stoves that are now used for nightly s’mores roasts.

Scribner’s has an on-site restaurant, bar and to-die-for pool area, and cozy nooks for curling up can be found around every corner. My biggest compliment for Scribner’s is its attention to detail; from the personalized welcome note in the room to the locally sourced toiletry kits, everything seemed so thoughtfully planned.

The rustic Phoenicia Lodge in nearby Phoenicia is another place where John and I have had a great experience staying.

Both Scribner’s and Phoenicia Lodge are dog friendly! And of course, there are also tons of AirBnbs to choose from.

Unlike pretty much every other place in the country that has such natural beauty, the Catskill Mountains haven’t been completely eaten up by developers and condos and Starbucks. That’s one of the main reasons I love the area so much.

If you’re looking to leave the traffic and chaos of the city behind in exchange for small-town charm and incredible scenery, you should definitely pay this area a visit.

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