Every townspeople in the Catskills is worth confabulate , because hey , they ’re in the Catskills , and it ’s damn nice up there ( those puma were n’t rest ) . To get you started , we rounded up 11 tiny hamlets with Orcinus orca food , beer and wine scenes , sweet activities and , of course , views that ’ll make you rethink everything – starting with that day-after-day 6 - train commute .
DELHI
County : Delaware County , Western CatskillsBefore you go , be aware that Delhi is the kind of town where even a jaded New York pair might spot an old b , fall in love , renovate it into a second dwelling house , then turn their back on the city altogether and move in for good ( per theTimes , this has actually happened at least once ) . Buying or just gazing , architecture is a huge attraction here – you may require to check your gas tank to aver that all these compound , astray - porched Victorian , Greek Revival , and American Craftsman star sign are just three hours from NYC . Most notable : the 1797Frisbee House , contact place for the Delaware County Historical Association and , plainly , wraith who often show up in exposure . Bring a good camera , and at least one close friend . Where to eat and drink : tonic intoTay Teato sip some hand - blended loose - leaf ( and incur a no - brainer gift for mom , or your English stepdad ) . Or prove the day-after-day quiche and soup special at theBlue Bee Café . It ’s not always on the menu , but you could still ask for it – that ’d be the small - township cordial reception you arrive for .
BOVINA
County : Delaware County , Western CatskillsBovina was stitched together in 1820 from opus of Delhi , Stamford , and Middletown , all of which are do it for phenomenal dairy ( with a name like Bovina , you ’d intimately be ) . Among the biggest players areGreen Shepard FarmandBurnett Farms . Such is the draw of the place , it calledBovina Valley Farmproprietor Dan Finn – who acquire up script - milk a cow named Melissa – back after 15 years working in the photographic film industry in NYC . These day , you ’ll come up him churning out his noted Alderney ( a Tomme - style made from peeled Milk River ) , as well as small - batch maple sirup for those illiberal of lactose but not pancakes . Where to eat and drink : exit the stool and bucket to the pro . Instead tryBrushland Eating House , a homage to nineteenth one C “ eating houses ” people once gathered at when food and ingredients were scarce . This modern edition serves the ultimate comforter food , simple dishes like cast - iron poulet and roast carrot just like great , keen … great grandma used to make .
HOBART
County : Delaware County , Northwest CatskillsHow , in the petite village of Hobart ( approximate population : 414 ) , can there be so much malicious gossip and intrigue ? Well , it ’s all on paper . The self - dubbed “ book settlement ” ( seven daytime a workweek from Memorial Day to Columbus Day , six Main Street booksellers peddle title both new and cold ) also admit some real treasures;Wm . H. Adams Antiquarian Booksonce carry a $ 1500 Hippocrates second variant , published in 1657 in Greek and Latin , devote you a 50 - 50 chance of understanding none of it . Antique and piece of furniture shops likeSecond WindandThe Sheep ’s Nestare also abundant , so take up in a new wave . Where to rust and drink : Grab a unspoilt claim and promontory toThe Farmer ’s Wifefor seasonal fruit pies and sticky buns . Or tryTable on Tenfor wood - fired pizza pie .
ROSCOE/LIVINGSTON MANOR
County : Sullivan County , Southwest CatskillsAt 7 am each April 1st , “ Trout Town , USA ” kicks off fly - angle time of year when locals gather at Junction Pool – the crossing of the Beaver Kill and the Willowemoc Creek – for the ceremonial first casting in the river where fly fishing was allegedly invented . ( you’re able to teach all about it by visitingThe Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum . ) Later in the summertime , the Ithiel Town ’s Pisces fixation gets delightfully phantasmagoric with theTrout Parade , which theTimesonce compared to the Mermaid Festival ( though of class the Catskills are far easier to get to than Coney Island).Where to wipe out and salute : After your trips toRoscoe Beer CompanyandProhibition Distillery , gain German - styleBrandenburg Bakeryin Livingston Manor for house - made loot , turnovers , donuts , and danish . Or try theRoscoe Dineron Route 17 . receptive since 1964 , it serve around 1,000 meals on meddlesome days , which is fundamentally any day there ’s fishing .
NARROWSBURG
County : Sullivan County , Southern CatskillsNarrowsburg live on for two things : having building on the National Register of Historic Places , and broaden minds . Most of late the Catskills ’ destination for art , cultural , and more often than not cerebral avocation addedOne Grandbookstore . Owned byOuteditor - in - top dog Aaron Hicklin , it sport curated collections by “ thinking valet de chambre / cleaning woman ’s ” celebs like James Franco , Bill Gates , and Tilda Swinton . Other edifying pursuits include September’sBig Eddy Film Festival(Narrowsburg was call Big Eddy until 1840 ; population has n’t changed much since.)Where to corrode and drink : You probably expect fresh Pisces and farm ingredients from a town along the Delaware – and you should . AtThe Heron Restaurant , take your pick of scorch wolf fish or crispy salmon , among other tasty options .
TANNERSVILLE
County : Greene County , Northern CatskillsTannersville is looking extra fresh these day , after local artist Elena Patterson spark a Ne rotation up and down Main Street when she gave her own home a highly pigmented makeover . Thank her when at least one person say of your holiday pics , “ Wait , did you go upstate or to Iceland ? ” Beyond looking resplendent , the town ’s in the midst of an economical and tourism revival – though you may still easily come up that idyllic , “ We ’re buying this farmhouse ! ” solitude if you ’re looking for it . Where to eat and drink : Twin Peakssells coffee and dreams ( aka made - to - order donut like caramel ocean table salt , apple crumb , maple bacon – you name it ) . Put a big , rich bookend on your twenty-four hours with aMama ’s Boyburger and one of their 26 flavors of flash-frozen custard & yogurt .
WINDHAM
County : Greene County , Northern CatskillsWindham was once part of Woodstock , missing out on major notoriety by becoming its own town in 1798 . But who needs epoch - define festivals when you ’ve got born beauty , thrill - quest ( in earnest outrageous quite a little bike route ) , and craft beer ( the newCave Mountain Brewing Company , where you’re able to sip on an oatmeal stalwart beer ice-cream float , a blueberry wheat , or a more traditional American IPA ) ? The top skiing destination really comes into its own in winter;Windham Mountain Resorthas put $ 11 million into lodge renovations and upgrades in the past three days , so go enjoy all their grueling work . Where to use up and drink in : Head toRock’n Mexicana Cantinafor the fire Hell , Baja burrito , $ 1 taco Nox , and $ 4 margs ; or tryChicken Run Family Restaurant and Steakhousefor chicken raft pie , St. Louis ribs , and fixed beer towers .
PHOENICIA
County : Ulster County , Eastern CatskillsThe tiny townsfolk of Phoenicia ( we ’re spill the beans 309 citizenry tiny ) is the definition of something for everyone – a top summer name and address for white - water tubing , it ’s also perfect for the more frisson vacationer . steer toTown Tinker Tube Rentalthrough September to lash on a life jacket and get on the water . Also check outMystery Spot Antiques , which has housed everything from this “ formal portrayal of gentleman and his frank ” to mid - century cursive typewriters – arrant for direct arrivederci letters to explain why you ’re moving to the Ulster County town full - time . Where to eat and tope : Catskills vacationers travel from all over the region to curb out thePhoenicia Diner . Built in 1962 , the restaurant may have transfer owners several time , but the lineament has remained the same . Current owner Mike Cioffi has put a innovative flare on the joint , serving up puke atomic number 26 skillet eggs , CBLTs ( that ’s fresh crab louse ) , and housemade granola to customers in sleek black leather booth . This past May , The Lot at the Phoenicia Dineropened , so now you could enjoy all that great grub food - truck style . Just snaffle and go .
CATSKILL
County : Greene County , Northern CatskillsCatskill has always been artsy , but its downtown has become a major hub for alive house and carrying into action since theLumberyard Contemporary Performing Arts Centerbegan structure . ( Though it ’s not fructify to open until 2018 , you may still stay updated on what ’s to come . ) Until it ’s quick , drop time at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site , where you could see the on-going exhibition , Sanford R. Gifford In The Catskills , through the end of October . Featuring works of the Catskills by Gifford , the nineteenth - century landscape painter who was inspired by Cole , this one is not to be missed . Where to eat and salute : Nothing says vacation like reinvigorated seafood by the water . Frank Guido’sPort of Callhas lobster bakes Tuesdays and Thursdays , and crispy fried calamari and Maryland Cancer coat any day of the workweek . you’re able to get there by car or gravy boat . Just recall to drop lynchpin – ca n’t float home on a full tummy .
SAUGERTIES
County : Ulster County , Eastern CatskillsThe Ulster County town of Saugerties ( “ sawmill ” in Dutch ) was known for woodcutting and bluestone mining during the 17th hundred , and is now save up the planet as a top musician in solar fabrication . Its story remains extremely seeable in both the Colonial computer architecture and landmarks like theSaugerties Lighthouse . construct in 1869 to substitute the 1838 original , it ’s since been regenerate and uphold , and it ’s a must - chaffer . Stay in one of the two seam and breakfast rooms , visit the museum , or just take in that fresh Hudson River air . Where to rust and pledge : Don’t get too attached to anything atMiss Lucy ’s Kitchen ; the menu changes daily based on the sweet ingredient available . That love apple gazpacho might have been amazing today , but love apple wo n’t be in time of year forever . Guess you ’ll just have to switch to another point like duck’s egg confit spring roll or firm made pappardelle with local sausage . Darn . And if you ’re not feelin ’ anything at Miss Lucy ’s that daylight , headway toLove Bites Caféwhere the specials admit an oatmeal raisin cookie waffle and hot shrimp over cornbread pudding .
WOODSTOCK
County : Ulster County , Northeast CatskillsThis longtime creative person settlement ( since 1787 ) was established around euphony , food , artwork , and eccentricity of all kinds ; today the Ithiel Town stealthily retain a population dotted with a few big name , but also sight of the coolest music industry people you ’ve never get wind of . To really find its vibration , visitOpus 40 , a museum and outdoor sculpture garden in Saugerties ( less than 20 minutes forth ) that showcases the define work of Woodstock creative person Harvey Fite : bluestone carving Fite crafted by manus for 37 years . Where to eat swallow : You ca n’t subsist off vibes , but you’re able to survive off filet mignon . NearbyBear Caféwill serve you its quality gash over garlic mash ; if you ’re favourable enough to get a tabular array overlooking Sawkill Creek , you ’ll probably end up remain for seconds , dessert , coffee , Camellia sinensis – you get it . For breakfast or brunch , tryOriole 9 , where you could anything from get truffled throw together eggs to dress coconut tofu hasheesh .
Travel Close . Discover More . Visit the Catskills .
Courtesy of NYSDED
Courtesy of NYSDED
VisitTheCatskills.com / Julie Bidwell Photography
Francis X. Driscoll
Courtesy of NYSDED
Darren McGee / NYSDED
