Head to the green pristine Catskills for a cool summer getaway!
Awesome natural beauty, legendary hospitality and close proximity to New York City have attracted generations of summer vacationers.
Serene forests and sparkling streams surround one-of-a-kind attractions and unique places to stay. Follow mountain trails to waterfalls, high peaks and breathtaking views in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Go tubing and whitewater rafting, take a scenic ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad or follow country roads to antique shops and farm markets bursting with fresh summer produce.
Cool places to stay include North-South Lake Campground and mountaintop resorts at Windham and Hunter, with golf, food festivals, and awesome sky-rides. Great summer events include the Windham Mountain Bike World Cup Festival, featuring thrilling races, shows and a block party on June 30 to July 1. The open-air Belleayre Music Festival presents top stars at Belleayre Mountain, summer weekends from June 30 to September 1.
Don’t miss Hunter Mountain’s Zipline Adventure Tour, the longest and highest in North America! And you just have to see the theme rooms at The Roxbury Motel—rated on National Geographic’s Stay List—to appreciate how cool they are. After a soak at the Shimmer Spa, spend the night in “Genie’s Bottle” or another whimsically elegant space. The entire town of Roxbury is on the National Historic Register.
You can swim and kayak in cool mountain lakes and fish in some of the world’s best trout streams like the Beaverkill, Esopus, Willowemoc and Neversink. The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway snakes along the river to dramatic vistas and unique attractions like the Catskill Fly Fishing Center. For a big splash of fun, head to East Durham’s Zoom Flume Water Park.
Take in a concert at Bethel Woods, at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. Or take to the sky in Ellenville, where Mountain Wings gives lessons in hang-gliding, paragliding and ultra-lighting. Browse the shops and galleries of Woodstock and check out Maverick Concerts, a summer chamber music festival presented in a rustic 1916 concert hall in the woods. It’s acclaimed for world-class performances and perfect acoustics!
In Catskill visit Cedar Grove, home of 19th-century artist Thomas Cole who founded the Hudson River School. From the porch you’ll see the lovely summer landscapes that inspired him.
For more ideas and information, see The Catskills’ Culinary, History & Culture, Outdoors and Water listings.
For more information visit: Catskill Regional Tourism Office