9 Reasons to Drive to the Western Catskills, New York

Lured by charming hamlets and a slower pace, more New Yorkers are flocking here for a picturesque city escape.

Thanks to its short space from New York City , theCatskillshave long been a tourism hotspot . And until late — with towns likeWoodstock , Phoenicia , and Tannersville consider some of the more popular destinations — it was the Eastern Catskills that have most of the glory . In addition , even further to the E , the thriving urban center of Hudson has support as a major hub for a weekend sashay with modern vibe and a bustlingrestaurant vista .

However , the tides are now shifting , and traveler are seeking out a quieter , more pastoral Upstate experience that offers a true escape with a unique sense of space : That ’s where the Western Catskills come in .

Here , the area moves at a slow rate , and an increase act of metropolis exile and weekend travelers have film notice , lured by a burgeon scene of independent shop , farm - to - mesa restaurants , craft breweries , and more taking residence within the region ’s witching hamlet .

The Arnold House

Livingston Manor|The Arnold House

A daytime in the Western Catskills means shacking up at a boutique hotel or inn ( there is an ever - grow list ) ; antique after catch some Z’s in;leaf peepingin the afternoon ; and in the main disconnecting from the everyday hustle . Save for the time drop peruse in home shops and grade lattes from a local cafe , most of the activities here — from world class fly sheet fish to modest yield farm — are well enjoyed outdoors .

While red-hot new restaurants and fashionable distilleries persist in to open , the heart of the Western Catskills remain the community standard atmosphere , bountiful green groceries , and beautiful nature , making fall the ideal time of year to make a visit . Narrowing down our list was hard , but here are 9 of our favorite reasons to make the driving force .

Discover uniquely charming hamlets

One of the region ’s many draws are the historic hamlets and small-scale towns , each with their own personality and specialties . Three of which have experienced a small business reinvigoration of late : Narrowsburg , Livingston Manor , and Callicoon . Each one is a must - see , and can be experienced within a few hours ’ metre . Narrowsburg ’s “ business district ” is a one - route seaport of home shops , antiques and cafes , while Livingston Manor gasconade boutique property likeThe Arnold Housefor lodgment , Upwardfor craft beers , andThe Kaatskellerfor its notable Ellen Price Wood - fired pizza . Callicoon is home to scenic ciderySeminary Hill , the Shaker - inspiredBoarding House , and one of the best farmers market place in the Catskills .

Sip on farm-to-glass spirits

Speakingof Callicoon , nous there to find the tasting room ofPollinator Spirits , a women- and LGBTQIA - own still that infuses all of their feeling with honey from the father ’s own apiaries . The spacious tasting room is located in the heart of business district , in a converted historical fire station . There , sip on neat spirits from whisky to gin and amaro , or taste one of their inventive cocktail .

Go fly-fishing

Drive through hamlet like Roscoe ( dub “ Trout Town , USA ” ) and you ’ll soon get the picture : the part loves their fish . It was once known for its passionate outdoors clubs , ( one of which is presently for sale ) , and fly fishers still head from far and extensive to the Beaverkill , a tributary of the Delaware River known for its ample trout . inflict theCatskill Fly Fishing Center and Museumand put up a fourth dimension to cast out a line during the long season , running from April until around the close of October . If you ’d wish to taste the famed fish without having to put on waders , just grab dinner party at spots like theDeBruce .

Shop one-of-a-kind boutiques and antique gold mines

The Western Catskills are bristle with lovingly stocked boutiques to rival the good in Brooklyn , from vintage clothing entrepot likeMadame FortunaandConcrete + Water , to home base shops likeHomestedtorSunny ’s Popby Sunrise Ruffalo ( actor Mark Ruffalo ’s daughter ) . Antique shops are also aplenty , from curated find at spots like Long Weekend in Livingston Manor andTaylor + Acein Roscoe , to dig - for - atomic number 79 warehouses likeAntiques at Rick ’s BarnandNana ’s Attic .

Leaf peep (and bird watch) at Basha Kill Wetlands

Opportunities for leafage peeping — the autumnal activeness of traveling to have the beauty of the interchange season — are practically everywhere you look Upstate ( here’sour list of nearby recs ) . In the Western Catskills , one of the most interesting places to immerse yourself in fall vividness is while strolling throughBasha Kill , a wildlife management expanse that ’s open year round . Besides its lifelike beauty , Basha Kill is a divers habitat for tons of unlike brute , have in mind opportunities to bird watch , see otter , beavers , white - tailed deer , and more . After your base on balls , visit nearbyBashakill Vineyardsfor a glass of organic wine-coloured .

Experience an antique bowling alley in your hotel lobby

There ’s a growing list of picturesque hotel and B&Bs in the Western Catskills , but only one of them has a retro bowling alleyway useable for use . That ’s a unique feature ofThe North Branch Inn , site a short drive by from Callicoon . Tucked away behind the dining way of the inn ’s main vestibule house , find a 100 - year - old handset bowling alley , where you may knock down pins and experience fall - timepop up experiences . In the next calendar month , they ’ll be hosting everything from a German comfort food fete to a Halloween masquerade murder mystery dinner party .

Get a Taste of the Catskills at this annual festival

For one weekend every October , a showcase of the local restaurant , producers , and farmers takes place in the town of Delhi . Taste of the Catskillsis a great opportunity to fill your stomach with a wide variety of all that the Catskills have to bid , from locally craft maple sirup and honey to pizza pie , tacos , chocolate , and beer . Throughout the afternoon on both October 8 and 9 , lifestyle workshop will also be host , like an fall landscape painting pigment and sip and another on how to make your own herbal oil color .

Visit craft breweries and cideries

A trip to the Western Catskills is n’t accomplished without at least one slip to a local brewery or cidery ( or both).Seminary Hillin Callicoon is locate atop a Alfred Hawthorne that overlooks the Delaware River , providing incredible fall views while you sip ciders made from local heirloom change of orchard apple tree . brewery in the region execute the gamut as far as vibration go , from chalet - styleUpward Brewingin Livingston Manor to the outdoorsyWest Kill Brewing , which promote al fresco imbibe on their hillside patio regardless of the time of year . During colder months , they ’ll keep you warm with bonfires .

Meander through a Sunday market, or visit a farm stand

Long before it began to nail as an indie tourist goal , the region was renowned in the state for its ranking green groceries . While you could find plenty of restaurants in the city that have fruit , veggies , meat and dairy farm embark in from the Western Catskills , it ’s even better IRL straight from the source . Discover farm stands while tug and nearly every humble town and crossroads is home to a quality Fannie Farmer ’s grocery ripe for your Sunday produce haul . Specialty shop class and stands are with child if you ’re on the hunting for something in special , from heyday atThe Farmhouse Flower Co.in Narrowsburg to topically raised and ethically butchered marrow atMeat + Flowersin Hamden .

Livingston Manor