Things To Do In The Catskills
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Things To Do In The Catskills

A list of all the sites to see and places to eat!

84
Things To Do In The Catskills
Pexels

Summer is coming to a close, and soon we’ll begin to see the leaves change to every shade of ochre, crimson, and orange gold. Having grown up in the small village of Catskill, nestled at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, I can attest to the fact that there is no better time to visit Upstate New York than in the height of apple season. So if you find yourself near the Catskill region anytime in the next couple months, consider stopping by my little town and giving these sites and local eats a try!

394 Main Café

A new fixture of Catskill’s vibrant Main Street, you can’t go wrong stopping into 394 Main and having yourself a cup of coffee or sitting down for their incredible brunch. With all the aesthetic and quality of a suave New York restaurant, and the prices of a quaint town café, you can’t beat the food and drinks you’ll find here!

Music in the Park

If you’re in town during the summer, you can catch some local music for free playing down at Dutchman’s Landing Park, or as the locals call it, “the Point”. The summer concert series runs on every Thursday starting on the third Thursday of June until the last Thursday prior to Labor Day. So bring a picnic blanket and some cash for an ice cream cone, and enjoy listening to local bands by the backdrop of the Hudson River.

Mahalo

While you’re in town, why not get yourself a souvenir? This little gift shop has been located on Catskill’s Main Street for a little over a decade, and you’ll find fairly priced artisan wares, handmade clothing, and all sorts of kooky or useful knick-knacks inside.

Story Farms

If you’re here for apple or pumpkin season, you can’t go wrong stopping at a local farm for some apple picking. Stop by the Story Farms farm stand while you’re at it, any time of the year, and shop the home grown produce, homemade baked goods, and locally farmed honey. (Psst. The maple sugar candies are to die for.)

Wasana’s Thai Restaurant

If you’re looking for a place to lunch or eat dinner while in the area, Wasana’s should be on your list. Small and family run, all the food is made fresh and with love. You can get any dish as a vegan or vegetarian option. And don’t be afraid to order an extra appetizer of spring rolls. Trust me. You won’t regret it.

Magpie Bookshop

This shop of gently used books is run entirely on donations. You’ll find paperbacks priced as low as three dollars, and if that isn’t cheap enough for you, feel free to peruse the “cheaparoo” bin outside on the curb. You might even find something for free. With a great selection of fiction, non-fiction, YA, and fantasy/sci-fi, Magpie is any book-lovers heaven – WiFi included.

New York Restaurant

This small family-run business has renovated what used to be the old, gutted Firehouse Tavern into a clean, upscale restaurant. With great food and great drinks, you won’t go amiss joining the dinner crowd at this charming city-style establishment. I recommend the buffalo cauliflower wings. You’ll thank me later.

Olana

Just a skip, hop, and a jump across the pond (or in this case, the Hudson River), you’ll find Castle Olana overlooking the Hudson River Valley. Once the home of Frederic Edwin Church of the Hudson River School of landscape painting, the Olana State Historic Site is a beautiful area to explore. Wander through the gardens, read a book down by the heart-shaped pond, or make a hike out of walking the switchback trails from the bottom to the top of Olana.

Golden Harvest Farms

Even if you’re not an apple fan, you’ll want to come to this orchard come apple picking season just for the apple cider donuts alone. Made fresh on the premises, you can smell them baking in the ovens as you pull into the parking lot. Hitch a ride on one of the tractor-pulled wagons after lugging around your picked apples, and enjoy a nice cup of cold or hot cider along with your fresh, warm donuts by the bakery.

Catskill Mountain House

If you want a view of the Catskills, you have to make your way to the North/South Lake Campground. While you’re there, you can take a dip in the lake under the shade of the Catskill High Peaks. When you’re cooled off, take the hike up from the parking lot and follow the trail all the way to the top. You’ll come upon the site of the once-was Catskill Mountain House, and one of the most gorgeous vistas you’re likely to ever find. Once the site of a grand hotel in the 19th and early 20th century, the land now stands empty, and the overlook provides a view that will make you feel as if you’re standing on the edge of the world.

I hope to see you in one of the orchards come this fall. Don’t worry, you’ll probably find me eating donuts and sipping chilled cider by the farm stand.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58995
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

38093
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959587
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

196180
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments