The Catskill Mountains are home to many different cities and in located just north of New York City. It’s far enough away that you’ll be able to really disconnect for a while, but not too far that you’ll feel isolated or alone. The Catskills is full of history and if you’re planning a nice getaway to the Catskill Mountains there are a few small towns that you should definitely check out along the way.
Here’s a list of 10 great small towns in the Catskills to pass through or make a pit stop in during your trip.
Delhi, NY:
This is a small town full of romantic and picturesque barn and hills that make for great Catskills photography landmarks. It’s not uncommon for city folk to visit, fall in love with a property in need of a bit of TLC and then decide to move in full time and forget all about the city. Delhi is also known for the 1797 Frisbee House, a historical landmark for sure, and take a few photos while you’re there. There are rumors that ghosts often show up in photos taken at this location. Don’t forget to visit this, too, while you’re passing through.
Narrowsburg, NY:
History buffs will not want to bypass this city. There are lots of amazing historical buildings located here. Many of them are on the National Register of Historic Places. Fun fact: Narrowsburg has only been around since 1840; before that it was called Big Eddy. A bookstore, One Grand, a well-known bookstore in Narrowsburg, is a popular spot for cultural, arts, and other cerebral pursuits. There are many art collections that have been curated by famous celebrities like Tilda Swinton and James Franco, and other geniuses like Bill Gates. They also put on many events throughout the year, like film festivals and art galas.
Catskill, NY:
Obviously, if you’re visiting the Catskill Mountains you will want to visit Catskill, NY. They’re known for their artsy nature. There are many performing arts centers to watch plays and musicals and you can also take a stroll through one or more of the many local art galleries, like the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. At the end of the day, you can head to Frank Guido’s Port of Call and enjoy a relaxing dinner by the water.
Woodstock, NY:
Yes, this is the Woodstock, where the musical festival originally started. This place is eccentric to say the least. If you’re into music, and it’s history, you can spend some time in Opus 40, which is a museum that features many outdoor sculptures, most of which are from Harvey Fite that has been creating and specializing in bluestone sculptures for close to 40 years.
Bovina, NY:
Founded in 1820, Bovina, which contains small pieces of Delhi, Stamford, and Middletown, is known mainly for the numerous farms that spot its land. Most of these farms are dedicated to dairy production. You can visit and check out some of the farms and watch the milk and butter production. It’s a unique process, and if you’ve never seen it, should not be missed if you’re planning a visit to the Catskills.
Tannersville, NY:
This is an outdoor lovers dream town. Beautiful views, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, you name it. Tannersville offers a wide variety of outdoor activities like camping, swimming, snowmobiling, ice-fishing, skiing and more. They also host numerous events on the mountain top where you’re sure to have a blast and see amazing views.
Phoenicia, NY:
Talk about Tiny, with a capital T. This town is only home to about 300 people. Antiquers will definitely appreciate Mystery Spot Antiques, known to procure and sell many unique items. Another well-known activity many visit her for is to go white-water tubing, so grab a life jacket and tube and jump on in!
Hobart, NY:
If you are into antiquing at all you will definitely want to stop by Hobart, NY, but be careful not to miss it. This is a tiny town and its estimated population is only just over 400 people. It’s home to many antique stores and book shops, it’s also commonly referred at Book Village. You can find many treasures on the cheap to either keep for yourself or resell for a profit. One shop (Wm H. Adams Antiquarian Books) once sold a copy of Hippocrates (published in 1657 in Latin and Greek) for $1,500. Imagine the feeling a book collector would have showing that beauty off to friends and family or the value that book would have now.
Windham, NY:
Windham is about 2.5 hours from NY City and there are many things to do here. This is where the Windham Mountain Resort, and is also close to Hunter Mountain, which offers bike riding, ziplining and skyrides. If you’re into breweries, Windham is also home of Cave Mountain Brewing Company, where you can try amazing concoctions like a oatmeal float stout and other traditional IPAs. Depending on the time of year, there are many music and art festivals hosted here. Out of all the spots listed here, this is a must.
Suagerties, NY:
Suagerties, which is Dutch for “sawmill” used to be where the woodcutting and mining took place during the 17th century. These days it’s become one of the top contributors to solar manufacturing. Here you can visit the Saugerties Lighthouse, which is the perfect place to pose for gorgeous photos. You can also view some amazing Colonial architecture. Take a walk along the Hudson River or pop into the museum. There’s plenty to do in Saugerties.
In Conclusion:
You can clearly see the Catskill Mountains are definitely a sight to behold and there are many small towns that offer lots of side attractions along the way. There is something for every traveler that passes through. Make sure, on your way to the Catskills, that you don’t forget to take some time to really enjoy and soak up all the beauty and nature there is to see. Appreciate what there is to see and it’ll allow you to really take advantage of your time away from home and the big city.