Every year millions and millions of people are inevitably faced head on with the decision of where to take their family on their next vacation or getaway. Of course, you could take the easy way out since you always have the normal destinations that come to mind like Florida or California. Also, there are so many things to consider and factors to take into account when planning a trip, like the budget and the various things to do in the different locations. Not to mention the time of year you’re traveling and trying to make sure that everyone in the party is going to have a good time. So many decisions! There is one destination that seems to be a favorite, no matter the time of year or the party involved, and is a very economical option, too, and that is the Catskill Mountains in New York.
Why Visit The Catskill Mountains?
The Catskills are located just north of New York City, about 100 miles, and are far enough away to actually disengage from the hustle and bustle of the city. The name “Catskill” comes from Dutch “kaaterskill” which translates to “Wildcat Creek”. So what’s so great about it? First we would say that airfare and hotels or bed and breakfasts are very cheap to the Catskills area especially if you look online on sites like Kayak and other popular travel price comparison sites. As we’re located only about 20 miles away from New York City, it’s easy to find good deals to get here. The high traffic airports in the NYC area like JFK are so popular that you can usually encounter airlines offering deals here year round. So right away, you gain a monetary benefit in choosing the Catskills area of NY as your next stop.
When it comes to attractions, this area features gorgeous mountain ranges, beautiful forests, refreshing lakes and rivers to explore and swim in and endless hiking trails that’ll take you to some of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the whole United States. There is over 600,000 acres of natural beauty to take in.
The Catskills is a dream come true for all nature lovers and even for those that are just looking for an escape from the mundane and predictable. The forests feature some of the most beautiful beech, birch and maple trees and if you’re a fan of Yellowstone, or have always wanted to visit there, you’ll love this place!
Even if you’re thinking that it doesn’t sound like the place for you or that you are looking for something a little more busy, the Catskills does also offer a great downtown area full of shops, music venues, nightclubs and restaurants ranging from fine dining gourmet to family-friendly hotspots. No matter what you’re in the mood for there’s literally a little something for everyone in the Catskill Mountains of NY.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
If you live in New York or anywhere close to the area you can easily drive up to visit or maybe even take the train. No matter how you arrive the commute will be well worth it once you see all that Mother Nature has to offer you there. Also, if you’re planning to head to the area make sure that you check out the various entertainment that’s scheduled during your trip. There’s always some sort of concert, art show, or fun family festival going on that’d give you some great entertainment while you’re there, and it’s usually free!
Adults Only Trip?
If your trip to the Catskill Mountains consists of adults only, you may be happy to know that they also feature MANY different wineries and, of course, wine tasting tours for you to take advantage of. Whether you’re a newbie to wine tasting or a sommelier, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to taste some of the best wine in the east and get a chance to see the beautiful countryside, too. Don’t forget to check out the Catskills Beverage Trail while you’re visiting. Just make sure there’s at least one designated driver in the party.
If you’re more into the theater and the arts, you will definitely want to check out the Shadowland Theatre. It’s located in Ellenville, between the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains. It was originally built in the early 1900s and featured 900 seats, but has since been renovated. It still keeps it’s original look, but now has just under 150 seats. You can find many contemporary musicals and plays that have been professionally produced there. Or, for something a little more fun and lively, check out the Forestburgh Playhouse, just make sure to go for one of the late afternoon or nighttime shows. They usually host kids’ musicals in the mornings.
Hunter Mountain & Family Activities
If you’ve decided to bring the kids with you, Great! There are so many family activities you can enjoy in the Catskill Mountains. You can take a ride on the longest, highest and fastest zipline in North America, which reaches up to 50 miles an hour, at Hunter Mountain’s New York Zipline. If you’re no adrenaline junkie (and we wouldn’t blame you, 600 feet up is pretty high) maybe that’s a little too much for you.
You could always opt to take the Skyride. It’s much slower and goes a lot higher up (over 3000 feet) to the top of the summit. Stay away from this one if you’re afraid of heights, however if you do decide to check it out you’ll get to see some of the best views ot the Catskill Mountains, the Green Mountains of Vermont and even the Berkshires in Massachusettes. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, you can choose to take a nice, slow hike through one of the great nature trails in the area. Get yourself lost (not really) in the wondrous beauty of the rivers, mountains, and trees. They have many trails to choose from, even varying in difficulty and experience. If you decide to visit during the winter you can even enjoy some amazing skiing.
No matter what you decide to do in the Catskill Mountains of New York, rest assured that you’ll be able to take some of the most breathtaking photos of your life. The natural lighting can do wonders!
You may also find quite a few attractions that you wouldn’t be able to see anywhere else. They have the Catskill Mountain Railroad which is the perfect family activity if you are traveling with little ones. It takes about an hour and winds slowly through the mountains. This will keep any toddler busy looking out the windows watching the landscape fly by. They may even get to see some wildlife, perhaps some deer or rabbits.
If you’re wanting to learn something new you and the whole family can even take some fly fishing lessons at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and then practice what you learn in any of the various creeks, lakes and rivers, including Willowemoc Creek.
If you’re looking for an activity that will be fun for the whole family and will last all day, check out Belleayre Beach. It’s a mountainside beach adventure park. Yep, that’s right. It’s got a beach where you can rent various non-motorized water toys (kayaks, paddle boards, etc.) and it also has BBQ grills, basketball and volleyball courts, and plenty of pavilions for picnics. You can also enjoy great hiking, too.
History Buff? Don’t Forget To Check Out These Sights
Kaaterskill Falls
For a truly spiritual and powerful experience make sure to pencil in a trip to the Kaaterskill Falls. This is actually the highest cascading waterfall located in the state of New York. It features two tiers and it’s over 260 feet high. It’s also known to have been the inspiration for many celebrated artists and authors. This is located just off Route 23A in the Haines Falls area. Once you arrive there will be a marked path you can follow up to the see the waterfall and the trail itself is less than a mile long. It’s truly a sight to behold.
Minisink Battlefield County Park
If you’re really into historical sights the Minisink Battlefield County Park cannot be missed. This park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and for good reason, too. This location played a huge role in the Revolutionary War. It’s almost 60 acres and there are numerous picnic stations, walking trails and even a booth you can go through and learn all about Minisink Battlefield, the role it played, and even get information on the various animal and plant life in the Catskills and the park. The best part is it’s FREE. It’s open daily from 8AM and closes at sunset. This could be one of the best places to spend a day with friends and/or family.
The Fort Delaware Museum
Or, if you’re looking for something a little more immersive or have ever wondered what it was like to live as a settler in the 18th century, you can visit the Fort Delaware Museum. It’s what’s called a “living history site” and features replicas of Cushetunk, which was a settlement that was built way back in 1755. You will be taken on a tour of the museum, see themed costumes on the workers, and hear the whole story of how the Europeans arrived in the Upper Delaware River Valley and how the settlement was created. It’s real fascinating stuff!
The Catskill Mountains may not be the first spot to come to mind when trying to think of the best place to vacation, but we can guarantee that once you’ve been there and have seen it for yourself, it will be at the top of your list for years to come!