Summer Vacation Ideas
Let's make a pact to make the most of summer! Find out why everyone's talking about weekends in the Catskills!
Unique Experiences
Whether you've never been to the Catskills or are returning for another unforgettable trip, chances are, some of the things that intrigue you or keep you coming back are the unique experiences, and cool new places and spaces you discover each time you visit. That random antique store where you found a vintage Hudson Bay blanket, a cool brewery in a garden that feels like stumbling into a fairy tale, finding cool new Catskills restaurants serving up something hot and fresh.
These are your Catskills, the place where you're going to have your next best vacation and this is your adventure.
Arts & Leisure on the Hudson
Stay: Experience Victorian architecture firsthand at The Stewart House, built in 1883 above the Hudson River's banks and now home to a nine-room boutique hotel. Rooms feature exposed brick, wood floors, plush linens, and locally made bath amenities.
Do: Visit the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill to check out the latest exhibitions at the former home of Hudson River School of Art Founder Thomas Cole. Or check for art classes held by the Athens Cultural Center, just steps from the Stewart House. Our region offers an array of arts and culture events!
Eat: The old opera house tucked among the brick storefronts of downtown Athens houses Crossroads Brewing Company. The craft brewery’s creations supply 10 rotating taps, with a full menu to fuel lazy afternoons at the pub. Pair the crisp Crossroads Lager with their mac ‘n’ cheese.
Riverside Rambles – Trifecta of Awesome
Stay: Venture 40 miles south of Albany along the Hudson River to The Kaaterskill. Located just outside the charming town of Catskill, The Kaaterskill lies on 40 stunning acres surrounded by breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountains, picturesque woods, and bucolic fields. Stay in one of their luxury guest suites, housed in a magnificently restored Dutch barn redesigned with modern guests in mind. Enjoy a relaxing soak in a Jacuzzi bathtub, lounge in front of a crackling fire or on your private patio, and stroll the grounds on beautiful footpaths along winding rivers.
Do: From The Kaaterskill, build your own Catskills farm tour. Story Farms sits a stone’s throw away at the end of High Falls Road. Pick your own strawberries and peas in June, or take home fresh flowers and local honey. For a taste of local craft beer, head north through the Greene County towns of Catskill and Climax before veering northwest on Route 26. Look for Honey Hollow Road and a small wooden sign that points to Honey Hollow Brewing Company, a farmstead brewery open Friday and Saturday. Post up in the garden shed turned taproom to sample their Angry Trout IPA or Oatmeal Stout. Finish the day by making your way east on 26, where orchard rows signal fresh peaches at Boehm Farm.
Eat: Still hungry? Make a detour to Coxsackie on your way back and stop at the Cask and Rasher. Try their buffalo bleu chicken nachos or chicken bacon ranch quesadilla. For open-air entertainment, drive 14 miles north of The Kaaterskill to the Hi-Way Drive-In, which screens modern blockbusters in a retro setting.
Bespoke Treasures – Art in Triplicate
Do: Discover the inspired connection between the Catskills wilderness and American art at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. Study hand-painted parlor decorations left by Cole, a painter whose romantic landscapes launched the Hudson River School movement. Tour the exhibitions and pick up a guide to the Hudson River Art Trail. Follow your map a half-hour's drive southwest to explore famous vistas.
Eat: Located on Catskill's Main Street, The New York Restaurant offers American cuisine flavored with hints of the owner's Polish heritage. The menu pairs Old World fare—think house-made sauerkraut atop Kielbasa—with classics like a sirloin burger smothered in sautéed onions and chipotle aioli. Complement your meal with a seasonal craft cocktail or small-batch spirit.
Stay: Outside of Catskill, head to Round Top's Glen Falls House. This boutique hotel features local, farm-to-table dining at its on-site restaurant the Trotwood, fresh and simple guest rooms, immediate access to hiking and mountain biking trails, and a bonfire for after-hours relaxing.
Two-Wheel Adventure – Trio of Triumph
Do: Max out summer fun at Windham Mountain Bike Park. Banked corners and rolling single track guarantee a smooth ride. The Kaaterskill Cruise trail, a custom-built for beginners, flows from summit to base area. Hire a bike on-site, practice on tabletops and a mini rock garden in the Skills Park, and catch a ride up on the chairlift. That's right—no uphill required.
Eat: Satisfy barbecue cravings at Chicken Run, a family-friendly restaurant with patio seating just downhill from Windham Mountain. Order a half or full rack of St. Louis-style ribs—grilled, then sauced—and finish with a decadent brownie sundae. Chicken Run also caters to groups on the run, with family-style portions of fried chicken, sides, and cornbread to go for 2–8 people.
Stay: Retreat to Albergo Allegria. Just minutes from Windham Mountain, this secluded hotel and breakfast restaurant offers beautiful rooms. Opt for a homecooked breakfast while you’re there, and explore outdoors in the fresh mountain air.
Dive a Little Deeper into Summer in the Catskills
What are you waiting for? Find a place to stay, figure out what you want to do, and hit the road. The Catskills are waiting!
