A complete guide of where to stay and top activities for a getaway in the Catskills.
The Catskills is one of my favorite places to visit for a quick weekend getaway. It is located just two hours outside of NYC and there are plenty of fun activities in the area. A getaway in the Catskills is nice during any time of year- whether you visit in the winter for skiing and warming up in a hot tub, in the fall to enjoy the view of the changing leaves, or in the spring and summer for hiking and brewery hopping.
Best Towns for a Getaway in the Catskills:
New Paltz
New Paltz is an artistic and fun town that is perfect for a getaway in the Catskills. Its main street area has many restaurants, bars, and coffee shops to choose from, as well as shops, antique stores, and art galleries. If you visit New Paltz be sure to check out the Water Street Market which is a quaint European-style shopping village.
New Paltz is home to Mohonk Mountain House which has 85 miles of hiking trails and a variety of outdoor activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, paddleboarding, ice skating, and snowshoeing. Advanced reservations are required in order to visit. I chose to visit Mohonk Mountain House for brunch which was a bit pricey but included access to the hiking trails and grounds.
This area near New Paltz is well-known for its wineries, with many great wineries as part of the “Shawangunk Wine Trail”. Two of my favorites on the wine trail are Benmarl Winery and Robibero Vineyards.
A few of my favorite restaurants in New Paltz are Main Street Bistro, Bacchus Restaurant, and Pho Tibet.
While you are New Paltz, be sure to also visit the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. They rescue farm animals and offer tours of their farm (currently virtual only).
Windham
I love visiting Windham for its cute town and affordable accommodations. Windham Mountain is one of my favorite ski resorts in the Catskills- it has a really nice beginner trail that runs along the entire length of the mountain, and it also has great vegetarian food options at its main restaurant.
The town of Windham reminds me of a small ski town in the French Alps, with cute restaurants and bars with European influences. Be sure to check out Ze Windham Wine Bar for adorable outdoor seating with fire pits and a carefully curated wine list. For a nice dinner, go to Bistro Brie & Bordeaux. Arrive early and prepare for a wait because this is a popular dinner spot in town. Their french baguette was amazing! While you are in town, also check out La Patisserie Normande for delicious croissants and pastries.
Hunter
Hunter is another town in the Catskills well known for its ski resort and hiking trails. The town of Hunter has some great dining and apres-ski options. I loved Jagerberg Beer Hall and Tavern for its tofu schnitzel and hot spiked cider. Hunter Mountain Brewery is great for a more casual meal with extensive menu options and craft beer. For a nice sit-down dinner, check our Ladoria Ristorante.
If you visit the towns of Hunter or Windham during the winter, be sure to also visit Bearpen Mountain Sports. They have a variety of winter activities available such as snow tubing, ice skating, snow shoeing, curling, and fat tire biking. They also have a cute resident dog named Speights who might visit you during your activities!
Tips for a Getaway in the Catskills
Getting there
A car is essential for visiting the area because there is very limited public transit or uber availability. If you are traveling from NYC and need a rental car, you can save money on the car rental by taking the metro north to Hertz in White Plains or to Avis in New Rochelle and renting a car from there instead of from their NYC locations.
Where to stay
There are a variety of Airbnb’s, hotels, and bed and breakfasts to choose from. If you are visiting with a large group, you can usually find an affordable Airbnb with fun amenities such as a hot tub or pool table. For a couples getaway in the Catkills, I have found the best deals by staying at a hotel or bed and breakfast.
Seasonal Activities in the Catskills
- Winter: skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, sledding, ice skating, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, fat tire biking, curling, snow mobiling
- Summer: kayaking, canoeing, ziplining
- Fall: apple picking, pumpkin picking, fall festivals
- Year-round: wine tasting, brewery hopping, hiking. Here are some of the best hikes in the Catskills.
Looking for more getaway options near NYC? Check out my blog post below:
Have you ever done a getaway in the Catskills? Leave a comment below!
