The Best Things to Do in the Catskills, From Scenic Hiking Trails to Artsy Villages

For nature lovers, the Catskills is first and foremost an outdoor paradise. Kaaterskill Falls features a stunning, two-tier waterfall with hiking trails and breathtaking views. Mongaup Pond Campground is perfect for swimming, camping, and enjoying the serene surroundings. Onteora Lake in the Catskill Park near Kingston provides a peaceful day by the water with picnic tables and scenic trails. For a refreshing dip, the Esopus Creek offers sweet and cool inviting waters. Echo Lake and Overlook Mountain near Woodstock are adjacent to a colorful Buddhist monastery within the hilly landscape. The hiking trails wind through building ruins and lead to a fire tower, where you can climb to the overwhelmingly breathtaking panoramic views of the Catskills (and beyond).

The Colony in Woodstock, a restored 1929 theater, where multiple notable artists have performed, is also the perfect spot to listen to bands in the Great Room over a meal or drinks. You can also grab a bite and a craft beverage at the eclectic live music Dancing Cat Saloon, where Catskill Distilling Company partners for handcrafted spirits from local farms utilizing ingredients and water sourced from the surrounding mountains.

The Catskills art scene is equally enchanting, with venues like the Catskills Art Space in Livingston Manor showcasing rotating exhibits by cutting-edge artists and authors. This dynamic space, situated in front of a small freshwater lake, also hosts live events and performances. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the birthplace of Woodstock, now serves as a cultural center displaying local artwork and educating visitors about the region’s native history, and holding events like the Catskill Cuisine food festival, live music performances, and local vendor markets. Visitors also visit the historic home of Thomas Cole (as well as its studios, grounds, and a hiking trail), the early environmentalist and American artist, for major exhibitions of 19th-century and contemporary art. New exhibitions focus on Indigenous approaches to the local land, alongside Cole’s articulation of the American landscape.

Where to stay in the Catskills

In Sullivan County, the Eldred Preserve offers a reimagined boutique hotel experience with 28 accommodations. Surrounded by 600 acres of forest and featuring access to Sunrise Lake, it’s perfect for outdoor activities like paddling, kayaking, fishing, and bird watching. Blue Fox Motel is a Mom & Pop owned gem in neighboring Delaware County that combines rustic cabin charm with groovy tunes and swanky cocktails in a unique dining and bar area. The Woodhouse Lodge in Greenville is a charming boutique lodge with artistic influences, cozy guest rooms, and a fire pit with hammocks under lit-string lights. Nearby, in Tannersville, Hotel Lilien blends modern touches with Victorian charm, offering a trendy cocktail bar and proximity to Hunter Mountain, making it a perfect spot for both relaxation and adventure.

Wildflower Farms, part of Auberge Resorts, is a spa retreat nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains with a working farm, cooking classes, a spa, and freestanding cabins offering stunning views; it’s a premier destination for both nature lovers and those simply seeking solace. Piaule Catskill, another standout, combines sustainable design with wellness in a stylish setting, featuring 24 designer cabins and a large communal spa. Also in Ulster County, the Eastwind Hotel and Bar in Big Indian provides a cozy getaway with a woodfire-warmed lounge, sauna, ski slopes nearby, and summer activities like outdoor yoga and DJ sets, ensuring a year-round appeal.

The region’s reimagined historic hotels meet the creative spirit of artists, with purpose-driven design bringing each space to life alongside sweeping nature. Whether you want to be nestled in the lush green mountains or situated just outside one of the Catskills’ charming towns, you can truly bask within (and take advantage of) the ultimate upstate getaway by options for a local hotel—or, of course, you can also camp (say, along the Esopus Creek), or explore fabulous Airbnbs in the area.)