I fumbled upon a quaint country town, with open green- spaces, crystal clear lakes, and streams, and awe-inspiring mountains with picturesque landscape. This place is none other than Catskills. It is now one of the favorite locations for a great escape from the bustling city life or to experience an adventure-filled outdoor vacation.
The leisure activities along with the splendid nature’s beauty makes the journey from beginning to end for reaching the magnificent splendor of their enormous grounds worthwhile. So, let’s make a list of all attractions in Catskills for what to do list of yours!
Catskill’s Geomorphology
Catskill Mountains or Catskills, an dissected elevated plain, are part of the Appalachian or Allegheny Plateau. Located northwest of NYC, this historic town is located on the sides of Hudson river. As one starts from the eastern side of the Catskill, they will come across the valley, mountain and plateau on their exploration expedition. The ever changing geographical features of this region acts as a magnet for the adventure seeking souls as well as someone on a quest for peace in places near NYC.
Are you exploring this vibrant soul of NYC this weekend and thinking of what all things are offered by Catskill to do during your stay, then don’t worry, I’ll let you know of all the places I went through and things I did with my family during the vacation. Hope it helps!
History – A Page in Catskill’s Book
Museums and other historic places generally act as a mirror to that region’s past and show how it has evolved over time. Being an avid history reader, visiting museums was always on my priority list of Catskills activities. Feed your curiosity with some of the best museums in Catskill and embrace the history while learning the important aspects of it.
Some of the good museums to shine a light on the bygone era are:
- Catskill Fly Fishing Centre & Museum
- Catskill Art Society
- Brunel Sculpture Garden
- The Museum of Bethel Woods
- Empire State Railway Museum
Apart from museums, one can also muse themselves by visiting excellent art galleries in Catskills. Some of them are:
- FORELAND
- Main Street Community Center
- GALLERY 495
- CREATE (The former Greene County Council on the Arts).
- Thomas Cole National Historic Site
How to Reach Catskill Mountain?
If you wish to book your weekend for exploring this beautiful destination full of majestic hills, and gorgeous valleys, then it would be better if you can decide your means of transportation beforehand. One can commute from NYC to Catskill via three ways, namely by bus, train or car.
| Transportation Means | Hours Taken |
| BUS | 2 h 40 mins |
| TRAIN | 2 h 8 mins |
| CAR | 3 h 15 mins |
Catskill Attractions – Nature’s Treasure
Thinking of visiting the birthplace of American art but still giving prompts on your search engine with phrases like Catskills NY what to do? I visited this gorgeous quaint town with my family last weekend for rejuvenation. We spent more than 2 days actually exploring this beauty. Let me take you through some of the must visit places to go in the Catskills for enjoying its natural beauty.
- Hike the best trails in Catskills
- Find tranquility in waterfalls
- Explore one of the most loved places to explore i.e. Catskills lakes
- Pitch your camps in campgrounds of Catskills
Adventurous Things to Do in Catskills
Are you an adventure seeker soul who wants to feel those thrills in your veins everytime you visit a new place? Well, this place is abundant with such leisure activities for people across all age verticals. Let’s see some of the best things to do Catskills to satiate the daredevil side of yours.
- Bike on explored trails of Windham Mountain Bike Park
- Be airborne with Hudson River Skywalk
- Paddle a boat in serene rivers and lakes of Catskills
- Kayak your way in the pristine waters of Hudson River in Catskills
- Rejuvenate while skiing or snowshoeing in Scenic Hudson’s Long View Park
- Experience the professional golfing at Rip Van Winkle Country Club
- Gather your friends and play a team sport (Baseball field, soccer field, basketball court) in C.D. Lane Park
- Relax yourself while fishing in the tranquil waters of this gorgeous place
- Birding or wildlife photography in National Parks
- Get a bird’s eye view of the area while ziplining in Hunter Mountain
- Beat the heat with aqua thrills in Zoom Flume Water Park
- Kill the summer heat with spectacular spots to swim at including swimming holes and beaches
Undoubtedly, Catskills is an unmissable place for outdoor activities, but let’s have a look at some of the things which can be done with families and kids.
Family-Friendly Things to Do at Catskills
The sheer excitement of kids for the vacation is so infectious that it lights up every person in the room. So, why not let kids have the time of their life in Catskills while you capture the memories of pure happiness.
- Bailiwick Ranch & Animal Park – let your kids see the diversity of life while getting all fascinated and educated at the same time during their tour in this park.
- Catskill Hiking Trails – Take your family full of bouncing energies on some of the best Catskill trails to discover the gorgeous spots and places which are off the beaten path.
- Mountain Biking – Yeah, I know it’s not a sport for everyone but there’s beginner mountain biking too which can allow your tykes to use up that extra energy while enjoying themselves out and exploring the area side by side.
- Camping – The best way to interact with nature or get to know more about mother nature is to stay there and learn. So, pitch your tents near a lake or campgrounds and strengthen your bond with your brood while educating them.
- Aquaparks – Beat the summer heat with some water rides and enjoy your heart out.
Catskills Things to Do in Different Seasons
Catskills is open to tourism throughout the year. In short a person can enjoy different spectra of recreational activities during each season. I explore this area during the summer season, but let me put together everything for you for all the seasons.
| Seasons | Things to do |
| Summer | Hiking, Biking, Waterfall Walks, Skyrides, National Parks, Swimming, Kayaking, Aquaparks, Zipline, Skydiving, Art Galleries, Boating, Museums |
| Spring | Hiking, Biking, Waterfall Walks, Skyrides, National Parks, Swimming, Kayaking, Aquaparks, Zipline, Skydiving, Art Galleries, Boating |
| Fall | Apple PIcking & Pumpkin Patches, Fall Foliage Hikes, Biking, Skyrides, Kayaking, Boating, Golfing, Historical Sites |
| Winter | Hiking, Cross-country Skiing, Snowboarding, Ziplining, Scaling a Frozen Waterfall, Ice Harvest, Snowmobiling, Eagle Spotting, Skydiving, World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, Indoor Water Park, Shawangunk Wine Trail, Horseback Riding, Art Galleries |
Travel and Safety Tips
As important it is to make an itinerary, as is safety. Keep the below mentioned tips and measures in mind during your Catskills tour.
- Prepare an itinerary for places to visit in Catskills beforehand after conducting thorough research about the region.
- Always keep in mind the weather predictions for the period of your visit.
- Reserve vacation rentals in advance to avoid last minute rush.
- Don’t forget to bring your hiking gears with you.
- Download the trails map offline and bring enough water, emergency medical care equipment, and a whistle for the route. Do not deviate much from the route.
- Be weather ready and carry appropriate gears accordingly.
- Be aware of the locations of the closest medical facilities and possess availability to any necessary medications.
Accommodation in Catskills
Catskill hosts a number of luxury rentals and rooms. After a tiring day make sure you come back to a place which feels like home. Here is a list of some of the popular stays in the area:
- Cabins
- House rentals
- Mansions
- Villas
Take Away
The Catskills Mountains are famous for being one of the most visited recreational spots due to its proximity to megacity New York. Explore this gem located on the east coast of America, giving authentic vibes of a quaint Victorian Era town while staying at the premium vacation rentals in Catskills by HolidayKeepers.
We provide you with an array of rentals to choose from according to your requirements. All the rentals are equipped with world class amenities and luxury. Book yours now and contact us for any information. We are happy to help you!
Paul P, Senior Editor and Travel Planner at HolidayKeepers, brings over 10 years of experience from New York. He expertly combines storytelling with extensive knowledge in travel and hospitality. Known for turning vibrant travel experiences into engaging articles, Paul covers everything from hidden gems to the latest in vacation rentals, resonating with adventurers and leisure-seekers alike.
