Three days of cabins, country roads and the art of slowing down
Autumn in the Sullivan Catskills feels rich and unhurried. Mornings unfold in layers of mist over the Delaware River. Afternoons bring soft sunlight across farm fields and forested hills. The scent of wood smoke, apples and rain fills the air.
Here, weekends take their time. The pace slows, colors sharpen and the landscape draws you in. Small towns hum with local pride, trails wind through maples and birch and meals tell stories of land and season. Whether you spend your days wandering markets, exploring the woods or sitting fireside with coffee, this is the Catskills at their most vivid.
Friday: Arrive, Unpack, and Breathe
Afternoon: The Journey North
The drive into Sullivan County feels like a transition from one world to another. Roads narrow, trees rise higher and the air begins to clear. Arrive in Livingston Manor, Narrowsburg or Callicoon, where cabins and country inns sit tucked among hills and rivers.
Where to Stay:
- The DeBruce, Livingston Manor – A serene retreat overlooking the Willowemoc Valley, known for thoughtful design and exceptional dining.
- Kenoza Hall, Kenoza Lake – A restored 1900s lakefront hotel with large porches and timeless interiors.
- Stickett Inn, Barryville – A playful, design-forward stay along the Delaware River.
- Callicoon Hills, Callicoon Center – A modern resort with midcentury lines, campfire circles and cozy gathering spaces.
- Gary’s Cabins, Callicoon – Catskills cabins blending rustic charm with modern comfort and porches made for coffee at sunrise.
Settle in. Step outside for a moment before unpacking. The quiet carries its own kind of welcome.
Evening: Dinner with a Sense of Place
When the light softens, head into town for dinner that celebrates what grows and grazes here.
- The DeBruce serves multi-course menus inspired by Catskills terroir, from mountain trout to forest-foraged herbs.
- The Arnold House in Livingston Manor offers a relaxed tavern experience with hearty fare and friendly locals.
- In Narrowsburg, The Heron serves seasonal comfort food overlooking the Delaware River.
- Kevin’s Restaurant in Rock Hill blends classic hospitality with contemporary dining and a menu featuring seafood, steaks and local produce.
End the night with a stop at Catskill Brewery in Livingston Manor or Callicoon Brewing Company in Callicoon for a local ale or a glass of wine by the fire, then relax and let the day end slowly.
Saturday: Markets, Mountains and Maple Colors
Morning: The Farmers Market Rhythm
Mornings here begin with scent and silence. Brew coffee from Java Love Coffee Roasting Co., step onto the porch, and listen to the valley wake.
After breakfast, wander through one of Sullivan County’s renowned farmers markets.
- Callicoon Farmers Market fills the historic train depot with local produce, baked goods and artisan cheese.
- Narrowsburg Farmers Market gathers growers and makers near the river, their stalls bright with pumpkins, pears and preserves.
Chat with vendors. Try the cider. Take your time. Every taste feels like part of the landscape.
Midday: Follow the Catskills Trails
Once the car is packed with market finds, lace up your hiking boots. The Catskills’ trails deliver fall color, quiet and perspective in equal measure.
- Tusten Mountain Trail near Narrowsburg rises through oak and pine to views of the Delaware River.
- Walnut Mountain Park in Liberty offers gentle loops and picnic overlooks.
- The Bashakill Wildlife Management Area near Wurtsboro features trails through wetlands and wooded paths alive with migrating birds.
Stop for lunch Danny’s Restaurant and a home-cooked special if you’re nearby Wurtsboro, grab a slice of wood-fired pizza at The Laundrette in Narrowsburg or go old-school with a cheeseburger and fries at the New Munson Diner in Liberty.
Afternoon: Small-Town Wanderings
Spend the late afternoon exploring the towns that give Sullivan County its charm.
- Livingston Manor blends outdoor culture with artisan energy. Browse Main Street Farm for local goods, Upstream Wine & Spirits for regional bottles and DROOZ and Company for unique Catskills gifts.
- In Narrowsburg, shop at Nest for home goods or One Grand Books for beautifully curated titles.
- If you find yourself in Callicoon, stop by Spruce Home Goods for coffee and gifts or Gardner & Co General Store for locally produced pottery and textiles.
Each town has its rhythm, its own way of blending grit and grace.
Evening: Firelight and Music
When evening settles in, follow the sound of live music or laughter.
- In Forestburgh, the Forestburgh Playhouse—one of New York’s oldest summer theaters—brings Broadway-caliber performances to an intimate Catskills setting, complete with a cozy tavern and cabaret nights.
- Down the road in Bethel, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts transitions indoors for the season, hosting intimate concerts, film screenings, and community events inside the Event Gallery—where the spirit of Woodstock still hums through every note.
- Over in Kauneonga Lake, The Local Table and Tap often features live music alongside lakeside dining, offering a warm, relaxed atmosphere to end your day in the Catskills.
For a quieter night, stay near your cabin and light the fire. The sound of wind through the trees and a glass of locally distilled spirits often make the perfect company.
Sunday: Stillness and the Long Way Home
Morning: Slow and Seasonal
Let the final morning arrive without alarm. Cook breakfast from your weekend’s finds—farm eggs, thick-cut bread and maple syrup from a roadside farm stand.
If you’d rather head out, stop by Jeffersonville Bake Shop for cinnamon rolls and espresso, or The Tusten Cup in Narrowsburg for a classic Catskills breakfast.
Take one last walk along the river or through the woods. Watch how the light moves through the leaves. This quiet is part of what you came for.
Afternoon: Take the Scenic Route
On your drive back to big city life, detour through Roscoe, known as “Trout Town USA.” Stop at Roscoe Beer Co. for a final pint or browse the shops for fly-fishing gear and handmade goods.
If time allows, visit Bashakill Vineyards in Wurtsboro, where organic wines pair with mountain views. Every road in Sullivan County feels like a story unfolding in color and air.
Suggested Map of Stops
Towns: Livingston Manor • Narrowsburg • Callicoon • Bethel • Roscoe • Wurtsboro
Experiences: Farm-to-table dining • Local markets • Cabin stays • Art galleries • River trails
The Catskills Stay With You
Every visit to the Sullivan Catskills leaves a trace. It’s in the way the air feels lighter, the meals taste fuller and the landscape lingers in memory long after your car heads south.
What makes this the perfect Catskills getaway isn’t luxury or itinerary—it’s the rhythm. It’s the way each moment expands into something more: coffee steaming in the cold, sunlight on the Delaware and conversation around a fire.
In this corner of the Catskills, time softens. Days and nights find their natural rhythm, falling into the cadence of the season.
