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Things to Do in the Catskills | Explore Ways to Play

A step into nature is just as easily an exhilarating river trip as it is an outdoor concert pulsing with the discovery of a new favorite act. Every season in the Sullivan Catskills is outdoor experiences and pole barn performances, ridgeline adventure and fresh festivals, crisp air and carefree hearts. Join us for natural whimsy with a side of wonder.

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Things to Do

A smiling performer with curly hair plays a piano on stage, illuminated by stage lighting.

Arts & Culture

Where fields become stages and artisan everything is everywhere.
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Casino

Play your hand at a world-class casino just 90 minutes from New York City.
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A girl riding a horse along a wooded trail, smiling, surrounded by greenery.

Outdoor Adventure

Get wild in memory-making ways, playing on the water and in the hills.
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Spa & Wellness

A variety of indulgent and immersive spa and wellness possibilities.
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Shopping

Escape into quaint storefronts, galleries and artisan enclaves.
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Photo Gallery

A man fishing in a tranquil river surrounded by trees and autumn foliage.
Two people dance joyfully outdoors in sunlight, creating a lively atmosphere amidst a blurred background of other revelers.
A young individual in a helmet and harness enjoys zip-lining through a lush green forest.
A group of women practicing yoga outdoors, stretching and posing on colorful mats under a cloudy sky.

Upcoming Events

Invasive Species Embroidery

Where: Morgan Outdoors
When: May 30 @ 1:00 pm
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Good For Mondays

Where: Van Smokey
When: May 30 @ 8:00 pm
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A promotional flyer for a Sunday morning knitting circle, inviting all crafts enthusiasts to join for coffee and crafting from 9 AM to 12 PM.

Sunday Morning Knitting Circle

Where: Taylor + Ace
When: May 31 @ 9:00 am
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Cornhole League

Where: The Courtyard Bar
When: May 31 @ 1:00 pm
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A promotional image for The Homestead, showcasing an all-day happy hour at the lounge every Sunday, featuring a cocktail garnished with an orange slice.

All Day Happy Hour

Where: The Eldred Preserve
When: May 31 @ 3:00 pm
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Travel Stories

Get Hooked on Livingston Manor’s Trout Parade

Small towns are good at parades.  High school bands, firetrucks, grand marshals in antique cars,…

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Good Things Come to Those Who Wade

There’s something special about a perfect cast. The beauty of an artfully tied fly as…

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Catskills Glamping: Where Campfires & Egyptian Cotton Coexist

Camping is one of those things that sounds better in theory than in a storage…

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What Joy Looks Like at Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary

The Piggies Each of the 50 residents at Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary in Parksville has…

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An Arts Scene the Size of Rhode Island Lives in the Sullivan Catskills

A visit to the Sullivan Catskills is an exploration into the arts. Some curated, others…

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Roscoe & Livingston Manor: Where the River Runs Everything

Trout Town USA and its charming neighbor Livingston Manor are proof that the best weekends…

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Plan Your Trip

Unexpected wonder and wonderful encounters start here.

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Where every day plays different

Pick any path in the Sullivan Catskills, and it’ll lead you somewhere unforgettable. From art-filled small towns to forested peaks, this is a place where play is woven into the landscape. “Things to do” here are a way of life, not a checklist. Every trail, gallery and village green offers a new chance to connect, create and come alive.

Four seasons of fun

The Catskills know how to make the most of every season.

  • Spring brings wildflowers, maple festivals and hikes that hum with renewal.
  • Summer fills the calendar with outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets and the unmistakable spirit of Woodstock at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
  • Fall paints the hills in color, inviting leaf-peepers, harvest festivals and scenic drives that feel cinematic.
  • Winter calls for skiing, snow tubing and cozy nights swapping stories by the fire.

Your adventure awaits

Choose your pace: heart-racing or soul-restoring. Kayak in The Bashaill, zipline high above the trees in Barryville or hike the historic O&W Rail Trail. Mountain bike through Walnut Mountain Park or cast a line in Willowemoc Creek. When the snow falls, trade sneakers for skis and make tracks through freshly powdered trails.

A creative Catskills current

Sullivan County’s artistry runs deep. From local theater productions and music festivals to gallery shows and maker markets, creativity spills from every corner. Catch a live show at Forestburgh Playhouse, tap your toes at the Delaware Valley Opera or linger in a gallery where pottery, paint and poetry coexist. And at Bethel Woods, the music truly never stopped; it just evolved.

Culture, community & celebration

Throughout the year, the county’s calendar brims with festivals that celebrate everything from crafts and creativity to cuisine and connection. From the buzz of the Narrowsburg Honeybee Festival to the splash of the Roscoe Trout Parade, every event brings people together in the most joyful ways. 

Then, savor the flavors of regional cuisine at farm-to-table restaurants, where chefs craft seasonal menus inspired by nearby farms, forests and fields. From cozy bistros and country inns to creative kitchens inside restored barns and firehouses, every meal tells a story of local growers, makers and community. Pair your plate with a craft beer brewed down the road or a glass of New York wine poured by someone who knows the vineyard firsthand.

And while you’re exploring, visit historic sites like the Delaware & Hudson Canal Interpretive Center, Fort Delaware and Stone Arch Bridge Park—each revealing the stories, flavors and spirit that have long shaped the Sullivan Catskills.

Relax, restore & recharge

Play takes many forms here and sometimes, it just means slowing down. Indulge in a spa day, join a yoga class or unwind by a lakeside bonfire. From Grass Roots Yoga in Wurtsboro to the Chi Hive in Narrowsburg, the Sullivan Catskills invite you to play your own way, one deep breath at a time.

FAQs

What are the main towns in the Sullivan Catskills?

The most visited communities include Narrowsburg, Livingston Manor, Callicoon, Roscoe, Bethel, Monticello, Liberty, Wurtsboro, Hurleyville, Jeffersonville, and Barryville. Each has its own character, from river arts towns to fly fishing destinations to resort communities.

What is the county seat of Sullivan County?

Monticello is the county seat and largest village in Sullivan County, home to county government, Catskill Regional Medical Center, the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark, and Resorts World Catskills.

Which Sullivan Catskills town is best for arts and culture?

Narrowsburg and Livingston Manor are the county’s leading arts destinations. Narrowsburg is home to the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and the Big Eddy Film Festival. Livingston Manor has Catskill Art Space and the Shandelee Music Festival. Hurleyville’s HPAC offers cinema, gallery, and live events year-round.

Which town is best for outdoor activities in the Sullivan Catskills? 

Narrowsburg offers direct access to the Delaware River for rafting, kayaking, and tubing. Roscoe is the fly fishing capital of the Catskills. Livingston Manor sits between two rivers and provides easy access to the county’s best hiking trails.

Where was the 1969 Woodstock Festival held?

The 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair was held in the Town of Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, on Max Yasgur’s farm. The site is now Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Which Sullivan Catskills town is best for a first visit?

Narrowsburg is a strong first stop, with a walkable Main Street, excellent dining, and direct river access. Livingston Manor pairs well with it. The two towns are about 20 minutes apart and cover a lot of what the Sullivan Catskills does best in a single weekend.

What Sullivan Catskills towns are closest to New York City?

Wurtsboro and Bloomingburg in the Town of Mamakating are the closest to New York City, roughly 75 to 80 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Most of the county’s most visited towns sit between 90 and 120 miles from the city.

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