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Like Kauneonga Lake, Swan Lake is part of the historic Borscht Belt, a mountain resort area immortalized in the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing.” In fact, the town’s name has nothing to do with swans — or with the famous ballet. Originally known as Stevensville, Swan Lake was renamed after Alden Swan, a businessman from Brooklyn who purchased the lake (and large tracts of land nearby) around the turn of the century. Today, fisherman like these waters for black bass, sunfish and pike.

Bethel is a quiet and compelling small town in the Catskills Mountains. Its most famous landmark, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, sits on the original site of the 1969 Woodstock festival and now operates as a premier concert venue hosting major touring artists each season. Adjacent to it, the Museum at Bethel Woods showcases immersive exhibits that explore the social, political, and musical impact of Woodstock and the counterculture movement. Outdoor lovers can unwind along the trails and scenic viewpoints surrounding Lake Superior State Park, a peaceful spot for walking and recreational pursuits. The surrounding Catskill Mountains are grand destinations for hiking and seasonal recreation opportunities within walking distance from town.

Of course, no trip to Woodstock would be complete without visiting the site of the festival in Bethel, which now houses the immersive Woodstock Museum with a history-packed exhibit.

Ninety minutes from Manhattan, the sight of Texas longhorns and a 30,000-square-foot indoor arena is the first hint this is not a typical Catskills escape. Three-time PRCA circuit champion Steve Dubrovsky carved 200 acres of his 7,000-acre property into a working horse and cattle ranch with only four suites tucked into the operation. Rooms fold in birch-branch headboards, salvaged stall wood, museum artifacts and rodeo memorabilia, so staying here is like inhabiting someone’s life rather than a themed resort. All-inclusive rates cover breakfast, horseback rides, roping lessons, longhorn feedings (their favorite bite: Dunkin’ Donuts), plus hiking, fishing and kayaking on the surrounding land.

Set in a restored 1880s boarding house, Kenoza Hall offers guests a wellness program grounded in Kneipp therapy. This holistic method follows five foundational pillars: exercise, nutrition, water, plants, and balance. The theme is “earthy luxury” at the on-site Hemlock Spa, where treatments like facials, massages, and wraps are rooted in naturopathy and hydrotherapy. Bringing to mind a greenhouse, the relaxation lounge seamlessly blends outdoor and indoor elements, with a cold plunge, a wood stove, an outdoor barrel sauna, and a Kneipp circuit with varying textures and sensations. The Movement Studio hosts group classes such as aerial yoga, vinyasa, wind-down yoga with sound therapy, guided meditations, and more. Year-round, guests and non-guests alike can book a spa day pass, midweek spa treatments, or a class pack for the Movement Studio.

Livingston Manor has that “‘cool but not trying too hard’ vibe—it’s artsy, outdoorsy, and delicious all at once,” says Lisa Karvellas, co-founder of Cedar Lakes Estate in nearby Port Jervis. She suggests grabbing local goods at Main Street Farm, a pint at Catskill Brewery, and wood-fired pizza under the string lights at The Kaatskeller.

Callicoon may be small, but it punches above its weight with a mix of heritage and fresh energy. On Sundays, I always make time for the farmers market—one of the best in the Catskills—before wandering Lower Main Street, where shops like The Farmhouse Project and Lee Hartwell Antiques sit alongside cozy spots like The Creek House Grill and Peppino’s. 

The Peace, Love & Lights light show takes place over 1.7 miles through the Bethel Woods grounds and on Monday nights, you’ll be able to walk through the display, join in a sing-along or have dinner with Santa.

Opened on July 8, 1948. Nice, big Art Deco movie house in the western Catskills. Seats around 350. The first movie shown here was “Green Grass of Wyoming,” starring Peggy Cummings, Charles Coburn, Robert Arnold, Lloyd Nolan, and Burl Ives.

 Seminary Hill takes on a quiet winter charm, with cozy interiors, carefully considered design, and seasonal touches woven throughout the property’s rooms and common spaces. The Boarding House, recognized with Michelin Keys in 2024 and 2025, offers individually designed rooms with kitchenettes, clawfoot tubs, and generous lounge spaces, along with shared areas like the Parlour Library for reading and board games. At the Tasting Room, indoor seating centers seasonal dishes made with local ingredients, while outdoor fire pits create a quiet place to sip cider and look out over the orchard.

Tucked into the rolling landscape of the Western Catskills, the revival of the North Branch Cider Mill stands as one of Sullivan County’s most thoughtful and intentional reinventions. Driven not by nostalgia alone, but by a commitment to craftsmanship, community, and history, Anna and Tom have spent the last several years breathing life back into a long-silent landmark. Their work with Homestedt had already integrated them into the area, now their revival of North Branch Cider Mill—blending old-world sensibilities with a fresh, modern vision, has them invested in the area’s future and past.

Roscoe, self-dubbed as “Trout Town,” has a history as a haven for fly-fishing enthusiasts due to its prime location at the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek confluence, shaping much of its character and charm. This reputation not only attracts anglers from around the globe but also enhances its rustic appeal, showcased by the community’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty and recreational draw. 

The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway travels along the New York side of the Delaware River, and you will see the river bend and widen through forested valleys and small towns with covered bridges. The byway length sits at about 70 miles long, but think of this byway in terms of a leisurely day drive rather than a long highway marathon. 

The Catskills? A dream. Trails, lakes, cider tasting, candlelit dinners — perfect for sapphic getaways where you want nature and good queer-adjacent culture. Cabins range from retro A-frames to modern glass-front hideaways filled with paperbacks and wood stoves. It’s no surprise Travel + Leisure keeps name-dropping the region for romantic escapes. Callicoon Hills – Callicoon: Chic lodge-style resort with A-frame energy and poolside lounging. Queer-friendly vibes and loads of other NYC lesbians quietly escaping the city.

Narrowsburg, a charming hamlet in the foothills of the Catskills and along the scenic Delaware River, remains one of New York’s best-kept secrets. It has a population of just 379, contributing to its quiet, unassuming nature that may lead many to bypass it on their travels. However, those who do venture into Narrowsburg are rewarded with a rich tapestry of natural beauty and a strong sense of community that radiates from every corner. 

With new areas and expanded displays, Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has expanded its popular holiday attraction. The 1.7-mile drive-thru experience features themed areas such as Holidays Around the World, Candy Cane Lane, Snowflake Alley and Groovy Way (a nod to the Woodstock festival). Once your drive is over, head to one of the holiday pop-up markets where you and your family can indulge in comfort food, holiday drinks, s’mores by the fire and much more. The drive-thru takes about 35 minutes and is open every night except for Monday, which are walk-through only.

Located in the Catskills on the site of the former New Age Health Spa, Hemlock Neversink is a wellness resort boasting body treatments, art workshops, and a network of hiking trails. A schedule of daily activities can include everything from guided forest hikes and mosaic-making to happy hours and shamanic drum circles. Notable facilities include the indoor swimming pool, brightened by rays of light beaming through a sideline of archways, and the movement building, a high-vaulted, wood-paneled marvel of a yoga studio. Resident goats, rescues from the Frederick Farm Goat Sanctuary, accompany guests on daily hikes. The on-site restaurant, Bittersweet, boasts a plant-forward menu, while the spa draws inspiration from the surrounding nature, offering everything from facials to reiki energy work. Although the focus is certainly on health at Hemlock, the approach is far from all-or-nothing, encouraging guests to shape each day however they see fit. 

Turn off your headlights and follow the glow through 1.7 miles of the Bethel Woods campus to see illuminated and themed areas around the Catskills’ brightest holiday tradition. Tickets for standard vehicles cost $27. Enjoy the holiday magic from the comfort of your car!

The Catskills’ patchwork of mountains, forests, and lakes has provided a rural respite for generations of East Coast residents, including my own family. This summer, my husband and I vacationed at an adults-only hotel and spa, Hemlock Neversink. We were surrounded by serenity at the swimming pools and enjoyed calming activities such as yoga classes and forest bathing. At night, the sky filled with stars, the perfect chance to gaze up in peaceful wonder.

A short drive into Roscoe brings easy access to local favorites like Grizzly Bagels or Sullivan Sundries in Jeffersonville for breakfast – or The Junction and The Yarra for dinner. Nearby, Buck Brook Alpacas offers an unforgettable farm visit/tour with alpacas, while Russell Brook Falls and Frick Pond invite long walks through the snow-dusted forest.

For serious car lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this distinctive contemporary residence tucked inside the Monticello Motor Club’s gated Motor Club Estates enclave. The new-to-market property offers something rare for even the most high-octane auto enthusiasts—direct access to a four-mile racetrack, where owners can drive straight from their personal garage to the circuit—no trailers, no public roads, just pure adrenaline.