The Sullivan Catskills: Small Towns, Big Experiences
When one thinks of the Catskills, what comes to mind? Dirty Dancing? Grossingers? Kutchers? The Hudson River School of Arts? Summer sleep away camps? Perhaps these images call up old memories or curiosity about the Catskills of today.
If so, there is so much more to know about this compelling destination just two to three hours from New York City — with its myriads of attractions and activities that cater to a wide range of interests.
Known for its natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural and culinary experiences, the Catskills, in southeastern New York, is home to 98 peaks— 705,000 acres of Catskill Park. Fun fact, did you know that this destination provides 95% of the drinking water for NYC based on its rivers, streams, waterfalls, and eco-friendly environment?
Here is a quick snapshot of some possibilities for the curious traveler:
Glamping, the best destinations for a luxury and adventure holiday
Founder Keva Niver started Boheme Retreats with the goal of making the outdoors more inclusive . Located in a section of Covered Bridge Campsite, the motto here is “camping without being too basic.” Beautifully restored and dating back to the 1960s and ’70s, each of Niver’s five vintage campers is named after influential women of color in history. Outdoor spaces are furnished with cute umbrellas and camping chairs. Inside, artwork by women of color adorns the walls, while throw pillows, rattan trinkets, and patterned wallpaper take center stage.
36 of New York State’s Hottest New Summer Openings
Take your concert experience to the next level and stay over at Bethel Woods! For the 2024 summer concert season (May-October), concert-goers can choose to pitch their own tent, glamp in style, or roll into Best Road Campground with the RV. This year’s concert lineup includes performances from Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Hozier, Lynyrd Skynyrd & ZZ Top, Luke Bryan, and more.
Great 2024 Labor Day Activities in New York State
The Catskills have always been an attractive draw for all the natural beauty the region has to offer. Travelers love not only being in nature but also enjoying the Catskills’ unique range of attractions! Admire bird’s-eye views of Windham Mountain from the scenic chairlift, afterward stop for a beverage and bite to eat at Cin Cin! Want to get out on the water? Try Lander’s River Trips, where you can rent a raft, canoe, kayak, or tube for a rejuvenating day on the Delaware River. Hiking in the Catskills is an amazing experience, especially if you set your sights on a waterfall, such as Vernooy Kill Falls (pictured)—one of the hikes featured in this guide to the Best Catskills Hiking Trails for Every Level of Hiker. You can also catch an outdoor concert at Bethel Woods (the original site of the 1969 Woodstock festival), sightsee with Rail Explorers, or splash around at Zoom Flume.
Family Road Trip to the Mountains— NY’s Sullivan Catskills!
Are you yearning for a summertime family getaway packed with adventure, fun, excitement, and entertainment? Pack up the swimsuits, hiking boots, summer tees, and sunscreen. Then download the Go app on your phone and head to New York’s Sullivan Catskills.
Located just a short 90-mile drive from New York City, the Sullivan Catskills is a versatile destination that has always been a hit with families. Engage in a diverse range of activities, from swimming to animal encounters, and explore the fascinating history of the area.
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The Kartrite Indoor Resort and Water Park is loaded with good, wet, fun— rain or shine. And it’s 84 degrees all year long. Villa Roma is a popular full-service resort that caters to families. Summer is popular for its pools and water features as well as its Pool Grill and Raw Bar. The Delaware River and its many liveries along the Upper Delaware River corridor offer rafting trips, canoes, and kayas, a perfect way to stay cool on hot summer days.
Hemlock Neversink – Getting Close to Nature in the Catskills
Wellness—the holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. It sounds terrific, but it’s not always easy to attain. However, you could consider visiting the restoration-focused retreat Hemlock Neversink, just two hours from Manhattan in Neversink, NY.
Having opened in the Fall of 2023, Hemlock Neversink is the newest edition to the Foster Supply Hospitality Catskill-based group behind several award-winning hotels and restaurants. The 34-room wellness destination sits on 230 acres. The Catskills, specifically the Neversink region, has long been a destination for rejuvenation and escape, with various lodgings catering to those searching for health and relaxation. Hemlock Neversink’s main building was constructed in the 1800’s. The rest of the property’s buildings took shape
A New Tour in Boston, an Upstate New York Escape, and a Portable Jump Starter for Summer Travels
Escape to a cozy hamlet in upstate New York where luxury lodging meets the great outdoors. Antrim Streamside, a boutique property in the hamlet of Livingston Manor (population 1,053), has 250 acres of hiking trails and a trout stream for fly fishing right out the back door. The property — about 4.5 hours from Boston — sits on the banks of the Willowemoc Creek, a perfect spot for fishing, birdwatching, and wading on hot summer days. The resort has four upscale cabins, each with a fully equipped kitchenette, a screened-in sleeping porch, and an outdoor shower. It also has one pet-friendly ADA-compliant cottage, The Stone House, that has two bedrooms, a queen sleeper sofa, two decks, and an enclosed outdoor space for your dog to run. Enjoy onsite yoga classes, massage, private chef-led cooking classes, and wine tastings. The current Go Streamside deal, which starts at $700 per night (based on availability), includes a guided hike to Beaver Lake Farm, an in-room cocktail or mocktail bar (complete with recipes and ingredients), a summer-themed gift basket, and two nights in a cabin. antrimstreamside.com.
12 Up-and-coming Destinations Around the World for LGBTQ+ Travelers
From small, coastal towns to mid-size cities and major metropolises, these are the rising hotspots for LGBTQ+ travelers. Sometimes even the tiniest of villages can have an active queer community, something that’s exemplified in this quiet town that abuts the Delaware River in the Sullivan Catskills. Queer visitors, locals, and vacation homeowners from New York City are drawn to Narrowsburg for the local beauty and access to nature at Tusten Mountain. There’s also plenty to keep them busy, including seasonal farmers markets, film and literary festivals, and the tasteful shops on Main Street, which range from antique and home decor stores to art galleries and specialty food shops. But many queer people find themselves in Narrowsburg simply for the peace and quiet — in fact, much of the area remains free of cell phone service even to this day.
Boheme Retreats Does Comfortable Camping in the Catskills
For the owner of Boheme Retreats in Livingston Manor, it’s all about getting everyone loving an outdoor camping adventure.
Anyone can pitch a tent and glamp in nature. But Keva Niver, owner of Boheme Retreats, had a specific type of camper in mind when she opened her vintage RV resort—located on part of Covered Bridge Campsite just outside Livingston Manor— back in 2022.
“My goal was to see more diversity in the outdoors,” says Niver, who works full-time at a solar company in Brooklyn, when she isn’t on-property, and is the mother of four kids, ages 15–21. She’s also determined to entice first-time campers (especially people of color) and watch as they lean into the experience, transforming from jaded urban dwellers to camping aficionados who see the joy in counting the stars at night—and can’t wait to return season after season.
“We’re trying to reach anyone who doesn’t usually spend time in the outdoors. About 70 percent of our guests have never done this before,” says Niver. “We want them to feel OK trying the nature thing.”
