Trails & Taverns. Farms & Festivals. Stillness & Spark.
Spectators don’t last long up here. The Sullivan Catskills has a way of pulling you off the bench — into the river, onto the trail, up to the bar, down to the farm. One minute you’re admiring the view, the next you’re soaring over it. That’s just how this place works.
Carved from river valleys and working farmland, shaped by artists, makers, and people who chose this corner of New York deliberately and stayed, the Sullivan Catskills gives back more than you came looking for. Here are 25 ways to get into it.
Rivers, Ridges & Wide-Open Days
1. Cast a Line
There’s no place quite like Sullivan Catskills during trout season. Cast a line into the crystalline waters of over a dozen rivers and tributaries that hold centuries of legendary catches, each bend a story waiting to unfold.
2. Hit the Trails
The Tusten Mountain Trail winds toward some of the most breathtaking views of the Delaware River Valley, welcoming families and dogs alike. For two wheels, choose miles of vehicle-free rail trail or push into singletrack at Walnut Mountain — familiar terrain with a fresh perspective.
3. Saddle Up
Beneath the green canopy, the trails look different from horseback. Professionally guided horseback rides from local farms offer a slower, richer way to read the land. Family-friendly lessons available in both English and Western style.
4. Float the River
Raft, tube, or drift. The Catskills waters are a world unto themselves. An afternoon on the river is equal parts stillness and rush — the kind of refreshment that stays with you long after you’ve dried off.
5. Tee It Up
Several golf courses roll across the Sullivan Catskills landscape, each one framed by panoramic views that belong on a canvas. Lush fairways, unhurried greens, and mountain air that roots for your backswing.
“There is nothing better on a hot, humid Catskill summer day than a cool early-morning dip in Crystal Lake. Skip the sandy area and follow the trail all the way around the back side, past the old beaver pond — and if you’re lucky, you just might find a swing hidden in the trees.” — JP Frenza, Owner, The Red Rose Tavern and Motel
Farm Fresh Ag-Culture
6. Graze the Farmers Markets
Spring through fall, there isn’t a day of the week without a farmers market somewhere in the County. Saturday and Sunday bring the fullest tables — food trucks, live music, and the particular satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food came from.
7. Wander the Orchards
Fall in Sullivan Catskills is a season unto itself. Wander a local apple orchard, hitch a wagon ride through a pumpkin patch, or simply drive the back roads and let the color do the work.
“There’s something special about the Catskills in every season but fall really does it for me. It’s all the coziness that comes from the first fire in our wood stove while spending a Sunday afternoon cooking. It’s also such a gift to be outside and go for a walk. Everything smells richer, heartier — and for me, that’s such a happy feeling.” — Erika Malmgreen, Co-Owner, Two Farms Brewing
Breathe Deep & Browse
8. Restore, Recharge & Find Your Flow
The Sullivan Catskills has always known how to hold space for stillness. Luxury wellness resorts and health retreats offer immersive experiences built around your version of restoration. Think Ayurvedic therapies, longevity programs and spa days that feel less like a treat and more like a prescription. For those who prefer their wellness with movement, yoga studios, sound bath spaces and fitness centers are tucked into hamlets across Sullivan County.
“Whether indulging by yourself, with your bestie, partner or an entire wedding party, the Catskills take every ounce of inspiration from the natural landscape and envelope it into a health and wellness experience that allows life to simply slow down.” — Courtney Goldsmith, Event and Conference Service Manager, Callicoon Hills Resort
9. Shop the Backroads
The shops of Sullivan Catskills don’t look like anywhere else because they’re made by the people who live here. Wander the main streets of Narrowsburg, Livingston Manor, Callicoon and Wurtsboro and you’ll find locally owned boutiques and studios stocked with handcrafted gifts, ceramics, textiles, woodwork and goods you simply won’t find in a chain. Every purchase has a story and usually, the person who made it is nearby, happy to tell it.
Where Makers & Musicians Call Home
10. Live Bethel Woods
The spirit of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival lives on here — not as nostalgia, but as something still electric. A thousand acres of amphitheater, gallery, campground, and the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods.
11. Catch a Show
A former barn, now a living stage. The Forestburgh Playhouse brings professional actors from across the country to perform musicals, dramas, comedies, and cabarets each season. Something remarkable has been happening here for years.
12. Meet the Makers
The creative current running through Sullivan Catskills is deep and unbroken. Art galleries and museums anchor the County’s small towns — some rooted in decades of community-building, others bringing contemporary exhibitions, performances, and artist talks to converted storefronts and former schoolhouses. The art is woven into daily life and it rewards the curious.
“My favorite thing to do in Sullivan County is visit the Catskill Art Space installation by James Turrell. It draws me back again and again, rewarding patience and presence — two values that feel intrinsic to this place.” — Sally Wright, Executive Director, Catskill Art Space
13. Follow the Doves
85 sculptures, each hand-painted by a local artist and born from the spirit of Woodstock’s 50th Anniversary, now live permanently across the Sullivan Catskills. A county-wide art walk hiding in plain sight.
14. Catch an Event
There’s almost always something happening in the Sullivan Catskills. From harvest festivals and trout and tractor parades to film screenings, community fairs and seasonal celebrations, Sullivan County’s calendar of events runs year-round and reflects the rhythms of a place that loves to gather.
The Kind of Fun They’ll Still Talk About
15. Splash at The Kartrite
New York’s largest indoor waterpark and resort hotel means the weather is always perfect. Over 100 water-filled adventures, unlimited family fun, and a Catskill Mountains backdrop that makes every splash feel like a little more of an adventure.
16. Soar on a Zipline
One of the largest Big Zips in the United States, the Kittatinny Dual Racing Zipline in Barryville sends you soaring up to 150 feet above the treetops, nearly half a mile above the Delaware River Valley. The view alone is worth it.
17. Drive Something Extraordinary
The Monticello Motor Club is one of the world’s premier automotive country clubs, a place where the road itself is the destination. Whether you’re arriving for a high-performance driving experience, teen race camp or private instruction, this is where the road becomes the destination. Speed and precision, Catskills style.
18. Try Your Luck
A full-scale casino resort experience in the heart of the Catskills. Resorts World Catskills offers a casino floor, live entertainment, world-class dining, luxury accommodations and an indulgent spa — all framed by mountain views. Whether you’re feeling lucky, hungry or simply ready to be swept up in something larger than the everyday, Resorts World delivers.
19. Meet the Animals
For families with young explorers, there’s nothing quite like a face-to-face encounter with the animals that call Sullivan Catskills home. From animal sanctuaries where rescued creatures find second chances, to working farms and alpaca ranches where llamas, goats, chickens and peacocks are happy to make new friends, these visits tend to be the ones kids remember longest.
“Each of the animals has a story and a personality. They play, they get sad, they surprise you. They know how to make a true connection with each other and with people.” — Todd Friedman, Founder, Arthur’s Acres
Sip, Savor & Come Back for More
20. Pull Up a Stool
A constellation of eight craft breweries brings the outside in and the inside out, with the full flavor of Sullivan Catskills in every pour. Pull up a stool, settle near the campfire and stay awhile.
21. Sip Something Special
Cideries, vineyards and craft distilleries have taken root across the County — each one shaped by the land it sits on and the people who built it. Whether you prefer something sparkling, something smoky or something made with local honey and a story behind every bottle, there’s no shortage of places to sip something crafted with care, especially after a long day in the woods.
22. Linger Over a Cup
The coffee shops of Sullivan Catskills are places you don’t rush through. Independent cafés scattered across small towns pour with intention — locally roasted, neighbor-approved, and almost always worth the detour. Each one has its own personality and all of them are best experienced in person, where the smell and the warmth do the rest of the talking.
“We feel so lucky to live and work in the Catskills and part of that is owning a business, but the bigger part is being part of a community. This is a place with character where people put just as much energy into helping their neighbors succeed as they do for themselves.” — Charles Wilkin, Co-Owner of 2 Queens Coffee
23. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Every Catskill community has its spot. Ice cream stands, bakeries and sweet shops dot Sullivan County’s scenic backroads. They’re the kind of places where the line is always acceptable and the wait absolutely worth it. Sugar just tastes better here.
Before You Go
24. Take the Long Way
The backroads of Sullivan Catskills have a way of turning a wrong turn into the best part of the day. Pick a direction, let the ridgelines guide you, and see what waits around the next bend.
25. Linger a Little Longer
The Sullivan Catskills are best understood over time: a second morning, an unplanned detour, a conversation with someone who’s been here for generations. The longer you stay, the more it gives.
Start Dreaming About Your Catskills Getaway
Twenty-five is just the beginning. The Sullivan Catskills reveals itself slowly — a trail you didn’t take, a town you passed through too quickly, a river bend you meant to come back to. The best version of this trip is the one you haven’t taken yet.
Come with a plan or come without one. Arrive in mud season or peak foliage, on a Tuesday or a long weekend. The place will meet you wherever you are.Ready to make it real? Head to our Dream page and build an itinerary for your perfect Sullivan Catskills getaway.