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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

Potion Making for Springtime

Where: Western Sullivan Public Library – Narrowsburg Branch
When: March 20 @ 5:30 pm
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Spring Equinox Sound Bath at Bodies + Plants

Where: bodies and plants
When: March 20 @ 6:00 pm
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Fridays in March: Live Music

Where: Tango Cafe´
When: March 20 @ 6:00 pm
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Carmine Gontz

Where: Tango Cafe´
When: March 20 @ 6:00 pm
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Open Mic Jam

Where: The Woodstock Way
When: March 20 @ 6:00 pm
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Karaoke at Van Smokey

Where: Van Smokey
When: March 20 @ 10:00 pm
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Colorful promotional illustration for a Story Club event, featuring two animated characters in celebration attire against a bright blue background.

Ratty Books Story Club

Where: Ratty Books
When: March 21 @ 10:00 am
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A flyer announcing a dance event featuring DJs, titled 'Foundation of Funk XVI,' scheduled for January 10 at The Old Foundation.

Foundation Of Funk

Where: The Old Foundation
When: March 21 @ 10:00 am
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Travel Stories

Top 25 Things to Do in the Sullivan Catskills

Trails & Taverns. Farms & Festivals. Stillness & Spark. Spectators don’t last long up here.…

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Narrowsburg, NY: Small Hamlet, Big Catskills Heart

A good rule of thumb when choosing your ultimate road trip destination: go somewhere locals…

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The Most Colorful Coffee Shop in the Catskills

Next time you’re in the Sullivan Catskills, ask any local where to find the best…

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5 Scenic Catskills Spots to Pop the Question

The Catskills have always been a place where life is supposed to slow down. Where…

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Honey & Rye: How One Gift Became a Catskills Legacy

The Sullivan Catskills region has always been a place of invention and reinvention, where tinkering…

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Your Perfect Catskills Weekend Getaway: No Experience Necessary

A Catskills weekend isn’t something you plan down to the minute—it’s something you let unfold,…

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Plan Your Trip

Unexpected wonder and wonderful encounters start here.

Start Planning
A serene lake view with a small boat resting on the shore, surrounded by lush greenery and a bright blue sky.

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

From scenic hikes along the ridgeline and fly-fishing the Beaverkill to gallery openings in Narrowsburg and craft beer in Livingston Manor, the Sullivan Catskills rewards however you want to spend your time. Nature & culture live close together here, sometimes in the same afternoon. The region is built for people who want more than one thing from a trip.

A mix of outdoors and one or two small towns tends to be the sweet spot — nature time paired with a good meal, a local shop and some time to simply walk around. Movement & stillness are both worth scheduling. The region doesn’t rush you, even on a short trip.

Yes. You can go deep into the woods, onto the river or up a ridgeline, or spend your time moving through art spaces, independent shops, bakeries and live music. Adventure & culture sit on different shelves here, but neither one is far from the other. Most visitors end up doing both.

A hike or a float down the river in the morning. Lunch somewhere local in the afternoon. A walk through town, a stop at a brewery or gallery and a slow dinner. Discovery & ease tend to coexist well in the Sullivan Catskills, it’s a place that doesn’t require much effort to feel like you’ve done it right. That’s a Sullivan Catskills weekend done right.

Yes. The region regularly hosts live performances, seasonal festivals and community gatherings, from small venues echoing with new sounds to outdoor celebrations that bring the whole county together. Community & creativity have deep roots here; Woodstock wasn’t a fluke, it was a reflection. The music didn’t stop in 1969, it just spread.

Make time for what matters.
Reserve your getaway now.

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