Things To Do
Welcome to the Catskills!
We're so excited to share all of the magic and splendor that is Autumn in the Catskills. Just a couple hours north of NYC, this idyllic mountain range is just as much a refugee for weary New Yorkers as it was when it became famous as the home of the Borscht Belt in the early 20th century.
There were once 538 resorts in the Borscht Belt area of the Catskill Mountains, so named because of the middle-to-upper class Jewish families from New York City who flocked there for the summers from the 1920s to the 1960s.
Today, all 538 hotels are gone, and most have no physical remnants at all. But the natural beauty remains! Hiking trails, swimming holes, and charming towns abound.
Here are some of our local recs (some of these are a little bit east from Spillian, but we have to include them as they're some of our favorite places and staples for a great Catskills weekend!):
Phoenicia Diner
5681 New York 28, Phoenicia, NY 12464
cute lil famous diner in Phoenicia! It was in Severance!!!!!
Overlook Mountain House ruins
Overlook Mountain Trail, Woodstock, NY 12498
An amazing (but long and uphill) hike to the ruins of an old hotel. So creepy and beautiful and cool. We did this hike in 3 feet of snow and it's our favorite hike we've ever done!!
Woodstock
Woodstock, NY
The famous and magical town of Woodstock!!! We love coming here and exploring the local shops and restaurants. Go to Bread Alone and get Amelia's favorite "Catskills style grilled cheese"- sourdough with white cheddar, mustard, and caramelized onions!
Rail Explorers: Catskills Division
70 High Street, Phoenicia, NY 12464
Channel your inner Josef (he loves trains) and pedal along the old rail line with friends or family
Kaaterskill Falls
NY 12436
Otherworldly huge waterfall.
Spillian
50 Fleischmanns Heights Road, Fleischmanns, NY 12430
Adding the venue here so it becomes a point of reference on the map ;)
For all the days along the way