Things to do in the Catskills
Nine towns within about an hour of Clove Creek Cabin. Phoenicia, Hunter and Tannersville are about 10 minutes away, Big Indian about 20, Woodstock and Windham under half an hour, Fleischmanns about 25 minutes, Margaretville about 35 and Delhi about an hour. For each: a place to shop, a trail, and one stop worth the detour. For the full town guides, with where to eat and what’s on this season, see the Morningside NYC field guides from our sister site.
PHOENICIA
01
Shop: Nest Egg
Gifts and small finds at 84 Main Street, Phoenicia.
02
Hike: Tanbark Trail
A short, steep loop that starts at the edge of Phoenicia and looks down on the village and Route 28.
03
Visit: Empire State Railway Museum
Railroad history on High Street in Phoenicia, with a gift shop. Check opening days before you go.
TANNERSVILLE
01
Shop: Tannersville Antique & Artisan Center
Antiques, art and handmade goods at 6045 Main Street, Tannersville.
02
Hike: Kaaterskill Falls
Two tiers and about 260 feet of water, a short drive east of Tannersville. The trail is steep near the falls; stay on it.
03
Visit: Mountain Top Arboretum
Gardens, native plantings and walking paths in Tannersville.
HUNTER
01
Shop: The Pro Ski and Ride
Ski, ride and outdoor gear at 7535 Main Street, Hunter.
02
Hike: Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
The fire tower on Hunter’s 4,040-foot summit, 3.5 miles from the cabin. A real climb; start early and carry water.
03
Visit: Dolans Lake
A small lake with a picnic area on the edge of Hunter. Good for an hour with a sandwich and nothing else.
WINDHAM
01
Shop: Windham Fine Arts
An art gallery at 5380 Route 23, on Windham’s main street.
02
Hike: Windham Path
A flat, easy loop near the village, for a walk rather than a hike.
03
Visit: Five State Lookout
A roadside overlook on Route 23 in Acra, about 30 minutes from the cabin. On a clear day the name is the description.
WOODSTOCK
01
Shop: Mower's Flea Market
Saturdays and Sundays at 11 Maple Lane, a short walk from the village green. Vintage, crafts and whatever turned up that week.
02
Hike: Overlook Mountain
A steady climb on an old carriage road to a fire tower and the ruins of a mountaintop hotel, with the Hudson Valley below.
03
Visit: Byrdcliffe
Woodstock’s arts colony, founded in 1902, with exhibitions, performances and workshops through the season.
BIG INDIAN
01
Taste: Union Grove Distillery
A distillery and brewery on Route 28 in Arkville, about 30 minutes west of the cabin. Someone else drives back.
02
Hike: Giant Ledge
A moderate climb from the Big Indian valley to a row of open ledges facing Panther Mountain. The view is worth the climb.
03
Visit: Shandaken Historical Museum
Local history at 26 Academy Street in Pine Hill, just up Route 28 from Big Indian. Check hours before you go.
FLEISCHMANNS
01
Shop: Doolittle's
A general store and café on Main Street with coffee, pastries and pantry staples. It doesn’t post hours, so check before you go.
02
Hike: Lost Clove to Belleayre
A steep climb on red DEC markers from the small Lost Clove Road lot in Big Indian, up to the ridge below Belleayre’s summit. Get there early; the lot is small.
03
Visit: Fleischmanns Village Park
Julius Fleischmann gave this former ballfield to the village in 1914. Before that, Honus Wagner trained here with the family’s Mountain Athletic Club.
MARGARETVILLE
01
Taste: Café Marguerite
Coffee and everything made from scratch, from the daily pastries to lunch, at 746 Main Street. Open Friday to Sunday.
02
Hike: Pakatakan Mountain
1.8 steep miles up the Dry Brook Ridge Trail on blue DEC markers, from the lot off South Side Road just outside the village.
03
Visit: Delaware & Ulster Railroad
Saturday train rides through the fall from Arkville Station on Route 28, a few minutes east of Main Street. Buy tickets ahead.
DELHI
01
Shop: This & That
Antiques, vintage, home goods and local art at 110 Main Street, Delhi.
02
Hike: Bramley Mountain
A moderate loop near Delhi with long views over Delaware County farmland.
03
Visit: Delaware County Historical Association
Historic buildings and exhibits on Route 10 outside Delhi, including the 1797 Gideon Frisbee House.
Nine towns. One a day is plenty.
Start your maps before Route 214. Service drops, and GPS keeps going once the route is loaded.