Mountain Escapes, Creative Communities & the Great Outdoors
Within easy reach of New York City and the Hudson Valley, the Catskills offer a refreshing change of pace among forested mountains, waterfalls, rivers and characterful communities. Long a place where people have come to escape, create and reconnect with nature, the region combines outdoor adventure with a cultural identity that is unmistakably its own.
The landscape provides endless reasons to get outside. Hiking trails lead through forests to mountain viewpoints and cascading waterfalls, while rivers and vast reservoirs add another dimension to the scenery. Legendary waterways have also helped establish the region as one of the great homes of American fly-fishing. Yet experiencing the mountains doesn’t have to mean planning an action-packed adventure — scenic drives, relaxed walks and time surrounded by nature can be every bit as rewarding.
Creativity runs deep here too. Generations of artists, writers and musicians have drawn inspiration from the region, while the legacy of the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival lives on at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, on the site where the historic event actually took place. That creative spirit continues today through galleries, independent businesses, live music, restaurants and distinctive places to stay.
The communities scattered throughout the mountains add another layer to the experience. Woodstock’s artistic heritage, Phoenicia’s mountain setting and the contemporary energy of places such as Livingston Manor and Roscoe bring independent shops, local flavours and individual character to the landscape, making the places encountered along the way an important part of the journey.
Close enough to combine easily with New York City, yet different enough to feel a world away, the Catskills bring together mountains, creativity and local character in one of the state’s most distinctive escapes.
Why Visit the Catskills?
One of the region’s greatest advantages is the opportunity to experience a completely different pace and personality without travelling far from New York City. Beyond the urban skyline, mountain roads, forests and small communities create an appealing contrast for travellers who want to discover more than one side of New York State.
What makes time here particularly rewarding is the way nature and culture sit comfortably together. A morning spent beside a waterfall or exploring a mountain trail can lead to an afternoon discovering local food, browsing independent shops and galleries or following the region’s musical and artistic heritage. There is no need to choose between an outdoor escape and a cultural experience — both can easily become part of the same day.
For UK travellers, that combination makes the mountains particularly easy to incorporate into a wider touring holiday. Pair them with the Hudson Valley, continue north towards Capital-Saratoga and the Adirondacks or create a contrasting escape alongside time in New York City. However you choose to experience the region, it offers a relaxed, creative and outdoors-focused addition to a wider New York State adventure.
Highlights of the Catskills
Bethel Woods & the Woodstock Legacy
Few events are as closely associated with American music and counterculture as the 1969 Woodstock festival, and its story can be discovered at the very place where it happened. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts occupies the historic festival site and is home to the Museum at Bethel Woods, bringing the music, people and cultural significance of that extraordinary weekend to life. Live performances continue the site’s musical tradition today, making this much more than a journey into the past.
Woodstock & a Creative Spirit
Although the famous festival ultimately took place in Bethel, the town of Woodstock had already established itself as an artists’ community and remains one of the region’s best-known creative centres. Galleries, independent shops, restaurants, live music and a distinctive artistic heritage make it an appealing place to spend time, while its mountain setting provides a natural connection between culture and the outdoors.
Waterfalls, Trails & Mountain Views
Forested mountains reveal themselves through walking trails, rocky viewpoints, waterfalls and deep valleys, with experiences available for different levels of ability. Discover dramatic scenery around places such as Kaaterskill Falls, take a gentler woodland walk or head further into the landscape for a more challenging adventure.
Rivers, Reservoirs & Fly-Fishing Heritage
Water has helped shape both the landscape and culture of the region. Rivers including the Beaverkill and Willowemoc are closely connected to the development of American fly-fishing, a story explored further at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum in Livingston Manor. Elsewhere, reservoirs, streams and waterways create beautiful settings for recreation, wildlife and scenic exploration.
Mountain Towns, Local Flavours & Scenic Roads
Some of the most memorable discoveries are found in the communities connected by winding mountain roads. Phoenicia provides a relaxed base among the peaks, while Livingston Manor and Roscoe combine outdoor heritage with independent shops, restaurants, craft drinks and local producers. Together, these communities reveal a contemporary side of mountain life that complements the landscapes surrounding them.
Who Will Enjoy the Catskills?
With mountains and waterways, creative communities, music heritage and a celebrated food and drink scene, the region appeals to travellers who like to combine time outdoors with culture and local character.
Outdoor & Nature Lovers
From mountain hikes and waterfall walks to paddling, cycling and fly-fishing, there are countless ways to experience the landscape. Trails range from gentle walks to more challenging climbs, while rivers, reservoirs and forest preserves provide plenty of opportunities to spend time in nature.
Arts, Music & Culture Enthusiasts
Creativity has long been part of the region’s identity. Discover Woodstock’s enduring arts scene, experience the history and live music of Bethel Woods or seek out galleries, studios and performance venues across its towns and communities. For travellers interested in American music and counterculture, the connection to the 1969 Woodstock festival adds an especially compelling story.
Food & Drink Explorers
Farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, distilleries and local producers are an important part of the contemporary mountain experience. For travellers who enjoy discovering a destination through what it grows, makes and serves, days outdoors can easily be combined with memorable places to eat and drink.
Couples & Relaxed Explorers
Boutique stays, mountain views, characterful communities and opportunities to enjoy good food and time outdoors make this an appealing escape for couples. Days can move easily between sightseeing, nature, local dining and simply enjoying the surroundings.
Road Trippers & Independent Explorers
Scenic routes connecting mountains, reservoirs and distinctive communities make the region particularly rewarding to discover by car. Easy connections with New York City and the Hudson Valley also make it a natural addition to a wider touring holiday, whether included for a few nights or as part of a longer journey through eastern New York.