When the sweater weather sets upon us, and the leaves begin to change into electric shades of yellow, orange, and red, it’s time to head to the Catskills! The Catskill Mountain region blankets the southern part of New York state. A scenic two hour drive up from New York City lands you in the bucolic countryside filled with farm-to-table restaurants, epic hiking trails, cozy inns, craft breweries, s’mores galore, and charming towns with Mayberry main streets.
We love visiting The Catskills any time of year, but especially the fall. Below is a curated list of our favorite things to do, restaurants to try, & places to stay.
Things to do
Fly-Fishing: The Catskills – particularly the towns of Roscoe – is considered the birthplace of American fly-fishing. The Beaver Kill River and creeks, like the Esopus and Willowemoc, are chock full of trout. High season for fall fishing is early October. We highly recommend Owen at Freestone Expeditions – he’s the best guide!
Hang with Alpacas: Alpacas are nuts – and we love them. Make the time for a visit to Buck Brook Alpacas, just outside of Roscoe, and we’re quite certain you won’t regret it. These quirky animals are equal parts cute + curious + neurotic. Visit the farm, hang out with the alpacas, and poke your head into their shop for some great alpaca sweaters, hats, blankets, and scarves.
Venture on a hike: Weather permitting, fall can be an awesome time to hike one of the many scenic trails in The Catskills. Cooler temps and brilliant foliage make for an ideal setting. Our 3 favorite hikes in The Catskills are:
- Kaasterskill Falls
- Sam’s Point
- Overlook Mountain
Keep to ‘an apple a day’…: Get all the fall-feels with a visit one of the region’s apple orchards. It’s actually just south of The Catskills, but we love Westwind Orchard in Accord, NY. Pick your own apples, then enjoy fresh cider from their cidery and delicious pizza from their wood-burning oven.
Go on a scenic horseback ride: Bridle Hill Farm in Jeffersonville offers trail rides and lessons. They have trails available year-round throughout their picturesque property. Hop on one of their majestic horses and spend your afternoon taking in The Catskills scenery by horseback. You’ll have a wonderful time, no matter the skill level.
Shop all the Boutiques & Antiques! The level of talent and creativity swirling through the Catskills region of New York is impressive. You can find a wealth of artisan-driven boutique shops, like Nest Store or Sunny’s Pop, in towns like Narrowsburg. Sunny’s pop features an eclectic array of antiques and mid-century modern homeware. Across the street, Nest has a beautiful assortment of country contemporary home-goods, clothing, and accessories that Anna Bern, former design director at Vogue, has curated rom her travels around the world. Nearby, Maison Bergogne is supposed to have some amazing vintage items – although we haven’t had the chance to visit quite yet!
Stop by a Brewery or Distillery: #1 Vodka in the World at the NY International Spirits Competition?! That’s just one of many accolades Brian, his dad Phil (pictured), and the folks at Prohibition Distillery have garnered over recent years. Housed in a 1929 firehouse in Roscoe, NY, the distillery produces an insanely pure super-premium vodka made from 100% corn – called Bootlegger 21 New York Vodka. They also use their proprietary distillation process to craft up some wicked-good bourbon and gin too. Catskills Brewery in Livingston Manor is another great watering hole to pop into. The local’s favorite makes fresh ales and lagers with high-quality natural ingredients.
Restaurants
Table on Ten in Bloomville: This little eatery serves the tastiest brunch + lunch in the western Catskills. And get their turmeric tonic – it’s out of this world and will make you feel like a brand new person.
The Kaatskeller in Livingston Manor: A favorite of local’s and visitors alike, this pizza spot has a cozy inside and huge outdoor patio area with fire pits and an open oven for when the weather is nice. They serve amazing pizza pies with fresh local ingredients.
Prospect at Scribner’s Lodge in Hunter: Locally sourced ingredients and new American cuisine are served this Scribner’s Catskill Lodge restaurant. Dine on fluke crudo with avocado drizzle or heavenly bucatini pasta. Not only is the food delicious, but the cocktails (get the Fern Gully) and mountain views are equally outstanding. When you’re done, roast s’mores fireside on the lodge’s deck.
The Heron in Narrowsburg: Right on main street on the main street of Narrowsburg, the Heron serves exceptional New American fare and cocktails – great for all of brunch, lunch & dinner. Afterwards, take a scenic stroll along the Delaware River just steps away.
Big Kev’s BBQ near Bethel: We dream about Big Kev’s BBQ… ALL THE TIME. You won’t find it on any fancy restaurant list, but this roadside BBQ spot is the real deal. Best BBQ in the state, hands down. Grab it to go or eat it there, but hurry cause the secret is definitely out and they can run out of brisket and ribs by afternoon! Don’t miss the baked beans either – holy smokes are they sweet and satisfying. Seriously – swing by Big Kev’s and you can send your thank you notes to: hello@compassandtwine.com 😉
The Debruce outside Livingstone Manor: Farm-to-table fresh! The culinary experience at The Debruce is making a name for itself throughout the foodie & travel world! You can stay at the Condé Nast Hot List boutique hotel or stop bu to visit for a meal. Enjoy a casual brunch in The Club Room or embark on their acclaimed tasting menu experience in The Dining Room for dinner. More on The Debruce’s epic culinary offering to come!
Places to stay
The North Branch Inn: A charming boutique inn in the heart of The Catskills with a great restaurant, country-chic rooms, and a cool old-school bowling alley from the early 1900s. Read our full review: here.
Scribner’s Lodge: Looking out at Hunter Mountain, Scribner’s is ideal weekend basecamp for all seasons. They cater to a new generation of urban explorers, looking for a social weekend retreat with cool communal spaces, high quality farm-to-table cuisine, and plenty of outdoors activities nearby. Read our full review: here.
Bull & Garland: One of our favorite places to stay in The Catskills, Bull & Garland is more like a classic English pub with rooms. Run by a husband and wife team, the fare is outstanding (get the scotch eggs!) and the guest-rooms are impeccably decorated with antiques – beyond photogenic! Read our full review: here.
The Hubert House with Red Cottage Inc.: Unlike any other destination we’ve visited, The Catskills region of New York is peppered with amazing houses available to rent. There’s something so much more cozy and relaxing about a house experience versus a cookie-cuter hotel room, but the key is to pick the right house. Instead of sifting through hoards of ‘blah’ Airbnbs, Red Cottage Inc. has a brilliantly curated collection of vacation rentals – specifically focused on The Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Upstate. They’ve basically hand-picked all the best houses for you. Choose a cozy cabin, modern farmhouse, or epic estate to call home on your Catskills getaway. More on the Hubert House & Red Cottage Inc: here.
More Photos from The Catskills
