Catskills

An easy escape from Manhattan, the Catskills region is hallowed ground for weekenders and New York City long haulers. The 700,000-acre (280,000-hectare) Catskill Park offers multiple wilderness adventures including hiking, biking, camping, fly-fishing, wildlife viewing, and—in winter—skiing and snowshoeing. For less outdoorsy types, the Catskills offer historic sites, flea markets, and farm-to-table restaurants as well as charming small towns. The likes of Woodstock boast boutiques, arty attractions, and cafés galore.

• Temperatures at higher altitudes are always lower than at ground level, so if you’re doing any hiking around the hills, bring an extra jacket.
• Wheelchair-accessible trails in the Catskills include the D&H Canal Path, the Ashokan Reservoir trail, and the Interpretive Loop Trail and Esopus Creek Trail—both at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper.
• Public transport is limited in the Catskills, especially in rural areas, so if you plan on traveling around a lot, rent a car or go as part of an organized tour.

The Catskills cover four counties: Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, and Ulster. Trains run from New York City to New Paltz in the eastern Catskills and Bethel in the southern Catskills, while buses run from Port Authority to numerous locations in the region. If you’re driving, follow Interstate 87 north.

Spring and summer are good for hiking, though fall—when the foliage changes color—is especially scenic. For skiing and snowboarding, visit Hunter, Belleayre, or Holiday mountains in winter. Expect lines at ski lifts on weekends and holidays.

Set in the eastern Catskills, Kaaterskill Falls are one of the region’s most-visited beauty spots. Having been depicted in popular paintings by Hudson River School artists such as Thomas Cole in the 19th century, the falls quickly caught the attention of visitors, and remain a popular stop-off for sightseers. At 260 feet (79 meters), they are the highest falls in New York State.