The Catskill Mountains, about two to two and a half hours north of New York City, offer waterfalls, hiking, ski resorts, charming small towns and farm-to-table restaurants. Favorite destinations include Woodstock, Phoenicia, Tannersville and Hunter, Windham, and Kaaterskill Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in New York State. The region has also long been a getaway for New Yorkers — from the grand hotels of the “Borscht Belt” era to today’s boutique inns.

At a glance
Distance from Midtown About 100–140 miles
Typical drive 2–2.5 hours
Highlights Kaaterskill Falls, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Hunter and Windham
Seasons Summer hiking, fall foliage, winter skiing

Towns

  • Woodstock: an arts colony with galleries and music. (The famous 1969 festival actually took place in Bethel, about an hour away, where the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts now has a museum.)
  • Phoenicia: tubing on the Esopus Creek and hiking.
  • Tannersville and Hunter: a colorful village and ski mountain.
  • Windham: a ski area and golf.

Kaaterskill Falls

A two-tiered waterfall of about 260 feet, painted by Hudson River School artists. Trails can be steep and slippery; stay on marked paths.

The Hudson River School

The Catskills inspired America’s first major art movement. The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill preserves the painter’s home.

Winter

Hunter, Windham and Belleayre offer skiing within about two and a half hours of the city. Read ski resorts near NYC.

Getting there

Mountain roads and winter weather make a four-wheel-drive SUV a smart choice. See our long-distance car service and fall foliage drives.

Seasonal tips

  • Summer: book tubing and popular trailheads early; parking at Kaaterskill Falls fills on weekends.
  • Fall: foliage typically peaks in early to mid-October at higher elevations.
  • Winter: check chain and road-condition advisories for mountain roads.
  • Spring: waterfalls run strongest, but trails can be muddy.