Bonticou Crag by Collrane Forestano.
Sam's Point by Corinne K.
Wherever in the Hudson Valley you may be, you’re never far from an epic destination. Now that the weather’s warming, it’s time to enjoy the forests and the farms, the galleries and the goodies, and the splendid folks. To help you make memories and relish the realm, we’ve put together a list of expert suggestions—some of the best fun Dutchess, Ulster, Delaware, and Sullivan Counties have to offer. (We may be just a wee bit biased, but we think this may be a guide to some of the best fun on Planet Earth.)
To give you the full scoop on the fun stuff would take a book, so consider these as starting points, a glimpse of our patchwork quilt. At each county’s tourism website (listed below) you’ll find loads more ideas.
ulster county
hikes with epic scenery
Bonticou Crag at Mohonk Preserve is a 2.3-mile loop with an optional mildly challenging rock scramble that rewards you with absolutely breathtaking views.
www.mohonkpreserve.org
Sam’s Point, at the south end of Minnewaska State Park, lets you choose between easy hikes with superb views and more challenging trails with rock scrambles and caves to explore. https://parks.ny.gov/parks/193/
Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road Loop is a mostly-level 1.9-mile stroll around the lake, with stunning views of the water and the surrounding cliffs. parks.ny.gov/parks/minnewaska
rail trails
Rail trails are perfect for bicycling or jogging, but don’t let the fact that they’re mostly flat and straight fool you. They are choose-your-own-adventure wonderlands in themselves, perfect for a relaxing stroll, and we’ve got bunches of them.
Ashokan Rail Trail offers stunning views of the Ashokan Reservoir, ringed by the Catskill Mountains; the trail is fully ADA-compliant, and you’ll find porta-potties at the three public trailheads in West Hurley, Shokan, and Boiceville. ashokanrailtrail.com
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail starts in Gardiner and goes all the way to Kingston. Highlights include spectacular views of the Shawangunks, the Water Street Market in New Paltz, and the Rosendale Railroad Trestle. wallkillvalleylt.org/wvrt
Lake Minnewaska by Danielle Gordon.
View from Ashokan Rail Trail by Katherine Mitchell.
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail by Kelly C.
on the water
Hudson River Cruises offers a selection of scenic, historic, and entertainment cruises from its dock at the bottom of Broadway in Kingston. hudsonrivercruises.com
Osprey Marine, sailing out of the Rondout Yacht Basin in Connelly, offers private charter cruises (up to six people) aboard a 42-foot yacht, so you can set your own itinerary and enjoy luxurious comfort. Bring a feast, or let them arrange the catering. ospreymarine.com
for a rainy day
Hudson River Maritime Museum in Kingston tells the rich, lively history of coexistence with our very own bodacious beauty. (Or maybe we’re her bodacious beauties.) hrmm.org
The Borscht Belt Museumin Ellenville is your gateway to a golden era of food, comedy, and community that happened right in our very own Catskills. borschtbeltmuseum.org
Find more ideas at visitulstercountyny.com
Hudson River Cruises.
Osprey Marine.
Hudson River Maritime Museum.
The Borscht Belt Museum. Photo by Owley Studios.
dutchess county
history of the high life
In the heart of Millionaires Row it may be, but the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site in Hyde Park belongs to all of us now. Picnic in the beautifully landscaped gardens, tour the opulent mansion, and soak up the magnificent Hudson River views. nps.gov/vama
Also in Hyde Park, the FDR Presidential Library and Museum tells the dramatic story of this Hudson Valley favorite son and transformational president through immersive and interactive audio-visual elements and unique exhibits. Don’t miss a stop at Val-Kill, Eleanor’s house. fdrlibrary.org nps.gov/elro
Locust Grove Estate, the Poughkeepsie home of inventor Samuel F.B. Morse, is now run by a brilliant nonprofit and offers tours of his lovely Italianate villa, art galleries, and 5 miles of hiking trails. lgny.org
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site.
FDR Presidential Library and Museum by Jim Cheney.
Locust Grove Estate.
Poets' Walk Park by Isabel Ribeiro-Carpenter.
wonderful walks
Poets' Walk Park in Red Hook offers a 2-mile ramble in the footsteps of Washington Irving and legions of others who’ve found vast inspiration in these river and Catskills views. There are lots of places to sit and ponder along the way. scenichudson.org/explore-the-valley/scenic-hudson-parks/poets-walk-park/
Ferncliff Forest Preserve in Rhinebeck is a 200-acre oldgrowth forest laced with 12 miles of scenic trails and stunning views—the fire tower in particular serves up unforgettable panoramas, and there’s a pretty pond. ferncliffforest.org
Ferncliff Forest Preserve by Olivia Moaddel.
The Wassaic Project.
art adventures
The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors.
The Wassaic Project is a vibrant nonprofit arts organization that’s infused the hamlet of Wassaic (which was always cool) with events and exhibits. Come for Open Studios, a gallery show, a sound bath bonfire, or a dance party. thewassaicproject.org
The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in Wappingers Falls is on a mission to create a sanctuary of visionary art, and you’re invited to come catch the vibe and tour their psychedelic chapel. They host full-moon parties, too. cosm.org
You’ll find a host of other wonderful things to do at dutchesstourism.com
delaware county
View from the Andes Rail Trail by Matthew Munsen.
View from the Shavertown Trail by Marcella Parisi.
Pakatakan Farmers' Market by Rachel Collet.
hike the great western cats
The Andes Rail Trail is a fun hike that can be a flat 2-mile out-andback or a moderate 4-mile journey if you want to add the Bullet Hole Spur, which climbs through mature hardwood forest to glorious views of the Tremperskill Valley. The Town of Andes has several great choices for a bite to eat afterward. greatwesterncatskills.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/hiking
Shavertown Trail, which also starts in Andes, is a moderately strenuous hill climb that takes you to Snake Pond and a stunning view of the Pepacton Reservoir in just seven-tenths of a mile, a lot of reward for just enough effort to leave you feeling you’ve gotten some exercise. greatwesterncatskills.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/hiking
marvelous market
Come to the historic Round Barn in tiny Halcottsville on a Saturday and experience the heart (and the delicacies) of the Catskills at the Pakatakan Farmers’ Market. You’ll find fresh artisanal foods galore, live music, and truly lovely people. roundbarnmarket.org
book bliss
Hobart Book Village by Ian Franzen.
Hobart Book Village is a must for people who love to read. There are seven independent bookshops in Hobart itself, plus vintage clothes and antiques to browse, and since the Book Village began back in 2005, the entire area has become positively infested with books and vintage, making this lovely corner of the Northern Catskills into a deep and diversified cultural mecca. hobartbookvillage.com
farm to table
Bovina Farm & Fermentory.
Make a reservation to come to the hills of Bovina and feast at the Bovina Farm & Fermentory on Pink Street, where they’ll pour you a cold house beer to go with your exquisite hyper-local meal. This isn’t a typical restaurant; they host one four-course farm dinner a week, by candlelight and served at long communal tables, and they’ll tell you all about farming in the Catskills outback. bovinafarmfermentory.com
crafty quaffs
Get a taste of Delaware County’s craft beverage culture in Arkville, where you’ll find Calico Outlaw Brewing (“Local beer made with local ingredients by a local guy”) and Calico’s “partner in crime,” the Union Grove Distillery. They’re two distinct businesses under one roof; the craft cocktails here are deservedly legendary. You can tour the distillery, and the vibe is pure Catskills excellence. uniongrovedistillery.com
More, you say? Go to greatwesterncatskills.com.
Union Grove Distillery and Calico Outlaw Brewing.
sullivan county
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark.
Lander's River Trips.
peace and love
The legendary Woodstock Music and Art Fair blew in here like a monsoon 56 years ago, and little Bethel was just never going to be the same. Sensibly, people have created the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on the site, complete with a packed lineup of music in the legendary natural amphitheater and the very cool Museum at Bethel Woods. bethelwoodscenter.org
slip and slide
The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Monticello will bring out the kid in everyone; it’s a resort, but the Splash Pass lets day guests enjoy the raft rides, drop slides, adventure river, and more. The perfect answer to a rainy day with the family. thekartrite.com
even wilder waters
Lander’s River Trips has outposts in both Narrowsburg and Callicoon; they have everything you need for a rafting, tubing, canoeing, or kayaking adventure on the Delaware, whether you’re after a placid drift or longing for whitewater thrills. They’ve been doing this since 1955, and they have it down to a (very enjoyable) science. landersrivertrips.com
Callicoon Brewing Company.
The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum by Ed Mitchell Outdoors.
The Arrowhead Ranch by Rana Meehan.
drink local, feast local
Located in the newly renovated 1880s Olympia Hotel, the Callicoon Brewing Company’s brewpub offers fine local ales, lagers, and ciders on tap, plus outstanding pub grub, all of it overlooking the Delaware. callicoonbrewing.com
angler’s paradise
Sullivan County is where fly fishing was born, grew up, and still thrives; experience the majesty of this thoughtful sport with a visit to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor. They’ve got a museum, an art gallery, the Heritage Crafts Center, and gorgeous walking trails alongside the Willowemoc Creek. cffcm.com
safe haven
The Arrowhead Ranch in Parksville is an equine and animal sanctuary, and you’re invited to come take a farm tour, get an inside look, and help pet the sweet horses, mini-mules and baby bulls. arrowheadranch.org
For more (and there’s so much more!), visit sullivancatskills.com.
