It’s no secret that the Catskills in upstate New York’s Sullivan County have been a vacation destination since the early 1900s. This well-known destination is about 90 miles northwest of Manhattan, and it’s become a haven of charming small towns with a vibrant twist. Summer is the most popular time to visit, and you can immerse yourself in exciting experiences from outdoor adventure and the rhythm of stage performances to wellness, creativity, and culinary delights.

There’s nothing like being on the waters of the scenic recreational Delaware River in the height of summer with family or friends. You can raft, canoe, or kayak through rapids and quiet pools as you wind down the valley filled with rolling hills, riverfront villages, and occasional soaring eagles and other wildlife. Many liveries along the banks of the river offer equipment rentals, and some even have campgrounds for overnight stays. Hiking trails are numerous, too, and suit all levels of fitness. Some of the more popular trails include the Parksville Rails to Trails, Frick Pond Loop in Livingston Manor, The Tusten Mountain Trail in Narrowsburg, and the Hurleyville Rail Trail. 

American dry fly fishing was born in the waters of the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, and Neversink rivers, and anglers have been flocking here since the days of train travel. After a day casting your flies, don’t miss the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor.  Bait fishing in the summer is also popular, and numerous fishing spots include the Bashakill Marsh, Cliff Lake, Crystal Lake, Lake Superior, and Toronto Reservoir. Drop in a line and fish for Brown and Rainbow Trout, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Chain Pickerel, Panfish, Brown Bullhead, Yellow Perch, and others. 

 

All of that is just a warm-up for a summer filled with joy. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has a variety of outdoor Pavilion concerts scheduled for July, August, and September, including Kidz Bop, Weird Al Yankovic, Def Leppard, Cyndi Lauper, Barenaked Ladies, Bonnie Raitt, The Black Crows, and others. Concertgoers who want to avoid the post-concert traffic now have the option of overnight stays at The Campground at Bethel Woods. Accommodations range from car and tent camping to several levels of glamping and RV camping on both concert and non-concert days. The Forestburgh Playhouse— New York’s longest continuously operating summer theater- offers a fun-filled lineup of shows that includes The Full Monty, Young Frankenstein, Newsies, Head Over Heels, The Cottage, and Shrek the Musical.

Art lovers will welcome the chance to explore traditional and modern mixed media in small towns throughout the area. Galleries include Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, the Galleries at the Union in Narrowsburg, Bethel Council of the Arts in Bethel, Catskill Art Space in Livingston Manor, The Claryville Art Center, Gallery 52 in Jeffersonville, and The Left Bank in Liberty. 

Any season is perfect for a trip to Resorts World Catskills for gaming, spa services, and dining. Families love the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark. The wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries on the Good Taste Craft Beverage Trail—over a dozen now — are also perfect any time of year.

When you visit, you’ll need a place to stay. The newest addition to the accommodations landscape is a taste of the West— in the East— at Driftwood Ranch Resort, a working cattle and horse ranch that features four rustic, luxurious, and spacious suites with western-inspired décor. Guests can take roping and horseback riding lessons, feed the longhorns, and explore the private hiking trails. Alternatively, you can sleep in a luxury dome with an on-site recording studio. How about staying in a vintage RV, glamping tent, B&B, or boutique inn? For a wellness experience rooted in restorative mindfulness and play, consider Hemlock Neversink, where an all-inclusive stay in one of their 34 Quaker-inspired rooms features a healthy dose of the great outdoors (230 acres worth), a goat sanctuary, a pool, a hot tub, saunas, a steam room, yoga, creative arts, and a dining experience with an emphasis on fresh, nourishing, wholesome food. 

To plan your trip, visit SullivanCatskills.com. Then, download the Sullivan Catskills Go app—a valuable tool to guide you to the fun.