The Lower Catskills, NY: Travel Guide
The "Lower Catskills" typically refer to the southern and eastern portions of the Catskill Mountain region. About a 90-minute to two-hour drive north of New York City, this area includes parts of counties like Dutchess and Columbia, along with some of Ulster, Greene, and Sullivan counties. Towns in this area include New Paltz, Woodstock, Roscoe, Ellenville, and Saugerties. The area is characterized by rolling farmland, smaller towns, and a slower pace of life.
1. Recommend a hotel/motel in your area:
Nestled in the breathtaking Shawangunk Mountains, surrounded by 25,000 acres of pristine wilderness, the Minnewaska Lodge in Gardiner, New York offers a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It is a relaxed country retreat with modern touches, ideal for a tranquil escape or invigorating outdoor adventure.
In New Paltz, New York, the Inn at Kettleboro is a gorgeous and classic bed & breakfast located on a 12-acre peach and apple orchard. For a cheaper option, check out Americas Best Value Inn New Paltz.
2. Recommend a restaurant in your area:
In Ellenville, New York, Tony & Nick's is a great family-run Italian restaurant. Across the street is also a tapas/wine bar called Marbella that's a real treat. Namaste in Middletown, New York offers the area's best Indian food. In New Paltz, Main Street Bistro is a nice budget option. Try Bangkok Cafe, also in New Paltz, for something a bit different.
3. What's a must-see in your area?
The Minnewaska State Park Preserve offers a gorgeous two-mile walk around Lake Minnewaska. The Sam's Point Area draws hikers from across the state and is so popular that you must make parking reservations ahead of time if visiting weekends or holidays between April 19 and November 16. Visit the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts — where Woodstock took place — for a trip back to the 1960s. Visit the Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz and hike along 70 miles of carriage roads and trails. You can also cycle, go horseback riding, and ski/snowshoe in the winter.
4. What makes your area fun for tourists?
In addition to all the wonderful hiking spots, the region is known for its wineries, such as the Bashakill Vineyards near Wurtsboro, New York. Open only on Saturdays and Sundays, Bashakill offers wine tastings, great food, live music, and stunning scenery. If you want to go a bit further afield, a visit to Hyde Park (not technically in the Catskills) is a must. Not only can you enjoy a stunning setting and scrumptious meal at the Culinary Institute of America, but you can also go just down the road to explore the home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the exhibits at the nation's first Presidential Library, and over 1,000 acres of gardens and trails.
5. When should you avoid visiting your area?
Unless you're a skier, I'd avoid the Catskills in the winter months. Summers are cooler than they are in New York City, and the plethora of well-stocked farm stands is certainly a draw. Both late spring and, of course, fall (when the foliage is colorful) are fabulous times for visiting. Also in the fall, plenty of farms across the Catskills offer apple and pumpkin picking.
Sam's Point Preserve in the Shawangunk Mountains in upstate New York (Getty Images)
