Summer in the Catskills region of the United States is popular among many city-dwellers around the country as it is a region endowed with amazing outdoors and so much history. Its colorful vegetation, stunning mountains, and crystal clear rivers combine to make the landscape a naturally-appealing destination for relaxation and so many exciting outdoor activities. With the Northern Hemisphere gearing up for the warmer part of the year, here are some destinations in the Catskills to visit for an exciting summer vacation.
10 The Roxbury, Contemporary Catskill Lodging
The Roxbury at Stratton Falls offers a unique hotel experience travelers should check out in the Catskills. The hotel located in Roxbury offers guests a warm and comfortable stay in rooms specially decorated to stimulate the imagination. Guests will be presented with uniquely themed rooms inspired by some of the most interesting fairy tales ever told. Think of rooms that feel like castles with luxurious chairs beside massive beds and giant chandeliers hanging above bathtubs - it makes one feel like a king from the Middle Ages. Besides the entertaining decor of the rooms, the luxurious amenities also make the stay here more enjoyable. Trails are available nearby for hiking and other activities such as kayaking, ziplining, and fishing are some outdoor activities one can enjoy here.
9 Bethel Woods Center For The Arts
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is an arts center that presents guests with a stage where cultural, artistic, and historic experiences can be shared. Guests here will be honored to be standing on the stage where the historic 1969 Woodstock Music & Arts Festival took place. The 800-acre center features a museum with musical and cultural exhibits and an outdoor concert center with a 15,000 seating capacity. During summer, this beautiful facility hosts several music festivals that feature many genres and invites talented musicians from all over the world.
8 North-South Lake Campground
Camping is popular among tourists in Catskills and North-South Lake is the best campground one can find in the region. The campground offers the perfect atmosphere for adventurers to spend quality time in the scenic outdoors of the Catskills region. Adventurers at the North-South Lake campground will have easy access to hiking trails and rivers where one can engage in fishing, boating, and kayaking.
7 Slide Mountain
Hiking is a must-do thing in Catskills and Slide Mountain is a great place to start from. At a height of 4,180 feet, this is the highest peak in the Catskill Mountains. A picturesque forest trail leads to the peak of the mountain, offering adventurers an exciting hike to the peak of the mountain for unparalleled views of the scenic landscape.
6 Minisink Battlefield County Park
Besides the beautiful landscape and exciting outdoor activities one can enjoy in Catskills, it is also a place to learn about history. Minisink Battle Country Park is one of the places in Catskills where one will be reminded of history. The 57-acre park is dedicated to the soldiers who fought and died at the Battle of Minisink - one of the Revolutionary War Battles which gave America its independence. The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the visitors here have lots of things to enjoy from walking trails to picnic areas, and the sights of several monuments.
5 Falling Waters Preserve
The Falling Waters Preserve is a perfect destination for adventurers seeking a natural environment. The preserve offers adventurers a short and peaceful walk through beautiful waterfalls, surrounding trees, and scenic river views. Sometimes a peaceful walk through nature is what one needs to relax and this preserve with streams of water flowing over rocks is just the perfect place to enjoy a blissful time in nature. All over the area are chairs where one can sit and watch the sheer natural beauty before their eyes.
4 Phoenicia
Phoenicia is one of the popular towns in the Catskills region. Despite its small size, this laid-back town offers a wide variety of things needed for an enjoyable vacation. Restaurants, shops, and hotels are spread out scantily all over the town, offering guests a comfortable stay in the heart of Catskills. Phoenicia is also not without activities. The surrounding lush forests and nearby Esopus River make the town a great place for hiking, fishing, and camping. The town also gets quite busy during summer as several events are held there. The town may be small but the laid-back lifestyle of the locals, the lush surroundings, and the overall peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place for a relaxing summer vacation away from the chaos of city life.
3 Emerson Resort and Spa
After so many vigorous outdoor activities in Catskills, most people usually need a relaxing massage, and Emerson Resort and Spa is the perfect place one can go to get this treatment while in the Catskills. The hotel located in the town of Mount Tremper presents impressive views of the surrounding landscape as well as satisfying services. Visitors to Emerson Resort and Spa will be met with all types of spa services as well as World-class dining, comfortable accommodation, luxurious amenities, and shops selling a wide variety of items.
2 Roscoe
There are so many small towns in the Catskills and Roscoe is one of the most unique. This small town has all one needs to enjoy an unforgettable vacation from museums to outdoor activities, shops, restaurants, and bars. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, and camping are some exciting outdoor activities one can do in this town. All over the town are bars offering delicious cocktails with many entertaining visitors with live music. The town also features many interesting attractions that will keep visitors busy throughout their stay.
1 Craig-E-Clair Castle
Some destinations in Catskills are downright scary and creepy. This is the case of Crag-E-Chair castle - an abandoned castle in Roscoe which was once a summer lodge at the time of its building. Also known as Dundas Castle, the building was constructed in the early 1880s and has been used for different purposes including serving as a summer camp for children and also as a retreat for a Masons group. The mere sight of this mysterious castle is as scary as the stories behind it. There are also claims that the castle is being haunted by a ghost and the grave silence and the creepy looks of the castle are enough to send chills down one’s spine.