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Take a Ride Along the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway
Traveling NYS Scenic Byways offer experiences filled with incredible beauty, historic sites, Main Street shopping, breweries and cafes and restaurants offering local fare. The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway located along the New York State Highway 28, over 52 miles in the central Catskills, a picturesque section of the 700,000 acres of the Catskill Park.
NY State Scenic Byway system is managed by the NYS DOT and also features the Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway part of the Catskill Park along NYS Route 23, a 41-mile state-designated byway within the Catskill Mountains’ Northern High Peaks. For more information, visit mtnclovesbyway.com.
The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway is comprised of municipalities including the Ulster County Towns of Olive and Shandaken, Delaware County Towns of Middletown, Andes and incorporated Villages of Fleischmanns and Margaretville. Currently two new municipalities—the Town of Hurley in Ulster County and Town of Roxbury in Delaware County—are planning to become a part of this byway.
Traveling from east to west along NYS 28 you will begin to notice the cat’s paw brown road signs letting you know that you are driving along the Byway.
The Town of Olive surrounds the Ashokan Reservoir, the largest NYC water system reservoir serving NYC and Hudson Valley fresh public water supply.
Let’s start to learn about the beauty and richness of our communities and where we live. Read up about the Ashokan Center, an educational and cultural center featuring folk music and dance, experiential education and recreation programs all year long. ashokancenter.org
In Boiceville,plan on stopping by at the Brunel Park Sculpture Garden, the home to over a dozen statues, sculptures, and totem poles, constructed by Emile Brunel, an artist who was a founder of the New York Institute of Photography.
You may hike or bike along the Ashokan Rail Trail to view the magnificent Ashokan Reservoir and the Mountains. This beautiful location that is surrounded by 28A that will take you to the Olive Free Library: olivefreelibrary.org.
As you travel along Route 28 turn into the Catskill Visitors Center to view the amazing mapping table, shop for books, pick up brochures and ask questions of the friendly staff. Take a hike along a short trail and climb an authentic Fire Tower to view the wonders of the Esopus Creek and the Catskill Mountains.
The Largest Kaleidescope in the World is located at the entrance to the Emerson Resort and Spa in Mt. Tremper. Complete with conference space, restaurants and restful outdoor walking trails this award-winning Catskill business reflects the beauty of the Catskill Mountains. emersonresort.com
As you drive through the Town of Shandaken along the Byway (shandaken.us), you will take a turn into the hamlet of Phoenicia and enjoy the many shops and eateries, the amazing Phoenicia Playhouse Community Theatre (phoeniciaplayhouse. com), and the summertime Phoenicia Market. The Trailways Bus stops to drop off and pick up visitors for trips back to NYC along its Main Street.
Shandaken also is where you will find the Rail Explorers USA. The magic of the railroad comes to you with the unique Rail Bikes with electric pedal assist motors to provide an adventure suitable for all: railexplorers.net
Another hamlet in the town of Shandaken is Pine Hill which features the Shandaken Historical Museum, housed in the former School District No. 10 Building, a 1925 structure appearing on the National Register of Historical Places:. shandakennymuseum.org
Pine Hill Community Center offers programs and workshops and so much more: pinehillcommunitycenter.org
The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway connects Ulster and Delaware County at the top of Belleayre Mountain, a familyfriendly mountain located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.
Belleayre offers four-season recreational fun for the entire family every season of the year, including winter skiing and snowboarding, Belleayre Beach, year-round gondola rides, hiking trails and mountain biking, summer outdoor free Friday night music, seasonal festivals and so much more! Visit belleayre.com for more information.
The historic Village of Fleischmanns boasts the Wagner Park and Field, a local 1895 park and baseball field that has recently been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the summer, the Mountain Athletic Club plays vintage base ball games against a variety of local and regional opponents at this field: visit macvintagebaseball.org for more information and a schedule of games.
The 125-year old ball field was built by Julius and Max Fleischmann, heirs of yeast magnate Charles Louis Fleischmann. The grounds were donated to the community in 1914 to be used as a park in perpetuity at which time the village, formerly called Griffin Corners, was changed to Fleischmanns.
While in Fleischmanns make plans to visit the 1053 Main Arts Gallery and stop by across the street to enjoy refreshments at the Print House Wine Bar, formerly the location of the wellknown Purple Mountain Press, a publisher of many history books of the Catskill region. Check out the schedule of Arts Inn, a B&B and event space including live music, at artsinncatskills.com
The Town of Middletown is the largest town in Delaware County and includes the incorporated Villages of Fleischmanns and Margaretville, as well as the hamlets of Arkville where the Catskill Recreation Center is located next to the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the NYCDEP Offices.
Union Grove Distillery at the intersection of County Highway 38 and NYS Route 28, is an award-winning distillery with a growing list of outstanding distilled beverages.
Located along County Highway 38 in Arkville, the Catskill Recreation Center offers all types of exercise, equipment and outdoor experiences including several major bicycling events each year. An indoor pool, classes in yoga, elder exercise and specialty programs to enhance and improve healthly lifestyles are offered. An outdoor walking trail and volleyball court add to the options to keep fit and have fun. Learn more at catskillrecreationcenter.org.
The Historical Society of the Town of Middletown has recently opened a new addition that holds the collected documents of the history of the Town. Visit mtownhistory.org or contact history@catskill.net for available hours and resources.
Follow Route 28 to the quaint Village of Margaretville where Main Street shopping and the historic Galli-Curci Theater (see the article on page 66 of this issue of the Guide) make for a fun walking and shopping experience.
The Galli Curci Theatre is located on Main Street in Margaretville. Amelita Galli-Curci was an Italian lyric coloratura soprano. She was one of the most famous operatic singers of the 20th century and a popular recording artist, with her records sell- ing in large numbers. Occasional art exhibits are now held in the historic space.
Coming up in Margaretville is 20th Annual Cauliflower Festival, to be held this year on September 21. First grown in the region in the 1890s, cauliflower thrived in the Catskills, soon providing the entire eastern seaboard with the vegetable.
Continuing along Route 28 you reach the quaint town of Andes. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Catskill Mountains, Andes offers year-round outdoor fun for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, an eclectic mix of shops, boutiques, and galleries to explore, and restaurants and taverns to sample all the culinary treasures of the Catskills region. Visit andesnewyork.com for more information.
The Town of Andes Day, held the first Saturday in August with a Parade and lots of fun, vendors and music.
Andes is also home to the Andes Society for History and Culture (andessociety.org), housed in the Andes Hunting Tavern Museum. A spacious two-level gray clapboard structure built in the 1820’s, it is now fully restored and houses exhibits, demonstrations, and special events.
Dirty Girl Goat Farm and Stand is always open and offers cheeses, fresh eggs, local dairy and meats, pet baby goats and enjoy events when music and country dancing are scheduled.
Start planning your trip today at sceniccatskills.com.
