6 minute read
Fall in New York's Sullivan Catskills: It's Time to Go
The only thing better than sweater weather in the Northeast is enjoying it in New York’s Sullivan Catskills. Plan now to embark on an adventure to this renowned vacationland, just 90 miles from Manhattan, for a haven full of vibrant small-town charm.
In September the countryside begins its transformation into a stunning kaleidoscope of color. Amplifying these red, gold, and orange hues is the colorful Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail. It’s a collection of 75+ hand-painted Dove sculptures— in tribute to the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival held here in 1969. To help guide you to each dove location, download the trail map at SullivanCatskills.com or find each dove’s location on the free Sullivan Catskills Go app. The very first dove is at Bethel Woods Center for Arts, the site of the Woodstock festival, where you can plan your visit around Harvest Festival, every Sunday through October 6. It’s a farmers’ and artists’ market featuring the bounty, talent, and beauty of the region. Other September events at Bethel Woods include the final two outdoor pavilion concerts: Deep Purple with YES on September 6 and Megadeth on September 13. The indoor Event Gallery September concerts include JD Souther on September 8; Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on September 20; and Five for Fighting on September 29.
The annual In the Works, In the Woods Theatre Festival at Forestburgh Playhouse is on from September 6-8 and guests can see staged readings of new plays, new musicals and two new solo act cabarets. Catskills Brewery will host Manor Flea on September 7 & 8. Later in the month on September 21, the charming river town of Narrowsburg puts on its annual Honeybee Fest to promote awareness and education through demonstrations about these precious pollinators. The day also features food, artisans and music. Also, on September 21 Liberty and Fallsburg hold their Fall Festivals. The annual Conductor’s Clambake is next on September 22 in Livingston Manor. Then from September 2629, it’s the 13th annual Big Eddy Film Festival. Produced by the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, the festival draws filmmakers and film lovers with a unique creative upstate energy. For more events happening in September check SullivanCatskills.com.
Outdoor enthusiasts, immerse yourself in water and land adventures. In the western part of the Sullivan Catskills, September is a great time to raft, canoe, or kayak down the Delaware River or fish in the rivers and streams (Delaware, Willowemoc, Neversink) where American dry fly fishing was born. The boating liveries typically close by mid-late October, so plan accordingly. By car, you can enjoy the foliage along the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. Stretch your legs with a hike on the Tusten Mountain Trail or one of the numerous other trails featured on Trailkeeper.org to guide your on-foot journey. Further to the east, The Neversink Reservoir is another gorgeous place to boat in autumn. Before or after, grab a to-go lunch or dinner from the Neversink General Store. Got pedal power? You can ride a bike on the O&W Rail Trail, with rentals available at Fortress Bikes in Hurleyville or Cinder Tracks in Mountaindale. Golfing is another popular outdoor activity here. Serious golfers won’t want to miss the Monster Golf Course at Resorts World Catskills. Other challenging and popular courses include the greens at Villa Roma, Roscoe Mountain Club, Tarry Brae, Lochmor and the Sullivan County Golf and Country Club.
After an outdoor adventure you might want to soothe your body. Try Hemlock Neversink, Awana Spa at Resorts World Catskills or Hemlock Spa at Kenoza Hall. As a bonus, each of these locations also offers dining and full-service accommodations set in lovely rural surroundings.
Hungry? Early fall provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor dining, beer, wine, and cocktails. Check out Smoke Joint Catskills in Livingston Manor, Big Kev’s in White Lake and Chick E Ribs in Liberty for BBQ. While you’re there, visit Sunshine Colony Wine Bar, Catskill Brewery, The Kaatskeller, or Upward Brewery. Other noteworthy restaurants to consider include Pasta D’Oro in Wurtsboro; Cellaio Steakhouse at Resorts World Catskills; Tavern on Main in Jeffersonville; Conover Club in Callicoon Center; The Junction, The Yarra and Northern Farmhouse Pasta in Roscoe; The Debruce in Livingston Manor; The Heron, The Laundrette, and Tusten Cup in Narrowsburg; Cochecton Fire Station and The Pump House in Cochecton; The Corner Piazza and The Old Homestead in Eldred; The Tavern at Forestburgh Playhouse in Forestburgh; Creek House Grill and the Western Supper Club in
Callicoon, and Solaia in Monticello. New to the restaurant scene is La Cignone French Bistro in Narrowsburg.
The Good Taste Beverage Trail is a favorite for craft beer, wine, cider, and spirits lovers. Sample the award-winning flavors while you chat with the proprietors and learn their backstories. There’s a former armed services vet, a husband-and-wife brew team hailing from Ukraine, a publisher turned distiller, and a vintner who quit his day job to craft wine. The newest member of the trail is Big Eddy Brewing in Narrowsburg. Want to learn more about how to taste and evaluate wine, as well as its characteristics, terminology, and history? Check out the wine classes at Terra Space in Jeffersonville, led by A.J. Ojeda-Pons, a WSET (Wine Spirt and Education Trust) certified Sommelier. Many of the wines you’ll taste with AJ can be purchased locally, too at 52 and Vine in Jeffersonville, Upstream Wine and Spirits in Livingston Manor, and Narrowsburg Fine Wines among others.
With all there is to do in the Sullivan Catskills, you’ll want to book at least a weekend stay. The full-service resorts—Resorts World Catskills, Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark, and Villa Roma—cater to your every need. Vacation rentals are plentiful, and there are charming boutique inns, including Kenoza Hall, Callicoon Hills, The Bradstan at The Eldred Preserve; Chatwal Lodge at the Chapin Estate; cabins at Antrim Streamside, glamping and vintage RVs at The Domes at Catskills, Boheme Retreats and over a dozen more. To book an autumn visit and plan your itinerary, visit SullivanCatskills.com. You’ll also want to download the Sullivan Catskills Go App—a valuable tool to guide you to the fun.
