48 HOURS IN THE GREAT NORTHERN CATSKILLS

Looking for a stress-free weekend trip with something for every traveler? Head to the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County. Written and photographed by New York City based travel influencer Christina Lau (@christinalau_).

We checked in at newly opened Hotel Lilien in Tannersville after an easy 2.5-hour drive from the city. Designed by Field Theory, the hotel is a restored 1890s estate that features 18 unique rooms, a full bar & restaurant, and an outdoor pool for the summertime. Each morning, guests can enjoy a thoughtfully curated complimentary breakfast served by the kindest hotel staff. I loved the various common spaces for lounging in comfort when we had downtime (or the pool table when we felt a bit more competitive).

After settling into our room and exploring the property, we drove five minutes to downtown Tannersville for dinner at Tabla . This family-run spot serves creative small plates, many of which resemble the tapas dishes you would find in Spain. Standouts included the conservas platter and the albondigas.

Saturday

Our morning started with a 25-minute drive to Ambrosia Diner for a classic brunch en route to downtown Catskill

Once we reached Catskill’s Main Street, we took a stroll through the charming shops and galleries that are unique to the area:

• Foreland is a former 1800s mill that now houses contemporary art galleries, a collective workspace, and a coffee shop. It is located along the Catskill Creek for an impressive exterior view, too.

• Catskill Chocolate Co. will satisfy all your caffeine or sweets needs with its handmade treats.

• Kaaterskill Market offers sustainable and locallymade homewares and gifts. It is hard not to make a purchase here!

• Magpie Bookshop is a charming store that specialized in used or “nearly new” books.

After a relaxing morning we decided to take a short nature walk to Riedlbauer Falls in Round Top. The trail is a relatively flat 0.8-mile out and back route, so it’s a great option for various skill levels.

Following our hike we explored more of the hilltop town of Round Top with happy hour at Glen Falls House