What? New York?!!? My friend asked after seeing a picture of a stunning waterfall in the Catskills mountains.
Mention New York and most people will think of the bustling city that has made the state famous, but if you head north you’ll find a whole different world with forests, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls.
The Catskills is a mountainous region in upstate New York that is perfect for a getaway when you want an outdoor adventure, take a break from the city, and explore the landscape that has inspired many artists for decades.
Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through those links I will earn a commission at no additional cost to you (zero, nada). To check the full disclaimer, click here.
Are you looking for an escape? This is why you should visit the Catskills in Upstate New York
Table of Contents
The Scenic Hiking Trails
The Catskills are a hiker’s paradise. A network of trails leading to sweeping views of the mountains or beautiful waterfalls is waiting for you, no matter if you’re a beginner in search of a short and sweet trail, or if you’re one of those people who can complete the infamous 24-mile Devil’s Path in one day (the hardest hiking trail in the Catskills and one of the hardest in the state). Nope, I didn’t do that one.
You can do some beautiful hikes (from easy to difficult) in the North-South Lake area.
Easy ones include Mary’s Glen and Ashley Falls, with a scenic forest that makes it clear why renowned artists found a neverending source of inspiration in this landscape.
Ashley’s Falls, though. You have to go in the spring to see them because otherwise…
To see one of the iconic views you find in 19th-century paintings go to what was the location of the Catskills Mountain House, a distinguished hotel that operated from 1824 to 1963, hosting guests such as General Sherman and Theodore Roosevelt.
This short and easy hike, with a 3,000-feet high view of the Hudson Valley, is close to the entrance of the North-South Lake area.
This is a stop in the Hudson River School Art Trail, a list of landmarks where you can soak up the same views that inspired famous painters in the 19th century. Read below to find out how you can see the Catskills through the artists’ eyes (or create your own vision).
The Nature-Inspired Art
If you visit the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. you’ll see several paintings of the Catskills’ landscape dating back to the early 19th century.
It all started when an English-born artist named Thomas Cole fell head over heels with this corner of the world.
He conveyed his love for this place and the impact it had on him by painting the landscapes with some sort of “aura”. A feeling of when you get here you’ll feel like you just had the best chocolate in the world.
His love went beyond the artwork, advocating for the preservation of nature so you and I can enjoy it as much as he did.
More artists followed his footsteps when he founded the Hudson River School, the United States’ first major art movement that formed a large group of painters that would also find inspiration in the beautiful Catskills.
You can learn more about the artist and his work by visiting the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, his former house and studio, with guided tours available.
Other guided tours include Olana, the house of Frederic Church, one of Cole’s pupils, and the house and studio of Jasper Cropsey, north of Yonkers (the last one is by appointment only).
These are only three of the 20 stops on the Hudson River School Art Trail, some of which are beyond the boundaries of the Catskills, extending all the way to Albany on the north, and further south along the river, including the view from the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park.
You can explore these stops by yourself but if you want a more in-depth experience you can purchase the trail guide which includes pictures of the paintings so can see the artists’ representation and compare it with your view.
Another major artistic happening took place in the Western Catskills: in 1969 musicians including Santana, The Who, Janis Joplin, and Jimmi Hendrix, performed in the iconic Woodstock Festival.
Today, the site is home to the Bethel Woods Center, a venue where you can visit a museum and take behind-the-scene tours to know more about Woodstock, and attend concerts, performances, and outdoor film screenings.
The Hudson River School may have been the most famous art movement in the Catskills up to today, but it hasn’t been the only one. The art scene here is alive and kicking and you’ll find several art centres, galleries, and studios.
The Gorgeous Waterfalls
You can check out several falls, but there’s one that you can’t miss: Kaaterskill Falls. It’s one of the top things to do in the Catskills.
At 260 feet, it’s the tallest cascading waterfall in the state of New York with two big drops before the powerful stream travels through smaller cascades and rests in pools with rocky beds.
Like any other waterfall, the water flow will vary depending on what time of the year you visit (see the big difference between the pictures in this section vs. the one in the previous section).
Beyond the waterfall itself, the surroundings are gorgeous, with a dense forest that frames the shale and sandstone semicircular gorge.
No wonder why Thomas Cole and many of his disciples painted this beauty many times (this is one of the stops on the Hudson River School Art Trail).
Hike the lovely trail between the upper fall and the lower fall to feel the embrace of the forest and see the waterfall from different angles.
You can also reach a viewing platform from North-Sound Lake.
Bring shoes with a good grip. It’s slippery!
The Water Activities
Waterfalls are pretty to look at but if you’re yearning to be in the water you’ll find many opportunities to do whitewater rafting, kayaking, SUP, canoeing, or relax by swimming on a “beach”. Lake beach, of course.
A good spot for anything like kayaking is the North-Sound Lake area, with campgrounds on site.
The Flavours of the Catskills
If you enjoy a glass of wine after a good hike or a good swim you’re in the right place. The Catskills have a good selection of wineries, featuring small-batch wines and some award-winning ones.
If you’re more of a cider or a beer type, you don’t have to go anywhere else as there’s also plenty of that.
The region is also famous for its farm-to-table eateries where you can enjoy dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients.
Cheers!
Do you feel the call to visit the Catskills as Thomas Cole and others did? Many artists have tapped into the landscape of this region as a source of inspiration. Waterfalls, mountains, rivers, and lakes, all in beautiful New York.
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO READ
BOOKING FLIGHTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Book your flight without losing your shirt
We check Momondo to find great deals to book our flights. Also, check Great Escape: it combines the listings from Expedia, Kiwi, Kayak, (and Skyscanner on the premium service) to find the best airfares.
To find a place to stay for less
Booking.com: you’ll find any type of property you can think of in their massive listing, with one of the most comprehensive filters. We’ve found great deals on boutique hotels, apartments, and private rooms in hostels.
Hotwire: the first site I check when we plan to stay at a hotel for a few nights. You can save anything from 20% to 60%. Use the search filter to find what you want and you’ll end up with three listings that match your criteria. You’ll know which one you’ll get after you book. If you can handle a little bit of uncertainty you can score big savings.
House Sitting: you take care of people’s pets and house for free while staying for free. It’s the closest thing to experiencing a place “like a local”. But it comes with responsibilities… Are you an animal lover? It may become your new way to travel.
To get travel insurance
SafetyWing: travel medical insurance that gives us peace of mind knowing that we’re covered in case of emergency. It’s convenient, affordable, and suitable for digital nomads who spend a long time outside their home country.
Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
I have a friend who visited the Catskills in Upstate New York. Everything you said about the place checks out. The water activities seem like fun.
If you love kayaking and swimming in a scenic environment you’ll have lots of fun.
It looks like the Catskills is a place my husband and I would love to explore. We love hiking and finding amazing waterfalls along the way.
This is your place, then! 🙂