Think of the Catskills not as one sprawling blanket of 5,892 square miles, but as a constellation of idyllic towns, each with its own distinctive factors—from farm-to-table taverns to tucked-away artisanal breweries, cozy inns, and well-curated markets. What really makes this corner of New York irresistible is the exodus of Brooklyn and Manhattan creatives who’ve transplanted their craft here: acclaimed food, boutique beer, wellness retreats—all framed by forested mountains and wide-open skies. Whether chasing a luxe resort along the Hudson or a quaint place in a tucked-away hamlet, you’ll almost always find yourself simultaneously recharged, well-fed, and quietly in love with the Catskills’ unassuming charm.
The landscape—just a two-hour drive north of Manhattan—has slowly shed its insider status to become a bucket-list stop for adventurers from every corner of the country, but there's still much to discover. Here’s your roadmap to veering off the beaten path in the Northern Catskills.
