Asa’s guidebook
Our Favorite Food Spots
Delaware County and the Catskills have become an emerging foodie scene. Easy access to and focus on the local food supply brings the freshest seasonal ideas and meals. Enjoy these favorites and enjoy the scenic drives.
Book ahead via Resy. This is top notch service and eating in the Catskills. Run by a dedicated couple, Brushland Eating house is about a 20 minute drive from the house in Bovina. Stop at Wayside Cidery or Weaver Hollow Brewery in the town of Andes on your way back.
187 locals recommend
Brushland Eating House
1927 County Hwy 6Book ahead via Resy. This is top notch service and eating in the Catskills. Run by a dedicated couple, Brushland Eating house is about a 20 minute drive from the house in Bovina. Stop at Wayside Cidery or Weaver Hollow Brewery in the town of Andes on your way back.
10 minutes away from the house in Margaretville and a great stop on the way to the house on Route 28.
This restaurant recently re-opened under chef Bryan Calvert, author of the famous Brooklyn Rustic. Besides the great chef, the Restaurant itself is an interesting and fun atmosphere. Located literally above the Binnekill (a stream) that runs through the middle of Margaretville, this structure was originally an ice storage facility where blocks of ice would be lifted up from the stream below. Enjoy views of the stream and ducks in the water below on the deck.
88 locals recommend
Binnekill Tavern
746 Main St10 minutes away from the house in Margaretville and a great stop on the way to the house on Route 28.
This restaurant recently re-opened under chef Bryan Calvert, author of the famous Brooklyn Rustic. Besides the great chef, the Restaurant itself is an interesting and fun atmosphere. Located literally above the Binnekill (a stream) that runs through the middle of Margaretville, this structure was originally an ice storage facility where blocks of ice would be lifted up from the stream below. Enjoy views of the stream and ducks in the water below on the deck.
Definitely a good stop on the way into the Catskills from the east, this spot is located directly on Route 28 in a cool valley with the Esopus Creek bustling by behind the restaurant. Featuring a fun mountain themed design and fun spacious atmosphere, this is one of the best restaurants located within the Catskill Park!
440 locals recommend
Peekamoose
8373 NY-28Definitely a good stop on the way into the Catskills from the east, this spot is located directly on Route 28 in a cool valley with the Esopus Creek bustling by behind the restaurant. Featuring a fun mountain themed design and fun spacious atmosphere, this is one of the best restaurants located within the Catskill Park!
This stream-side English pub was opened in a historic house located in the center of Hobart. The house is a pub, restaurant, and offers rooms to stay in. The restaurant is located about 40 minutes from the house, but can be a super beautiful drive and they offer lawn games and a stream-side picnic table area.
Pro-tip: Finish eating in time to drive back to the house during the golden hour sunset. The beautiful drive offers rolling mountains with quintessential farmland and streams. A stop in the town of Andes at Wayside Cidery or Weaver Hollow Brewery is a nice touch.
96 locals recommend
The Bull & Garland
760 Main StThis stream-side English pub was opened in a historic house located in the center of Hobart. The house is a pub, restaurant, and offers rooms to stay in. The restaurant is located about 40 minutes from the house, but can be a super beautiful drive and they offer lawn games and a stream-side picnic table area.
Pro-tip: Finish eating in time to drive back to the house during the golden hour sunset. The beautiful drive offers rolling mountains with quintessential farmland and streams. A stop in the town of Andes at Wayside Cidery or Weaver Hollow Brewery is a nice touch.
Peekamoose
8373 NY-28Wayside Cider
55 Redden LnTable on Ten
52030 NY-10Local Outdoor Activites
Just 2.5 hours from New York, The Western Catskills offer many fun summer outdoor activities. The best part? The Western Catskills are often 10-15 degrees cooler than the sweltering down-state heat!
If you're looking for a quick hike nearby or before the other folks wake from bed. Drive just 5 minutes down the road to the beautiful Palmer Hill Overlook and choose a hike at the trailhead. This will walk you through some wooded areas, over a stream, past old stone walls, and through old Andes New York farmland.(Epi-center of the historic Anti-Rent War!)
45 locals recommend
Palmer Hill Trail
11 Finkle RdIf you're looking for a quick hike nearby or before the other folks wake from bed. Drive just 5 minutes down the road to the beautiful Palmer Hill Overlook and choose a hike at the trailhead. This will walk you through some wooded areas, over a stream, past old stone walls, and through old Andes New York farmland.(Epi-center of the historic Anti-Rent War!)
Located about 20 minutes from the house, this loop is more of a secret locals spot, but is well maintained a relatively easy hiking. The trail loop meanders through magical forest mountainside in the Catskill Park and is on a North facing mountainside which makes it a nice cool hike on the more hot days. At the top of the loop is a pond originally created by beavers that still has plenty of evidence of beavers. Elevation at the pond is around 2,500ft and will be a few degrees cooler than the valleys which are around 1,300-1,500ft.
Pro tip: Bring your shoes that can get wet, and find a stream pool to cool down in. The streams on the eastern side of the loop can offer nice opportunities for this. Just be aware the rocks can be slippery.
26 locals recommend
Kelly hollow trail
Mill Brook RoadLocated about 20 minutes from the house, this loop is more of a secret locals spot, but is well maintained a relatively easy hiking. The trail loop meanders through magical forest mountainside in the Catskill Park and is on a North facing mountainside which makes it a nice cool hike on the more hot days. At the top of the loop is a pond originally created by beavers that still has plenty of evidence of beavers. Elevation at the pond is around 2,500ft and will be a few degrees cooler than the valleys which are around 1,300-1,500ft.
Pro tip: Bring your shoes that can get wet, and find a stream pool to cool down in. The streams on the eastern side of the loop can offer nice opportunities for this. Just be aware the rocks can be slippery.
"Forever Wild"
The Catskill Park is one of only a few areas in the Eastern United States offering such a pristine wild experience free for all to enjoy and cherish. With nearly 300,000 acres of forever wild parkland, there is no shortage of opportunities to see an abundance of wildlife and scenic views. There are many hikes, waterfalls, and scenic activities to do in the park, such as a ride on the Belleayre Gondola or all the well known or lesser known hikes throughout.
Visit the NYS Park page for info or Alltrails.com for many trail otions and info. Always plan, pack, and dress appropriately with plenty of water.
Additionally, the "Catskills Trails - Trail Map 142" is available on the Avenza Maps app for a small charge. There are many other maps available as well. You can see your location on the map using this app even if you don't have service.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5265.html
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/new-york/catskill-state-park
11 locals recommend
Catskill Park
"Forever Wild"
The Catskill Park is one of only a few areas in the Eastern United States offering such a pristine wild experience free for all to enjoy and cherish. With nearly 300,000 acres of forever wild parkland, there is no shortage of opportunities to see an abundance of wildlife and scenic views. There are many hikes, waterfalls, and scenic activities to do in the park, such as a ride on the Belleayre Gondola or all the well known or lesser known hikes throughout.
Visit the NYS Park page for info or Alltrails.com for many trail otions and info. Always plan, pack, and dress appropriately with plenty of water.
Additionally, the "Catskills Trails - Trail Map 142" is available on the Avenza Maps app for a small charge. There are many other maps available as well. You can see your location on the map using this app even if you don't have service.
https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/5265.html
https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/new-york/catskill-state-park
Just 20 minutes away, is this beautiful spot. A mill house located directly on a dam and Wawaka Lake, this spot offers kayak and bicycle rentals. Explore the long reaches of Wawaka Lake and see the diverse birdlife. There are often bald eagles soaring above so don't forget to look up once and while!
66 locals recommend
Susan's Pleasant Pheasant Farm
1 Bragg Hollow RdJust 20 minutes away, is this beautiful spot. A mill house located directly on a dam and Wawaka Lake, this spot offers kayak and bicycle rentals. Explore the long reaches of Wawaka Lake and see the diverse birdlife. There are often bald eagles soaring above so don't forget to look up once and while!
This is a truly special experience that is the type of activity that may not be around in decades to come. This activity is good when you aren't looking to exert a lot of energy. The historic logging and tourism Delaware and Ulster Railroad offers scenic 2.5 hour "there and back" trips to the town of Roxbury. Grab a bite to eat in Roxbury and visit the general store. Bring sunscreen and show up early to get a spot on the "convertible" train car. Snacks and refreshments are served on the train. Visit website for trip times and tickets.
77 locals recommend
Delaware & Ulster Railroad
43510 NY-28This is a truly special experience that is the type of activity that may not be around in decades to come. This activity is good when you aren't looking to exert a lot of energy. The historic logging and tourism Delaware and Ulster Railroad offers scenic 2.5 hour "there and back" trips to the town of Roxbury. Grab a bite to eat in Roxbury and visit the general store. Bring sunscreen and show up early to get a spot on the "convertible" train car. Snacks and refreshments are served on the train. Visit website for trip times and tickets.
Alder Lake offers an easy 2 mile loop trail, but also offers swimming! There are picnic tables at the lakeside. This lake was originally dammed for the resort of which the hotel foundation eerily still stands at the lakeside. This lake is also one of the last spots with native Catskill trout (fishing by permit only here).
6 locals recommend
Alder Lake Loop Trail
Alder Lake offers an easy 2 mile loop trail, but also offers swimming! There are picnic tables at the lakeside. This lake was originally dammed for the resort of which the hotel foundation eerily still stands at the lakeside. This lake is also one of the last spots with native Catskill trout (fishing by permit only here).
About 30 minutes from the house, this spot is a beatiful place to take a dip and cool down! Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy!
34 locals recommend
Big Pond
About 30 minutes from the house, this spot is a beatiful place to take a dip and cool down! Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy!
Also about 30 minutes away from the house, this campground offers a dedicated lakeside swimming area more suitable for families. Note, there is not a lifeguard on duty.
26 locals recommend
Little Pond Campground
549 Barkaboom RdAlso about 30 minutes away from the house, this campground offers a dedicated lakeside swimming area more suitable for families. Note, there is not a lifeguard on duty.
This is a fantastic hike to experience the vastness of the Catskill Park. There are two trailheads for this hike. Both lead to the Balsam Lake Mountain Firetower which has far far reaching views of the Catskill park and surrounding areas. Always have a map and plan and pack accordingly.
Millbrook Rd/Dry Brook Ridge Trailhead: 30 minutes from house. Longer hike ~6 miles round trip.
Balsam Lake Trailhead: About 50 minutes away from house. ~4.3 miles. Livingston Manor offers the added plus of seeing the old Balsam Mountain resort area by a lake at the trailhead.
20 locals recommend
Balsam Mountain Fire Tower
This is a fantastic hike to experience the vastness of the Catskill Park. There are two trailheads for this hike. Both lead to the Balsam Lake Mountain Firetower which has far far reaching views of the Catskill park and surrounding areas. Always have a map and plan and pack accordingly.
Millbrook Rd/Dry Brook Ridge Trailhead: 30 minutes from house. Longer hike ~6 miles round trip.
Balsam Lake Trailhead: About 50 minutes away from house. ~4.3 miles. Livingston Manor offers the added plus of seeing the old Balsam Mountain resort area by a lake at the trailhead.
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
181 Galli Curci RdPlattekill Mountain
469 Plattekill RdCatskill Scenic Trail
Catskill Scenic TrailAndes Rail Trail
266 Depot StAl's Sport Store
6964 River RdTown Tinker Tube Rental
10 Bridge StFood scene
Two Old Tarts
22 Lee LnThe Andes Hotel
110 Main StPhoenicia Diner
5681 NY-28Arkville Bread & Breakfast
43285 NY-28Catskills Regional Harvest
27905 New York 28Sightseeing
Russell's General Store
2009 County Hwy 6Palmer Hill Trail
11 Finkle RdPakatakan Farmers Market
46676 NY-30Mount Utsayantha Fire Tower
The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
Roxbury General
53587 NY-30Union Grove Distillery
43311 NY-28West Kill Brewing
2173 Spruceton Rd