Once famous as America’s wilderness, it’s no wonder that a region so vivid with natural beauty, so enticing to the senses, so abundant in the fullness of each passing season, should weather changing tastes and fancies to rise, in one renaissance after another, to become the destination of choice. Seekers of inspiration, reflection, creativity, authenticity, challenge, fortune, and beauty have, time and again, been drawn to the Catskills.
Travelers in the Catskills have shaped the history of the region, even as the streams and rivers, mountains and forests have shaped the majestic landscape. From enlightened and skillful Native Americans, to pioneering early immigrants, dreamy and aesthetic Victorian elite, philosophers and counter-culturalists, artists and robber barons, educators and adventurers and entrepreneurs, radical thinkers, extreme athletes, and soulful sojourners, all have taken in the fragrant mountain air and pure lake waters. Some have left their mark.
The Hudson River School of Painting put the breathtaking scenery of the Catskill region on canvas. John Burroughs, pioneering naturalist and conservationist, preserved the sanctity of this wild region for generations. The Rockefellers, the Gherrys and the Ghoulds built resorts for the privileged and matched the untamed extravagance of nature with orderly architectural beauty. As if to a magnet, poets, musicians, dancers and philosophers have flocked to Woodstock since the turn of the twentieth century.
The Catskills provide the perfect environment in which to find yourself, or lose yourself. Rediscover history in the stone houses of Hurley. Lose track of time flyfishing at Beaverkill Stream. Catch your breath at the snowy summit of the diamond slope at Belleayre Mountain. Abandon your inhibitions along the Shawangunk Wine Trail. Add to your collection with a treasure from the Mountain Culture Festival. Check out, turn off the cell phone and soak up a treatment at one of the region’s many spas and resorts.
Even now, the proximity to New York City and easy accessibility from other major Eastern cities makes the Catskills an ideal refuge from the daily grind. Find rejuvenating solitude, plan a romantic escape, give the family a thrill, or, as in centuries before, meander through the villages rubbing elbows with the famous.
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About the Counties
Delaware County
Delaware County is the hidden gem of the Catskill Region. The largest and most western of the four counties, it remains low-key and private while undergoing a renaissance. Gentle mountains show off the working landscape. River and reservoir valleys offer the most stunning vistas. The great outdoors features skiing, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing and more. Gourmet peasant cuisine showcases locally raised food. Discover unique country modern shops, craft studios, art galleries, eclectic performing arts, main street festivals, great farmer’s markets, but especially lots of peace and quiet – all providing ample activities for couples, families and rugged individuals looking for a rejuvenating getaway.
Greene County
The smallest, northernmost county in the region, Greene County, is nestled between the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains. Explorer Henry Hudson was the county’s first recorded visitor in 1609. Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle tale was inspired by a visit here. It was here, too, that landscape artist Thomas Cole founded the Hudson River School of Painters, making his home in the town of Catskill. The house is now a museum open to the public. Greene County is also home to Hunter and Windham ski areas, Kaaterskill Falls (the highest cascading falls in New York State), and the Catskill Game Farm (one of the oldest game farms in the U.S.).
Sullivan County
Sullivan County makes up the southernmost corner of the region and is the closest to New York City. The Delaware River snakes through the western half of the county and into Pennsylvania, which it borders. Sullivan County played host to the world-famous 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in the Town of Bethel, which is now the site of the new Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center. It is home to the world's fastest half-mile harness racing at Monticello Raceway. The state's newest racino, Mighty M Gaming, is also located at the raceway and features almost 1,800 video gaming machines. Filled with lakes, vast forests and deep valleys, Sullivan County offers some of the world's best trout fishing - and its location as the birthplace of American fly-fishing is celebrated at the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum.
Ulster County
The Catskill Mountains rise softly above the scenic Hudson River, while the Shawangunk Mountains and glacial lakes form a dramatic backdrop for Ulster County. Here, visitors re-live the rich history of the Huguenot settlers and walk the oldest streets in America in New Paltz. Kingston is New York’s first capital, which is home to the only four corners in the U.S. where four 18th-century stone structures still stand. The arts play an important role in Ulster County, with the Maverick Concerts representing the country’s oldest chamber music series, and Byrdcliffe, the country’s oldest continuously operating arts colony, both located near the bohemian town of Woodstock. Twelve wineries are spread throughout the Shawangunk ridges, offering a variety of styles and tastes.
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