Since the late 19th century, artists, craftsmen and writers have been drawn to the Catskill Region for its peaceful serenity, beautiful vistas and quality of life. 

Today, a new generation of talent is flocking to the Catskill Region for its pastoral pleasures.  Some fast-paced urbanites seeking a more peaceful existence have relocated here or bought vacation homes.  Chefs from the Culinary Institute of Art across the Hudson River have established new restaurants here.  The Catskill Region is now part of the Slow Food Movement with convivium farming to promote its bountiful food heritage.

Artists, writers, designers and entrepreneurs have set up new shops, galleries and places to stay – and have contributed to offering new attractions and strengthening the established theaters and art centers with alternative music and performances.  

This energy is making the region more dynamic and hipper.  It’s also not unusual to spot an A-list celebrity casually strolling the streets of the villages.

Check out some of these new places –

Delaware County

• Blue Deer Center is a healing center rooted in the living traditions of the Huichol Indian shamans of Mexico.  This lush, magical property spans 98 acres of forests, streams and rolling meadows.  www.bluedeer.org
• Founded by New Yorker Zoe Randall, the Chace-Randall Gallery is a salon-style fine arts gallery with four distinct view rooms, featuring six yearly exhibitions ranging from solo shows to group exhibitions.  www.chacerandallgallery.com
• Owners and proprietors of the transformed, cool Roxbury Motel opened what is considered one of the regions’ hippest nightspots right across the street, the Public Lounge, with urban chic décor, video art and specialty cocktails.  www.publiclounge.net
• Tea connoisseur Nini Ordoubadi and artist Sean Scherer created Tay Home, where one encounters a warm and elegant world of exquisite teas (“Lady Macbeth,” “Crime and Punishment” and “Better Than Sex”) and design.  www.taytea.net

Greene County

• Main Street in the town of Catskill is undergoing a “renaissance” with new art galleries and boutiques packed with items to make one’s home lovely. 
• Rising from the base of Hunter Mountain, the relatively new Kaatskill Mountain Club is a luxury fractional ownership property that is operated like a hotel, offering guest room rentals, a spa and a creative American bistro.  www.kaatskillmtnclub.com

Sullivan County

• The Bethel Woods Performing Arts Center, located on the site of the original 1969 Woodstock Music Festival in Bethel, begins its inaugural season on July 1, 2006 with a performance by the New York Philharmonic.  It boasts a new stage, almost twice the size of Radio City Music Hall, along with a 4,800-seat covered pavilion and a lawn seating up to 12,000 people.  This new venue showcases some of the country’s top classical, rock, pop, jazz and country entertainers.  866 781 2922, www.bethelwoods.us
• Cups of nostalgia can be savored at the Munson Diner of “Seinfeld” fame.  The Hell’s Kitchen classic diner was relocated in one piece to Liberty on the corner of Main and Lake streets. 
   

Ulster County:

Stucki Embroidery Works (S.E.W.) offers tours of its Swiss-made machines stitching emblems, flags, monograms, curtains, lace and more.  It’s a new place to find unusual gifts as well.  www.stuckiembroidery.com

• Chocolate lovers can immerse themselves in a world of chocolate at Chocolate Cheers, a new company behind walls of glass where the delectables can be sampled and seen made.  www.chocolatecheers.com