Quintessential small town life on the Hudson River
When you conjure up images of the perfect Hudson River Valley town, you're probably picturing Catskill. With its picture-perfect Main Street, artsy boutiques, and scenic waterfront, Catskill is the epitome of small town charm, even though it's a mere two hours north of bustling New York City. A centrally located Catskill vacation rental puts you on the doorstep of some of the area's best skiing and hiking. After taking in all the fresh air and scenery, you'll see why Rip Van Winkle chose to rest his head here for 20 years (maybe set an alarm, just in case).
Step into the past in idyllic Catskill
Catskill's picturesque Main Street offers everything you could want in a charming small town. Lined with colorful Victorian houses, the quaint strip is home to local shops, a classic 1920s movie theater, and a maritime museum. Art history buffs will enjoy a visit to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, dedicated to the father of America's first art movement. For a dose of nature, head to Kaaterskill Falls, one of the tallest in the state, or North/South Lake for the views from the former site of the historic Catskill Mountain House.
Bundle up before hitting the slopes
Winter is a popular time for Catskill vacation rentals, thanks to the heavy snows that blanket the area and make for prime skiing conditions at Hunter Mountain. Temperatures from December through February (or even longer) can be well below freezing, so bring your warmest sweater for some cozy apres-ski cuddling. Late September and October are peak leaf peeping season, with fiery foliage all up and down the Hudson Valley. Summers are warm, with high temps from June to August in the 80s, so shed the coats and soak up the sun.
Exploring the natural features in Catskill
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just want to take in the scenery, you'll be sure to find the perfect setting for your vacation in Catskill. These are a few of the area's noteworthy features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Kaaterskill Falls (10.3 mi / 16.6 km)
- Saugerties Village Beach (11 mi / 17.8 km)
- Lake Taghkanic State Park (11.9 mi / 19.2 km)
- Art Omi International Arts Center - Fields Sculpture Park (12.8 mi / 20.7 km)
- Mountain Top Arboretum (13.8 mi / 22.2 km)
- Opus 40 (14.4 mi / 23.2 km)
Transportation to and around Catskill
The nearest airport is in Albany Intl. Airport (ALB), located 36.6 mi (58.9 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that works for your travel itinerary, you can also fly into Hudson, NY (HCC-Columbia County), which is 9.4 mi (15.2 km) away.