The Catskills region of New York covers four counties---Delaware, Greene, Sullivan and Ulster---and attracts vacationers and day-trippers all year round. The heydays of the Borscht Circuit resorts that featured big-name entertainers may be long gone, but the natural beauty of the rolling farm country that dominates the Catskills remains irresistible to many travelers.
Located 90 minutes from New York City, this sprawling performing arts center and museum celebrates the legacy of the Woodstock Festival, which was held here on pasturelands owned by Bethel farmer Max Yasgur. This is a must-see destination for music lovers of all ages and an almost requisite pilgrimage for those who were here for the original event in 1969.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
200 Hurd Road
Bethel, NY 12720
866-781-2922
bethelwoodscenter.org
This seasonal attraction is open from late May until October. It consists of two main components: scenic train rides along Esopus Creek and through the city of Kingston and the Empire State Railway Museum that celebrates the important role the railroads played in opening up access to the Catskills.
Catskill Mountain Railroad
5408 Route 28
Mt. Tremper, NY 12457
845-688-7400
catskillmtrailroad.com
This seasonal Halloween attraction, located in Ulster Park, New York, consists of a one-mile hayride, three "professionally created" haunted houses, food concessions and gift shops. Although the attraction is designed for family enjoyment, management warns it is inappropriate for children under the age of 8.
Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses
778 Broadway (Route 9W)
Ulster Park, NY 12487
845-339-2666
headlesshorseman.com
Although best known as a ski resort, Hunter Mountain has developed into a year-round attraction with food, music and cultural festivals scheduled during the warm-weather months, along with a wide variety of outdoor activities. Included in the latter category are scenic rides on the chair lift, fly-fishing, hiking, golf and zipline adventure tours.
Hunter Mountain
Hunter, NY 12442
800-486-8376
huntermtn.com
Oenophiles won't want to miss this self-led tour of 11 family-owned wineries located along a meandering 80-mile route that extends from New Paltz in Ulster County to Warwick in Orange County. These wineries carry on the traditions established by the early French Huguenot settlers who first started making wine in this region.
Shawangunk Wine Trail
156 Highland Ave.
Marlboro, NY 12542
845-256-8456
shawangunkwinetrail.com
Monticello Raceway, a year-round harness racing track that opened in 1958, is now partnered with a video gaming operation that has introduced some Vegas-style action to the Catskills. This attraction also features off-track betting on horse races elsewhere in the United States.
Monticello Casino & Raceway
204 State Road 17B
Monticello, NY 12701
866-777-4263
monticellogamingandraceway.com
