Explore Woodstock. Where nature meets the arts.
ACTIVITIES
•Overlook Mountain: One of the best hiking spots in the Catskills. Short drive from the house. Get ready for amazing views on this 4.6 mile hiking trail.
•Storm King Art Center: perfect day trip on any lovely day. Storm King is an open-air museum located in Mountainville. It contains a large collection of contemporary outdoor sculptures. Well worth the drive!
•Village of Woodstock flea market every Saturday and Sunday
•Woodstock Farm Festival (Wednesdays only)
•Woodstock Film Festival (September/October)
•The Big Deep: For secluded swimming hole and hiking try Big Deep located close to house. Sort of a secret location that can easily be found.
•Woodstock Farm Sanctuary: Perfect day trip for the kids. Tons of friendly animals like goats, sheep, pigs, turkeys and more to play with. The sanctuary rescues farmed animals and give them a second peaceful life.
•Esopus Creek: Short drive into the village of Woodstock for a fun day of tubing down the Esopus Creek.
•Opus 40: Opus 40 is a large environmental sculpture in Saugerties, NY. A series of stone ramps, pedestals and platforms on over 6.5 acres of bluestone quarry.
•Mystery Spot Antiques: antiquing in the Village of Woodstock always a good idea.
SKIING
•Sawkill Family Ski Center
•Mountain Trails Cross Country
•Hunter Mountain
•Belleayre Ski Center
•Windham Mountain
RESTAURANTS
There are top rated restaurants throughout Woodstock and the entire Hudson Valley area. Here’s a list of some favorites.
•Shindig: located in the heart of the Village of Woodstock this eatery is a perfect choice if you want a yummy burger with amazing fries. Try the buffalo chicken melt with skin-on fries. They serve wine (no hard liquor) and have daily specials.
•Oriole 9: Located in the Village of Woodstock. Oriole 9 offers really great breakfast including strong breakfast drinks like mimosas and bloody marys.
•Cucina: A more upscale restaurant serving modern Italian fare in a stylish restored farmhouse. Perfect option for date night.
•Santa Fe: Mexican restaurant off of route 28. Go for the Thursday night’s tacos and tequila specials. Great deal and good food!
•Catskill Mountain Pizza: local pizzeria in Village of Woodstock. They will deliver to the house. Please note that it is cash only.
•Bread Alone: The famous bread company has a location in the Village of Woodstock. Excellent coffee, pastries and of course yummy yummy fresh bread.
•Phoenicia Diner: Well worth the trip to Phoenicia for brunch at this classic American dinner with a modern twist. They have a full bar. Everything you’ve heard is true. Just go
•Bear Cafe: Overlooking the Sawkill stream, this new American fare restaurant has the scenic settings and delicious food to make for a perfect night out.
•The Red Onion: Short drive from the house, The Red Onion is a new American eatery in a historic farmhouse offering locally sourced dishes and cocktails.
Explore the trails of Minnewaska State Park and the
Mohonk Preserve Kerhonkson.
Kerhonkson is a 5.3 square mile hamlet just north of the Mohonk Preserve and only a 30-minute drive from both Woodstock and New Paltz. Get ready to experience nature at its best. With endless trails from multiple state parks and local top rated restaurants, you are sure to be captivated.
ACTIVITIES
•Minnewaska State Park: The Minnewaska State Park is a 22,275-acre preserve located on the Shawangunk Ridge. The park, which features scenic overlooks of the nearby Catskill Mountains, is primarily used for picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and swimming. There’s so much to see here; you can come back over and over and still find something new.
•Shawangunk Ridge: The Shawangunk Ridge stretches for 50 miles from Kingston, NY, to the New Jersey border. The reserve has unbelievable amounts of breathtaking trails, cliffs, swimming holes and waterfalls.
•Mohonk Preserve: Apart of the Shawangunk Ridge, Mohonk Preserve has endless hiking, climbing, biking, skiing, horseback riding, and nature study. Picturesque so make sure you bring your cameras and video recorders.
•Kelders Farm: Only a short walk from the cabin, Kelders Farm is a perfect day trip for kids and adults. Kelder’s Farm is a 200-year-old family farm. The farm offers educational tours, homegrown produce, hayrides, and so much more. It houses a petting zoo, greenhouse, Farmer’s Market, as well as many other fun and exciting activities.
•Robibero Family Vineyards: Situated on 42-acre of land, the vineyard is nestled in and around the breathtaking Shawangunk Ridge. Family owned and operated, Robibero Vineyard offers wine tasting, live music.
SKIING
RESTAURANTS
There are top rated restaurants throughout Kerhonkson and the entire Hudson Valley area. Some of my favorites in the area include
•Rough Cuts Brewing Co. Short drive from the cabin. Rough Cuts has house-made beers and a small menu of tasty bites. Thursday night’s wings are half off with a beer.
•Benny’s Pizzeria: Really good pizza only a short drive from cabin. Sadly they do not deliver.
•Hash: Hash is a great option if you are looking for a good brunch restaurant. Located in Stone Ridge.
•Momiji Sushi & Grill: traditional Japanese dishes with a sushi bar.
-The Egg’s Nest: The Egg’s Nest is located in High Falls. Another good spot for breakfast.
•Arrowood Brewery. Go to Arrowood Brewery for the tasking tour, stay for the food.
•Don Juan: Tasty Mexican food with live band on certain nights.
•Butterfield: Farm to table restaurant located in Hasbrouck House. Perfect pick for a date night.
•The Spy Social Eatery and Bar: New American fare with veggie picks and tons of wine options. High Falls restaurant located in a farmhouse with screened porch. Really good burgers!
•The Rosendale Café: Short drive from the cabin. The Rosendale features vegetarian cuisines with live music.
•Westwind orchard: Apple Orchard and farm. The restaurant is located in a stylish farmhouse. They have tons of German beer, picnic tables with heavy-duty blankets and yummy wood fired pizza.
•New Paltz Brewery: German style beers, warm fresh pretzel, Gelbwurst sliders. New Paltz Brewery is a fun family owned causal spot for good beer and food.
Explore Sullivan Catskills limitless outdoor activities.
Escape, unwind and recharge.
Swan Lake is a picturesque destination offering a variety of recreational activities less than 2 hours from New York City, making it an accessible escape from the bustling city life. Set against a backdrop of natural beauty, the area provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking. The lake itself is steeped in history, known for its serene waters and charming swans.
ACTIVITIES
•Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is a renowned performing arts venue located in Bethel, New York. It is famous for being the site of the historic 1969 Woodstock Music Festival. The center hosts a variety of concerts, cultural events, and arts performances in a picturesque outdoor setting, surrounded by lush greenery. It has become a symbol of music and cultural history in the United States.
•Walnut Mountain Park: Walnut Mountain Park is a recreational area located in Liberty, New York. It offers visitors a scenic natural setting with hiking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for outdoor activities like mountain biking and birdwatching. The park is known for its tranquil atmosphere and is a popular destination for those seeking to enjoy the beauty of the Catskill Mountains region.
•Kadampa Meditation Center in Glen Spey: Kadampa Meditation Center Glen Spey is a peaceful retreat center nestled in Glen Spey, New York. It's dedicated to meditation and mindfulness practices, offering serene surroundings, meditation classes, and workshops for personal growth and spiritual development. The center provides a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life, fostering inner peace and well-being.
•Cunningham FamilyFarm: a family owned and operated 80 acre farm in the Town of Bethel offering activities such as pick-your-own produce, farm tours, seasonal events, and educational programs.
Wine Tasting and Breweries:
•Catskill Brewery: A microbrewery and Taproom located in Livingston Manor, NY brewing a wide variety of beers and mixed fermentation.
•Bashakill Vineyards & Winery: small winery nestled in a Wetlands Preserve in Wurtsboro, NY. Open for in-person visits May-Christmas, serving craft local foods and wine selections.
•Christopher Jacobs Winery at Pennings Vineyards: (seasonal) Located at the start of Shawangunk Mountain Scenic Byway. Christopher Jacobs Winery at Pennings Vineyards offers a delightful experience, combining the artistry of winemaking with the charm of a picturesque vineyard setting.
•City Winery Hudson Valley: is on the outskirts of the small village of Montgomery, NY, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the Wallkill River. It's a unique winery and event venue that combines wine production, live music, and farm-to-table dining in a beautiful rustic setting.
•Bridge and Tunnel Brewery: Bridge and Tunnel Brewery in Liberty, NY, is a vibrant craft brewery known for its innovative beer creations and inviting atmosphere.
•16 West Brewery Family-owned and operated locally crafted beers in Liberty, NY. Offers a diverse selection of craft beers in a relaxed and friendly environment.
RESTAURANTS
Here are some of my favorite top-rated restaurants in the Swan Lake area:
• New Munson Diner: A New York City diner whose shiny chrome once glittered in the lights of Manhattan, now shines atop a hill in Upstate New York. Delicious diner food, which means you can get anything to eat here!
•Piccolo Paese: Upscale Italian restaurant offering house-made pasta, mains, cocktails & a long wine list.
•Yaisou Café: Hash is a great option if you are looking for a good brunch restaurant. Located in Stone Ridge.
•The Kaatskeller: Wood-fired pizzas & cocktails in Livingston Manor with indoor & outdoor dining.
•The Local Table &Tap: A New American restaurant with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and an enjoyable ambiance centered around music, unique cocktails, and dining by the waterfront.