Credit: @david_quickenton on Instagram

Discover the allure of the Western Catskills, where every season offers breathtaking natural beauty, exhilarating outdoor adventure from world-class fishing to mountain hiking, and exceptional farm-to-table fare. Make new memories in the quaint villages and charming main streets nestled within the 700,000-acre Catskill Park. From music and food to recreation and the arts, the area boasts a jam-packed lineup of annual events, including the Maple Shade Hootenanny, Hobart Festival of Women Writers, Margaretville Cauliflower Festival, Deposit Lumberjack Festival, Delaware County Fair, and vintage baseball games in the summer. Check out our 48-hour itinerary for the perfect weekend in the Western Catskills.

FRIDAY

4pm: Get Settled

Photo credit: Nils Schlebush

A whimsical wonderland awaits at the Roxbury Motel in Roxbury, a one-of-a-kind place that’s been featured on HGTV as “one of the most amazing hotels in the entire country,” showcased on TLC for having some of “the most insane bathrooms in the world,” and named one of the “Best Hotels in North America” by NatGeo Traveler. With nearly 30 uniquely themed rooms, The Roxbury redefines the traditional hotel stay by offering luxurious lodging combined with immersive experiences designed to transport you to another world. Whether you choose The Wizard’s Emeralds, Maryann’s Coconut Cream Pie, The Ghost and Mrs Hicks, or Noir Boudoir, there’s an alluring aesthetic for every preference.

For a more traditional but equally experiential stay, The Andes Hotel in Andes is the perfect place. Established in the 1850s, the newly renovated hotel blends history and heritage with stylish design and contemporary comforts. Ten cozy rooms look out over beautifully landscaped gardens and an outdoor bar for al-fresco dining and drinking in the warmer months. The hotel regularly features live music, karaoke nights, curated feasts, parties, fireworks, and to top it all off, the hotel bar, known simply as “The Tavern” to locals, was recently named one of the 50 best dive bars in America!

6pm: Indulge in Dinner and Drinks at Oda Wine Garden

Credit: @odawinegarden on Instagram

Housed in a beautifully preserved mid-1800s building on Margaretville’s Main Street, Oda Wine Garden offers a dining experience rooted in Balkan and Eastern European traditions. Specializing in Ancient World and natural wines, the menu highlights European classics and culture. Inside, the space is intimate, bright, and modern, elevated by an impressive wine wall. Outside, enjoy al fresco dining on the picturesque patio. Share a spread of plates like the cured meat platter, kebab sandwich, Balkan platter, burek pie, Croatian trofie pasta, or garlic shrimp with feta. And if you love thrifting, you’re in luck! This unique venue also houses the Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop, a popular place for secondhand treasures.

SATURDAY

830am: Wake Up at Mornings

Credit: @cafe_mornings on Instagram

Situated in the hamlet of Arkville, Café Mornings is a welcoming, family-run Korean café and market serving up a delicious mix of rice-based dishes, sandwiches, brunch bites, desserts, and specialty lattes and coffee. Start your day with a Korean toast sandwich layered with soft-scrambled furikake local eggs with corn, avocado, and cheese on a brioche bun, finished with a ketchup–Kewpie mayo glaze. Or try the savory bacon egg bowl, a crispy chili oil and scallion fried local egg with furikake ponzu sliced avocado, applewood bacon, and kimchi, all over seasoned rice. The adjoining market features a thoughtfully curated selection of unique food items, artisan gifts, Korean cookbooks, wellness and skincare products, and more.

10am: Drop in at the Farmers Market

Credit: @visitvortex on Instagram

For over three decades, the Pakatakan Farmers Market (pictured) has welcomed visitors and residents to the iconic red Round Barn in Halcottsville. Open Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, mid-May through November, the market showcases a wide array of locally produced goods from organic and sustainable farms. Browse fresh vegetables, pasture-raised meats, trout, goat and cow cheeses, artisanal breads, maple syrup, honey, baked goods, craft coffee, local spirits, fresh flowers and plants. You’ll also find handcrafted jewelry, soaps, fiber arts, woodwork, and more from local artisans. Delaware County is rich with farmers markets, so be sure to swing by the Hancock Farmers Market and the Andes Farmers Market, both open Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

12pm: Hop on a Scenic Train Ride

Board the Delaware & Ulster Railroad at the Arkville station for a scenic journey along the East Branch of the Delaware River through the landscapes that inspired Washington Irving’s legendary Rip Van Winkle. From spring to fall, the ride offers a front-row seat to the Catskill’s flora and fauna, where bald eagles soar above crystal-clear waters, blue herons wade in pristine streams, and deer roam through lush green forests.

2pm: Adventures On the Mountain

Venture to the mountains for relaxation, rendezvous, and recreation. Plattekill Mountain in Roxbury is a privately-owned gem, showcasing over 40 trails for skiing and snowboarding in the winter, along with snowshoeing and tubing. In the warmer weather, the mountain comes alive with festivals, scenic chairlift rides, hiking and mountain biking. Just 30 minutes away is Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, boasting more than 60 trails for skiing and snowboarding, plus snowshoeing and cross-country. In the warmer months, enjoy gondola rides, disc golf, a climbing wall, live music, movie nights, and seasonal festivals. And for the ultimate summer day, head to Belleayre Beach for swimming, boating, and lakeside lounging.

6pm: Dinner at Trattoria Locale (Margaretville) or Brushland Eating House (Bovina)

Dinner at Trattoria Locale, a family-owned local venue, is a mouthwatering experience serving authentic Italian dishes. The menu is full of house-made specialties, from hand-pulled mozzarella to freshly baked breads, pastas, and desserts. Try the linguine pesto Genovese, fettuccine Alfredo, salmon puttanesca, pork chop Milanese, or a classic Caesar salad.

Dinner at Brushland Eating House is a unique culinary experience. Set in a charming building overlooking Bovina’s Main Street, the restaurant offers a single Saturday evening seating featuring a seasonal, three-course, family-style meal, each course thoughtfully crafted from locally sourced ingredients. While the meal is served family-style, each party enjoys its own private table.

8pm: Fun/Entertainment at Ark Bowl & BBQ (Arkville)

Spare some time for retro fun at Ark Bowl & BBQ, Arkville’s one-of-a-kind 1960s-era bowling alley, BBQ joint, saloon, and live entertainment hotspot. The 8-lane alley features classic hardwood lanes, paper scoring, and all the vintage vibes. Bowl the night away while enjoying BBQ bites, themed events, open mic nights, live music, and more.

SUNDAY

9am: Brunch at Café Marguerite (Margaretville)

Experience a taste of France at Café Marguerite in Margaretville. Led by Michelin-trained chefs and a winner of “10 Best Pastry Chefs in America,” the café serves coffee, brunch items, and an irresistible selection of pastries. Enjoy a smoked salmon everything croissant, quiche du jour with crisp greens, or a pain au chocolat on the colorful outdoor patio.

10am: Take a Hike

Photo credit: Beautiful Destinations

Take a hike to one of the most popular spots in the Western Catskills! The Bramley Mountain Trail in Delhi is a 3.4-mile loop offering spectacular summit views at 2,817 feet, a recently opened fire tower, a beautiful abandoned bluestone quarry, and impressive cliffs and caves that lie between. For another soaring summit, head to Mount Utsayantha (pictured), where a 2.1-mile loop leads to stunning viewpoints, including a popular hang-gliding launch point. Also atop the mountain is a wooden building that was once an observatory and souvenir shop. The Andes Rail Trail is the place to go for serene scenery and a quiet woodland escape. The 3.6-mile out-and-back trail is perfect for hikers, bikers, and runners.

12pm: Sip on Ciders

Tucked behind Main Street in the mountain village of Andes, Wayside Cider (pictured) is an all-season destination housed in a rustic, restored barn. Known for its small-batch mountain ciders made from wild, heirloom, and dessert apples, the taproom is the perfect place to unwind. Pair your cider with delicious farm-to-table fare, then kick back and enjoy music, a pool table, shuffleboard, and abundant board games. There’s always something awesome to try at Awestruck Cider! Sidney’s woman-owned cidery keeps things fresh with three new flavors on draft every single week, complemented by a taproom menu including flavorful flatbreads and irresistible apps.

2pm: Hobart Book Village (Hobart)

Get lost in a good book at the only book village east of the Mississippi. Stroll down Hobart’s Main Street to find seven charming bookshops housed in historic buildings where you can browse first editions, rare collections, and secondhand books in all genres. Each June, the village hosts the Festival of Women Writers, along with rotating art exhibits, author readings, and book signings.

GETTING THERE

By car:

• From Albany: 1 hour, 30 minutes

• From New York City: 2 hours, 45 minutes

• From Boston: 3 hours, 45 minutes

• From Philadelphia: 4 hours

• From Montreal: 4 hours, 30 minutes

By plane:

By bus or train:

The Western Catskills are not easily accessible by rail, but Trailways and Greyhound bus lines make regular stops in Margaretville.

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