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New York,
The Catskills
The Catskills: -
From the lush greenery of the southern Catskills to the dramatic, unspoiled peaks of the north, there is plenty to occupy visitors, whether they are seeking excitement or the perfect spot for a tranquil stay. The four-county region offers opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities, from ballooning to rafting and from fishing to skiing. The region lies just 145km (90 miles) north of New York City, and around half an hour from Stewart International Airport, which is served by six major airlines.
Greene County: The home of Washington Irving’s legendary Rip Van Winkle, picturesque Greene County is popular with families and offers top-quality skiing in the winter. The Catskill Game Farm, open from May to October, is home to more than 2000 animals, including endangered species. It has a petting zoo where visitors can feed animals, and hosts the only chimpanzee act in the USA. Giant waterslides, rafting and swimming pools will keep children entertained at the Zoom Flume, the Catskills’ largest water park. Just two hours from New York City, the Hunter Mountain ski resort is known as ‘the snowmaking capital of the world’, ensuring plenty of snow throughout the winter. With 53 trails on three mountains, the resort caters for everyone from beginners to experienced skiers. In the summer months, a 1.5km (1 mile) chairlift takes visitors up to a summit lodge. Night skiing is one of the attractions at the resort of Ski Windham. Other resorts include Ski Cortina, Bobcat and Ski Plattekill.
Sullivan County: In the south of the region, Sullivan County, along with Ulster County, hosts most of the Catskills’ famous resort hotels, where Broadway entertainment and sumptuous dining are staples. Sullivan is noteworthy as the site of the most famous rock concert in history – the 1969 Woodstock Music and Arts Festival, commemorated at the Bethel Woodstock Museum at Kauneonga Lake. Today, Woodstock is a haven of art and craft galleries and shops. The Onteora Trail, part of Highway 28 which skirts the Ashokan Reservoir, makes a good scenic drive to the town. The county is the cradle of modern fly fishing, and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum at Livingston Manor is dedicated to preserving the USA’s fly-fishing heritage and protecting its environment. The scenic Delaware River is also home to the largest wintering population of bald eagles in the northeastern USA.
Ulster County: Located where the Catskill Mountains meet the Hudson River, Ulster County is home to a hefty slice of US history. It boasts the largest collection of old stone houses in the USA, built by Dutch and French Huguenot settlers three centuries ago. Kingston, New York State’s first capital and third-oldest city, features buildings that in 1777 hosted the first State Senate, Assembly and Constitutional Convention. The 1676 Senate House is the oldest public building in the USA. The maritime heritage of the Hudson River is preserved at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, which runs boat rides to the nearby historic Rondout Lighthouse. At Phoenicia, in the 1899 Ulster and Delaware Station, the Empire State Railway Museum houses an exhibit relating to the history of the railway in the region. Esopus Creek is noted for its fine trout fishing. The ski resort of Belleayre operates a summer chairlift to picnic areas over 1000m (3285ft) high. In the winter, it offers good cross-country skiing and is close enough to New York City for a weekend or even day ski trip.
Delaware County: The Catskills are bordered to the west by Delaware County, which offers excellent antique shopping and is dotted with 19th-century covered bridges. Hanford Mills Museum, a vintage water-powered mill, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Delaware-Ulster Rail Ride at Arkville takes a scenic route through the Catskill Mountains and allows passengers to experience the thrills of the days when rail was the chief means of cross-country transport and train robberies were not unusual. In Delhi, the Gideon Frisbee Homestead, built in the 1790s for a local judge, is an outstanding example of early federal architecture.
Special Events: Apr 6th Annual Hudson Valley Beer and Food Festival, Hunter Mountain; Opening of the Trout Season, Catskill Region. Jun
Annual Strawberry Festival, Eldred. Jul 20th Annual Peaceful Valley Bluegrass Festival, along the East Branch of the Delaware River. Aug
International Celtic Festival, Hunter. Sep Native American Indian Festival, Hunter; Native Irish Festival, Leeds. Oct Oktoberfest, Hunter.
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