The Catskills region in New York is one of our favorite places to visit all year round. Especially perfect for outdoor loving families: think endless mountain views, cascading waterfalls, and a whole lot of adventure packed into over 700,000 acres of wilderness. It's the best destination for families craving a perfect mix of relaxation and excitement in the great outdoors. Time to pack your bags and get ready for a Catskills mountain escape!
Where to stay: Winter Clove Inn
The Winter Clove Inn serves as the perfect base for your Catskills autumn adventure, offering a blend of comfort, history, and on-site activities. This charming, family-owned inn has been welcoming guests since 1838, making it one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the Catskills.
Set on 300 acres of private land, this all inclusive inn provides a unique mix of natural beauty and recreational facilities. Guests can enjoy:
On-site hiking trails, including a path to the picturesque Artist Falls
Indoor and outdoor pools
Tennis courts, basketball court, and volleyball area
9-hole golf course (complimentary for guests)
Game room with pool table, ping pong, and board games
Fitness center
Three hearty meals a day included in the room rate
Nightly entertainment, including bonfires and live music
Wi-Fi throughout the property
The inn's main building features a cozy living room with a fireplace, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploration. In the fall, the surrounding forest bursts into a spectacular display of autumn colors, making the inn's wraparound porch an ideal spot for leaf-peeping.
Where to play:
North-South Lake: Hiking trails, lake views, and stunning vistas
Zoom Flume: New York's #1 Family Amusement and Outdoor Water Park
Hunter Mountain Scenic Skyride: Take a chairlift to the summit for panoramic autumn views
New York Zipline Adventure Tours: Experience the fall colors from above on North America's longest and highest zipline canopy tour
Howe Caverns: Explore underground caves and try rock climbing or spelunking
Catskill Mountain Railroad: Scenic fall foliage train rides
Mountain Top Arboretum: Treetop rope course and canopy walks among fall foliage
Windham Mountain Bike Park: Downhill mountain biking with trails for all skill levels
Hudson River Skywalk: A pedestrian walkway connecting two historic sites with stunning views
Best Hikes:
Easy: Artist's Rock via the Escarpment Trail in Hunter, NY (2.0 miles round trip, elevation gain: 250 feet)
Moderate: Kaaterskill Falls Trail (1.4 miles round trip, elevation gain: 420 feet)
Challenging: Devil's Path to Indian Head Mountain (6.6 miles round trip, elevation gain: 2,200 feet)
Where to eat:
Winter Clove Inn Dining Room: On-site dining with family-style meals featuring locally-sourced ingredients and traditional Catskills cuisine.
Circle W Market: A charming general store offering top-tier sandwiches, local products, and homemade baked goods. Perfect for picking up hiking fuel.
Mama's Boy Burgers: A retro-style burger joint in Tannersville known for its delicious grass-fed beef burgers, hand-cut fries, and creamy milkshakes.
Willa's: A cozy breakfast spot in downtown Catskill serving up hearty morning fare with a focus on local ingredients and homemade pastries.
Subversive Malting + Brewing: A craft brewery and taproom offering unique beers brewed with locally-grown and malted grains, along with a menu of pub-style foods.
Texas Weiners: A local institution since 1925, famous for its hot dogs topped with a secret chili sauce recipe.
Ambrosia Diner: A classic American diner offering a wide range of comfort foods, from all-day breakfast to Greek specialties.
The Salad Bar: A health-focused eatery providing fresh, customizable salads, grain bowls, and smoothies for the nutrition-conscious traveler.
Best Photography Spots:
Artist's Rock: Panoramic views of fall foliage in the Hudson Valley
North-South Lake: Stunning lakeside vistas with autumn reflections
Thomas Cole National Historic Site: Capture the landscapes that inspired American art in fall colors
Downtown Catskill: Charming streetscapes and the "Cats of Catskill" outdoor art exhibit
Hudson River Skywalk: Breathtaking views of the Hudson River and surrounding fall landscapes
Homeschooling/Learning Resources:
Thomas Cole National Historic Site:
Guided tours of Cole's home and studio (45 minutes)
Art-making workshops inspired by Hudson River School techniques (2 hours, suitable for ages 12+)
Junior Ranger program for kids (free activity booklet)
Olana State Historic Site:
Landscape painting workshops (3 hours, all skill levels)
Historic landscape tours (1.5 hours)
Family-friendly scavenger hunts around the grounds
Mountain Top Arboretum:
Guided ecology walks (1 hour, learn about local flora and fauna)
Tree identification workshops (2 hours, suitable for ages 10+)
Catskill Interpretive Center:
Interactive exhibits on Catskills ecology and history
Guided nature walks with park rangers (1 hour)
Leave No Trace outdoor ethics workshops (45 minutes)
Our 4 Day Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive at Winter Clove Inn in Round Top, NY
Explore the property: Enjoy a fall nature walk, play pickleball, shuffleboard, or tennis
Take a short hike to Artist Falls on the property to see the autumn colors
Dinner at Winter Clove Inn
Enjoy live local music and barbecue provided by Winter Clove Inn
Day 2:
Breakfast at Winter Clove Inn
Pick up hiking fuel at Circle W Market
Hike at North-South Lake (choose from Easy, Medium, or Challenging trails) to enjoy fall foliage
Late lunch at Mama's Boy Burgers in Tannersville
Visit a local apple orchard for apple picking and cider tasting
Return to Winter Clove Inn for dinner
Attend the guest bonfire at Winter Clove Inn, complete with s'mores
Day 3:
Enjoy a relaxed morning at Winter Clove Inn (coffee on the porch overlooking fall colors, 9-hole golf game, or short hike to Artist Falls)
Breakfast at Willa's in downtown Catskill
Visit the Thomas Cole Museum to see how fall inspired the Hudson River School painters
Walk across the Hudson River Skywalk for panoramic autumn views
Late lunch in downtown Catskill (choose from Subversive Malting + Brewing, Texas Weiners, Ambrosia Diner, or The Salad Bar)
Explore downtown Catskill:
Outdoor Art Exhibit - The Cats of Catskill
Kirwan's Game Store
Spike's Record Store
Dutchman's Landing Park for riverside fall colors
Dinner at Winter Clove Inn
Day 4 (Departure):
Breakfast at Winter Clove Inn
Hike Kaaterskill Falls Trail
Head home and plan your next trip back
Trust me, the Catskills are something special – where else can you zip through colorful treetops, hike to jaw-dropping views, and walk in the footsteps of famous artists all in one trip? It's the perfect spot for families looking to mix outdoor fun with a bit of learning, all while soaking in some seriously beautiful scenery. Whether you're chasing waterfalls, trying your hand at fly fishing, or just relaxing in a cozy inn, the Catskills have a way of creating those "remember when" moments that'll keep you coming back for more.
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