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The Catskill Mountain region is located in southeast New York between New York City and Albany, encompassing about 700k acres and 4 different counties. It’s a big area, so there is absolutely no way I could give you a guide to all of it, but I can give you a wee little guide to the area that I visit quite frequently and most recently: Kerhonkson, Accord, and Kingston.
The drive up there takes around 2 ½ hours. A couple years ago for my bday, I rented an Airbnb in Olivebridge and had an absolutely marvelous time exploring the area, hiking and eating pizza and antiquing.
Another year, some friends and I camped in Stone Ridge at an apple orchard. I brought my Gozney Roccbox (a portable pizza oven) and we made pizzas (obviously) and drank wine and picked apples and hiked and stared at the stars and it was also pretty great.
Most recently, I went up to Lundy Farm in Wawarsing to do some more hiking and strawberry-picking and ice cream-eating.
It’s so close and a really nice little escape, especially when you have friends that are down for adventures (and that have cars).
And don’t forget about the amazing hiking up there! Minnewaska State Park has numerous waterfalls and over 50 miles of trails, plus the nearby Mohonk Preserve which has great climbing. And camping! We love camping.
GO ON AN ADVENTURE!
A&J’s Lunch Wagon: I’d been wanting to check this spot out for a while. Derek, a friend and former colleague, told me about it a couple years ago. It’s a little food truck (shack?) off 87 in Sloatsburg and the chef/owner is quite a character. He serves you fries (on the house!) while you wait for your order (Kate and I split a BLT, which came on two hot dog buns, plus mozzarella sticks) and before you leave, he’s trying to offer you spiked coffee. It was definitely a vibe and worth the (minor) detour.
Mill & Main Restaurant and Provisions: Located in Kerhonkson, Mill & Main is a wonderful restaurant with a general store attached. Chefs Claudia and Chris (mother / son dynamic duo) are the chefs and their husband and wife are partners in this family-run business. The food is American with their Colombian heritage mixed in. The space is gorgeous and the shop next door carries all sorts of local goodies and artisanal treats. They make great coffee and sandwiches, which are perfect to grab and go or sit and enjoy in the back by the river.
Pink Clementine: Located next door to Mill & Main, this cute consignment shop has all sorts of unique treasures that are worth checking out and it’s run by Chris’ wife, Lily. I even got a gorgeous sweater handmade by their baba :-)
Zoghby’s Blueberry Mountain Ice Cream: I see ice cream, I stop and get ice cream. This was delicious and creamy and perfect. 10/10.
Custer’s Last Stand: see above re: my thoughts on ice cream.
Kelder’s Farm: Went here to pick strawberries and snap peas and they were maybe the best strawberries I’ve ever had.
Harana Market: Ok I didn’t get to stop here on this most recent trip because we were leaving Thursday and they didn’t open until 3pm on Thursday, but it’s a family owned and operated Filipino restaurant and Asian grocery store, PLUS they were just James Beard finalists. I gotta go next time I’m up there, and you do, too.
Bluebird Wine & Spirits: for all your boozy needs!
Cherries Ice Cream Bar & Grill: because ice cream, dangit.
Ollie’s Pizza: The pizza here is soooo good! Plus, they’ve got arancini (Sicily!) and salads and wings and sandwiches! And a slice shop in Kingston!!
Kingston Standard Brewing Co.: Where I got the oysters below that I took back to my Airbnb for my bday one year. Don’t forget to bring an oyster knife. They’ve also got great beer, FWIW.
More in Kingston:
Kingston Wine Co.
Rosie General
Brunette
Rough Draft Bar & Books
Village Coffee and Goods
From here, you’re not far from Woodstock, Phoenicia, and even Hudson (go visit my friends Nora and Ashley at Mel the Bakery!). But those are all for another guide for another time.
Where are your favorite spots in this area? What did I miss? Comment below and let me know!
Yuuuum! You hit up some of me and Dim’s fave spots! 😍 Harana is amazing!
It all looks and sounds marvelous! Those strawberries! Man! Looking good! Wondered about blueberry season.