Catskills, NY Travel Guide
Catskills, NY Travel Guide
Plan Your Trip
There are more things to do in the Catskills than one drive can really cover, but this scenic byway hits the highlights in a single unforgettable day.
None of the stops require advance tickets, though popular pull-offs like creek overlooks and scenic viewpoints fill up early on weekends and during fall foliage season, so grab a spot when you see one. Parking is simple along the byway, mostly small lots and shoulder pull-offs at each stop, with no need to plan ahead. Bring a full tank of gas, water, snacks, and a little cash for small-town stops, breweries, and cideries along the way.
Here's a pro tip: several of the best stops, like the Upper Esopus Fire Tower and the Empire State Railway Museum, are completely free, so budget your money for a farm-to-table lunch instead.
Top Things to Do
1. Upper Esopus Fire Tower—a free, seasonal fire tower with sweeping mountain views, open April through November.
2. Phoenicia Diner—a beloved roadside diner famous for its pancakes and retro charm.
3. Empire State Railway Museum—a free, small museum inside a historic 1899 railroad station.
4. Big Indian Park—home to the towering Big Indian statue and the legend behind the town's name.
5. Belleayre Lake and Pine Hill Covered Bridge—a sandy swimming lake with a small per-car fee, next to a 1992 covered bridge spanning 72 feet.
6. Fleischmanns—the heart of the Catskills' Borscht Belt, birthplace of comedy legends like Mel Brooks and Joan Rivers.
7. Margaretville—a small mountain town named in honor of Margaret Lewis, a rare tribute to a woman in the 1800s.
8. Wayside Cider—a working cidery in the Andes Historic District, pouring craft hard ciders from Catskills-grown apples.
Download the Complete Travel Guide
Includes:
-
✓ Complete travel guide
-
✓ Printable map
-
✓ One-day itinerary
-
✓ Hidden gems
-
✓ Travel tips
-
✓ Offline access
-
✓ Bonus recommendations not included on this page
Our Self Guided Tour
Want these stories playing automatically as you drive?
Take our Catskills Scenic Byway Driving Tour. It's a self-guided, GPS-triggered audio tour that starts at the Catskills Visitor Center and ends at Wayside Cider, weaving fire towers, covered bridges, and Borscht Belt history into one scenic drive.
Free Things to Do
1. Upper Esopus Fire Tower—free to climb, seasonal from April through November.
2. Empire State Railway Museum—no admission fee for this small 1899 railroad station museum.
3. Big Indian Park—free to pull over and photograph the towering statue.
4. Town of Shandaken Historical Museum—free entry, with local artifacts and stories of famous residents like Neil Diamond.
5. Rochester Hollow Trail—a free 3-mile hike past historic stone walls and old farm ruins.
6. Delaware & Ulster Railroad—free to view the vintage trains from outside.
THINGS WITH ADMISSION FEES
1. Belleayre Lake—about fifteen dollars per car for beach access and swimming.
Food!
Phoenicia Diner
A Catskills icon right along the byway, famous for its pancakes and retro-diner charm.
Peekamoose Restaurant and Tap Room
An award-winning farm-to-table restaurant in Big Indian, set against the Catskills' forever-wild forest preserve.
Cafe Marguerite
A cozy Margaretville spot known for quality dining in a walkable mountain-town setting.
Where to Stay
Budget
Phoenicia Lodge and Cave Mountain Motel both offer cozy, no-frills rooms close to the byway, generally $100 to $200 a night.
Moderate
Emerson Resort and Spa and Shandaken Inn combine comfortable rooms with easy access to the route's midpoint attractions, generally $180 to $260 a night.
Luxury
Urban Cowboy Lodge and Copperhood Retreat and Spa offer boutique mountain luxury with standout design, generally $300 a night and up.
1 Day Itinerary
1-Day Itinerary
Morning: Start at the Catskills Visitor Center and Upper Esopus Fire Tower, then stop for pancakes at Phoenicia Diner.
Afternoon: Explore the Empire State Railway Museum, Big Indian Park, and Belleayre Lake with its covered bridge.
Evening: Wind through Fleischmanns and Margaretville, ending with cider tasting at Wayside Cider in Andes.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 2: Hike Rochester Hollow Trail, visit the Town of Shandaken Historical Museum, and explore Belleayre Mountain Ski Center.
Extra Time: Tour Union Grove Distillery and Arkville Brewstillery, ride the Delaware and Ulster Railroad, or walk the Andes Historic District at a slower pace.
FAQ's
1. How long does the Catskills Scenic Byway driving tour take?
The full route takes about three to four hours of driving, longer if you stop to hike, swim, or explore the towns along the way.
2. Is this a good day trip from New York City?
Yes. Most of the route is about two to two and a half hours from New York City, making it a popular day trip or overnight getaway.
3. Do I need tickets in advance for any of the stops?
No. Most stops are free and open, with the only fee being about fifteen dollars per car at Belleayre Lake.
4. Is the Catskills Scenic Byway good for kids?
Yes. Fire towers, a covered bridge, a vintage railway museum, and a diner with great pancakes make this a fun family drive.
5. What is the Borscht Belt?
The Borscht Belt refers to Catskills resort towns like Fleischmanns that were popular Jewish vacation destinations in the early to mid-1900s, and the launching pad for comedy legends like Mel Brooks and Joan Rivers.
6. Where does the self-guided driving tour start and end?
It starts at the Catskills Visitor Center near the Upper Esopus Fire Tower and ends at Wayside Cider in the Andes Historic District.
7. Is fall the best time to visit the Catskills?
Fall foliage is a major draw, but the byway is scenic year-round, with swimming and hiking in summer and skiing near Belleayre Mountain in winter.
8. How long is the actual driving route?
The byway covers around fifty miles of scenic mountain roads, with plenty of small towns and pull-offs along the way.
9. Are pets allowed at the outdoor stops?
Most outdoor stops like fire towers, trails, and parks are pet-friendly, though it's worth checking individual businesses like restaurants and cideries.
10. What towns does the tour pass through?
The route passes through Phoenicia, Big Indian, Shandaken, Fleischmanns, Margaretville, and Andes, among other small Catskills towns.
Recommended Tours
More Resources
