10 Charming Small Towns in the Catskills

• Why We Love It: quiet hamlet east of Tannersville, great for hiking, camping and fishing
• Things to Do: North South Lake Campground for hiking an fishing
• Where to Stay: Rosehaven Inn Bed and Breakfast (inquire for rates); Cozy Elka Park Home (from $314/night, sleeps 6); Haines Falls Cabin (from $195/night, sleeps 5)

If you love camping, consider a trip up to Haines Falls, a peaceful hamlet directly east of Tannersville. Quint says the town is “home to my absolute favorite lake and hiking/fishing spot in the Catskills: North South Lake Campground.” Don’t let the confusing directionless name of the lake hold you back. It’s an affordable spot to vacation, with a nightly fee of just $22. Should you prefer to just spend the day by the water, there are plenty of activities around, including beach access, a picnic pavilion, boat launch and fishing dock.

• Why We Love It: unique shops, artsy sensibility
• Things to Do: Levon Helm Studios, Ashokan Reservoir, Good Night
• Where to Stay: Twin Gables of Woodstock (from $175/night); Woodstock Serene Retreat (from $217/night, sleeps 4); Byrdcliffe Artist Studio (from $215/night, sleeps 2)

Yup, this is the *Woodstock* of musical lore—though the actual event took place about 40 miles outside the town on a dairy farm in Bethel. Even so, Quint says, “The whole town still has a really chill, artsy sensibility. There are so many fun shops to pop into, and I highly recommend driving a few minutes to take a walk along the Ashokan Reservoir.” There, you’ll find 5.5 miles of dams and plenty of fish. Quint also recommends seeing a show at Levon Helm Studios. The venue pays homage to The Band’s Levon Helm, whom Rolling Stone called “rock & roll’s greatest drummer.” Fittingly, Helm performed at Woodstock in what would later be described as a “wild” Midnight Ramble. The Studio originally began as a space for Helm’s musical collaborations, and today hosts myriad live music acts.

Pre- or post-show, consider stopping into Good Night for Southeast Asian cuisine and Early Terrible for a nightcap—Quint calls both “fabulous”.

• Why We Love It: small-town vibes, diverse activities and deep history
• Things to Do: Saugerties Stallions baseball game, Saugerties Lighthouse, Seamon Park
• Where to Stay:AutoCamp Catskills (from $149/night); Modern Catskills Cabin (from $22/night, sleeps 4); Luxury A-Frame Cabin (from $296/night, sleeps 2)

Maybe hippie art and culture aren’t your vibe—no worries. Head over to Saugerties, a town that Quint notes is close to Woodstock, “but a world away in terms of vibe.” She describes Saugerties as having more of a small-town feel. Quint, our Catskills concierge, follows an itinerary that consists of a trip to the village beach for swimming and fishing, and then hitting up a Saugerties Stallions baseball game. Other fun activities include the Saugerties Lighthouse, built in 1869 that is now a bed and breakfast, and Seamon Park with its peaceful gardens.

• Why We Love It: great shopping on Main Street, great food, drinks and entertainment
• Things to Do: Sunshine Colony, Catskill Brewery, Cabernet Frank’s
• Where to Stay: The Arnold House (inquire for rates); Livingston Manor Forest Cottage (from $161/night, sleeps 4); Parkston Schoolhouse (from $166/night, sleeps 4)

PureWow Vice President of News and Entertainment, Philip Mutz, had only good things to say about Livingston Manor, a hamlet about an hour west of Woodstock and Saugerties. Mutz enjoys perusing the local shops on Main Street. Highlights include Sunshine Colony, a suave bar specializing in natural wine, beer and cocktails, plus seasonal snacks. (Mutz recommends going for a glass of wine). For the beer die-hards, Mutz says Catskill Brewery is a must. The microbrewery and taproom is known for its wide variety of drinks, mixed fermentation and the Devil’s Path IPA, named for the region’s most difficult trail. Hungry? Mutz says you can’t go wrong with The Kaatskeller, where a big pizza pie will satisfy hungry stomachs. The last thing you should add to your itinerary: “Cabernet Frank's is a short drive and a must-visit for live music and a festive/fun night out.”

• Why We Love It: larger town 1.5 hours from Manhattan, great mix of historic and outdoor activities
• Things to Do: Mohonk Preserve, Mohonk Mountain House, Huguenot Street
• Where to Stay:Moondance Ridge Bed & Breakfast (from $169/night); The 1772 Lefevre Stonehouse Suite (from $113/night, sleeps 3); Little Yellow Cottage (from $95/night, sleeps 3)

Depending on who you ask, New Paltz is in the Catskills…or it’s in the Hudson Valley. I say that if you’re wanting to get upstate but can’t venture too far (some of these villages are two or more hours from NYC), New Paltz is a good compromise, since the Mohonk Preserve is just south of the Catskill Mountains. And that counts for you busy New Yorker, right? If you want a luxe experience, book yourself into the all-inclusive (and historic) Mohonk Mountain House, but wherever you stay, you’ll have a great time. Outdoorsy types will want to beeline for Mohonk Preserve, whose many trails promise hours of outdoor delights. (Pro tip: Start at the Visitor Center and then use the East Trapps Connector Trailhead to access 100+ miles of trails.) In town, Huguenot Street features ten acres of beautifully preserved 17th-century homes, buildings and artifacts. There are guided tours and reenactments year round, with special and spooky programming in October.

• Why We Love It: steeped in art history, on the banks of the Hudson
• Things to Do: Olana, Thomas Cole National Historic Sit, Hudson River Skywalk
• Where to Stay: Woodstock Way Hotel (from $305/night); Cozy Catskills Cabin (from $140/night, sleeps 4); Catskill Village Cottage (from $106/night, sleeps 2)

Yes, the Catskills is a region (and mountain range), but it’s also a singular town that boasts spectacular fall foliage. It sits on the  banks of the Hudson River, and is home to the Hudson River Skywalk. The three-mile bridge connects the town’s major attractions, Thomas Cole National Historic Site (founder of the Hudson River School of American landscape painting) and Olana, the former home and studio of 19th-century painter Frederic Church.