Top Picks for a Fall Getaway
It’s time to start planning your fall getaway, and we’re here to help. With the already burgeoning food, drink, and art scenes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, we’ve rounded up some of our top picks of where to stay, dine, and explore. With a short car or train ride, it’s possible to feel worlds away from the rush of the city. Below, some of our old and new favorites to make the most of an upstate getaway this fall.
Catskills
Stay…
Just two hours north of New York City, you’ll find The Arnold House located on Shandalee Mountain near Livingston Manor. Escape the city in this expansive retreat on 7-acres of lush forest complete with hiking trails, a barn and greenhouse. Roam the grounds or spend some time in the tavern or at the spa. Whatever type of escape you need, The Arnold House is sure to cover it.
839 Shandelee Rd, Livingston Manor, NY; T. (845) 439-5070
Perched in the hills above Tannersville, you’ll find Deer Mountain Inn overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Surrounded by forest and an abundance of hiking trails, Deer Mountain Inn is a refuge from urban living. The feeling of urban escape is only reinforced by the classic and cozy log cabin aesthetic. Setting this inn apart from the others is its restaurant; with Michelin-starred chef Ryan Tate running the show, you may want to visit DMI just for its dinner.
790 County Route 25, Tannersville, NY; T. (518) 589-6268; Restaurant open Thursday-Sunday
Modern in influence, Scribner’s mountain lodge aims to serve as a basecamp for city dwellers looking to explore the Catskills region in comfort and style. Its location in Hunter, NY, puts you in close proximity to some of the best swimming holes, skiing areas, waterfalls and hiking areas in the Catskills. And if you prefer to stay put, you can always roam the 20-acre property for a good dose of nature, and visit the on-site restaurant, Prospect, for some Alpine-inspired cuisine.
13 Scribner Hollow Rd, Hunter, NY; (518) 628-5130
Dine….
Phoenicia Diner is a traditional diner with a modern twist. A classic mainstay of the Catskills, the diner was originally built in 1962 and made its move to the region in the 80s. Come for old favorites like omelettes and pancakes or for newer staples like avocado toast and Caprese. Vegetarian and vegan options are particularly good here, as well.
5681 NY-28, Phoenicia, NY; (845) 688-9957
Found in Hamden, Lucky Dog Farmstore is a general store featuring fresh, local ingredients and a cafe which, logically, features the same. Paninis and sandwiches make up most of the menu but you’ll find salads, soups and plenty of veggie options, too.
35796 NY-10, Hamden, NY; (607) 746-8383
With an antique aesthetic, Blue Bee’s almost feels like an old-fashioned ice cream shop. Fittingly, they do sell very good ice cream (and tasty pastries), but they also offer delicious options for breakfast, lunch, and especially brunch. Initially a bookstore with a cafe, the cafe portion eventually took over and made Blue Bee’s the delicious, must-stop restaurant it is today.
114 Main St, Delhi, NY; (607) 746-8060
Explore…
Located in Poughkeepsie, this brewery features beer with ingredients primarily grown on its own farm—thus the name. With the intention of staying entirely locally made, all the beers by Plan Bee feature 100 percent New York State ingredients. Stop by the 25-acre farm run by former musician Evan Watson and his wife, Emily for one of these New York brews in a gorgeous, local setting.
Private road left of the fire hydrant, 115 Underhill Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY; (765) 307-8589
In the countryside of Gardiner, NY, Tuthilltown Distillery is New York’s first whiskey distillery since the prohibition era. They are currently open for outdoor bar service, tastings, and retail on the weekends and phone orders and curbside pickup Monday through Friday.
Tours are temporarily suspended due to Covid-19 but stay tuned as the team are working on a plan to safely resume tours sometime during fall. As an alternative, Tuthilltown are offering daily self-guided tastings that can be purchased on site.
14 Grist Mill Ln, Gardiner, NY; (845) 419-2964
The cider at Wayside Cidery may convert the cider haters in our lives. Not too sweet (but still just sweet enough) Wayside Cider finds a happy medium for beer drinkers, wine lovers, and cider devotees. Located in the historic Catskills town of Andes, the taproom and cidery are situated just off the road on a beautiful, grassy space perfect for a shared bottle or two. Wayside’s outdoor dining area is open Friday through Sunday from midday to 8pm.
55 Redden Ln, Andes, NY; (845) 676-6002
Visit Westwind Orchard to purchase some freshly picked apples and raspberries. The family-run orchard also serves wood-fired pizza and other seasonal menu items according to the produce grown on the farm. No matter the current offerings, the unexpected pizza found at this orchard will not disappoint. Westwind is open for outdoor seating Thursday from 4.30 to 8pm, Friday from 2pm to 8pm, Saturday from midday to 8pm, and Sunday from midday to 7pm.
215 Lower Whitfield Rd, Accord, NY; (845) 626-0659
Kaaterskill Falls
A visit to the Catskills wouldn’t be complete without a hike to its crown jewel: Kaaterskill Falls. The picturesque two-tier waterfall attracts visitors year-round and with just a short one-mile hike, the trip is worth it. But be sure to visit the surrounding areas for lengthier hikes and in warmer seasons, the swimming holes couldn’t be better.
Hudson Valley
Stay…
Located on the main street of Hudson, close to the action but far enough away to maintain that relaxed holiday glow, Rivertown Lodge is a 27-room boutique hotel housed in a former 1920s movie theatre. The interior style is refined retro meets cozy American living.
731 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534; T. (518) 512-0954
Steeped in history with all the modern trimmings, Hasbrouck House is the perfect spot for a weekend away. Accessible in less than two hours by car, the hotel offers luxury suites, an in-house farm-to-table restaurant, a wellness program including yoga and in-room massage, even a Tesla car charger. Enjoy the pool during summer and the wood-burning fireplace during the cooler months.
3805 Main St, Stone Ridge, NY 12484; T. (845) 687-0736
Since its recent renovation, Troutbeck Inn has drawn the romantic, the creative, the adventurous, and the curious with its rustic charm, river views, fresh air, wood-burning fireplace, and seasonal menu celebrating local farms and purveyors. A two-hour drive or train ride from Grand Central will get you there.
515 Leedsville Rd, Amenia, NY 12501: T. (845) 789-1555
Dine…
There is good reason this destination restaurant is one of New York’s toughest tables to score. Located approximately 45 minutes from the city, and set inside a historic stone barn, the restaurant offers a one-of-a-kind multi-taste experience designed to reconnect guests with the land. Ingredients are sourced from the surrounding fields and pastures of Blue Hill Farm as well as other local farms. Blue Hill is now offering outdoor picnic dining—$195 per guest exclusive of beverage and tax—on the patio and lawn with meals commencing with a meet and greet with members of the cooking team. Adjusted hours: Wed through Sat with two seatings at 5.30pm and 7.30pm.
630 Bedford Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591: T. (914) 366-9600
One of the main reasons to visit Rhinebeck, The Amsterdam offers seasonal American cuisine and wine in a restored 18th-century Dutch townhouse with a spacious backyard equipped with a fire pit and built-in bocce court for diners to enjoy. As for the food: try the duck breast with quinoa, pistachios, and peaches or the restaurant’s signature burger. The Amsterdam is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are strongly advised.
1432, 6380 Mill Street, Rhinebeck, NY 12572: T. (845) 516-5033
Explore…
Take a train from Grand Central to the town of Beacon and in a little over an hour you’ll be happily winding your way around Dia Beacon, a sprawling contemporary art gallery occupying a former Nabisco box-printing factory on the banks of the Hudson River. The architecture of the gallery alone is worth the visit and is made even more impressive by the vast catalog of art dating from the 1960s to the present, showing alongside singular exhibitions, new commissions and more. Dia Beacon is open to the public by advance reservation only. Timed tickets are available—here.
3 Beekman Street, Beacon, New York
For those in need of both an art fix and a day outdoors, Storm King has your needs covered. This outdoor sculpture museum is set upon 500 acres of expansive landscape. Pack a picnic, hire a bicycle once there, and get lost in a world where art meets nature. Drive or take the Metro-North from Grand Central to Beacon Station and a Zipcar or taxi the rest of the way. There is also a shuttle service to and from the Beacon Station on weekends and holiday Mondays. Storm King is open as an outdoor-only experience in a limited capacity. Reserve your timed-entry tickets well in advance.
1 Museum Road, New Windsor, NY 12553; T. (845) 534-3115
A hike up Overlook Mountain in Woodstock has much more to offer than a stunning view. Across the street from the trailhead, you’ll find a beautiful and authentic Buddhist temple, seemingly transplanted from the mountains of Tibet. For another dose of history, take a rest at the eerie, beautiful ruins of the Overlook Hotel, built on the mountain in the 1820s, and located about halfway through the five-mile hike. Part of the Catskill Mountain Range, a trek up the 3,140-feet summit should take around three hours.
335 Meads Mountain Road, Woodstock, NY
WORDS Hillary Sproul & Edwina Hagon
PHOTOGRAPHY K. Trageser, courtesy of Phoenicia Diner
