Catskill
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Catskill

Catskill

Hudson River village and gateway to the Catskill Mountains, tied to Thomas Cole's landscape painting.

Catskill is a small village on the west bank of the Hudson River that serves as the gateway to the Catskill Mountains. It was once the landing point for travellers heading into the mountains by stagecoach, and that role has not changed much — most people still pass through on their way to hiking, skiing, or a quiet weekend in the hills.

The village itself has a quietly appealing main street with a handful of galleries, antique shops, and restaurants that have arrived with the steady trickle of weekenders from New York City. Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School of painting, lived and worked here — his house and studio are now the Thomas Cole National Historic Site and well worth a visit.

Catskill sits at the mouth of Catskill Creek, where it meets the Hudson. The views across the river to the rolling hills are the same ones that inspired a generation of American landscape painters. It is a good base if you want to explore the northern Catskills without staying in a more remote mountain town.

Guide

Getting There

Catskill is about 115 miles north of New York City. By car, take the New York Thruway (I-87) to exit 21 (Catskill) and cross the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, or take the Taconic State Parkway north and cross at the bridge. The drive takes about two hours without traffic.

By train, take an Amtrak service to Hudson station (on the opposite bank of the Hudson). From Hudson, a short taxi or rideshare across the bridge brings you into Catskill in about ten minutes. There is no bus service from Hudson station, so arriving without a car requires planning ahead. Several New York City coach services also run to the Hudson Valley on weekends, though stops are generally at larger towns.

Having a car is strongly recommended if you plan to explore the Catskill Mountains or visit Olana and other surrounding sites. Catskill village itself is walkable, but the rest of the area is not.

Guide

Things to Do

Catskill punches above its weight for a village of its size. The main draw is the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, where the founder of the Hudson River School lived and painted — it is one of the most significant art-history sites in the country. Beyond Cole, the village has a compact main street with working galleries, antique shops, and a handful of good restaurants. The Catskill Creek runs through town and meets the Hudson at the southern edge of the village, offering easy waterside walks. The Rip Van Winkle Bridge carries Route 23 across the Hudson and gives excellent views up and down the river. For a full day excursion, Olana — the hilltop estate of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church — is just across the river in Hudson.