New York State's Great Northern Catskills

New York State’s Great Northern Catskill Mountains live in lore as the pristine wilderness that inspired artists of the Hudson River School, lured a wandering Rip Van Winkle into an enchanted slumber, and gave city-weary Manhattanites a place to escape into nature. Today, those lovely mountains still provide a summertime respite, offering everything from adventure sports to great beer and food to art and history for travelers who venture into its hills and valleys. And for North Shore residents, it’s a respite that’s less than a four-hour drive away.

Located about 140 miles north of New York City, the small town of Windham, New York, with its lovely restaurants, shops, B & Bs, and mountain views, is a quaint home base for exploring the Great Northern Catskills region. A lovely and scenic overnight option is The Country Suite Bed & Breakfast, where owner Sondra Clark will provide everything from restaurant recommendations and reservations to delicious home-cooked breakfasts of banana bread, blueberry pancakes, and fresh fruit and yogurt parfaits in the B & B’s charming dining room.

The Country Suite is just a mile outside of downtown Windham, which is tucked into the edge of Catskill Park and surrounded by tree-covered mountain ridges. Its main drag is home to eateries like Prime Steakhouse & Spirits and Brandywine Restaurant, which serves up hearty Italian fare like the hot antipasti, a platter packed with stuffed peppers, homemade mozzarella sticks, eggplant rollatini, clams casino, baked stuffed clams, and stuffed zucchini. Thoughtful touches, like chive-flavored compound butter and house-made salad dressings, elevate even the restaurant’s bread and salads. For relaxed pub food or after-dinner drinks, head to the lively and fun Cave Mountain Brewing Company, which has great burgers, live music, and craft beers brewed on site, like oatmeal stout and blueberry wheat.

As good as the food and beer are in Windham, folks don’t just come to the Catskills to eat: They come to explore the region’s stunning natural beauty. Crowning the landscape is Hunter Mountain in the nearby town of Hunter, a celebrated skiing and snowboarding destination that in summer is just as beautiful. Take the Scenic Skyride chairlift to the top of the 3,200-foot-high mountain peak to find hiking trails, zip lining, and stunning views that reach as far as the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts. Trails meander all over the summit, and intrepid hikers might even stumble upon Rip Van Winkle himself, in the form of a life-sized blue stone sculpture of the legend- ary long-bearded snoozer, just waking up from his 20-year sleep.

All of that paddling will certainly work up a thirst, and a great apre?s-paddle option is Crossroads Brewing Company, just around the corner from PaddleHead, which brews its own beers in a renovated circa-1893 opera house. It’s a fun spot to sit at the bar with a couple of beers and appetizers, like the standout homemade pretzels served with hopped honey mustard and cheese dipping sauces.Dominating the valley of the Catskills region is the mighty Hudson River, and there’s no better way to experience it than on the water itself. At PaddleHead Boards in Athens, about a 30-minute drive from Windham, travelers can get a quick stand-up paddle boarding lesson from owners Mike and Carla before trying out their river legs. Novice boarders will soon discover that half the fun of learning the sport is falling off the board and into the river, and once they get the hang of it, they’ll be eager to discover the Hudson’s shores, islands, and inlets. Paddleboards, as well as kayaks, are available to rent by the hour, half day, or full day, so paddlers are free to explore as long as they like. PaddleHead also offers group paddle excursions and bike rentals.

The Catskills inspire not only athletes but also artists, and the region is renowned as the place where painters of the famed Hudson River School art movement found inspiration. Visitors can get a glimpse into the artist’s soul at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the town of Catskill, which preserves the home and studio of the Hudson River School’s founder. A tour of the historic site encompasses Cole’s studio, gardens, and home, which features period de?cor and many of his paintings. On the house’s sweeping, wraparound porch, visitors can take in the far-reaching rolling vista of the Catskills that Cole himself would have gazed upon every day.

Although the White Mountains and Berkshires might be more familiar, North Shore residents will find that venturing into the Great Northern Catskills is a lovely summertime adventure that makes for an easy weekend getaway. greatnortherncatskills.com, country-suite.com