Looking for the best things to do in the Catskills over a weekend getaway?
New York has so many beautiful regions, like the Finger Lakes. But none of them compare to the Catskill Mountains.
Even though the Catskills are known for winter activities, the area is perfect for a summer weekend getaway from New York, Philadelphia, and beyond.
There are so many fun things to do in Hunter, New York, where we stayed, as well as nearby. We loved hiking to Kaaterskill Falls and doing a beautiful sunset hike, as well as checking out some unique attractions like Opus40.
The guide below breaks down the best way to spend a summer weekend getaway in the Catskills with kids, including the best hiking trails, places to eat, and fun activities. So, let’s dive in!
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The Best Catskills Weekend Getaway Itinerary
The itinerary below for a weekend getaway to the Catskills assumes you will arrive on Friday night and have two full days before heading home late Sunday evening. Of course, there are plenty of more things to do in the Catskills if you have an extra day.
Arrival Day/Friday: Early Evening
If you arrive in the Catskills early enough on your first day, you’ll want to head into town for a bite to eat. Depending on where your staying, there will be plenty of options for you.
We recommend checking out Rock the Casbah in Saugerties or Sharkie’s Meatball Shop in Woodstock as two yummy and family-friendly places to eat.
After dinner, if you’re up for it, take a sunset hike to Artists Rock/Sunset Rock/Newman’s Ledge at the North-South Lake Campground. There is a day-use fee to access the campground, and you have to be back at your car by 9 pm, so make sure you give yourself enough time to complete the hike.
The trail is about 2 miles, out and back, and will take about 1-1.5 hours, depending on how long you enjoy the view at the top.
Before you hike, make sure you have a map of the trails. This one by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is clear and easy to read. It includes the first few trails listed below.
Day Two/Saturday: Morning/Early Afternoon
This is your hiking day, so be prepared!! There are several family-friendly hikes in the Catskills, but today, you’ll want to start with the hike to Kaaterskill Falls and Inspiration Point. Get to the trailhead early (Scutt Road parking), especially on the weekend, as it fills up quickly, and police will ticket anyone parked illegally.
You’ll want to pack a lunch for this hike, especially if you’re getting started past nine. It took us about 3 hours to do both the trail to Kaaterskill Falls and Inspiration Point, but that included eating lunch and stopping to enjoy the falls.
Kaaterskill Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in New York state (the tallest is Taughannock Falls in the Finger Lakes region).
First, hike to the overlook platform, which will give you a good view of the top falls. It’s about .75 miles from the parking lot. Once you cross the first footbridge, you’ll make a right to continue on the Blue Trail. Then, follow the signs to the viewing platform.
After the overlook, you’ll want to head to the bottom of the falls. From the overlook platform, backtrack to the long footbridge. Once you cross it, follow the Blue Trail signs to Inspiration Point and the Lower Falls. Follow the Yellow Trail down the stone steps to the falls from there.
The Yellow trail leads to both the bottom of the top falls and the bottom of the lower falls. There are 403 steps (we counted!) to reach the lower falls. It’s not an easy climb back up, but it’s worth it!
After climbing up those stairs, if you are not dead tired yet, make your way to Inspiration Point. It’s about one mile from the top of the Yellow Trail to the overlook.
There are several spots along the Blue Trail as you head to Inspiration Point to look out and enjoy the view. However, Inspiration Point is worth the trek up and down the steep sections of the trail.
Day Two/Saturday: Afternoon and Evening
After grabbing lunch at Mama’s Boy Burgers in Tannersville, if you didn’t bring one on the hike, and recovering from your morning hikes, you’ll want to check out Pratt Rock.
Considered the “Mount Rushmore of the Catskills,” Pratt Rock is a unique attraction commissioned by Prattsville’s founder, Zadock Pratt.
Although there is a small parking area and information kiosk at the bottom of the hill, there are no formal markings on the trail. However, the path is obvious and worn down by all the previous visitors.
The trail to Pratt Rock is short but steep. You can see some of the carvings towards the bottom of the trail, but you’ll need to climb right up to the stones to see everything. The path to the carvings and back down is about a 1/2 mile, though its grade makes it a moderate climb.
There is a beautiful overlook above the carvings. You’ll have to backtrack down the trail to the stone bench and make a right to reach that. From there, follow the path to the top.
After your hike, stop by Jagerberg Beer Hall in Hunter for a delicious dinner and local beers.
Day Three/Sunday: Morning and Early Afternoon
Before you head back home after your weekend getaway in the Catskills, there are two places you don’t want to miss!
First, stop by Opus40. This unique sculpture park took artist Harvey Fite 37 years to create. It’s built on a former quarry and made entirely of bluestone slate harvested from the site.
Opus40 features subterranean paths, stairs leading to natural pools, and a monolith standing 13 feet high and weighing 9 tons. And some of Fite’s original sculptures can be found around the property.
You are allowed to picnic on their property, so feel free to bring lunch with you! If you’d rather eat lunch out, we recommend Bluestone Roasting Co in Saugerties, which is where you’ll be headed next.
After lunch, make your way to the Saugerties Lighthouse, which is the perfect place to visit for beautiful views of the Hudson River. The lighthouse was built in 1869, and over the years, the lighthouse became automated.
Take the 1/2-mile walk along the boardwalk and sandy path to the lighthouse, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and also the tours of the historic lighthouse, which is only offered on Sundays in the summer.
After the lighthouse tour, you can head home or take the time to shop around Saugerties. They have many antique shops, bookstores, and cute statues around the town. And as a fun way to end your weekend in the Catskills, grab a scoop from Alleyway Ice Cream.
Where to Stay in the Catskills For a Weekend Getaway
We stayed at a beautiful Vrbo in Hunter, NY, right at Hunter Mountain. The location was quiet, with mountain views, but close enough to everything we wanted to do. Although there are some hotels in the area, there are also many home rentals to choose from.
For a unique experience, you can stay at the bed & breakfast at the Saugerties Lighthouse.
Common Questions About Spending a Weekend in the Catskills
What is the best time to visit the Catskills?
The Catskills are amazing to visit any time of year! But many of the fun things to do are seasonal and are open from late spring to early fall, so you’ll want to visit the Catskills during that time.
What is the nicest town in the Catskills?
The Catskills has so many cute towns, but some of the most popular are Saugerties, Hunter, Catskill, and Woodstock.
Wrapping Up a Weekend Getaway to the Catskills With Kids
There are so many fun things to do over a weekend getaway in the Catskills that it’s hard to choose just a few.
This is just one itinerary for a weekend getaway that you can follow, or you can adjust it to what works for you and your family. Instead of a hike, consider doing a rail trail bike ride or kayaking along the Espous Creek. Or maybe spend the afternoon at a waterpark. The options are endless!
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