A weekend getaway to the Catskill Mountains in Jefferson, NY

Originally published on UnPluggedCabins.com by Victor Jung

The Catskill Mountains, located in the southeastern part of New York state, have a long and exciting history. Here are some weekend getaway to the Catskill Mountains. The Lenape people initially inhabited the area and lived in the region for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The first European settlers arrived in the area in the mid-17th century, and the Catskills became a popular destination for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities. In the 19th century, the Catskills became a popular vacation destination with the development of resorts, hotels, and other tourist amenities. The Catskills are a popular recreational area known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. The Catskill Mountains offer a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors. Some popular things in the Catskills include hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities in the beautiful natural surroundings. The area is also home to several state parks, including North-South Lake State Park and Catskill State Park, which offer a variety of recreational opportunities. In addition to outdoor activities, the Catskills are also known for their vibrant arts and culture scene, with galleries, theaters, and other cultural attractions. The area is also home to several breweries, wineries, and distilleries, which offer tastings and tours. A scenic drive with mountain views, rolling creeks, and blue skies during the day or starry nights from New York Metro area is as simple as two to three-hour trips depending on where you start. What is there to do in Phoenicia, NY? Phoenicia, located in the Catskill Mountains of New York, is a small town with a rich history and various attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Some popular things to do in Phoenicia include exploring the town’s historic Main Street, which features several charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. A must-visit is the newly open Sweet Sue Phoenicia coffee shop and café; and the wood oven pizza at Brio’s. The town is also home to several natural attractions, including Esopus Creek, which is a popular spot for fishing and tubing, and the Phoenicia Black Dirt Wetlands, which is a unique wetland habitat that is home to a variety of plants and animals. In addition to these natural attractions, Phoenicia is also home to several cultural attractions, including the Mountain Air Trampoline Park and the Phoenicia Diner, featured in the movie “I Don’t Know How She Does It”. What is there to do in Tannersville, NY? Tannersville is a small town with a rich history and various attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Some popular things to do in Tannersville include exploring the town’s historic Main Street, which features several charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. Last Chance Antiques & Cheese, and Maggie’s Krooked Café & Juice Bar is a must-visit. The town is also home to several natural attractions, including Kaaterskill Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in New York, and the Tannersville Cranberry Bog, a unique wetland habitat home to a variety of plants and animals. In addition to these natural attractions, Tannersville is also home to several cultural attractions, including the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, which offers tours of the home and studio of the famous American painter. What is there to do in Hunter Mountain, NY? Hunter Mountain is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Some popular things to do at Hunter Mountain include skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and hiking, mountain biking, and zip lining in the summer. The mountain also offers a variety of other outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, horseback riding, and fishing. In addition to outdoor activities, Hunter Mountain is home to a number of other attractions, such as the Hunter Mountain Scenic Skyride, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, and the Kaatskill Mountain Club, which offers a variety of entertainment options, including live music and comedy shows. Stop for coffee and small bites at Fellow Mountain Café for the best scones and lattes. M&J Bagel Store has a decent everything bagel, and the coffee is not watered down. Jagerberg Beer Hall and Tavern is a lodge-like hangout with Bavarian eats, Prospect at Scribner’s is a new American restaurant cuisine featuring products from the Catskill’s, and MaMa’s Pizza and Trattoria is consistent pizza and red gravy pasta dishes and entrees. Peking rounds it out if you need your General Tsao Chicken or Sweet & Sour pork fix. What is there to do in Windham, NY? Windham is a small town with a rich history and various attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Some popular things to do in Windham include exploring the town’s historic Main Street, which features many charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. The town is also home to several natural attractions, including the Windham Path, a beautiful hiking trail that offers scenic views of the surrounding area, and the Windham Mountain Resort, which offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing and snowboarding in the winter and mountain biking and zip lining in the summer. In addition to these natural attractions, Windham is also home to a number of cultural attractions, including the Windham Fine Arts Gallery, which showcases the work of local artists. What is there to do in Stamford, NY? Stamford is a popular destination for outdoor adventure seekers.  Just outside the village of Stamford, New York, once known as “the Queen of the Catskills,” a large mountain rises among the taller of the Catskill Mountains. On New York State Route 10, just northeast of the village on Lake Street is a lake. Both the mountain and the lake bear the name Utsayantha. When one hears the name, one wonders where it came from and why it is called that. The inquiry will find several versions of why, but all versions have a common thread. They were named after an Indian Princess and a tragedy was concerning her. Some popular recreational activities are Mount Utsayantha for hiking/Site seeing, Hang gliding, Camping, and picnicking. Indian Trail Park has swimming, tennis, basketball, and handball courts and a playground for toddlers. Bring your fishing rod and visit Rexmere pond. The local restaurants and shops are quaint and fun. Stamford Coffee is an excellent stop for artisanal coffee, tea, and baked goods. The local store next door is worth the visit. But if you all the local tea and happenings, TP Café has breakfast all day long and nice burgers and salads down the block. What is there to do in Jefferson, NY? Jefferson is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Once known as Buttertown for its abundance of dairy farmers. The weekly farmer’s markets will showcase locally produced and grown products from the area. Some popular things to do at Mine Kill State Park include skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing in the winter; hiking, disc golf, and bird watching in the summer. Walk our trails, ride horses, hike the mountains, fish the creeks, shoot skeet and listen to free public concerts on the village green or Maple Museum in the spring and summer. There is plenty of laid-back things to do, including the Heritage Day celebration fair in July and the pumpkin festival on Halloween. Local favorites include Mill Pond Inn, Heartbreak Hotel, Blenheim Hill Farm, and Buck Hill Farm. Highlights of Mine Kill State Park:

• Mine Kill State Park is the namesake of Mine Kill Falls, the signature, an 80-foot terraced waterfall that regularly mesmerizes visitors to the park. Mine Kill Falls features a scenic hiking trail (part of the Long Path) from the parking lot down to its base. In addition, visitors enjoy a bird’s eye view of the waterway along the platforms near the top of the trail.
• Hikers will thoroughly enjoy Mine Kill’s 10 miles of trails, including a 5-mile segment of the Long Path, a 350-mile long, marked footpath that runs from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, NJ, to the village of Altamont, NY (west of Albany). The Long Path links several states, counties, and town parks along the Hudson, the Catskills, and the Adirondacks.
• Enjoy wildlife sightings? Mine Kill is home to several mammals, reptiles, fish, and birds. While hiking the trails, make sure to stop and listen to the various sounds of the wild. Some familiar sounds are chipmunks rustling through the leaves, bluebirds, house wrens, bald eagles, red-tailed hawks, pileated woodpeckers, and occasionally a barred owl or great horned owl! Everyday things to see in the park are white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, black bears, and sometimes a coyote.
• Mine Kill is an excellent habitat for the critters here because it’s so diverse. There are many kinds of coniferous and deciduous trees, such as maples, spruce, hickory, and pines. Quite a few animals like to make their homes inside these trees. Animals also like to make their homes in rocky dens, and there are a few rock ledges and caves lurking around the park. On the other hand, there are plenty of broad open fields for birds, mice, bees, and butterflies to sift through, catching bugs, picking up pollen from our wildflowers, and munching on some grass. One last significant aspect of the park is the reservoir! Plenty of shorebirds and aquatic creatures enjoy their time down at the water. Keep your eyes open when walking around, and think of where you are in the park and what critters could be around you!