Overlooking the Hudson River, Catskill is a small town that was first settled by Europeans in 1680. It holds strong ties to the Hudson River School of American painting, with both Thomas Cole and Frederic Church residing here. Catskill also provided the setting for Washington Irving’s 1819 short story “Rip Van Winkle”.
Things to do in Catskill
North of Catskill is Cedar Grove, the former home and studio of Thomas Cole, who is credited with founding the Hudson River School. Now designated as a National Historic Landmark, its beautifully restored interiors host changing art exhibitions and state-of-the-art storytelling installations. From the wrap-around porch and gardens, there are magnificent views of the Catskill Mountains.
After your visit, follow the Hudson River Skywalk, which connects across the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to the Olana State Historic Site. It was home to another major figure in the Hudson River School, Frederic Edwin Church, and is a striking example of Orientalist architecture. Step inside to explore the eclectically decorated rooms, which are adorned with stencils inspired by Church’s travels in the Middle East.
Catskill makes an ideal base for visiting the Kaaterskill Wild Forest, a 3,000-hectare protected area of mountains, valleys and dramatic cliff faces. Don’t miss the two-tiered Kaaterskill Falls, which tumbles 79 metres over a sandstone shelf and was a popular subject for Hudson River School painters. Directly south lie the rugged landscapes and hiking trails of the Indian Head Wilderness.
Getting around Catskill
Catskill is around 45 minutes’ drive from Albany and Albany International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Regular buses connect to Catskill and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.