The Ultimate Weekend Itinerary If You Love Spending Time Outdoors In New York
By John Williams|Published May 15, 2023
×
John Williams
Author
John Williams is a writer based in New York City. He's been living in the state for over a decade. He loves nothing more than checking out some great regional cuisine and then taking a long walk in the park.
There is so much to do in New York State, even if you decide to stay only within the region known as the Catskills. While many tourists focus their time and energy on New York City, the Catskills region offers a mix of nature and adventure that could go toe-to-toe with any area on the East Coast. It’s Great Outdoors Mouth here at Only In Your State, so we put together a nice New York trip with a focus on the general Catskills area. There’s swimming, hiking, sightseeing and so much more on this tour of outdoor adventures & activities in New York. You even get to stay in a luxury tiny house! So keep reading, below, to check out a trip perfect for all ages.
From national parks and campgrounds to waterfalls, canyons, and more, there is so much to love about America’s natural splendor — and June, designated as Great Outdoors Month, is the perfect time to get outside.
With a little over an hour of drive time, this trip features a great mix of nature, adventure and beauty.
Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake, located in the Town of Pine Hill, New York. This mellow white sand beach has swimming, boating, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and more, which makes it perfect for the whole family. It opens at 10 in the morning on weekends, so you can get a quick swim in before the rest of your activities for the day.
Advertisement
Enjoy the Patio at Sportsman’s Alamo Cantina
After that morning swim, you are probably going to want something to eat. We suggest you enjoy the patio at Sportsman's Alamo Cantina in Phoenicia.
Sportsman's Alamo Cantina has a full menu as well as whopping 22 beers on tap. You can pull from authentic Mexican selections or classic American fare. And its covered patio is a wonderful option during the summer months.
Advertisement
Sportsman's Alamo Cantina, 70 Main St, Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA
Feeling extra hungry? You might want to try the Big Mike burger. It comes with a double patty, American cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, pickles, lettuce, onion and special sauce. That sure beats McDonalds!
Hike Silver Hollow Notch
Now that you are satiated, it's time to get some exercise on the beautiful, tranquil trails of Silver Hollow Notch.
Silver Hollow Notch and Edgewood Mountain trails run via the Warner Creek trail and provide 3.6 miles of secluded trail. The trails have been described of being of moderate difficulty and should take a little over two hours to complete. It's rare that you will encounter other hikers on this trail, making it a perfect getaway.
Mountain Top Arboretum is devoted to "displaying and managing native plant communities of the northeastern US, in addition to curating its collection of cold-hardy native and exotic trees."
Mountain Top Arboretum, 4 Maude Adams Rd, Tannersville, NY 12485, USA
Mountain Top Arboretum is located at an elevation of 2,400 feet at the top of the New York City Watershed. Its trails and boardwalks bring together 178 acres of plant collections, meadows, wetlands, forest and Devonian bedrock. If you love horticulture and geology, this place will be a treat.
Check out an Amazing Waterfall at Kaaterskill Falls
In the Catskills, there is an endless amount of breathtaking nature. Before your day is over, take a look at a waterfall accessible through a hike starting at the Kaaterskill Falls Trail Head.
Kaaterskill Falls has a 260-foot relief from the peak of the falls. It's a landmark that has been at the center of Catskills tourism since the early 1800s.
Getting to the falls is a bit of a hike, but the view will surely be worth it.
Spend the Night in a Tiny House
After all this activity, you will be looking for a place to relax and get a good night's sleep. If camping isn't for you, may we suggest Think Big: A Tiny House Resort?
A Tiny House Resort, 2776 Co Rd 23B, South Cairo, NY 12482, USA
Think Big is a resort consisting of 15 tiny houses along the Catskill Creek. What the houses lack in size, they make up for in luxury and proximity to nature. It's a fun, quirky stay that's not short on modern amenities.
Clearly, there is plenty to do in New York State, even if you stay within the general Catskills region. What we have outlined is a lot of fun and, perhaps most importantly, it isn’t overwhelming. Again, when put together, all of the stops on this trip amount to just a little over an hour of driving time and take you to some of the best outdoor adventures & activities in New York! If you are in search for another New York road trip, check out a list of 11 of the best road trips in the state.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
