Cats Take Over the Catskills
Last Updated on September 16, 2021 by Holly Anne Dustin
Every summer cats take over the town of Catskill, New York. The Heart of Catskill Association promotes Cat’n Around Catskill. Around 50 cat statues pop up in Catskill. Each is sponsored by a local business or civic group and highly decorated by talented artists. They are auctioned off at the end of the season in a big gala.
We took a road trip to see the cats. But that is not the only reason to visit the Catskill Mountains region in New York. There are many cat-friendly activities and places to visit in Catskill and the surrounding towns.
Contents
Reasons to Come to the Catskills:
Art, Culture and History:
Catskill is a cute little town to visit. Most of the cat statues are located on Main Street. It’s an easy walk from a free parking lot on Bridge Street, up and back. Peek into the galleries and little shops as you walk. Some of them will welcome Kitty in with you.
There is a real art-sy feel to downtown. Not surprising, since the Hudson River School art movement was based in the Catskills and Hudson River Valley. Just past the top of Main Street, the Thomas Cole Historic Site has a film and a guided tour about the artist’s life and influence on conservation and landscape art. The property isn’t cat friendly. I just walked around and grabbed some pictures quickly.
Not far out of town, Frederick Church’s Olana is another gorgeous historic property. There are trails to explore here and the house tour. Gorgeous river views and scenic vistas show off the reason that the Catskills inspired Church, Cole, and others. The site allows leashed pets on the trails but not in the buildings.
As you drive out there is a perfect picture spot. Check out the view through the frame. It is the classic famous Hudson River Art School landscape. There’s a nice vine bench to sit on and get a picture with Kitty too.
You might even run into Rip Van Winkle. Washington Irving’s famous tale took place in the “Cloves” of the Catskills. If you hike to the top of Hunter Mountain, you’ll find a sandstone sculpture of Rip waking from his long nap. We saw him while we were walking Main Street.
Food and Drink
We were lucky enough to visit on a day when Catskill was holding a street fair full of food trucks. We had Greek food, Indian food, Thai food as well as the usual burgers and fried dough to choose from. (I never pass up fried dough!)
On a typical day, there are several little coffee shops and restaurants with outside seating where Kitty can join you for lunch.
On Rt 23, the Kaatskill Cider Mill offers burgers and ice cream and souvenirs, jams and jelly.
Nearby Woodstock (yes, that Woodstock) offers even more food options, as well as hosting a cat statue. The Garden Cafe is an organic, GMO-free, restaurant; and a juice bar that loves pets.
Chicken Run in Windham is a family-friendly, pet-friendly, chicken and steakhouse restaurant. They have outdoor dining where Kitty can come with you or you can take get your dinner to-go and share it at your hotel.
Breweries:
There are several cat-friendly breweries in the Catskill area. They use locally grown ingredients and Catskill Mountain water to produce unique products.
We visited Catskill Brewery. Cats and dogs are welcome to visit the taproom. In fact, when I asked if I could bring Plush they told me, absolutely, as long as you let the bartenders pet him. We were glad to do so.
Catskill produces “Honest, Hardworking Beer.” They use locally sourced ingredients and produce their beer with sustainable brewing practices and solar power in a gold-certified LEED building. They aim to leave no trace on the environment.
The beer is good too. I tried their Gold Medal winning Freak Tractor farmhouse ale and my son had an Eye of Newt red ale.
The taproom was a little loud, but the grounds were enjoyable for the cats to climb around while we enjoyed our beer. Their merch is cute. A t-shirt with their racoon logo tempted me.
Outdoor Activities
The Catskills offer a lot of cat-friendly activities. Pull over on Rt 23 in East Windham and enjoy a scenic view. The Five State Lookout observation site lets you see the Green Mountains in Vermont, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Connecticut Valley, the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and, of course, the Hudson River Valley, Catskills and Helderberg Mountains of NY.
The Hiking in the Area is Plentiful:
Kaaterskill Falls is a two-stage waterfall. It is New York’s highest waterfalls, and a popular spot in the 19th century. It is a 1.5 mile hike, but it is steep and rocky. When you get there, you’ll be rewarded by the view, and a nice flat ledge to enjoy a picnic.
Kaaterskill Falls was a sacred place for the Mohicans that lived in the area.
If you prefer something easier, try the rail-trail walk in Haines Falls.
If Kitty likes to ride along on your bike, there are 25 miles of well-marked mountain biking trails in Windham. There are trails for all abilities.
Dutchman’s Landing Park:
We found the Peace Kitty in Dutchman’s Landing. She had kindness rocks to give away. We picked the yellow one with the black cat on it!
Take a swim, or launch your canoe or kayak if Kitty is boat friendly. Be sure she’s got her life jacket the same as you! There are two fishing docks if that is more your thing (be sure you meet the local licensing requirements.)
Enjoy the scenic views of the river. Bring a picnic and enjoy the tables. Grills are available. There’s a playground for the kids.
You also may find a free concert happening at the stage or perhaps a Farmers Market.
Shopping, Antiquing and Farmers’ Markets
If the wild adventure is not your Kitty’s thing (or yours), you might prefer exploring the unique boutiques, antique stores, and farmers’ markets as you drive through the scenic areas. There are several antique stores along Catskill’s Main Street. If you drive through the area over to Woodstock, Saugerties, and Hudson, you’ll see some more unique shopping options.
Where to Stay:
The Kaaterskill hotel is a cat-friendly location in Catskill. It is pricey but if you plan to enjoy a nice weekend away; it is a good option.
One the other end of the spectrum there is a Super 8 in Kingston. There’s a cat-themed boutique hotel opening on Main St in Catskill that welcomes cats. I can’t wait to stay there!
We have a guide for staying in hotels with your furbaby here if you are new to traveling with a cat.
North-South Lake State Campground offers multitudes of options for hiking, biking, and boating. Pets are allowed on leash only, except for the beaches, picnic areas, and buildings. You cannot leave them alone. There are day passes available for non-campers at $10.
Cat-Friendly Catskill:
The Catskill Cats will be on the street through September 14th this year and the gala is the 21st. If you don’t make it to see the cats this year, watch to see when they come out next year. But as you can see, there are plenty of other reasons to come to the Catskills. Bring Kitty along to explore the area with you. It is worth the trip.
What fun things have you and your kitty done recently? Any road trip ideas Plush and I should check out?
