Things to Do in the Catskills: A Year-Round Guide to Delaware County, NY

When people think about the Catskills, mountain scenery and outdoor adventure often come to mind first. But a trip to this corner of Upstate New York can include much more than hiking a trail or taking in a view. From charming communities and local restaurants to museums, galleries, scenic drives, seasonal festivals, and outdoor recreation, there are plenty of things to do in the Catskills throughout the year.

Delaware County, located in the western Catskills, offers a particularly varied mix of experiences. Visitors can spend a morning exploring a mountain trail, an afternoon browsing local shops or galleries, and an evening enjoying a community event or a meal in town. The region is also home to communities such as Andes, Delhi, Hancock, Stamford, and Margaretville, each with its own local character.

Explore the Great Outdoors

Outdoor recreation is one of the biggest draws of the Great Western Catskills. Forested landscapes, rivers, mountain roads, trails, and open countryside create opportunities for travelers who want an active getaway or simply more time in nature.

Hiking in the Catskills

Hiking is a flexible way to experience Delaware County because the area includes scenic trails, nature preserves, mountain routes, rail trails, and easier walks. Visitors can choose an outing based on distance, terrain, scenery, and experience level.

For travelers looking for a memorable outdoor day, routes around the county can lead to mountain viewpoints, forests, waterfalls, and quiet natural areas. The Catskill Scenic Trail is another option for visitors interested in a more gradual recreational experience, with its wide path and gentle grade making it suitable for activities including walking, biking, and horseback riding.

Before setting out, check trail conditions, weather, parking, and access information. Responsible recreation also means staying on designated paths and carrying out what you bring in.

Fishing and Water Recreation

The rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds of Delaware County offer another way to enjoy the landscape. Fishing is particularly associated with the Catskills, with opportunities ranging from trout fishing and fly fishing to recreational fishing on lakes and reservoirs.

The area's waterways also support kayaking, canoeing, paddling, and swimming during warmer months. Local outfitters can be helpful when visitors need equipment, local information, or guidance on planning a day on the water.

Winter Adventures

The Catskills don't shut down when temperatures drop. Winter brings its own selection of outdoor activities, including skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and scenic winter exploration.

This seasonal variety makes Delaware County a destination that can be visited repeatedly rather than experienced only during one part of the year.

Discover Small-Town Catskills Activities

Some of the most rewarding Catskills activities aren't major attractions. They are the experiences found while exploring local communities.

Visit Andes

Andes offers an appealing combination of mountain scenery, local businesses, arts, food, and small-town atmosphere. Visitors can browse galleries, discover local shops, stop for a meal, or use the community as a starting point for nearby outdoor adventures.

For travelers interested in arts and culture, the area has creative spaces and artist-focused experiences that provide a look at the region's active arts community.

Explore Delhi

Delhi is a useful base for visitors who want to combine outdoor recreation with local history, dining, shopping, and community events. The town is also home to cultural attractions and organizations that offer insight into Delaware County's history and creative identity.

Experience Margaretville

Margaretville provides another gateway to Catskills activities, particularly for travelers exploring the central and eastern portions of Delaware County. The community offers access to local businesses, outdoor recreation, arts, and seasonal experiences.

Stop in Stamford

Stamford is closely connected with the Catskill Scenic Trail and offers opportunities to combine cycling and outdoor recreation with time spent exploring the village.

Explore Hancock and Other Communities

Hancock and surrounding communities provide additional access to outdoor recreation, local arts, cultural attractions, and Delaware County's scenic landscapes. One advantage of traveling through the region is that visitors can build their own route instead of following a single predefined itinerary.

For a broader overview of attractions and experiences across the county, the Great Western Catskills things to do guide provides a useful starting point for trip planning.

Find Family-Friendly Things to Do in the Catskills

A Catskills trip can work well for families because the region offers different activity levels and experiences.

Younger children may enjoy shorter nature walks, swimming, farms, museums, scenic drives, or community festivals. Older children and teens may be interested in biking, hiking, skiing, fishing, paddling, and other outdoor recreation.

Families can also mix active and slower-paced activities during the same trip. A morning hike can be followed by lunch in a nearby town, a museum visit, or an evening community event.

When planning family activities, consider the ages and interests of everyone in the group, as well as the weather, terrain, travel distance, and current operating conditions of individual attractions.

Explore Arts, Culture, and Local History

The Catskills are more than a nature destination. Delaware County also has a strong connection to the arts, local history, and community culture.

Visit Galleries and Artist Spaces

Travelers can discover galleries, working studios, creative collectives, and other arts destinations throughout the county. These spaces provide opportunities to view artwork, meet local creators, attend exhibitions, and find locally made pieces to take home.

Explore Museums and Historical Sites

Museums and historic locations provide context for the communities and landscapes visitors see during a Catskills trip.

The region includes historical organizations, preserved properties, museums, and cultural sites connected to agriculture, transportation, industry, literature, and local community life. Places such as Hanford Mills Museum and Delaware County Historical Association offer opportunities to explore the area's past through exhibits, historic structures, programs, and educational experiences.

Attend a Local Event

Community events can provide another window into local culture. Depending on the season, visitors may find festivals, live music, art events, agricultural fairs, farmers' markets, holiday celebrations, and other gatherings.

Checking the current events calendar before a trip can reveal activities that are easy to miss when planning only around major attractions.

Take a Scenic Drive Through the Catskills

Not every Catskills experience needs to be physically demanding. Scenic driving can be an excellent way to experience the landscape, particularly for visitors traveling with mixed-age groups or looking for a relaxed day.

Routes through Delaware County connect mountain scenery with farms, forests, rivers, villages, covered bridges, historic sites, and viewpoints. A scenic drive can also become a flexible itinerary: stop for photographs, visit a local attraction, have lunch in town, and continue exploring at your own pace.

For photographers and travelers interested in local history, the combination of scenery and small communities can be especially appealing.

Plan Catskills Weekend Activities by Season

One of the advantages of Delaware County is the variety of activities available throughout the year.

Spring

Spring is a good time to begin exploring trails, waterways, farms, markets, and seasonal community events. Maple-related experiences are another notable part of the region's spring calendar.

Summer

Summer opens up opportunities for hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, swimming, festivals, live music, outdoor events, and longer days of exploration.

Fall

Fall brings changing foliage, cooler hiking conditions, harvest celebrations, scenic drives, arts programming, and community festivals. It can be an ideal season for combining outdoor recreation with local culture.

Winter

Winter transforms the landscape and introduces skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, holiday events, and indoor cultural activities.

How to Choose the Best Things to Do in the Catskills

There isn't one itinerary that works for every traveler. The best trip depends on what you want to experience.

For Outdoor Enthusiasts

Build your itinerary around hiking, fishing, paddling, biking, skiing, or snowmobiling, then add nearby dining and lodging.

For Families

Combine easy outdoor activities with museums, swimming, local events, farms, or other attractions suitable for your group.

For Couples

A weekend can include scenic drives, galleries, outdoor recreation, local restaurants, and an overnight stay in a quiet Catskills community.

For Culture and History Travelers

Focus on museums, historic sites, galleries, theaters, local events, and artist studios, then explore the communities around them.

For First-Time Visitors

Start with a mix of scenery, one outdoor activity, one cultural attraction, and time in a local town. This provides a broad introduction without making the itinerary feel rushed.

Make Your Catskills Visit More Than a Weekend

The variety of Great Western Catskills attractions makes Delaware County well suited to both short visits and longer stays. A weekend can introduce visitors to the landscape, while a multi-day trip leaves more time for hiking, fishing, arts, local history, food, events, and exploration.

The key is to avoid trying to see everything at once. Choose a few experiences that match your interests, group them geographically, and leave time to discover the communities along the way.

From mountain trails and rivers to local galleries, museums, festivals, and small-town experiences, Delaware County offers plenty of reasons to return in another season.

Start Planning Your Catskills Getaway

The Great Western Catskills provide a combination of outdoor recreation, scenic landscapes, local culture, and year-round activities that can suit many different types of travelers.

Whether you're searching for family activities, planning Catskills weekend activities, looking for outdoor adventure, or simply hoping to slow down and explore a new part of Upstate New York, Delaware County gives you plenty of ways to create your own itinerary.

Start by choosing the season, decide what type of experience fits your trip, and explore the communities and attractions that make the Great Western Catskills distinctive.