I used to think the Catskills were just the mountain resorts you see on the screen in Dirty Dancing and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but this region is so much more!
I recently had the opportunity to travel to the Sullivan Catskills with my fellow Macaroni KID publishers. We spent 3 days exploring the area, just 90 minutes away from New York City. We explored local resorts, dined at incredible restaurants, rafted down the Delaware River – spotting 7 bald eagles along the way! – and spent the day at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, home of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
The author received compensation for writing this article. All thoughts and opinions expressed are their own.
The Sullivan Catskills offers year-round family-friendly activities, from indoor waterparks (NY's largest!) to hiking, and river trips. All within a 7-hour drive from Cleveland. It's the perfect family-friendly destination for your next vacation! Here are my top 5 reasons to visit Sullivan Catskills, including my favorite desserts!
Home to New York's largest indoor waterpark, The Kartrite Resort offers an array of family fun. This new and modern family-friendly resort offers 300+ suites, 8 bars and restaurants, an indoor ropes course with zipline, an arcade and duckpin bowling, an outdoor courtyard with fire pits, a nature playspace, yard games and more. When you're done enjoying the water slides, wave pool and FlowRider head inside for some arcade fun or a movie night in the lobby. {Pro Tip: Bring your blanket and cozy up on the Kartirite's comfy seating or a floor pouf!} The Kartirite offers unlimited family fun!
Fun Fact: The Kartrite holds the Guinness World Record for the largest S'more - stop at Pop's Sweet Shoppe and grab a s'mores kit ($5) and head out to the firepits!
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Head out for a day of family fun on the Delaware River with Lander's River Trips. They offer rafting, tubing, kayaking, and canoeing. Choose your adventure and plan on spending the day outdoors meandering down the river. Keep your eye out for bald eagles along the banks. {Pro Tip: Look for bald eagles in the trees without leaves} Lander's also offers camping at three riverfront campgrounds.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Touring Bethel Woods was the highlight of the trip for me. I am an avid music fan of the 60's and 70's generation so being at Festival Field was so incredibly moving to me. But Bethel Woods is much more than the home of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. This private, non-profit cultural organization offers innovative art programming for all ages year-round. In the summer, they offer creative art camps for children including a Rock Camp for budding teenage musicians.
Also on their 800-acre campus is a live music amphitheater that hosts your favorite musicians and artists in concert all summer long. The Museum at Bethel Woods is a must-see on your trip. Step back in time to the 1960's and explore the decade that started in turmoil and in the end brought 3 days of peace, love and music. Explore Festival Field and the Monument to Woodstock. See the message tree and explore the Bindy Bazaar trail.
{Pro Tip: Plan on spending a good part of your day at Bethel Woods and head to Yasgur's Farm Cafe for lunch, located in the museum building. Enjoy your lunch on the beautiful back patio.}
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock festival, the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail© is a collection of 50 dove sculptures perched in villages, towns, and at several businesses throughout Sullivan County. Each permanently mounted dove is hand-painted by a professional local artist and inspired by the legendary event in 1969. See how many you can spot as you explore Sullivan Catskills!
{Pro Tip: Make sure to look at both sides of the doves, and snap a selfie!}
Local Restaurants & All Inclusive Resorts
Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center is the perfect location for a family vacation or family reunion! Their sprawling 500-acre resort can handle tour buses, weddings, and groups of all sizes. They offer an All-Inclusive package that includes breakfast and dinner daily, an indoor inflatable area, bumper boats and go-carts, a rock climbing wall, zipline, archery tag, bowling, racquetball and fitness center, and indoor and outdoor pools!
{Pro Tip: Get the chocolate raspberry mousse parfait at dinner in the Main Dining Room – you will not be disappointed!}
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For an authentic Italian meal, make sure to stop at Albella Restaurant (50 Jefferson Street in Monticello). Their hospitality and huge portions aren't the only reason to dine here, I highly recommend their homemade bread and famous Chicken Martini entree, breaded chicken breasts with parmigiana cheese in a lemon and white wine sauce, served with spaghetti. Be prepared to bring leftovers home!
{Pro Tip: Save room for dessert and order a slice of almond cake!}
The Sullivan Catskills is a perfect family destination for your next vacation. Offering year-round activities, and the easy drive is around 7 hours, straight through New York state. Find your family fun in the Sullivan Catskills!
