A local guide to hiking, waterfalls, food, and a perfect Catskills weekend.
Planning a weekend in Tannersville?
You’re in a good spot. Within a few minutes, you’ve got access to some of the best hikes, waterfalls, and scenic views in the Catskills, along with a small mountain town that’s easy to explore on foot.
This isn’t a long list of everything you could do. It’s a starting point, built from the places we find ourselves recommending most often to people walking into the shop.
Looking for the full rundown rather than a two-day plan? Start with Things to Do in Tannersville, NY, our complete guide to the waterfalls, lakes, overlooks, and Main Street businesses here.
If you’re only here for a couple of days, start here:
- A short, rewarding hike with a big payoff: Huckleberry Point
- A quick waterfall stop that’s worth the detour: Plattekill Falls
- Time to walk through Tannersville and grab a coffee or a meal
- Want something more iconic? Kaaterskill Falls is just down the road
If you want a simple plan, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Tannersville.
Coming up for fall foliage?
Color arrives on the high peaks first, usually in the back half of September, then works its way downhill through October. The valleys hold on latest. That staggered timing is the real advantage of this corner of the Catskills: you can drive twenty minutes and change elevation enough to find a different week of fall.
If you want one week to aim for, aim for the first full week of October. We watch it from behind the counter every year, and that week is reliably the busiest of our entire year. Take that as a compliment to the leaves and a warning about the parking.
If you are not here to hike
Most fall foliage guides send you up a mountain. Plenty of people come up for the color and have no interest in a climb, so here is what we actually tell them.
- Drive Route 23A through Kaaterskill Clove. The road between Palenville and Haines Falls climbs through the Clove with the color on both sides of you. It is the best twenty minutes of scenery in the county from a car seat. Treat it as a drive rather than a stop: parking is prohibited along the pull-offs, and the shoulder is narrow and busy in October. If you want to be on foot up there, get to a trailhead early instead.
- Walk the Mountain Top Arboretum. Easy, mostly level paths right here in Tannersville, and the mix of planted and native trees means the color is more varied than a hillside. This is our first recommendation for anyone who wants fall without a trail.
- Ride the Hunter Mountain Scenic Skyride. Running weekends September 12 through October 18, 10am to 4pm. You get the summit view without the climb. Hunter also runs its Oktoberfest weekends through October if you want a festival attached.
- Drive to Colgate Lake. Park and walk a few minutes across the road, and you get the color doubled in the water with the mountains surrounding you. One of the best photographs in the area for the least effort. If you want more than a few minutes on your feet, the Colgate Lake Trail starts a little further down the road on the left and has its own parking area.
- Pay the day-use fee at North-South Lake. This is the easiest big view in this part of the Catskills, but easy still means walking. You park close, then walk to the view. The Catskill Mountain House site is the shortest of them and the closest thing to a drive-up view. Artist's Rock and Sunset Rock, Newman's Ledge, North Point, Boulder Rock and Inspiration Point are the better views, and each one is more of a hike. The lakes themselves are worth the stop either way.
About the crowds, and what to do instead
Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest waterfall in New York and it deserves the attention. On an October Saturday, every lot fills by mid-morning. Parking is prohibited along Route 23A from May through October, pull-offs included, and illegally parked cars are ticketed and towed to the Town of Hunter impound lot. Use the Laurel House Road, Scutt Road or South Lake lots, and if you get here early, go.
If it is already 11am and you are circling for a spot, the thing worth knowing is that Kaaterskill Falls and North-South Lake share the same access road. Backing out of one and into the other puts you in the same line of traffic. Point the car somewhere else entirely instead:
- Diamond Notch Falls, off Spruceton Road on the far side of Hunter, a short walk to a waterfall that most visitors drive past
- Plattekill Falls, up Platte Clove Road, ten minutes from the car and usually quiet
- The Hunter Mountain Scenic Skyride, a summit view with no climb and its own parking, right in Hunter
- The Mountain Top Arboretum, easy level paths in Tannersville, and the closest of all of these to Main Street
We are on Main Street in Tannersville and we are happy to look at the day with you and tell you where the parking is likely to be open. That is a genuinely better plan than guessing from the car.
Day 1: Coffee, Hikes, and Local Flavor
Morning Coffee: Deja Brew (Facebook)
Kick off your adventure with a cup of coffee at Deja Brew in Tannersville. It’s a welcoming spot to fuel up before hitting the trails.
Hike: Huckleberry Point
Drive a short distance to Platte Clove and hike to Huckleberry Point. This intermediate hike is one of the most beloved in the Catskills, with sweeping views of the Hudson Valley. Don’t miss the hidden gem of Plattekill Falls, located just a short walk down the road from Huckleberry Point’s trailhead.
This area is stewarded in part by the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, whose work helps protect and maintain access to special places like Platte Clove for future generations.
Shopping in Tannersville
After your hike, stroll Main Street in Tannersville. Be sure to stop by Camp Catskill to shop ethical outdoor gear and Catskills-inspired apparel. We’re always happy to share trail recommendations and local tips, too. Get Directions →
Lunch: Pantry on Main
Grab lunch at Pantry on Main, known for delicious, wholesome dishes that highlight local ingredients.
Day 2: Quiet Trails and Sweet Treats
Morning Hike: Mountain Top Arboretum
Ease into your second day with a quiet walk at the Mountain Top Arboretum in Tannersville. This peaceful spot offers easy trails and beautiful gardens that showcase the natural beauty of the Catskills. More on hours and events at their site.
Coffee: Fellow Mountain Café
Head over to Hunter for a cup at Fellow Mountain Café, a cozy café that pairs excellent coffee with great atmosphere.
Lunch: Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café
No trip to Tannersville is complete without a stop at Last Chance. Known locally as Last Chance Cheese, it’s packed with charm and serves hearty, satisfying food.
Ice Cream: Mama’s Boy Burgers
The giant ice cream cone on the roof should clue you in, but burgers aren't the only thing Mama's Boy does well. Stop by for a cone or cup before you head out of town. It’s the sweetest way to finish your Catskills adventure.
What to Bring for a Catskills Weekend
Conditions in the Catskills can change quickly, especially in shoulder seasons. A short hike can turn muddy, rocky, or colder than expected depending on elevation and weather. A few small choices can make the difference between a great hike and a frustrating one.
- Comfortable footwear with good traction
- A lightweight layer (even in warmer months)
- Water + a small pack
- Seasonal add-ons (traction in winter, bug protection in summer)
Not sure what you actually need? This is what we find ourselves recommending most often in the shop:
Weekend
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Why Tannersville?
With its mix of outdoor adventure, great food, and small-town charm, Tannersville makes the perfect Catskills weekend destination. Whether you’re exploring iconic trails like Huckleberry Point, wandering Main Street, or picking up a cozy hoodie at Camp Catskill, you’ll leave feeling refreshed and connected to nature.
