The lively community of Woodstock, located in the Catskill Mountains, provides visitors of all types with a wide range of activities. Woodstock is bursting with cultural and natural wonders that are just waiting to be discovered, from beautiful hikes and waterfalls to top-notch art galleries and live music performances. To help travelers plan their journey and enjoy everything that this enchanted town has to offer, this article will examine some of the top things to do in Woodstock, New York (NY).
#1. Explore the Catskill Park Trails
The Catskill Park, also called the Catskill Forest Preserve, is a public park in New York that extends across four counties. 286,000 acres of the land are protected from development and have been conserved since it was founded in 1885. The Catskills contain more than 35 peaks and ridges that are 3,500 feet or higher, and 19 of them have paths that lead to their summits.
Woodstock serves as the starting point for hundreds of miles of paths that range in difficulty from strolls to strenuous trekking. With a summit elevation of more than 3,000 feet, Overlook Mountain is the southernmost point of the Catskill range. Its views are breathtaking.
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#2. Overlook Mountain
The Catskill Mountains’ southernmost peak, Overlook Mountain, is home to the Overlook Mountain House hotel as well as one of the mountain’s five surviving fire towers. The hotel, constructed in 1871 and designed by Lewis B. Wagonen, became well-known for being built at a higher elevation than any other hotel in the area. It eventually burned down, and today the ruins are accessible from one of the park’s main hiking trails. A 9-mile hiking path connects Fire Town and Echo Lake, where five of the towers have been repaired and opened to the public for viewing. Visitors can also explore the area on this trail.
#3. Karma Triyana Dharmachakra Tibetan Buddhist Monastery
The Karma Triyana Dharmachakra is the next activity I would recommend in Woodstock, New York. This Tibetan monastery is just above Woodstock, New York. It is a wonderful tour and investigation into one of the world’s most tranquil faiths. Besides, it offers numerous teaching workshops and classes in traditional Tibetan Buddhism for Woodstock, NY, guests.
Because there are weekend events available every weekend, there are lots of things to do here. This is a great activity to choose from among the things to do in Woodstock, NY if you want to broaden your cultural views.
#4. Visit Ashokan Reservoir
The Ashokan Reservoir, located just outside Woodstock, New York, supplies some of the purest drinking water in the nation to New York City. It is possible to see wildlife at the reservoir. This has two miles of paved pathways and stunning views of the mountains nearby. The 11.5-mile Ashokan Rail Trail is a multi-use path that can be used for strolling, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing year-round. It is dotted with signs that explain the Catskill Mountains’ history and culture, as well as the reservoir’s construction.
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#5. Explore the Shawangunk Mountains
The Shawangunk Mountains also referred to as the Gunks, are a bedrock ridge that extends from New Jersey’s northernmost tip to the Catskill Mountains. The ridge is now a well-liked outdoor leisure area for mountain climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, and wildlife lovers after being used for mining, logging, and huckleberry picking in the past.
It has more than 100 miles (160 km) of hiking paths, including the Long Path long-distance trail, several former carriage trails, and several climbing areas, and is protected by the Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam’s Point Preserve. It has been designated as a Nature Conservancy area and provides the general public with several conservation initiatives.
#6. Shop at Tinker Street in Woodstock, New York
The center of quirky independent shops in Woodstock, New York, is Tinker Street, which is close to Mill Hill Road. Tinker Street is a great choice for things to do in Woodstock, NY. It’s a beautiful location to stroll through tree-lined streets and stop in and out of one-of-a-kind boutiques selling a variety of goods. Besides, you can find all these lovely shops close to the village green.
It’s a great option for any month of the year when searching for things to do in Woodstock, New York.
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#7. Mower’s Saturday Market, Woodstock, NY
Every Saturday and Sunday in Woodstock, there is a famous family-run market that people call Mower’s Saturday Market. It has a range of stalls and is located on two lovely acres in the center of Woodstock. Farm fresh goods, fruits and veggies, handcrafted items, clothing, baked goods, furnishings, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and fresh flowers are all sold by vendors. A fun Woodstock Community Tour is another way for visitors to get to know the community of Woodstock.
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#8. Explore the Art Galleries
Beginning in the early 1900s, Woodstock has a long tradition of being a utopian artistic community. The Byrdcliffe settlement was established in 1903 and served as an artistic haven for visitors. Even Bob Dylan lived in Byrdcliffe. The town today is awash in art, from galleries and museums to the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum and the classes and seminars offered at the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild.
#9. Visit Cucina Woodstock
In the old town of Woodstock, Chef Gianni Scappin and Lois Freedman run the rural Italian eatery Cucina. It provides a menu of modern Italian food made with fresh, regionally sourced ingredients in season. In the summer, a sizable wraparound porch is ideal for outdoor dining, and on chilly winter evenings, a roaring fireplace tempts. The Barn, a lovely 19th-century barn that has been restored, is available to hire for special occasions, weddings, and celebrations.
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#10. Visit Opus 40
Just outside of Woodstock, New York is the renowned sculpture garden and museum known as Opus 40. Harvey Fite, the organization’s creator and a pioneer of the Bard College Fine Arts Department, bought the property in 1938. Fite assembled thousands of stones into terraces, ramps, and steps using only quarrymen’s tools; these structures still stand and are artworks in and of themselves. Between April and November, Opus 40 is available five days a week. It provides free community events to improve the Catskill region. It is one of the Catskills’ crown jewels and an especially fascinating stop when traveling to Woodstock.
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#11. Visit the Bearsville Theater, Woodstock, NY
Albert Grossman, a visionary and business tycoon in the music industry, is the creator of the Bearsville Theater, which offers the Woodstock community an array of exceptional theater. Paul Newman, Jimmy Cliff, and The Pretenders have all performed on the theater’s stage since it first opened in 1989, under the direction of Albert Grossman’s wife, Sally Grossman. Two eateries as well as the WDST and Radio Woodstock offices are located there. For unique locations for a variety of musical, theatrical, catering, and special events, the theater can be leased for celebrations and special occasions.
#12. Explore the Historical Society of Woodstock
The majority of visitors to Woodstock arrive in quest of the former concert grounds. When they arrive, they are frequently disappointed to learn that the concert was not performed in town. It was conducted in Bethel, some two hours away. A trip to the Historical Society is essential if you want to learn about the true history of the town of Woodstock.
A group of creative residents established the Historical Society in 1929 to preserve the history of Woodstock’s early years. Visitors have been transported through time by shows, which have covered topics like women’s rights, the cycles of nature, the origins of the Catskills’ stone buildings, works by regional artists, and more.
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#13. Visit the Sunfrost Farm
The largest retailer of regional and organic farmers in the Hudson Valley is Sunfrost Farm. It offers a variety of organic foods, including free-range eggs, naturally raised meat and poultry, and locally made non-GMO dairy. For breakfast and supper, Sunfrost Farm offers a wide selection of delectable home-cooked fare. This includes melts, wraps, fresh sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as specialties like chicken fajitas, the Turkey Reuben, and a stacked BLT.
Freshly baked cakes, muffins, pastries, and baklava are served for dessert, and thick ice cream shakes and fruit smoothies provide a sweet way to close the dinner.
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#14. Maverick Concerts
The longest-running festival of its kind in America, Maverick Concerts has been presenting summer chamber music festivals for more than 100 years. The event presents top-notch music by renowned ensembles and soloists every Sunday afternoon for about four months each year (June to September). Many young musicians are urged to participate in the shift towards more contemporary music that has occurred in recent years. The performances are held in a truly magical location deep within a forest. The 1916 construction of the all-wood “concert hall” is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Why Is Woodstock NY Famous?
The town is popular for giving its name to the Woodstock Festival. This was originally held at Max Yasgur’s dairy farm in Bethel, Sullivan County, about 60 miles (97 km) away.
Can You Walk Around in Woodstock?
In Woodstock, no walk is too lengthy or too short. If you want to get some fresh air, the village green is the ideal spot to combine wildlife and town amenities. A short neighborhood walk to Vail Field’s playground is perfect for energetic rugrats.
Do You Need a Car in Woodstock NY?
Without a vehicle, you can get to Woodstock. From New York City, you can board a bus or a train. By bus: 3 hours, approximately $35. To get to Woodstock, take the Port Authority route. (stop in Kingston, NY).