Thank you to Ulster County Tourism for sponsoring today’s post on 8 Things to do in the Hudson Valley this weekend! As always, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
As someone who’s lived in New York for her entire life, it’s quite shocking to me that I’ve never made a trip up to the Catskill Mountains until now.
Located just a few hours outside the city, the area makes for an incredibly convenient weekend getaway.
Not to mention, there’s an overwhelming number of things to do in the Hudson Valley, including an ongoing list of Insta-worthy brunch spots, scenic trails, eclectic shopping destinations, and more.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Ulster County for the weekend, and I have to say that I could not have been more impressed.
Our little weekend trip was jam packed and flew by, so today I’m sharing a few of the highlights that I absolutely recommend in planning your own Hudson Valley getaway.
Check out the details below, and start planning your trip today!
Best Time to Visit the Catskills
Before we jump into the best things to do in the Hudson Valley this weekend, lets cover the best time to visit the Catskills for out of town guests.
Since New York can have pretty harsh and unpredictable winters, the best time to visit the Catskills falls somewhere between summertime and the fall.
Summer in the Catskills offers plenty of fun outdoor activities sans the high chance of rain that you might experience during a springtime visit.
The fall is also a beautiful time to visit the Hudson Valley, as the changing leaves enhance the scenery and make the views even more awe-inspiring than normal.
8 Things to Do in the Hudson Valley This Weekend
1. Get Outdoors
The Catskills is known for its beautiful nature trails and scenery, so why not take advantage of it?
With dozens of unique hiking trails, biking paths, and horseback riding facilities nearby, getting a bit of fresh air is one of the most timeless and enjoyable ways to experience the Catskills.
Whether you choose an epic waterfall hike or a leisurely trail ride though the woods, there’s a fun activity for every fitness level here in the Catskill Mountains.
The highest waterfall in New York State, Kaaterskill Falls, is even located in the area!
Taller than even Niagara Falls, exploring this natural wonder is just one of the many wonderful things to do in the Catskills.
2. Book a Spa Treatment at the Emerson Resort & Spa
We didn’t have time to enjoy the spa services at the Emerson Resort & Spa, but we are so doing this when we go back!
We spent our Friday night in the Hudson Valley checking out this Ulster County resort, and it was a total dream.
I love that there’s a delicious restaurant located conveniently inside the hotel (perfect, since we arrived later that evening after a 4.5 hour drive), but I was already pretty much sold as soon as I saw the jacuzzi in our bathroom…
Seriously, y’all need to spend some time here and take advantage of the resort lifestyle if you can.
They even offer fitness classes which, combined with the spa treatments, make this resort a top choice for a Catskills bachelorette party.
The resort offers a variety of lushly furnished hotel rooms and also has options to accommodate larger groups as well, so it’s a great property for a relaxing group trip.
3. Have Brunch in Uptown Kingston
Never having been to Ulster County before, I was pretty clueless when it came to best spots to eat, drink, and explore.
Little did I know, there’s so many things to do in the Catskills.
Luckily I got some great recommendations before the trip, but I quickly learned that, when it comes to brunch, there’s mouth watering options almost everywhere you turn!
We ended up brunching at Uptown Kingston’s Duo Bistro on Saturday morning, which was absolutely delicious (and so cute inside, too!).
As a travel blogger, the aesthetic of a place is important to me (gotta get that perfect shot, what can I say?), and it was refreshing to find a variety of cool establishments all around town.
Just seeking out the most mouthwatering brunch spots around Ulster County is definitely one of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley this weekend, or any other.
4. Explore the Kingston Waterfront
If you’re in the Hudson Valley, you of course have to get down to the waterfront at some point!
Downtown Kingston is immensely charming, and it’s a great shopping district.
You’ll find lots of fascinating and well-kept antique shops along with a wide variety of clothing boutiques and restaurants.
There’s plenty of ways to enjoy the water too, with options for kayak rentals, Hudson River cruises, and sailing.
When I’m in the area again, I also want to check out the Hudson River Maritime Museum and the Trolley Museum of New York.
There’s just so much to explore! You’ll want to put so many things on your list of things to do in the Hudson Valley this weekend that you’ll probably end up planning a trip back pretty quick 😉
5. Visit Brunette Wine Bar
Brunette Wine Bar was easily one of my favorite places we discovered in Kingston, NY.
It’s cozy and very much my aesthetic, which is always great — haha!
I tried a really interesting orange wine while we were there and also indulged in a cheese plate (no surprise there though, right?).
Such a great place to sit down, relax, and try something new!
6. Take it Easy at The Graham & Co.
For our second night in Ulster County, we stayed at boutique hotel The Graham & Co.
Though I usually consider myself more of a “luxury” traveler, I grew to love the minimalist vibe of this hotel more than I ever could have imagined.
“The Den”, the common lounge for hotel guests, was a great hangout spot at night to get some work done.
My only regret is that it wasn’t warmer outside at night, as this place has a wonderful bonfire pit and swimming pool!
I’d definitely recommend staying here if you’re looking to decompress and just take a step back from social media for the weekend.
7. Say Hello to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary
One thing I wanted to make sure we got to do while in the Catskill Mountains was take a trip to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
I’m so happy that we did, because we got to meet some really amazing creatures.
The Catskill Animal Sanctuary has rescued over 300 animals and is an incredible resource for learning more about animal welfare and even adopting a vegan lifestyle.
This was a great place to learn more about the humane treatment of animals and also just have fun getting to know some of the special animals this farm is home to.
Every animal here has such a unique story, you won’t be disappointed getting the grand tour of this immense 150-acre farm.
8. Visit Woodstock, NY
One of my favorite things to do in the Catskills/Ulster County was visit the town of Woodstock, NY.
While the Woodstock Music & Art Fair actually took place in Bethel, NY, the town is definitely influenced by the Woodstock culture.
With dozens of unique shops and eateries, the whole town of Woodstock really embodies exactly what I would have pictured when thinking of the 1969 festival.
If you want to take things a step further, you can also visit the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, which is an extensive museum and art center located on the actual property where the Woodstock festival took place.
It’s pretty incredible walking around the museum and envisioning the history that took place there decades ago.
Make sure you check it out, and know that visiting both Woodstock and Bethel are things you definitely need to consider if you’re going to be in the Catskills for the weekend!
Have you ever been to the Catskills/Ulster County? What things to do in the Hudson Valley this weekend are you looking forward to?
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