Guidebook for West Shokan
Parks & Nature
More a walk than a hike, there are a few options for trails you can take around the lake. It’s also a popular spot for fishing and a great place to have a picnic. The trailhead is off route 28, close to Kingston.
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Onteora Lake
More a walk than a hike, there are a few options for trails you can take around the lake. It’s also a popular spot for fishing and a great place to have a picnic. The trailhead is off route 28, close to Kingston.
The firetower at the top of this hike will give you some of the most spectacular views of the Catskills mountains and surrounding areas. The hike is moderate, but should be avoided in winter as it can get icey. The trailhead is located in Woodstock.
108 recommandé par les habitants
Overlook Mountain Trailhead
353 Meads Mountain RdThe firetower at the top of this hike will give you some of the most spectacular views of the Catskills mountains and surrounding areas. The hike is moderate, but should be avoided in winter as it can get icey. The trailhead is located in Woodstock.
This hike near Big Indian is fairly strenuous as it can be steep, but quite short (roughly 2 miles) so definitely worth it for the crazy views from the ledge. There are a few spots to stop and rest at the ledge, but it can get crowded in peak season. (It is also possible to extend your hike to cover Panther Mountain. This adds a few miles and ups the difficulty.)
81 recommandé par les habitants
Giant Ledge
This hike near Big Indian is fairly strenuous as it can be steep, but quite short (roughly 2 miles) so definitely worth it for the crazy views from the ledge. There are a few spots to stop and rest at the ledge, but it can get crowded in peak season. (It is also possible to extend your hike to cover Panther Mountain. This adds a few miles and ups the difficulty.)
This easy hike is harder to drive to than it is to complete (the last few hundred feet to the parking lot are not paved), but the waterfall is a great destination as you can jump in and cool off on a hot summer day.
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Vernooy Kill Falls
This easy hike is harder to drive to than it is to complete (the last few hundred feet to the parking lot are not paved), but the waterfall is a great destination as you can jump in and cool off on a hot summer day.
Our go-to swim spot is the Big Deep in Woodstock. This lovely little lagoon is surrounded by forest, and is just a few minutes stroll from the roadside pull-off for parking. Driving down 212, look for Casablanca Lane. Do not turn off here as this is a private road, but directly following you will find a parking lot for the swimming hole.
80 recommandé par les habitants
Big Deep
Our go-to swim spot is the Big Deep in Woodstock. This lovely little lagoon is surrounded by forest, and is just a few minutes stroll from the roadside pull-off for parking. Driving down 212, look for Casablanca Lane. Do not turn off here as this is a private road, but directly following you will find a parking lot for the swimming hole.
This major NY ski resort is a 45 minute drive from the house, and offers 50+ trails, 12 lifts, and no less than 6 terrain parks. Night skiing is possible on a limited number of trails.
515 recommandé par les habitants
Windham Mountain Resort
19 Resort Dr This major NY ski resort is a 45 minute drive from the house, and offers 50+ trails, 12 lifts, and no less than 6 terrain parks. Night skiing is possible on a limited number of trails.
Less than 40 minutes from the Blue House, Hunter Mountain is currently undergoing expansion and will be adding 5 new trails and a new lift for the upcoming ski season. In summer Hunter mountain is also well known for their Zipline Canopy tours.
892 recommandé par les habitants
Hunter Mountain
Less than 40 minutes from the Blue House, Hunter Mountain is currently undergoing expansion and will be adding 5 new trails and a new lift for the upcoming ski season. In summer Hunter mountain is also well known for their Zipline Canopy tours.
Town of Olive Community Pool is just down the road in Olive park, and is open from Memorial Day through Labor day. You can buy day passes for the pool from the lifeguards on duty, but you’ll need to bring cash.
Olive Town Pool
45 Watson Hollow RdTown of Olive Community Pool is just down the road in Olive park, and is open from Memorial Day through Labor day. You can buy day passes for the pool from the lifeguards on duty, but you’ll need to bring cash.
The closest to the Blue house, this local ski resort has recently undergone major upgrades such as the installation of the Catskills Thunder gondola and the opening of additional trails. Ski passes are reasonably priced, with student passes and discounts during the week. Rentals available onsite.
604 recommandé par les habitants
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center
181 Galli Curci RdThe closest to the Blue house, this local ski resort has recently undergone major upgrades such as the installation of the Catskills Thunder gondola and the opening of additional trails. Ski passes are reasonably priced, with student passes and discounts during the week. Rentals available onsite.
This ski center in Tannersville prepares more than 20 miles of trails each winter, all of which are patrolled by the National Ski Patrol. Rentals are available onsite on weekends and holiday weeks, and they also offer lessons.
36 recommandé par les habitants
Mountain Trails Cross Country
6198 Main StThis ski center in Tannersville prepares more than 20 miles of trails each winter, all of which are patrolled by the National Ski Patrol. Rentals are available onsite on weekends and holiday weeks, and they also offer lessons.
Food Scene
Marty’s is our local country store with simple breakfast and lunch options, and the basics (and let’s just be clear that here the basics include artisan maple syrup and handmade soaps). They close at 4pm.
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Marty's Mercantile
4075 NY-28AMarty’s is our local country store with simple breakfast and lunch options, and the basics (and let’s just be clear that here the basics include artisan maple syrup and handmade soaps). They close at 4pm.
This old-school roadside diner is highly instagrammable, you’ll recognize the camper van logo when you see it. Given the level of hype, the wait for a table can be long on the weekends though they’ve recently added an outside area with a limited menu to manage the overflow. The Bloody Marys and bourbon milkshake come highly recommended, though a DD is mandatory as they both pack a punch.
597 recommandé par les habitants
Phoenicia Diner
5681 NY-28This old-school roadside diner is highly instagrammable, you’ll recognize the camper van logo when you see it. Given the level of hype, the wait for a table can be long on the weekends though they’ve recently added an outside area with a limited menu to manage the overflow. The Bloody Marys and bourbon milkshake come highly recommended, though a DD is mandatory as they both pack a punch.
This is a lovely Italian spot in Woodstock which has a wrap-around porch for outside seating in summer, great food, wine and cocktails. Sister restaurant Market Street is across the Hudson in one of our favorite towns - Rhinebeck. We’d highly recommend a visit.
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Cucina
109 Mill Hill Rd This is a lovely Italian spot in Woodstock which has a wrap-around porch for outside seating in summer, great food, wine and cocktails. Sister restaurant Market Street is across the Hudson in one of our favorite towns - Rhinebeck. We’d highly recommend a visit.
Their housemade bread is to die for, and if you’re a carnivore the short ribs are better than my grandma’s, no joke. There is a play area for kids, and they even have a little campfire outside with all the fixings for smores. Not far from Belleayre, this is a great spot to stop after a long day of skiing.
440 recommandé par les habitants
Peekamoose
8373 NY-28 Their housemade bread is to die for, and if you’re a carnivore the short ribs are better than my grandma’s, no joke. There is a play area for kids, and they even have a little campfire outside with all the fixings for smores. Not far from Belleayre, this is a great spot to stop after a long day of skiing.
Great little lunch spot in Woodstock. If you’re spending the afternoon strolling around town and visiting the local shops, make sure to set aside time for a pitstop.
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Shindig
1 Tinker StGreat little lunch spot in Woodstock. If you’re spending the afternoon strolling around town and visiting the local shops, make sure to set aside time for a pitstop.
Great sandwich menu, just a quick 10 minute drive from the house in nearby Boiceville.
Good's Luncheonette
4125 NY-28Great sandwich menu, just a quick 10 minute drive from the house in nearby Boiceville.
This upstate bakery chain has started making its way into farmers markets in the city for a reason. A great place to stop for sandwiches and coffee, don’t forget to buy a loaf (or 8) of bread to take home with you. The closest outposts to the Blue House are in nearby Boiceville and Woodstock.
156 recommandé par les habitants
Bread Alone Bakery
3962 NY-28 This upstate bakery chain has started making its way into farmers markets in the city for a reason. A great place to stop for sandwiches and coffee, don’t forget to buy a loaf (or 8) of bread to take home with you. The closest outposts to the Blue House are in nearby Boiceville and Woodstock.
Essentials
About 25 minutes away in Stone Ridge, Emmanuel’s is our day-to-day grocery store. They’ll have all your basics, a great deli counter, and a solid organic fruit and veg selection, not to mention a small section that caters to anyone with dietary restrictions (gluten, dairy etc.) in the back of the store.
In the same square you’ll find a local wine shop with a decent selection and good prices.
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Emmanuel's Market Place
3853 Main StAbout 25 minutes away in Stone Ridge, Emmanuel’s is our day-to-day grocery store. They’ll have all your basics, a great deli counter, and a solid organic fruit and veg selection, not to mention a small section that caters to anyone with dietary restrictions (gluten, dairy etc.) in the back of the store.
In the same square you’ll find a local wine shop with a decent selection and good prices.
This is the closest grocery store to the house, and is useful when you’ve forgotten a key ingredient. We do not recommend doing your full grocery run here though, it caters to weekenders in the area and is accordingly fairly overpriced compared to your other options.
117 recommandé par les habitants
Boiceville Supermarket
4099 NY-28This is the closest grocery store to the house, and is useful when you’ve forgotten a key ingredient. We do not recommend doing your full grocery run here though, it caters to weekenders in the area and is accordingly fairly overpriced compared to your other options.
This is hands-down the best grocery store in the region, the only downside is that it is a bit of a drive. Located in Kingston (roughly 40 mins from the house), Adams is a farmer’s market style grocery with fresh produce, a great selection of meats and seafood, even a small candy shop and a nursery.
216 recommandé par les habitants
Adams Fairacre Farms
765 Dutchess TurnpikeThis is hands-down the best grocery store in the region, the only downside is that it is a bit of a drive. Located in Kingston (roughly 40 mins from the house), Adams is a farmer’s market style grocery with fresh produce, a great selection of meats and seafood, even a small candy shop and a nursery.
This is your standard supermarket, right off 28 it is usually on the route home from whatever adventures you have been up to and a good place to stop by on the way if you need supplies.
257 recommandé par les habitants
Hannaford Supermarket
295 NY-375 This is your standard supermarket, right off 28 it is usually on the route home from whatever adventures you have been up to and a good place to stop by on the way if you need supplies.
Sightseeing
Phoenicia
Rhinebeck
Stone Ridge
Entertainment & Activities
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you can rent equipment for tubing or kayaking the Esopus river from Town Tinker Tube Rental in nearby Phoenicia. Note, this is not for the faint of heart! This is not a “lazy river” but a white water rapids adventure. It sure is fun though. :)
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Town Tinker Tube Rental
10 Bridge StIf you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you can rent equipment for tubing or kayaking the Esopus river from Town Tinker Tube Rental in nearby Phoenicia. Note, this is not for the faint of heart! This is not a “lazy river” but a white water rapids adventure. It sure is fun though. :)
Twin Star Orchards
155 N Ohioville RdA favorite apple picking destination in the fall.
A fun place to go with the kids, with minigolf, a giant jumping pillow, pumpkin picking hayrides, not to mention a small local market and fresh flower patch where you can pick your own bouquet.
169 recommandé par les habitants
Kelder's Farm
5755 United States Rte 209A fun place to go with the kids, with minigolf, a giant jumping pillow, pumpkin picking hayrides, not to mention a small local market and fresh flower patch where you can pick your own bouquet.
Drinks & Nightlife
Catskill Brewery
672 Old Rte 17