40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids

When you're up for a road trip, New York's Catskills offer a slew of great things to do for families. Whether you have young kids or tweens and teens—or all of the above!—you can enjoy hiking, camping, river rafting, and more.

Let’s start with the basics: Where are the Catskills? Covering 600,000 acres and encompassing most of Ulster, Sullivan, Delaware, Greene, and Schoharie counties, the Catskills are rich in natural beauty and historical significance. You'll find family-friendly skiing and picturesque resorts—including the sprawling Kartrite Resort—as well as charming small towns, like Saugerties, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Tannersville, and Delhi.

Most destinations are about a 2- to 3-hour drive from the New York metro area. Here’s a look at the 40 best things to do in the Catskills with the kids, no matter your family’s interests.

Looking for even more places to visit in your area and beyond? Check out our Guide to Day Trips and Weekend Getaways.

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Best Things to Do in the Catskills with Kids

1. Kaaterskill Falls

These waterfalls are a must-see while in the Catskills. If you have older kids, consider a hike—it’s steep, though—or you can check out the viewing platform, which is stroller-friendly.

2. Howe Caverns

This tour of the caves—which are 6 million years old—is truly unique and parents will enjoy just as much as kids. For a different twist, try the Family Flashlight Tour.

RELATED: 100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids

Skiing can come at a hefty price, but Belleayre is a bargain in our book.

3. Go Skiing

When visiting in winter, go skiing or snowboarding at one of the area’s resorts, like Belleayre Mountain, which we named best bargain.

4. Catskill Animal Sanctuary

Get up close and personal with the animals—from a pig named Amelia to a goat named Davey—at the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Kerhonkson

5. Bailiwick Animal Park & Riding Stables

For even more animal fun, visit Bailiwick Animal Park & Riding Stables in Catskill, where you can do everything from ride horses to see Bengal Tigers.

6. Largest Kaleidoscope

Head to the Emerson Resort in Mount Tremper to check out the world’s largest kaleidoscope, which is a whopping 60 feet tall. Bonus: Kids ages 11 and under enter for FREE.

7. Zoo Flume Water Park

Get your water slide fix—there are many—at Zoom Flume Water Park in East Durham.

8. Kartrite Resort and Indoor Water Park

Channel summer vibes all year long at the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Water Park, which also offers day passes.

9. Bethel Woods

Spend some time at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the former Woodstock site, which hosts various family-friendly events and activities like its annual Peace, Love, and Lights holiday drive-thru and Peace, Love, and Pumpkins at Halloween.

10. Catskill Mountain Railroad

Take a ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad­, which runs events all year, including the Bunny Express around Easter and the Polar Express during the holidays.

11. Attend an Annual Festival

There are lots of fun and funky festivals held throughout the year, like the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival in September and The Bagel Festival in August.

Best Outdoor Activities for Families in the Catskills, NY

12. Visit a Swimming Hole

Take a dip in a swimming hole—like Peekamoose Blue Hole. Just note that you’ll need a $10 day permit if you visit from mid-May to mid-September.

13. See a Drive-in Movie

Have some old-fashioned fun with a visit to the Hi-Way Drive-in Theater, where you can catch all the latest blockbusters.

14. See Outdoor Art

Opus 40 in Saugerties is one of our favorite local destinations for an outdoor art day trip.

15. Experience Epic Views

From June to October, ride the ski lift to the top of Hunter Mountain and take in the amazing views on the Scenic Skyride. While you're there, see what else you can check off our Hunter Mountain bucket list.

16. Go River Rafting

Try some kid-friendly river rafting on the Delaware River.

17. Buck Brook Alpacas

See the alpacas—and take a tour of the farm—and even walk a new, fluffy friend during a visit to Buck Brook Alpacas

18. Check out a Craft Fair

If you visit in May or October, check out Field + Supply, “a modern makers craft fair,” where it’s free for the under-12 set and dogs are welcome.

19. Go Camping

Pitch a tent (or rent a cabin) and camp at one of the many Catskills campsites in the area, like the Saugeries/Woodstock KOA. North-South Lake is another favorite spot for families.

RELATED: Sleep in a Lighthouse and More Hudson Valley Family Hotels and Resorts

The Catskills has all levels of hiking trails, many suitable for kids. Photo by Ally Noel

Fun Free Things To Do in Catskills, NY, with Kids

20. Take a Hike

There is no shortage of great hikes in the Catskills. One to try with kids: the Frick Pond Loop, which is an easy 2.2 mile round-trip route.

21. See a Lighthouse

Make a stop at the Saugerties Lighthouse—just be sure to check the water table before you make the short hike. Bonus: You can even spend the night, though that’s not free.

22. Ride Bikes

There are lots of bike trails to try, including the Milk Train Trail in Hurleyville, which is both flat and kid-friendly.

23. Spot the Doves

If you prefer walking to riding, consider walking the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail, where kids can see 50 hand-painted dove sculptures, which honors Woodstock’s 50th anniversary.

24. Hit the Downtown

Towns like Woodstock, Saugerties, Callicoon, Roxbury, Tannersville, Windham, Cairo, and more have cute, walkable downtown areas to meander and check out the various shops and restaurants.

25. Go Snow Tubing

Make the most of the winter with a snow tubing adventure at one of the ski resorts, like Hunter Mountain.

26. Take a Drive

Marvel at the beauty along Route 97. Bonus: If the kids fall asleep, you get to take in the views peacefully.

Best Restaurants for Kids in the Catskills

27. Maggie’s Krooked Cafe & Juice Bar

Stop for a bite at Maggie’s Krooked Cafe & Juice Bar in Tannersville—the art on the walls is perfect for a game of “I Spy”

28. Hunter Mountain Brewery

Locally brewed beer for the parents and a full kids' menu for the little ones—plus a big outdoor deck where you can spread out—make Hunter Mountain Brewery worth a visit!

29. Last Chance Restaurant

Located in Tannersville, Last Chance Restaurant is a popular spot for American favorites. Don’t miss shopping the market while you’re there.

30. The Mud Club

Enjoy the fun outdoor scene along with bagels, sandwiches, and pizza at Woodstock's The Mud Club.

31. Cochecton Fire Station

A restaurant in a renovated firehouse? Cochecton Fire Station is a definite win with kids, as are their options, like macaroni and cheese and s’mores.

32. The Laundrette

With seating looking out onto the Delaware River plus pizza—with lots of great toppings—The Laundrette is a winner in our book.

33. Oriole 9

Oriole 9 is a great spot for a fun brunch, with dishes ranging from omelets and French toast to salads, sandwiches, and tacos.

RELATED: Best Biking Rail Trails near NYC: Get Your Rail Explorers Off-Road

Spend a winter weekend at the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Water Park. Photo courtesy of the resort

Family-Friendly Catskills Resorts to Book

34. The Kartrite

If you’re headed to the indoor water park at The Kartrite consider booking an overnight stay at the resort, which offers junior-, two- and three-bedroom suites.

35. Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

There's so much entertainment for families—from pools to sports courts to mini golf to an arcade—a stay at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Greenfield Park means you may not actually need to find anything else to do.

36. Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center

This resort in Callicoon, which has been open for more than half a century, features an “All-Inclusive Fun Stay,” where everything from breakfast and dinner to various activities is included.

37. Emerson Resort and Spa

Guests at this Mount Tremper resort can stay in either the Lodge or the Inn—though the Lodge, which features a family suite that can sleep up to six, is a good choice for larger groups.

38. The Roxbury

Head to Roxbury for a stay at The Roxbury, where the rooms are as fun as the destination.

39. Autocamp Catskills

For a different type of experience, try one of the accommodations at Autocamp Catskills—including an Airstream, Family Cabin, or glamping tent.

40. Vacation House Rentals

There’s no shortage of cool vacation houses to rent in the Catskills, and we've rounded up some very cool properties for families.

Originally published in 2019.

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