Great Northern Catskills of Greene County

Tourism promotion for Greene County in the New York Catskills

Great Northern Catskills of Greene County is the tourism promotion entity that represents and promotes the travel offerings of this region in New York State. Its scope covers ten towns: Hunter, Windham, Haines Falls & Tannersville, Catskill, Leeds & Palenville, Cairo, Round Top & Purling, Athens, Coxsackie & New Baltimore, East Durham, Greenville, and Prattsville. The organization presents itself as a gateway for planning stays in the region and gathers information on lodging, dining, outdoor activities, culture, and events into a single channel.

A territory organized into three regions

The entity itself divides its area of operation into three distinct zones. The Mountain Region is home to the highest peaks in the Catskills and is associated with hiking, skiing, and panoramic views, with references to Hunter Mountain and the Escarpment trails. The Valley Region is described as the cultural heart, with historic villages, arts communities, and a farm-to-table dining scene, as well as antique shops and galleries. The River Region, where the Hudson meets the foothills of the Catskills, focuses on a more serene experience: kayaking, historic river towns, and wellness retreats.

Outdoor activities and nature

The activity catalog includes hiking, winter sports, mountain biking, fishing, golf, boating and paddling, horseback riding, motorcycle touring, camping, and cycling. Among the natural points of interest are Kaaterskill Clove, waterfalls and natural landmarks, mountain areas, nature preserves, scenic drives, and scenic viewpoints. Golf offerings include nine different courses. Also mentioned are water parks, winter adventure parks for tubing and ice skating, a zoo, a raptor center, and an elk farm, as well as the historic Hudson-Athens Lighthouse and the Hudson River Art Trail.

Culture, art, and heritage

The entity highlights the area's artistic significance: the Catskills landscape inspired the Hudson River School of painting in the 19th century and served as the setting for Washington Irving's story "Rip Van Winkle," published in 1819. The home of painter Thomas Cole is preserved as a historic site, and the Hudson River Art Trail traverses places that inspired American landscape painters. The cultural section includes museums, historic sites, and art galleries. The region is also presented as a destination for performing arts and live theater throughout the year.

Lodging, dining, and shopping

Lodging options include unique stays, family resorts, hotels, bed & breakfasts, camping, and glamping, with associated packages. Dining offerings include bars and pubs, restaurants, diners, cafes and bakeries, breweries and cideries, and farm-to-table options. Shopping and markets include farms and farmer's markets, boutiques, artisan food and farm stops, and antique and flea markets, with artisan cheese makers and craft distilleries among the local producers.

Events, themed stays, and group trips

The programming includes year-round festivals, from fall foliage to winter sports, with music festivals, food fairs, and cultural celebrations. Summer concerts, theaters, and event hubs are announced. The entity segments its offerings by visitor profile: families, couples, solo travelers, dog lovers, and cyclists. For groups and businesses, it offers trip planning, weddings, conferences, and retreats. For weddings, it highlights three distinct regions for celebrations, from a mountaintop ceremony to an intimate riverside wedding or a wedding at all-inclusive family resorts and B&Bs. The corporate segment relies on meeting spaces, accommodations, and natural surroundings, and places the region about two hours from New York City.

Historical context and travel guide

The entity traces the area's origins to 1609, with Henry Hudson's exploration, and summarizes four hundred years of history. It recalls that the territory was colonized in the 17th century by Dutch and English settlers drawn by the fertile soil, that the river industry prospered, and that the Catskills became a significant cultural center outside Albany and New York City. By the 19th century, the region had established itself as a vacation destination for affluent New Yorkers seeking to escape the urban heat in the so-called "mountain houses." The entity publishes a free travel guide and maintains a newsletter about promotions, packages, and events.