4 Reasons to Go to the Catskills this Long Weekend

Long weekend take you by surprise?  Worry not because there are plenty of things to do and reasons why to go the Catskills this weekend, from scenic drives to honey bee festivals, and I’ve already done the leg work and curated the top four picks for you!  Here are your top 4 reasons to go to the Catskills this weekend:

 

1. Leaf Peeping

 

 

This is the perfect weekend to get away and spend your long weekend in the Catskills, as fall foliage is predicted to be at mid- to near-peak!  You can keep track of the state of the transition at I Love NY and map out your tour of scenic routes.  Our most favorite view is from the Hawk’s Nest on Route 97 in Port Jervis, it’s a high, windy road along the Delaware River where you’ll have the most amazing views of the river and turning leaves.  This road has been used in many car commercials and of a popular route for motorcyclists (it’s the picture at the top of the post).

 

2. PumpkinFest in Barryville

PumpkinFest in Barryville is an all-day event with a little bit of something for everyone.  We attended last year and were surprised by how large the event is, there is live entertainment, contests (baking, costume, and pie eating for both adults and kids) and lots of stands with delicious food, antiques, jewelry, honey, and candles.  You can do it in a couple of hours or spend the whole day there if you want, there is that much to do.

PumpkinFest
Saturday, Oct. 8
10:00-5:00
Route 97 Barryville, NY
Behind The Carrige House
Entrance next to the Barryville/Shohola Bridge

 

3. Narrowsburg Honey Bee Fest

 

 

The Narrowsburg Honeybee Fest is billed as the event celebrating the amazing honeybee.  This is our first time attending but we’re excited because Narrowsburg is such a charming town and who doesn’t love honey?  My events in order of what I can’t wait to see the most include a parade, baking demonstration, a demonstration of how honey is harvested, a honey ice cream booth, and last but not least Marisa Scheinfeld will be there signing copies of her book, The Borscht Belt, at the River Gallery.  There also will be an attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for number of people dressed as honey bees and, as much as we are rooting for them in their noble cause, I think we’ll be showing up in our street clothes.

Narrowsburg Honeybee Fest
Saturday, October 8
11:00-5:00
Main Street, Narrowsburg NY

 

4. Jeffersonville’s Founder’s Day Oktoberfest

 

 

A two-day celebration of Jeffersonville’s German and Swiss heritage, Oktoberfest has live music, German and Swiss food, and lots of things for the entire family to do (pony rides, face painting, artisan vendors, and even alpacas!)  There will also be contests including frankfurter eating and tug of war.  Although I’m not a big beer drinker I am looking forward to the home made mustard and pretzels, apple strudel, and German chocolate cake.

Day 1 (10/8) kicks off with a build your own boat race that will race across Mill Pond, it’s not entirely clear if you build a toy boat or a boat that you actually get in, but I’m thinking it’s the latter because the site talks about a team that will be hallowing out a giant pumpkin and racing across the pond in that, which is something I would pay to see.

Day 2 (10/9) has a parade – they love their parades in the Catskills almost as much as we love going to them – and closes out the weekend with a Lantern Release in the evening.

There really are more things to do there than I can list or that you can probably fit into a weekend – horse and buggy rides, a Great Pumpkin Race, Bed Races, hair braiding, trampolines, and of course all sorts of beer and cider which is probably why most people are going to be there.

Jeffersonville’s Founder’s Day Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9
11:00-5:00
Main Street, Jefferson NY

If you do decide to make the drive up feel free to give us a call!