Hannah & Sam
Hannah & Sam
Things to Do
We've compiled some recommendations based on advice from our helpful venue owner as well as activities we're interested in. Needless to say, investigate for yourself what else is out there, as there is plenty to do (and eat) in the area!
Downtown Roxbury
The cute and scenic downtown area of Roxbury has small shops, restaurants, and more to check out. Take a walk to Kirkside Park and check out the neighborhood's front-yard honey and soap vendors. Restaurants like Chappie's, The Fierce Grizzly, and The Old Mill have all been recommended to us.
Coffee and lunch at Watershed Coffee Shop, and perusing the local shops like Roxbury General (where you can also ask about renting bikes) are our personal recommendations.
Downtown Margaretville
The next-closest downtown area to Roxbury is Margaretville, another scenic small town that is easy to walk around in, perusing shops and eateries. We especially love Home Goods of Margaretville for their outstanding selection of imported international foods and ingredients.
Recommended restaurants include comfort food at Binnekill Tavern, authentic homemade Italian at Tratoria Locale, and Picnic for grabbing breakfast or lunch.
Unique Local Dining
Phoenicia Diner
Twists on traditional diner fare makes for fantastic (and popular) breakfast and lunch spot.
5681 NY-28, Phoenicia, NY 12464
Peekamoose
A fantastic farm-to-table restaurant. While all guests are invited to a goodbye brunch with us here on Sunday, we recommend Peekamoose if you're looking for a great dinner spot as well.
8373 NY-28, Big Indian, NY
The Ark Bowl
Bowling and BBQ at a 1950's-style old fashioned bowling alley.
42366 State Highway 28, Arkville NY
Rockland Cider Works
Highly recommended local cidery with mountain views, with live music on certain nights (check the schedule!)
193 Stryker Rd, Gilboa, NY 12076
Unique Catskills Experiences
Hobart Book Village
The rural town of Hobart, about 20 miles drive from Roxbury, houses a string of independent booksellers all located on the same street. It’s an old book lovers’ heaven. http://www.hobartbookvillage.com/
Catskill Mountain Wood
Like ax-throwing but in a forest, learn how to chop wood from a professional. Optionally add on a Catskill safari tour, and owner Allan will show you how he manages environmental conservation across 260 acres of pastures and forests.
Rail Explorers - The Catskills
A rail explorer is a pedal powered vehicle that rides on railroad tracks. Although the rail explorers require pedaling, the magic of steel wheels on steel rails makes the experience very different from riding a regular bicycle. There is no need to carefully watch the road ahead, there is no need to steer and riding is hands free - making it easy to take photographs and video as you roll along. Choose either the Tandem Rail Explorer (2 seats) or Quad Rail Explorer (4 seats) for your ride.
Delaware Ulster Rail Ride
Hop aboard this vintage train and unwind for a leisurely excursion along the bucolic scenery of our Catskills area. Also offering special events like staged train robberies and twilight rides.
43510 State Highway 28, Arkville, NY 12406
Scenic Gondola Rides
BELLEAYRE – SCENIC GONDOLA RIDES
Take the Catskill Thunder Gondola to the summit of Belleayre Mountain for breathtaking views of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Once you’ve reached the top, you can take a walk along the summit, have a picnic lunch, or just enjoy the peace and quiet.
181 Galli Curci Road, Highmount, NY 12441
Longest, highest chairlift in the Catskills. Beautiful views.
64 Klein Ave, Hunter, NY 12442
The Great Outdoors
On the Water
Bellayre Beach
Susan’s Pleasant Pheasant Farm in Halcottsville (4 miles from our barn) offers rentals of single or double crafts. Paddle away on Lake Wawaka, above the Pepaction reservoir, in the slow moving East Branch for a quiet scenic tour. Boat rentals also available.
1 Bragg Hollow Road, Halcottsville NY
THE BELLEAYRE BEACH AT PINE HILL LAKE
Swimming, picnicking, horseshoe pits, volleyball, basketball, row boat, pedal boat and kayak rentals, fishing.
51 acre deep lake in beautiful mountain setting, open for trout fishing year-round. 30 miles drive from Roxbury.
Hiking & Biking
Mine Kill Falls
26 mile trail on an amazing rail bed, preserving it forever as a beautiful and well maintained, easy and enjoyable hiking and biking trail. You can access the trail just about a mile north of the village of Roxbury.
5.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Roxbury that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching.
Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls and swimming hole. Minekill State Park is just beyond the Falls and offers an outdoor Olympic size pool, fishing access, and other amenities.
BELLEAYRE MOUNTAIN BIKING AND HIKING TRAILS
Belleayre Mountain’s cross country trail system has plenty of mileage to offer hikers and bikers. Enjoy miles of hiking, from challenging uphill climbs to the summit, to family friendly strolls in our cross country area. There are four easier trails and 5 more challenging ones.
The Fire Tower sits at the highest elevation of any fire tower in New York State (a whopping 4,040 feet). The seven miles round trip journey starts along the Spruceton Trail off Spruceton Road and is moderately difficult. The views from the top of the tower are truly something else.
A fun hike with some views to an eccentric set of mountainside carvings (referred to as New York’s Mount Rushmore). In Prattsville, 12 miles north of Roxbury on
Route 23.
As avid hikers ourselves, we recommend the app AllTrails to see what else is in the area.
Horseback Trail Rides
Try out a horseback trail ride through the Relay State Forest at the family-owned and operated Broken Spoke Stables. Contact them in advance to make a reservation.