Fun things to do in Ulster County NY

beautiful view of the Catskill Mountains

Boasting upwards of 700,00 acres of pristine protected lands, it’s no surprise that Ulster County is a top destination for hikers eager to tackle some wild terrain!

No matter your skill level, from beginner to expert, the Catskill Park features 350 miles of trails, so you’re sure to find something fit for you.

Whether you’d prefer scrambling up mountains or taking a leisurely stroll alongside a rushing stream, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Ulster County’s wilderness.

Let’s explore some of them! They’re ranked in order of difficulty, from easiest to hardest, for your convenience.

Ashokan Rail Trail (ART)

Open year-round, this 11.5 mile hike doesn’t feature any elevation changes and is considered to be on the easier sides of Ulster…

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Ice Skating Ulster County

Where wild terrain meets stunning scenery and beautifully preserved open spaces, discover Ulster County.

Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes, lace up your skates, or give snowshoeing a try, there’s something for every outdoor enthusiast! From beginners to even the most experienced adrenaline-seekers, a thrilling adventure awaits all.

Ulster County is yours to explore, so what are you waiting for?

Ulster County Winter Activities

While there are many things to do in Ulster County, once the cold weather hits, these activities are sure to bring the heat.

Skiing & Snowboarding

If you’re looking to make your way to a mountain for some wonderful skiing and snowboarding, Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is just the spot!

Nestled in the…

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10 Great Reasons To Live In Ulster County, NY

A forever-wild landscape in Ulster County, New York, blends wild terrains, from mountains to meadows, with small town charm to create a place quite like no other.

With something for everyone, whether that be a location rich in culture, endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, or vibrant dining experiences – living in Ulster County, New York, has it all.

While there’s certainly no limit as to what makes this place so great, here are ten reasons to consider making Ulster County home.

1) An Art Lovers Paradise

Did you know that Ulster County is Hudson Valley’s center for arts and culture? In fact, it’s been home to the creative arts for more than 100 years, providing the area with decades worth of creations.

Discover Opus 40, a…

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Encompassing a wide area stretching west of the Hudson River between Albany and New York, Ulster County is a fantastic destination for enjoying the wild forests, charming towns, and many rich and diverse events and activities of Upstate New York.

This area of the scenic Hudson Valley is defined by rural valleys, small towns, and wilderness preserves just over an hour north of New York City. As such, it is a popular fall destination for families and individuals wanting to experience something wild, rustic, traditional, old-fashioned, or artistic among the colorful leaves of the surrounding trees.

From music festivals and art displays to museums and guided hikes, Ulster County has something for everyone in the fall months. Read on to find out…

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Upstate New York is an area long-famed for its agricultural riches and diverse range of agricultural products and businesses. From apples, grapes, pumpkins, and berries, to livestock farms with sheep and horses, this area is known for its charming pastures, orchids, barns, and more.

Ulster County is particularly rich in this regard, with extensive rural farming through the Rondout Creek, Wallkill River, and Hudson River valleys.

Many of these farms welcome and host visitors or families to partake in their farming activities, whether picking organic apples, gaining insight into the history of farming in the area, animal sanctuaries, and enjoying the natural surroundings. 

Known generally as “agritourism”, this broad grouping of businesses,…

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If you were to ask someone what the best thing about Ulster County is (we know it’s pretty tough to pick just one thing, but let's just say, for arguments sake…) we’re pretty sure that an overwhelming majority would agree that the natural features and scenic beauty of Ulster County is what makes it such a marvelous place. The natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley and the Catskills has been written about for hundreds of years, most notably by famous 19th century naturalist and author, John Burroughs. Burroughs wrote this on his view from the Slide Mountain summit in “The Heart of the Southern Catskills”…

“All was mountain and forest on every hand. Civilization seemed to have done little more than to have scratched this rough, shaggy surface…

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Ahhh, summer in the Catskills has finally arrived! The mountains buzz with the chatter of hikers and climbers, the Hudson River fills with kayakers and boaters, and the farm stands burst of abundant sweet corn, vegetables and fruits all locally grown in our fertile river valley. The natural landscapes and world renowned points of interest brings out-of-towners in droves to our quaint and idyllic villages and hamlets, all trying to get a taste of the sweet life in Ulster County. Weekends spent here are filled with plenty to do, whether you want to jam pack your schedule with fun festivals and events, or whether you’d rather take it easy, kick back and relax in the mountains or on the water, Ulster County has you covered this July.

Ready to discover…

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There is no better way to end a day of barbecuing, relaxing, and celebrating America’s independence with a group of friends, than with a bang - we’re talking fireworks of course! There are plenty of places within Ulster County that you can enjoy the grand illumination and sparkle of some top notch firework displays or, you may even be able to enjoy a ~small~ show from the comfort of your backyard. Fireworks are just the grand finale to an awesome day and Ulster County doesn't disappoint when it comes to fun holiday-related community events. And this year, with Independence Day falling on a Wednesday, the fun continues two weekends in a row! 

So if you’re looking to experience Independence Day in Ulster County like a local, pack a picnic, grab a…

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June can tend to be a busy month for a lot of people; between getting into summer mode, end of year school activities, graduations, summer camps starting, vacations, weddings, and can’t forget Father’s Day on June 17th... the month that we associate with the official start of summer can typically find calendars a bit frenzied. If you’re so lucky to find some time to yourself on weekends, you’ll find the Hudson Valley and Catskills too have packed calendars of great events for you to get out and enjoy! 

Whether you’re looking for a relaxed day by the pool, or an afternoon or evening of good food, drinks and festival memories, the summer in Ulster County, NY is just kicking off!

Ready to dive-in and have some fun this weekend?

Here’s some of…

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It’s beginning to finally feel like spring after what seemed like a never-ending winter! Trees are blossoming and the early spring tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are finally giving color to our yards after seeing so much of the white stuff for so long now. Here in the Hudson Valley, with the warmer weather, comes an abundance of events to give us a little break, keep our weekends busy and break us out of this past season’s extended winter hibernation.

Now that May has arrived, and with Memorial Day’s official kick-off of summer only a few short weeks away, there is plenty to fill our calendars with! Can’t forget that May 13th is Mother’s Day- but we’re covered there with some great events and things to do that Mom is sure to love too!

Ready to…

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