SEE & DO
Phoenicia sits in the middle of the Catskills, which makes it an easy place to plan from. The Esopus Creek is steps from the Lodge, Belleayre is about 12 minutes by car and Hunter Mountain about 18. Some days call for a summit; others are better spent on a garden path or a village main street. Here is how to fill them.
GATEWAY TO ADVENTURE
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Lodge's location is hard to beat. Phoenicia Lodge is your basecamp for the best hiking, skiing, waterfalls, fishing and biking in the central and eastern Catskills.
Fly fish or swim the Esopus in summer, ski in winter, and head for the ridgelines when the leaves turn. There's no off-season here, only new ways to experience the landscape. We also offer guests half- and full-day bike rentals.
HIKE TO A CATSKILL VIEW
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Giant Ledge, Overlook Mountain and Mount Tremper each show the Catskills differently. Giant Ledge looks into the high peaks from a run of rock ledges. Overlook Mountain, above Woodstock, pairs a fire tower with a ledge over the Hudson Valley. Mount Tremper rises close to Phoenicia, with the panorama opening from its tower.
All three involve sustained climbing, so make one the main outing of the day. Our fall in the Catskills guide compares the routes, including an easier tower alternative, and it's useful in any season.
WATERFALLS & EASY WALKS
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Kaaterskill Falls is a two-stage waterfall in a steep, wooded ravine. From Laurel House Road, a 0.3-mile walk each way brings you to an observation platform looking into the gorge. The lower area is a separate, steeper outing, so decide on your approach before you arrive, especially with children, and stay back from cliff edges.
For a long view without the climb, the Ashokan Rail Trail runs 11.5 miles between Boiceville and West Hurley along the reservoir. From Phoenicia, start at the Boiceville end and walk or bike as far as the group likes. The reservoir supplies drinking water, so enjoy it from the trail.
CATSKILLS SKIING DESTINATION
When winter hits the Catskills, Phoenicia Lodge puts you right where you want to be. We're one of the few hotels conveniently located to both Belleayre and Hunter Mountain, so you can chase the best snow and terrain each day.
After a day on Belleayre's family-friendly slopes or Hunter's legendary terrain, come home to a warm fire in our Great Room and a good night's sleep before you do it all again. Planning a ski trip? Our guide to skiing Belleayre and Hunter Mountain compares the two mountains.
SHOPPING & DINING
Beyond the trails, Phoenicia and nearby Woodstock offer some of the best restaurants and shops in the Catskills. In Woodstock, start around Tinker Street and Mill Hill Road, where galleries, independent boutiques and cafés set the pace, and give yourself time to step inside wherever catches your eye.
Woodstock makes a good afternoon on its own, or pair it with a morning on Overlook if you're ready for a substantial hike first. Staying for the town? Here is our guide to where to stay near Woodstock. Closer to home, our guide to Phoenicia as a Catskills home base covers the village's food and the routes out of town. Stop by the lobby for our curated list of local favorites, too.
KID-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
here's plenty to keep the whole family entertained nearby. At Rail Explorers in Phoenicia, you pedal a red rail bike along the old railroad beside the creek, with electric assistance taking some of the work out of the ride. Tour lengths vary, so book a departure that fits the rest of your day.
Cool off at Belleayre Beach during its summer season, or step inside the World's Largest Kaleidoscope at the Emerson in Mount Tremper for a short, memorable show. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Catskill Animal Sanctuary.
At Mountain Top Arboretum near Tannersville, a wetland boardwalk and trails through gardens, meadows and forest make an easy outdoor morning without a summit. Closest of all, the Esopus Creek is a two-minute walk from the Lodge, with easy fishing and swimming.
PLAN YOUR STAY
Phoenicia Lodge puts all of this within reach from one address on Route 28. Rail Explorers and the village are close by. Head west toward Giant Ledge and Belleayre, east for Woodstock and Ashokan, or take Route 214 north for Hunter and Tannersville. Plan a big hike one day and a village or garden afternoon the next, without changing where you stay.
An inn room makes a comfortable base for a weekend outdoors, and a private cabin or a suite with a kitchen suits a longer visit. Traveling with your dog? Our dog-friendly Catskills weekend guide covers woodland hikes, trail walks and our pet-friendly stays.
