The Catskill Mountains, or the Catskills, is a natural area found in the northwest of New York City, to the southwest of Albany. It is a beautiful, sharp relief that was the result of years of erosion of a dissected plateau. This location, because of its beauty, has hosted a number of interesting tourist spots for everyone to enjoy. Here are some of them:

1. Catskills Forest Preserve. Covering about 300,000 acres, the highest point of this preserve is Slide Mountain, which has its peak 4,180 feet from the ground. The preserve has three streams that are ideal for fishing: Neversink, Willowemoc, and Beaver Kill.

2. Ted Martin?s Reptile Adventure. The site has a variety of reptiles on display, including alligators, turtles, crocodiles, and snakes. These are handled by professional trainers who are knowledgeable about the lifestyle of these animals. The trainers can even let visitors touch these reptiles.

3. Bronck Museum. This house-turned-museum has been known to be the oldest surviving residence in Upstate New York. Built way back in 1663, the house was furnished with Federal, Victorian, and Empire furniture, together with an assortment of glass, silver, and china. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking for a pleasurable place to stay in the Catskills Mountains region in New York? Then Hunter Mountain should be one of your prime choices. It offers one of the best terrains in the area. Hunter Mountain is also very convenient since it is just a couple of hours away from the Big Apple. It is also popular for its usual snow conditions making it a skier?s mountain. It also appeals to those who want to party during weekends. Indeed Hunter Mountain is an ideal place to stay both for nature lovers and party goers.

For those who want to run during the morning try the Heuga Express, then go to the Racer?s Edge, and the Quad as their opening runs, before hitting the Upper and Lower K-27. In the afternoon, going to the east side would be more recommended. Try the Minya Konka then proceed to Lower Crossover. Those who are bold enough can try the tough side of the mountain such as the Claire?s Way and the Outer Limits. Then close the day by going to the Heuga Express and Drop Off before going back to your hotel. Both courses offer good skiing speeds as well as hairpin turns that have fast but relaxing rollers.

However make sure you don?t stay in the high noon, and stay away from the major quad until the afternoon. Take instead the triple, the F-lift to the summit, or mix both courses. Read the rest of this entry »

Margaretville is where nature and pleasure meet. Located in the Eastern Delaware County within the Catskill Mountain region, Margaretville appeals to those who love nature and relaxation. It boasts of many hiking trails, swimming holes, waterfalls, reservoirs, and trout streams. Indeed this is what every urban dweller would like to have as a respite from the rigors of daily urban living.

Margaretville is located on the northwest of Catskill Park. Those who love nature have plenty of things to do here. First one can hike. Summer in this area is mostly spent just bringing along riding boots, hiking shoes, compass, and big spray. And to those who are tired of pools will be happy to learn that dips of choice here in Margaretville are ponds.

Guests can also spend their time trout fishing, and floating down the Eposus Creek, or hurtling down at Plattekill. In case the urge to go to the beach is still there, then going go the man made lake located at the bottom area of Belleayre Mountain is a good option. At night, the Belleayre Summer Music Fest is an event held at the ski slopes that no one should miss out especially those who visit in the months of July and August. Read the rest of this entry »

Windham is a quiet and small town in New York, which has its name derived from it being referred to as ?The Winy Hamlet?. It is known for having some of the best and most amazing hiking spots in the world. These trails are beautiful that they have been believed to inspire many painters and visual artists.

Nestled in the northern part of the Catskill Park, Windham is known for its three peaks all 4,000 feet high. But those who prefer not to scale these peaks may try other easier hiking trails. You can try to contact staff members of Mountain Top Historical Society for a series of easy to difficult hikes. Membership is not needed to avail of these courses.

As for lodging, a recommended place to stay in would be the Windham Mountain Inn, where you would be able to find a lot of diverse fun suitable for the whole family. It is considered as one of the lodgings there that are able to offer cozy and comfortable rooms for all kinds of travelers. On Windham Mountain, you would have three terrain parks and runs that would be suitable for all levels of skiers. Read the rest of this entry »