Accessible Travel Guide to Sullivan Catskills, New York

Just 90 minutes north of New York City is the Sullivan Catskills, a place that feels both peaceful and full of things to do. It’s a region known for forests, lakes, quiet towns, and some of the most famous trout streams in the country. This is also where the original Woodstock festival took place in 1969, and today you’ll still find that creative, artsy energy in small towns throughout the county.

Because the area is so spread out, the pace is slower here. Scenic drives, farm stands, breweries, easy nature trails, and little main streets you can wander for an afternoon. At the same time, you’ve got museums, live theater, outdoor concerts, and a growing food scene. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of place.

And now, the area has Accessibility Verified places. This mean expert mappers have visited hotels, restaurants, and attractions to measure important details. Why? So people with disabilities can view the information and plan a visit that suits their unique needs.

This guide covers the essentials: best time to visit, where to stay, what to do, what to eat, and how to get around.

Best Time to Visit and Accessibility

The Sullivan Catskills is one of those places that changes its personality with the seasons. Summer is when the lakes, small towns, and outdoor venues feel the most alive. Temperatures are nice and warm, averaging in the 70's and 80's Fahrenheit. Fall brings backroad foliage, local festivals, and the kind of views that make even a quick drive feel special. Spring tends to be quieter but really pleasant if you prefer cooler weather and fewer crowds. Winter slows everything down with temperatures around freezing. Think snow-covered forests, peaceful main streets, and a more relaxed pace overall.

Accessibility across the region is generally solid, especially once you get into the towns. Livingston Manor and Narrowsburg are two of the easiest places to move through, with curb cuts, smooth walkable stretches, and shops that are simple to enter without dealing with steps. Larger attractions including museums, arts centers, and historic sites typically have step-free access and accessible restrooms.

When it comes to nature, the experience depends on where you go. Some areas have wide, smoother paths and short accessible loops — the Mamakating Environmental Education Center and Lapolt/Creekside Park are good examples. Trails deeper into the woods or along riverbanks tend to get uneven quickly, so sticking to visitor centers and clearly marked accessible routes will make things much easier.

Where to Stay

Because Sullivan Catskills covers a big stretch of small towns, where you stay really shapes the kind of trip you have. Some places put you closer to arts and food, others are better for quiet nature time, and a few feel like full-on retreats where you barely need to leave the property.

Eldred is a great choice if you want a calm, upscale stay surrounded by woods. The area feels peaceful without being too far from restaurants or scenic routes. The Bradstan Boutique Hotel is a top accessible option here. With only 28 accommodations, it offers a quiet getaway with accessibility. They have roll-in showers with grab bars and seats, and plenty of turning space in rooms, bathrooms, and balconies. The outdoor pool with a lift is perfect for summer dips and the complimentary breakfasts is a nice bonus – among a plethora of other amenities.

If you’d rather split your time between small-town exploring and nature spots, places like Livingston Manor, Narrowsburg, or Callicoon make fun home bases. Each town has its own character with cafés, galleries, breweries, and easy drives to trailheads or viewpoints.

Monticello is the most convenient base if you want easy access to Bethel Woods, outdoor recreation, entertainment venues or Route 17. It’s one of the busier parts of Sullivan County, so it works well if you’re looking for a stay that mixes nature with restaurants and things to do. YO1 Longevity & Health Resorts is located here and offers a retreat-style experience. Think wellness programs, quiet grounds, and accessible rooms where you have the space to unwind.

No matter where you land, the Sullivan Catskills moves at a slower pace than bigger destinations, so you can't really go wrong wherever you choose to stay.

Accessible Things to Do in the Sullivan Catskills

Here are a few accessible things to consider doing during your visit:

The Museum at Bethel Woods

This is the site of the original 1969 Woodstock festival, and the museum does a great job capturing the music, art, and social movements of that era. Exhibits are immersive but easy to move through, and it’s one of the most meaningful cultural stops in the region. Even if you’re not a die-hard music history person, it’s a fun and engaging experience.

Catskill Art Space (Livingston Manor)

If you like contemporary art or just want something low-key indoors, Catskill Art Space is a great stop. The galleries are step-free, easy to roll through, and the exhibits rotate, so there’s always something new to look at. Livingston Manor itself is compact and very walkable, so it’s an easy add to a morning or afternoon in town.

Forestburgh Playhouse

If you’re looking for a night out, Forestburgh Playhouse is one of the most enjoyable spots in the Sullivan Catskills. It’s the oldest operating summer theater in New York State and has that classic, small-town playhouse charm.

The main theater is step-free and parking is close, and the grounds are easy to navigate as long as you stick to the designated walkways (some gravel areas exist, but they’re avoidable). Their summer season runs from June through August, with musicals, plays, comedy nights, and cabaret shows, so there’s usually something happening when the weather is warm.

Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum (Livingston Manor)

Even if you don’t fish, the Flying Fishing Center & Museum is pretty fascinating. It covers the history of American fly fishing, plus local river ecology and conservation. The museum building is accessible and easy to navigate, and most visitors spend their time inside the main exhibit areas. There are outdoor spaces on the property as well, but accessibility varies, so the indoor exhibits are the most reliable part of the visit.

Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary (Parksville)

A fun and heartwarming option. Arthur's Sanctuary rescues animals and lets visitors meet them during scheduled tours. This one depends a lot on weather — the ground can be soft or uneven — but they’re welcoming and do their best to make visits work for wheelchair users. If you’re into animal rescues or just want a feel-good stop, it’s worth considering.

Mamakating Environmental Education Center (Wurtsboro)

If you want nature without dealing with unpredictable terrain, Mamakating Environmental Educational Center is one of the most reliable spots. The visitor center is accessible, and there are short, manageable outdoor paths where you can see wetlands, birds, and open views without venturing deep into the woods. It’s a simple stop but a really peaceful one.

Where to Eat

The Sullivan Catskills leans hard into local food with things like farm stands, bakeries, cafés, breweries, and restaurants. Here are a few spots to keep on your radar:

Tango Café at HPAC (Hurleyville)

Tango Café is one of the easiest places in the county for a relaxed breakfast or lunch. The menu is simple but good with soups, sandwiches, pastries, and really solid coffe, and the outdoor seating (when the weather’s good) is a nice bonus.

Threshold (Livingston Manor)

Threshold is stylish but not pretentious. Think wood-fired dishes, seasonal ingredients, and a menu that changes often. It fits right in with Livingston Manor’s artsy, relaxed feel.

The Homestead Restaurant + Lounge at The Eldred Preserve

If you want a sit-down meal that feels a little elevated, Homestead Restaurant and Lounge is a strong option. The dining room overlooks the water, the service is thoughtful, and the menu hits that upscale-comfort-food lane really well. It works for either a date night, a nicer family dinner, or just ending the day somewhere cozy.

Catskill Brewery (Livingston Manor)

More of a “drinks + bites” stop than a full meal, but Catskill Brewery is worth including because it’s a local favorite and the beers are some of the best in the area. They usually have a rotating food truck or small bites, and depending on the weekend, you might catch a pop-up event, live music, or a seasonal release.

Events Worth Checking Out

There are many notable events to keep on your radar during the dates of your visit:

Peace, Love & Pumpkins (October)

Bethel Woods turns its grounds into a huge, creative Halloween experience with carved pumpkins, giant displays, and themed installations that feel more like outdoor art than “holiday décor.” Visitors love it because it’s playful, weird in a good way, and genuinely impressive after dark. If you’re already in the area during fall foliage season, this is an easy add to your itinerary.

Peace, Love & Lights (Holiday Season)

During the winter, Bethel Woods runs a drive-through light show that’s become a regional tradition. It’s the kind of holiday outing where you put on music, sip something warm, and cruise through tunnels of lights and huge displays. Simple, festive, and a nice way to break up a cold evening.

Forestburgh Playhouse (June–August)

One of New York’s oldest summer theaters, tucked into the woods and full of personality. You can catch musicals, concerts, cabaret, and special events all with that “summer theatre” charm that feels intimate and lively. It’s a fun night out whether you’re into theater or just want something different from the usual dinner-and-drinks routine.

Grahamsville Little World’s Fair (August)

Running since the late 1800s, this fair is peak small-town Catskills. Rides, classic fair food, agricultural exhibits, and a very local, community-driven atmosphere. It’s the kind of event where you end up trying maple cotton candy, watching a demo you didn’t expect, and walking around longer than planned because it’s surprisingly fun.

Visit Sullivan Catskills With Peace of Mind

Find hotels, things to do and more with verified, detailed and accurate info

View Accessible Options