The Perfect Itinerary for a Girls Weekend in the Catskills

New York State is filled with so many great locations to take a trip. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to go for just a day or a long weekend, it can be difficult to narrow down options. The state is filled with great food, unique lodging, state parks, and unique attractions to suit anyone’s style. Recently, I spent a long weekend in the Catskills with one of my best friends, and I want to share our itinerary with you. So here’s a sneak at our plan for a girls weekend in the Catskills.

Friday Night Festivities

Glen Falls House in Round Top

There are so many unique lodging options in the Catskills, from rustic to luxurious. For our girls weekend, we stayed at Glen Falls House, an old mountain resort with hipster renovations. The hotel and accompanying lodges have a mixture of hostel and summer camp vibes. There are lots of different activities right on the property, so you could honestly spend your whole weekend there. Filled with games, hiking, food, and nightlife.

Staying at Glen Falls House

The hotel sits on 47 acres of land consisting of some simple hiking trails and waterfall chasing. Inside the main house, there are several bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathroom. Our room had little more than our two beds, a nightstand, and a place to hang our clothes. The thought is that the minimalism encourages guests to get out and explore the property, with its natural beauty and lots of amenities.

Additionally, there are a few cabins and smaller lodges circling the main house that are perfect for couples or small groups. (And they are dog-friendly!) While the renovations that the new Brooklyn owners have done are modern, they are also minimalistic.

Glen Falls House Amenities

On the first floor of the hotel, you will find a full restaurant and bar, a gift shop next to the main desk, and an honor pantry. Inside the pantry is a small assortment of snacks, drinks, and premade meals. Guests mark down what items they take so they are charged to their rooms.

Behind the main house is a stunning wood-fired sauna, nestled right among the trees. A fire pit and several picnic tables adorn the front of the house. Across the street you will find the tavern, where New York City DJs and musical acts fill the summer weekend nights with music. There is a pool table, dance floor, and bar inside for guests to enjoy the night. A large in-ground pool sits off to one side. Several more tables, a large fire pit with Adirondack chairs, and cornhole boards are scattered behind the tavern. Two bocce ball courts flank the left side.

If you are looking for other unique places to stay in the Catskills, check out A Tiny House Resort in Cairo or the Starlite Motel in Kerhonkson.

A Beer to End the Night

Just around the corner from Glen Falls House is Riedlbauer’s, another cozy mountain resort. Riedlbauer’s is unabashedly German in every way. So it’s no surprise that they have a significantly large beer garden with a good selection of beers. The two of us headed over to Nussy’s Biergarten for one more drink to celebrate our girls trip. While we were there we got to listen to some live music as well.

Saturday Morning Hike

Breakfast at Circle W Market

As you get yourself ready for a day of hiking and exploring the Catskills, stop at Circle W Market for breakfast. This quaint convenience store/café oozes mountain charm. They serve a variety of coffees, teas, and breakfast items. The market itself is filled with snacks, drinks, games, souvenirs, and camping gear. We picked up some breakfast goodies, coffee, bug spray, and a fanny pack for hiking.

Hiking at Kaaterskill Falls

One of the main attractions in the northern Catskills is undoubtedly Kaaterskill Falls. The stunning two-tiered waterfall sits among miles and miles of hiking trails in the mountains.

Start your journey by heading over to the Tannersville Boathouse. There you can leave your car for the day and take the Kaaterskill Trolley around. You can take the trolley to the trailhead at the top of Kaaterskill Falls and work your way down the mountain. Finish your hike at Bastion Falls, then take the trolley back into the heart of Tannersville.

Exploring the town of Tannersville

After a strenuous morning hike, it’s time for lunch and a stroll around town. We ended up at Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café. I was impressed by their ample beer selection. Plus they had lots of options for lunch.

Once we had refueled, we did a little bit of window shopping at the antique stores and gift shops along Main Street. One of my favorite spots was Rooted, an adorable florist and plant shop. Then it was time to head back to our hotel to clean up for the evening.

Saturday Night in Town

Shopping and Strolling in Catskills

Saturday night we headed in the opposite direction from our morning adventures. This time we chose to explore the village of Catskill. Located where the Hudson River meets Catskill Creek, it’s quite a charming town. We did a bit of shopping, getting some goodies at the used bookstore, Magpie Bookshop, and the tea shop, Stinging Nettle Apothecary.

Then we stopped for a drink at Hemlock. Someone had recommended the cocktail bar to us, and we wholeheartedly agree with their suggestion. Hemlock had dark, cozy vibes, and delicious drinks.

While wandering through Catskill, we also had a lot of fun searching for this year‘s cat statues that are part of the Cat’n Around Catskill annual fundraiser.

Dinner on the Water

When it was time for dinner, we headed to Frank Guido’s Port of Call, another recommendation from a local shop owner. It was the perfect spot to relax after a long day where we could enjoy some delicious food and drinks with waterfront views. Everything about our experience at Frank Guido’s was stellar. The location, the service, the food. A-plus all around.

I enjoyed one of the nightly drink specials, made with pineapple juice and rum, while my friend sipped on a hibiscus margarita. For dinner, I opted for the panko-crusted cod. Served with a white wine sauce over a bed of rice, it was exactly what I wanted. My friend had an order of mussels bianco and a caprese salad, both of which were delicious. Of course, we ended our meal by sharing one of the most delicious pieces of chocolate mousse cake I’ve ever had.

After dinner, we made our way back to the hotel, where we grabbed one more drink from the bar and relaxed by the bonfire. 

Saturday Night in Town

Before we were ready to finish our girls weekend in the Catskills, we wanted to do a bit more exploring. So Sunday morning, we ventured out to some nearby resorts, and walked along the trails surrounding them. We ventured alongside the meandering creeks and lush forest. At Winter Cove Inn we discovered a waterfall underneath a covered bridge along the trail.

An Irish Breakfast

After our refreshing morning walks, we searched for a brunch spot to visit before our three-hour car ride. My search led me to McGrath’s Edgewood Falls in East Durham. Irish brunches are one of my favorite ways to spend a Sunday morning on a trip. And this one did not disappoint. Separate from their main restaurant and bar, McGrath’s serves breakfast in a little building off to the side.

Signs around the room and on the menu touted their famous Irish soda bread. So of course we started our breakfast with some. No lie, that was some of the most delicious soda bread I’ve ever had. Our server was delightful and attentive as we enjoyed hearty meals and lots of coffee.