SUMMER
Other than the typical winter sports, the summer abounds in all of the activities that we enjoy during the fall, winter and spring: hiking, biking, backpacking, mountain climbing, site seeing, etc..
But summer also offers many special events. Concerts and art shows are frequent in the town of Woodstock (half an hour from the Sundown Country Retreat). During the summer there is something always going on in Woodstock, not to say there isn't the remainder of the year!
If you decide to take a site seeing tour and you are heading up on Route 28 the World's Largest Kaleidoscope should be on your itinerary. Taking a ride, as you may have done in the spring or fall, during the summer, following the same route, presents a whole new scene during the summer! What were ski slopes and winter parks, become stages for concerts, fairs and festivals.
TUBING
Since the days of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn, the image of floating down a river on a hot summer day has always created a sense of adventure. We have always had a lot of fun with tubes in the stream in the backyard.
But for the more adventurous, located about 45 minutes from the Sundown Country Retreat is a five mile stretch of river that has become one of the most popular tubing courses around. People come from all over to ride the rapids and drift with the current as the Esopus Creek winds through the beautiful mountains and greenery of the Catskills.
If you've never tubed before, head for the Town Tinker Tube Rental headquarters on Bridge St. in Phoenicia, NY. There the expertly trained Town Tinker staff will rent you all the equipment you need, as well as giving you tubing instructions and safety tips.
Children must be over 12 years old and good swimmers.
SUMMER
SWIMMING IN SWIMMING HOLES
Remember the "old swimmin' hole"? Well many are still there and they can be lots more fun and naturally beautiful than a chlorinated swimming pool! The Sundown Country Retreat has its own private swimming hole, but for some real "chilling" excitement, The Blue Hole is really a neat swimming hole! Water rushes through gap in rock into a very deep pool. At one at end, is a rope swing that lets you fly out above the deep hole and when you let go, you plunge into the azure crystal clear pool. The Blue Hole is a little over a mile up the road from the Sundown Country Retreat on State Land.
HANG
GLIDING
On top of the Shawangunk Ridge, just outside of Ellenville you can stop at the overlook to watch the hang gliders do their thing. It's quite amazing to see them fly off the ridge and glide towards the Catskills. The gliders head for a landing spot in the valley, but are often "hang out" in the sky for hours.
If you would rather fly than watch, there is a school for training, in the heart of Ellenville that also carries all of the equipment you will ever need for this sport.
FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS - (20 minutes from Sundown Country Retreat) Ellenville, NY - Street Fair, parade starts at noon, and there are fireworks at 9:00 pm
Saugerties, NY-(an hour from Sundown Country Retreat) always has a grand celebration with many events and fireworks.
Monticello Raceway generally has a splendid display of fireworks, as well as the City of Kingston. Most of the large towns in the Catskills celebrate the forthcoming summer on the Fourth of July with some type of festivity. These are just a few suggestions.
Monticello Raceway now offers Racino Gambling.
MOUNTAIN CULTURE FESTIVAL
Film, music displays, arts and vendors. Expected to be the most representative mountain culture festival in the Northeast. Presented by the Catskill Mountain Foundation.
ULSTER COUNTY FAIR Usually the last week in July.
Fair opening is on Tuesday, gates open at 4pm. One Low $10 Price - Includes rides, entertainment, exhibits, and fireworks.
MOUNTAIN BIKING - Guided Tours at Hunter Mountain You can rent a bike and lift access to incredible trains. A great way to spend the day.
ZOOM FLUME WATER PARK - Opens the end of June -Sept
CATSKILL GAME FARM -Open May 1- Oct 31 518 678 9595
COLE PALEN'S OLD RHINEBECK AERODROME
FENIMORE ART MUSEUM
GOLF
-
Colonial Golf Course- 518 589 9807.
Blackhead MTN. Country Club- 518 622 3157.
Hanah Country Club- 914 586 4849.
Katsbaan Golf Club- 914 246 8182.
Catskill Golf Club- 518 943 0302.
Ingelside Golf Club- 518 966 5316.
Rainbow Golf Course- 518 626 2513.
Sunny Hill Golf Course-518 634 7642.
Thunderbird Golf Club- 518 634 7816.
Rip Van Winkle Country Club-518 678 9779.
OTHER
CATSKILL SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Miniature Golf
Festivals
Train Rides
Bluegrass Festivals
Summer Concerts
Arcades and Moto-cross
Flea Markets
Balloon Festival
Local Artist and Craftsmen Shows
Chairlift Rides
Antiquing
Auctions
Lighthouse Tours
Dozens of old villages to explore
Katterskill Falls
Paintball
For more information go to our