FAMILY TRIP: 3 Days in the Catskills — Waterfalls, Skyrides & Fall Foliage Magic

October in the Catskills is the mountains showing off. The ridges go gold, orange, and crimson, the waterfalls are framed in color, and Hunter Mountain throws its annual fall festival with chairlift rides over the canopy. This 3-day, 2-night itinerary hits the greatest hits — a waterfall, a skyride, a fall festival, and the artsy village of Woodstock — with drive times that are gentle enough for little kids and a toddler.

## 🗺️ Itinerary

Day 1 — Waterfalls & Woodstock. Arrive via scenic Route 23A (the Kaaterskill Clove), hike to Kaaterskill Falls, then wander the shops of Woodstock village. Overnight near Woodstock or Hunter.

Day 2 — Hunter Mountain fall festival. Spend the day at Colors in the Catskills (October 17–18 is the "Costume Takeover" finale weekend — spooky fun to close the fall season), ride the Scenic SkyRide to the 3,200-foot summit, and let the kids join the lawn games. Overnight in Hunter/Phoenicia.

Day 3 — Farm animals & the slow drive home. Visit the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, browse a farmers market or flea market, and head home via the foliage-lined route you came.

## 📍 Stops

Kaaterskill Falls — Haines Falls, NY. One of New York's tallest waterfalls at 260 feet, and an absolute must in autumn. Park at the Laurel House Road lot (o

## 🚗 Drive Times

- Bergen County → Kaaterskill Falls: about 2.5 hours via I-87 and Route 23A. This is the longest leg — leave after an early lunch or plan a rest stop.

- Kaaterskill Falls → Woodstock: about 40 minutes.

- Woodstock → Hunter Mountain: about 25–30 minutes along scenic Route 28.

- Hunter → Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary: about 35–40 minutes (overnight stop between Days 2 and 3 if you stay in Hunter).

- Overnight stops: Night 1 in/near Woodstock or Hunter; Night 2 in Hunter/Phoenicia. The drive between Day 2 and Day 3's stops is short — no long hauls with a tired toddler.

## 🏨 Where to Stay

Book early — October weekends in the Catskills sell out. Family-friendly options cluster around three areas:

- Hunter / Tannersville: the closest base for Day 2's mountain activities — lodges and inns with pools and game rooms are a godsend with little kids after a day outdoors.

- Phoenicia: a small river town with cabin rentals and family-run motels, about 15–20 minutes from Hunter.

- Woodstock: inns and vacation rentals in the village — best for Day 1, with walkable dinner options.

Look for places with kitchens or kitchenettes (heating up toddler meals at odd hours is a lifesaver) and laundry access for three days of fall mud and cider spills.

## 👶 Toddler Travel Tips

- Do the falls hike first thing. Kaaterskill Falls parking fills by late morning on October weekends — an early arrival means an easy lot, a short hike, and a toddler who isn't melting down in a crowd.

- Bring a carrier, not just a stroller. The upper platform trail is fine, but the falls area and festival lawns are uneven — a hiking carrier saves the day.

- Layer like it's winter-light. Mountain mornings are chilly in mid-October; peel layers as the day warms. Hats and gloves live in the daypack "just in case."

- Pack the snacks, then pack more. Cider donuts and festival food are treats, not lunch plans — keep a steady supply of familiar snacks for the 2.5-hour drive and between stops.

- Skyride reality check. The chairlift is 15+ minutes each way and riders must be 3+ and 36 inches. If your toddler is under the cutoff, one parent rides while the other explores the festival base with the little one — the festival itself is free and full of kids' activities.

- Plan the sanctuary for a calm morning. Animals + calm morning toddler = magic. Loud afternoon crowds are the opposite.

## 💰 Budget Tips

- The festival is free. Colors in the Catskills charges no admission or parking — budget for food, the Skyride, and souvenirs instead.

- Kaaterskill Falls is free. No tickets, no reservations — just gas and early arrival.

- Pack a cooler. One grocery stop on the way up (or a kitchenette rental) covers breakfasts and trail snacks for three days.

- Go this weekend (Oct 17–18). The festival's final weekend is the Costume Takeover — the most festive one, and the Skyride runs through Oct 18. After that, fall season at the mountain wraps up.

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons (freely licensed).

r the Mountain Top Historical Society lot on Route 23A) and take the short 0.4-mile trail to the upper viewing platform — easy enough for kids, with a spectacular overlook. The descent to the base is rugged (350+ steps) and NOT for toddlers — admire it from above and everyone stays happy. No admission fee; it's a state forest preserve. Arrive early on weekends — lots fill fast, and parking on Route 23A is prohibited and enforced.

Woodstock village — Tinker Street & Mill Hill Road area. The famous arts colony is 1.5 hours from Bergen County and delightfully walkable. Kids love Tinker Toys (a classic toy store), browsing the shelves at The Golden Notebook (independent bookstore), and the chocolate at Fruition Chocolate. For lunch, Phoenicia Diner is a beloved nearby stop with a kid-friendly menu.

Hunter Mountain — Hunter, NY. The centerpiece of Day 2. The free-admission Colors in the Catskills fall festival runs three October weekends (Oct 3–4, 10–11, 17–18, 2026), with the final weekend's Costume Takeover adding Halloween flair. Live music, Bavarian food, steinholding contests (kids' division too), keg rolling, and the Doxie Derby. The Scenic SkyRide runs the Kaatskill Flyer chairlift to the summit on Saturdays and Sundays (10 a.m.–4 p.m. through Oct 18) — riders must be at least 3 years old and 36 inches tall, so check your little one's height first.

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary — 35 Van Wagner Road, Willow, NY. A working rescue farm for abused farm animals — visiting is a highlight for young kids who love animals. School field trips visit here regularly, and the rescued animals are the whole point: gentle, happy, and up close.