Have a Blast in Sullivan County NY

Sullivan County in the Catskill Mountains of New York is a close neighbor to the Pennsylvania home of The Settlers Inn. Northeast of our Inn and across the Delaware River, Sullivan County NY has been a popular vacation spot since the 1800s. The area gained increased popularity between the 1920s and 1970s for the hundreds of resort complexes offering golf courses, social events and live entertainment. Today, Sullivan County NY offers all these things and more. Lucky for guests of The Settlers Inn, Sullivan County NY is an easy day trip from Hawley, so we suggest you take some time to visit these top places in Sullivan County during your stay.

Benji & Jake’s

Any visit to New York, arguably the pizza capital of the world, would not be complete without a slice of delicious pie. Skip the hustle and bustle of the city and head straight to Benji & Jake’s, less than an hour drive from The Settlers Inn. Brothers Benji and Jacob Friehling may have offered their first pizza creations from a wood-fired oven on an old jet-ski trailer, but today Benji and Jake serve customers from a beautiful restaurant and bar featuring two decks and a beer garden with views of the Kauneonga Lake. The Benji & Jake’s menu includes a multitude of unique pizzas, a variety of other fresh, natural foods from local farmers’ ingredients, craft beers, wines and specialty cocktails.

Bethel

Bethel NY may be best known for hosting the original Woodstock Music and Art Festival, but the town appeals to more than just hippies. With a deep appreciation for art and music as well as the beautiful outdoors, Bethel offers something for everyone. Fish for bass or trout on White Lake or enjoy the simplicity of an afternoon out on the water by motorboat. Visit the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods to gain insight on the social, political and cultural events of the 1960s. Or, catch a show at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. The Pavilion Stage amphitheater offers the unique backdrop of the original Woodstock Festival site, the majesty of the surrounding Sullivan County countryside and well known musical talent. Performers visiting Bethel in 2014 include the Zac Brown Band, Miranda Lambert and The Wailers.

Catskills Distilling Company and Dancing Cat Saloon

Down the street from the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts are the Catskills Distilling Company and the Dancing Cat Saloon. Start with a tour of the distillery where you will experience the workings of a New York State Farm micro distillery firsthand. Taste artisan distilled spirits with names inspired by the Woodstock legacy of the area, from Peace Vodka to Most Righteous Bourbon. It’s all about history, art, music and community at Catskills Distilling Company and its sibling bar and restaurant Dancing Cat Saloon. Located in a restored Victorian home, the Dancing Cat Saloon is known for its live music and great people. Don’t forget to snap a picture of their award-winning hand carved cats sign before you go!

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For your next stay at The Settlers Inn, plan a day trip to Sullivan County NY. You can start your day with a leisurely breakfast, read the paper on our terrace, and go for a morning stroll along the Lackawaxen River. In the late morning, take a scenic ride to New York where you can enjoy a NY pizza lunch at Benji & Jake’s, experience an educational journey through the town of Bethel, and taste craft spirits from Catskills Distilling Company and the Dancing Cat Saloon. Don’t drink too much of their Most Righteous Bourbon however; you’ll need to drive safely back to the comfort of our Inn where your private bath and plush microfiber robe await!

Photo courtesy of Nicholas A. Tonelli.