It’s no secret that upstate New York is teeming with charming small towns that go big on great restaurants, unique general stores, and more wonderful country experiences. While you’re likely familiar with Hudson Valley, this spring, the perfect small town getaway awaits further west, in Sullivan County.
Nestled along the Delaware River and the state border between New York and Pennsylvania, Sullivan County is home to many charming river hamlets. One that particularly stands out: Narrowsburg, New York. With a population of just 269 and a main street that only stretches a mere 528 feet, this teeny, tiny western Catskills town offers the perfect home base for exploring the verdant green surrounds. (In a past life, Narrowsburg was the preferred resting point for lumbermen as they rafted timber from upstate to larger markets in New Jersey and Philadelphia; today, it’s the center point for the Route 97 Scenic Byway, which winds right along the water.)
When you’re not exploring nature, in-town entertainment includes one-of-a-kind home design shops run by former Vogue staffers and the wife of a certain favorite 13 Going on 30 movie star, as well as gourmet pizza, snacking, and breakfast sandwich options. And if you’re visiting for more than a few days, there’s also fun to be had in nearby Cochecton and Callicoon, as well as across the water in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
So if you’re looking for the perfect small town spring getaway in the Catskills, know that you can end your search right here. We’ve rounded up the best restaurants, shops, and activities in Narrowsburg, New York, and have even included a few truly delightful overnight accommodations so you can extend your stay—or keep on coming back!
1
Grab a Cuppa
Open seven days a week, Tusten Cup is a staple for strong coffee and hearty egg sandwiches. Get your order to go—the balsamic-laced Truffle Shuffle is especially tantalizing—and enjoy alongside early-morning views of the Delaware River (pictured above).
2
Get Lost in Literature
At One Grand, bookseller Aaron Hicklin enlists boldface authors, actors, and other creative types to share the ten titles they’d want if stranded on a desert island, then stocks the shelves accordingly. (Who knew Tom Hanks loves A Gentleman in Moscow?)
3
Deck Out Your Dwelling
Main and Bridge Streets are stacked with one-of-a-kind home design shops. At Juliette Hermant’s 10,000-square-foot Maison Bergogne (pictured), you’ll find an ever-evolving selection of antiques and oddities artfully displayed in a former bus garage, while at Sunny’s Pop, Sunrise Ruffalo offers sustainably sourced curios such as handmade beechwood dust brooms. The lifestyle and interiors shop Nest is run by former Vogue Design Director Anna Bern, and, in nearby Callicoon, Spruce Home Goods has all the tabletop and pantry essentials necessary to create a cozy country meal.
4
Take the Long Way to Lunch
Twenty minutes north in Callicoon, Bà & Me owner Nhi Mundy (pictured) serves Vietnamese tacos and noodle bowls from a seasonal takeout window.
5
Buzz About
The care and keeping of honeybees is an important part of Sullivan County culture. While you’ll have to wait until fall for Narrowsburg’s annual Honeybee Fest, you can pick up a bottle of made-on-property Pollinator Vodka from Catskill Provisions in Callicoon. The spirit is distilled with wildflower honey and proofed with Catskill spring water.
7
Wade on In
Once the weather warms, adventurers can rent kayaks from Lander’s River Trips, while those looking for a more leisurely way to enjoy the water can float the day away in inner tubes from Lou’s Tubes at Skinners Falls.
8
Make a Furry Friend
At Buck Brook Alpacas in Roscoe, public and private tours of the family-run farm give you ample time to feed and hang with 100+ alpacas. There’s also an onsite 3-bedroom apartment should you wish to spend the night!
9
Take Happy Hour Outdoors
Ahead of dinner at The Heron, detour to Cochecton Pump House (pictured). Locals Jin Zhang and Dave Lieber recently reimagined the abandoned brick structure as an open-air gathering spot for live music and craft beer.
10
Relax and Recharge
At the 22-room Kenoza Hall (pictured), overnight guests can canoe the lake or indulge in a barrel sauna steam at the Hemlock Spa. Closer to town, Moonriver Inn is pet-friendly and offers four charming ensuite rooms, while just across the bridge, the new Hotel Darby has retro-inspired rooms and a great bar offering canned and bottled cocktails. Looking for a larger house rental? The 103-year-old Blank Farmhouse has modern-rustic style in spades.
11
Nominate Your Favorite Small Town!
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