Last updated: June 09, 2025
By: Ellery C., ACL Staff
For centuries, the captivating Catskill Mountains have seduced travelers, artists, and nature lovers with their endless appeal. Nestled a few hours north of New York City, this scenic region boasts an impressive history, rich folklore, and timeless natural beauty. Witness how generations, from 19th-century landscape painters to 20th-century resort visitors, have found respite and inspiration in the Catskills’ undulating hills and serpentine rivers.
If you join our Hudson River Summer Classic or Hudson River Fall Foliage itinerary, you'll relish the chance to explore this remarkable region. There are curated excursions showcasing historic landmarks, cultural sites, and captivating natural wonders prepared for you.
The Catskills are situated in southeastern New York, bordered by the Hudson River to the east and the Delaware River to the southwest. These mountains, formed over 350 million years ago, are technically a dissected plateau, sculpted by prehistoric seas, glacial ice, and flowing rivers.
A three-hour trip from the Big Apple, the Catskills offer a convenient refuge from the city's hustle and bustle. Once on deck, you’ll bask in the expansive views and quickly forget your proximity to the country's largest metropolis.
Exploring the Catskills submerges you in a centuries-long chronicle. These mountains have played backdrop to an array of culturally significant events, including Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle and various profound artworks.
By the mid-1800s, the Catskills metamorphosed into one of America’s pioneering resort destinations. The advent of steamboats on the Hudson and railroads through the valley transformed the mountains into accessible vacation spots for New Yorkers. Grand hotels like the Catskill Mountain House and the Kaaterskill Hotel were a favorite for affluent summer travelers, offering fresh air, mountain views, and starlit dancing. Over time, boarding houses, bungalow colonies, and family-run resorts burgeoned, transforming the region into a cherished summer refuge.
The "Borscht Belt" is a term coined to describe a network of resorts in the Catskills that flourished from the 1920s through the 1970s. This thriving hospitality industry catered primarily to Jewish American families during a period when societal prejudices often excluded them from many vacation spots countrywide. Named after the much-loved beet soup, borscht, it reflects the resorts' predominant patronage’s Eastern European heritage.
The Borscht Belt offered much more than lodgings; they were self-contained hubs intertwining entertainment, dining, sports, and socializing. Renowned establishments like Grossinger’s, the Concord, and Kutsher’s provided full itineraries, including ballroom dancing, swimming, tennis, comedy shows, and five-star dinners. Famous comedians, such as Mel Brooks, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and Jerry Seinfeld, sharpened their skills here before packed audiences.
For mid-20th century Jewish families, the Catskills provided a safe and inclusive haven for relaxation, tradition celebration, and a taste of the American Dream. Today, even as many of these once thriving resorts have faded into history, the anecdotes, memories, and cultural impact endure as a vital part of the Catskills heritage.
The Catskills offers an abundance of experiences. Here are some must-visit highlights that you should not miss on your trip:
A visit to the Catskills is a remarkable journey, brimming with American art, culture, and landscape. From retracing the brushstrokes of renowned painters to exploring scenic trails and historic structures, the Catskills offer an enchanting experience you won't soon forget.
https://acts.cruisebrothers.com/cb/