Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/514590
34 | JULY 2015 nshoremag.com CONTACT greatnorthern catskills.com The Country Suite Bed & Breakfast 11365 NY-23 Windham New York 518-734-4079 country-suite.com PLACES Prime Steakhouse & Spirits and Brandywine Restaurant, which serves up hearty Italian fare like the hot antipasti, a platter packed with stuffed peppers, homemade mozzarella sticks, eggplant rollatini, clams casino, baked stuffed clams, and stuffed zucchini. Thought- ful touches, like chive-flavored compound butter and house-made salad dressings, elevate even the restaurant's bread and salads. For relaxed pub food or after-dinner drinks, head to the lively and fun Cave Mountain Brewing Company, which has great burgers, live music, and craft beers brewed on site, like oatmeal stout and blueberry wheat. As good as the food and beer are in Windham, folks don't just come to the Catskills to eat: They come to explore the region's stunning natu- ral beauty. Crowning the landscape is Hunter Mountain in the nearby town of Hunter, a celebrated skiing and snowboarding destination that in summer is just as beautiful. Take the Scenic Skyride chairlift to the top of the 3,200-foot-high mountain peak to find hiking trails, zip lining, and stunning views that reach as far as the Berkshire Mountains in Massa- chusetts. Trails meander all over the summit, and intrepid hikers might even stumble upon Rip Van Winkle himself, in the form of a life-sized blue stone sculpture of the legend- ary long-bearded snoozer, just wak- ing up from his 20-year sleep. Dominating the valley of the Catskills region is the mighty Hudson River, and there's no better way to experience it than on the water itself. At PaddleHead Boards in Athens, about a 30-minute drive from Windham, travelers can get a quick stand-up paddle boarding lesson from owners Mike and Carla before trying out their river legs. Novice boarders will soon discover that half the fun of learning the sport is falling off the board and into the river, and once they get the hang of it, they'll be eager to discover the Hudson's shores, islands, and inlets. Paddleboards, as well as kayaks, are available to rent by the hour, half day, or full day, so paddlers are free to explore as long as they like. PaddleHead also offers group paddle excursions and bike rentals. All of that paddling will cer- tainly work up a thirst, and a great après-paddle option is Crossroads Brewing Company, just around the corner from PaddleHead, which brews its own beers in a renovated circa-1893 opera house. It's a fun Located in an 1893 opera house, Crossroads Brewing Company brews its own beers. spot to sit at the bar with a cou- ple of beers and appetizers, like the standout homemade pretzels served with hopped honey mustard and cheese dipping sauces. The Catskills inspire not only athletes but also artists, and the region is renowned as the place where painters of the famed Hud- son River School art movement found inspiration. Visitors can get a glimpse into the artist's soul at the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in the town of Catskill, which preserves the home and studio of the Hudson River School's founder. A tour of the historic site encom- passes Cole's studio, gardens, and home, which features period décor and many of his paintings. On the house's sweeping, wraparound porch, visitors can take in the far-reaching rolling vista of the Cat- skills that Cole himself would have gazed upon every day. Although the White Mountains and Berkshires might be more familiar, North Shore residents will find that venturing into the Great Northern Catskills is a lovely sum- mertime adventure that makes for an easy weekend getaway. photographs courtesy of Crossroads Brewing Company