Get in the car we’re headed upstate before summer to pretend we’re Scandinavian girls for a wellness weekend in the Catskills.
Scandinavians are experts at enjoying the cold weather — it’s a means of survival in the Arctic. The Scandi Girl Aesthetic has taken over TikTok, specifically the fashion trend. And, while a chunky colorful sweater is great for fighting off the winter blues, we could learn a lot more from the Scandinavians about hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). Hygge is the Danish concept of coziness and well-being.
This upstate New York getaway guide is all about finding hygge in the Catskills without hopping on a plane to Denmark or Norway.
The Catskill Mountains draw crowds in the summer and fall for its hiking hotspots and colorful foliage. In the slower seasons, the Catskills becomes a quiet retreat that’s perfect for a wellness weekend. A cabin upstate is only two hours away from New York City, making it an accessible escape from the noisy city streets.
While it’s not the most popular season, November through April is a great time to visit the Catskills to beat the crowds and benefit from more affordable accommodation. During the winter months of December to March snow blankets the mountainside and lakes freeze, creating picturesque landscapes.
In this guide, we’ll go over how to spend a cold weekend in the Catskills like a Scandinavian girl — complete with saunas, cardamom buns, and secondhand shopping.
Although this guide doesn’t feature outdoor winter activities like skiing or hiking, there are plenty of outdoorsy adventures to do as long as you have the right gear. Hiking becomes more accessible when the snow melts in late March. In this guide, we’ll be taking it slow with warm indoor activities.
Let’s get into it.
Where to stay
The Catskill Mountains cover a lot of area — it can take you over an hour to drive between some towns. The northern Catskills by Windham and Hunter are known for skiing in the winter because of their higher peaks. Along the Hudson River to the east, there are plenty of picturesque towns like Kingston and Hudson. Near Pennsylvania in Sullivan County, there are even more cute towns like Bethel, the location of the iconic Woodstock music festival.
Any of these areas would be great to locate yourself in. We chose Sullivan County to explore a part of the Catskills that is known for its shopping and relaxed vibe.
Quite honestly we chose our location based on one factor: a sauna. We searched high and low on Airbnb and VRBO and found the best cabin in Jeffersonville, New York. Hill House on Hubert is a Swiss-style chalet built in the 70s with a wood-burning sauna. Some extra perks at the cabin were the hot tub with a lake view, a real fireplace, and an extensive vinyl record collection. Book your stay at Hill House on Hubert on Airbnb or check out their Instagram.
When you’re booking your stay during the snowy months, you need to consider the parking situation at cabins. Many cabins have steep hills leading up to the house. We chose Hill House on Hubert because it was off a paved road with parking on flat land. Don’t be afraid to message your prospective cabin host before booking to see if your car will make it up a steep snowy hill. (If you rent a car with four-wheel drive you won’t need to worry about this.)
Weekend Getaway Plan
Friday: Cozy Cabin Night
Drive up in the early morning
Get in the car and leave New York by 7 a.m. to get to the Catskills before work begins. Even if you choose to take the day off from work on Friday, leaving NYC before rush hour will help you beat the traffic.
If you need to rent a car, you might want to rent it the night before your trip so you can just get up and go in the morning.
On the drive up, be mindful of speed traps on State Route 17 in Sullivan County.
Co-work at a cafe
Most cabins won’t allow you to check in until at least 11 a.m., so you’ll want to find a cafe to pass the time in. We had the best time co-working at Jeffersonville Bake Shop. They had delicious sandwiches, lattes, and sweet treats at affordable prices in an eclectic space. You can’t miss the bright pink building on Jeffersonville’s main drag.
Unlike the city, many cafes in the Catskills welcome laptops. Research the best place to co-work near your cabin or spend your morning at Jeffersonville Bake Shop like us.
Hill House on Hubert does allow early check-in for an additional fee.
Enjoy the cabin
The best part of a cabin trip is actually spending time in the cabin. We spent the afternoon enjoying each other’s company around the warm fireplace.
Dinner at home
For the first night, cook a family-style dinner at home. We made short ribs that were cooked low and slow throughout the afternoon. Make this recipe by doubling the ingredients and the cooking time. As a side, we made this creamy mashed potato recipe. It’s a cozy meal that’s perfect for colder weather.
We also made shrimp, salmon, and leeks for our pescatarian friend. (What can I say? We love to cook.)
I always like to confirm with Airbnb hosts what pots and pans are available in the kitchen. I’ll happily bring any extra kitchen tools I need from home like a microplane or even a blender. Luckily, Hill House on Hubert had a well-stocked kitchen.
I prefer to go grocery shopping in the city and bring up all the ingredients in coolers to the Catskills. Peck’s Market is a great grocery store in Sullivan County to get groceries at if you want to do your shopping once you arrive upstate. They’re a part of the same family that owns Foodtown, Brooklyn Harvest, and C-Town.
Sauna time
After dinner, we put on our bathing suits to relax in the sauna and hot tub, alternating between the two. A hot shower after a hot tub and a hot sauna is a winning combination for a good night’s sleep.
Saturday: Out and About
Morning stretch
We started our day with yoga at the cabin. Knowing this was on our itinerary, we packed our own yoga mats.
Brunch at home
We made brunch at home to fuel us for a day outside of the cabin. We made a spread of eggs, toast with lox, and pancakes. You could go all out and put together a build-your-own eggs benedict bar.
Explore neighboring towns
In the summer, you’d probably spend your Saturday on a hike or at a swimming hole. But, in the colder months, the cute towns of the Catskills offer refuge from the cold weather. The bigger, well-known towns often have a main street dotted with shops and cafes.
In Sullivan County, we explored Callicoon, Roscoe, and Livingston Manor. Callicoon was our favorite with a great selection of secondhand shops and a small bakery hidden in Spruce Home Goods. (This is where you can get your cardamom bun fix).
On our way to Livingston Manor, we made a stop at North Branch Cider Mill, a homewares shop with a rustic yet cool Catskills aesthetic. It’s a great pit stop for small snacks like candy and apple cider.
Other cute towns in the Catskills that are great for exploring are Hudson, Kingston, and Woodstock.
Dinner on the town
Because you are already out and about, plan to eat dinner in town. The Catskills is home to many highly-rated restaurants run by chefs who have moved out of the city. You just need to do your research to find the right spots around where you are staying.
We went to The Kaatskeller in Livingston Manor. This pizza parlor and bar serves some of upstate’s best pizza with cocktails. We ordered a few pizzas for the table and a whole baked trout. The neighboring town of Roscoe is known as “Trout Town USA” so we had to try the local fish.
After dinner, we went home for yet another sauna and hot tub session.
Sunday: Goodbye Brunch
Brunch on the way back to NYC
Before heading back to the city, go to brunch on your way home. Each area of the Catskills has its popular brunch spot. The most popular of them all is undoubtedly Phoenicia Diner.
But because Phoenicia Diner is over an hour away from Sullivan County, we went to The DeBruce in Livingston Manor. The DeBruce is a 12-room upscale bread and breakfast with an award-winning restaurant. At dinner time, the DeBruce charges over $200 for a tasting menu, but you can enjoy their delicious food at a fraction of the cost during brunch.
Brunch is available for outside guests from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for about $20 per plate. The views in the dining room alone make the journey to The DeBruce worth it.
From The DeBruce, it’s about a two-hour drive back to New York City.
Seasonal closures
During February and March, many restaurants take a winter break for a week or two. Check the website and Instagram of every restaurant or shop you’re hoping to visit, so you don’t arrive to a “CLOSED” sign.
Do you need a car?
Yes, you need a car. The best place to rent a car is near LaGuardia Airport. For a weekend trip, you can expect to pay around $300 for a three-day car rental.
If you don’t like to drive, you could take the Amtrak to a town along the Hudson River like Beacon or Hudson, but you would have a very different experience than the plan outlined in this guide.
Reply