7 Charming Small Towns in the Catskills—With Retro Diners, Wood-fired Hot Tubs, and New York's Most Beautiful Waterfall, According To Reddit
The Catskills have had a quiet renaissance. What was once a faded Borscht Belt region has transformed into one of the Northeast's most coveted getaway destinations — and Reddit noticed first. Threads on r/catskills, r/travel, and r/NYCTravel are packed with accounts of jaw-dropping waterfalls, legendary retro diners, and cabins with wood-fired hot tubs that make every mile of the drive feel worthwhile. Here are the seven Catskills towns keeping Reddit buzzing in 2025 and 2026.
1. Phoenicia — The "Magical Little Town" Every Redditor Recommends
Ask any Redditor for their single favorite Catskills town and the answer is almost always the same: Phoenicia. Nestled along the Esopus Creek, it's a tiny, improbable gem that earns the region's highest praise.
The Retro Diner: Phoenicia Diner is not just a meal — it's an experience. Redditors describe it as "almost life-changing" and a non-negotiable stop for any Catskills visit. Open for breakfast and lunch, it serves elevated comfort food in a perfectly restored vintage setting. Get there early; the weekend line forms fast.
Outdoors: The Esopus Creek is the go-to for tubing and fly fishing, and multiple Catskill High Peaks trailheads are minutes from town. Redditors love pairing a diner morning with an afternoon on the water.
Stay: Cedar soaking tubs on forested decks are a Phoenicia Airbnb specialty. Book months ahead — these fill up fast.
2. Tannersville & Kaaterskill Falls — Home to New York's Most Beautiful Waterfall
No Catskills list is complete without Tannersville, and the reason is minutes away: Kaaterskill Falls. At 260 feet, it is the tallest two-tiered waterfall in New York State — and what many Redditors simply call the most beautiful waterfall they've ever seen.
The Falls: The hike is moderate and well-marked. A viewing platform at the base puts both tiers in full view. Go early on weekends to beat the crowds; fall foliage season makes the scene almost impossibly beautiful.
The Town: Tannersville's compact downtown has boutique shops and the celebrated Rip Van Winkle Brewing — consistently recommended for a post-hike craft pint. The nearby MountainTop Arboretum offers 178 acres of native trees and meadows with sweeping mountain views.
Stay: Scribner's Lodge near Hunter Mountain earns top Reddit ratings for "The Rounds" — private circular suites with outdoor cedar soaking tubs, the definitive wood-fired Catskills luxury experience.
3. Woodstock — The Iconic Artistic Soul of the Catskills
Woodstock has gentrified. The tie-dye crowd has given way to boutique hotels and wine bars. And yet, Redditors keep recommending it — because the soul is genuinely still there.
Art & Culture: The village green, independent galleries, record shops, and live music scene create a creative atmosphere unlike anywhere else in the Catskills. It's also one of the few truly walkable towns in the region.
Outdoors: Overlook Mountain is Woodstock's headline hike — a steady climb finishing at a restored fire tower with sweeping Catskills panoramas. Reddit's r/hiking consistently rates it among the region's best moderate hikes.
Eat: Silvia earns praise for farm-driven cuisine, Tinker St. Tavern for a relaxed local meal, and Woodstock Brewing (near Phoenicia/Mt Tremper) is the Reddit-approved craft beer stop for any Woodstock itinerary.
4. Windham — The Gem of the Catskills With a Perfect Main Street
Windham consistently earns the "gem of the Catskills" title on Reddit. Quaint, walkable, and refreshingly unhurried, it's the kind of small town that makes you slow down immediately.
Main Street: Boutique shopping, coffee at Higher Grounds, and solid dining at Windham Local define the downtown strip. Redditors flag Clutch and Throttle as a reliable bar with genuine local character.
Outdoors: Windham High Peak is a rewarding trail with panoramic views. CD Lane Park delivers swimming, fishing, and kayaking on a beautiful reservoir. Reddit's mountain biking community specifically praises Windham's trail network for variety and quality.
Stay: Filter your Airbnb search specifically for cedar soaking tubs and outdoor fire pits — Windham has strong options and they're worth prioritizing.
5. Hunter — Ski Town With Year-Round Mountain Soul
Hunter is best known for skiing, but Redditors have discovered it rewards visits in every season. Hunter Mountain anchors the town, and the energy shifts naturally from winter ski crowds to summer hikers and fall foliage enthusiasts.
Outdoors: The Hunter–Tannersville corridor grants easy access to Kaaterskill Falls, Blackhead Mountain, and the notorious Devil's Path — one of the Catskills' most challenging and rewarding multi-peak traverses.
Eat & Drink: Fellows Cafe is a Reddit favorite for coffee, fresh pastries, and sandwiches — the low-key local gem every great mountain town needs. Restaurants and bars along Route 23A keep things lively well past ski-lift hours.
Stay: The new Henson Hotel in Hensonville earns Reddit buzz for its on-site diner Day June, cozy rooms, and an outdoor wood-fired soaking setup that feels tailor-made for a Catskills weekend.
6. Livingston Manor — The Quietly Cool Town Reddit Discovered Early
Livingston Manor in Sullivan County operates at a different frequency than the busier mountain towns to the east. It's quieter, less polished, and increasingly loved for exactly those reasons.
Vibe: Reddit calls it the Catskills before the crowds arrived — independent shops, a growing arts presence anchored by the Lumberyard complex, and a community that feels genuinely local rather than tourism-curated.
Outdoors: The Beaverkill River running through the area is legendary among fly fishing enthusiasts and repeatedly celebrated on Reddit as one of the finest trout streams in the entire Northeast.
Eat: Covered Bridge Hometown Market is the Reddit go-to for stocking up before a cabin stay. Sit-down dining options are intimate and genuine — exactly what Livingston Manor regulars come for.
7. Andes — The Tiny Town Redditors Can't Stop Mentioning
Andes is the Catskills town you'd never find unless someone told you to look. Population under 1,500. One main road. And somehow, one of the most charming places in the entire region.
Why Reddit Loves It: Andes has held onto the relaxed, unpretentious character that many Catskills towns have slowly lost. Redditors describe it as the perfect crowd antidote — a place to breathe, walk, eat well, and do nothing in particular at a leisurely pace.
Eat & Drink: The Andes Hotel, a beautifully preserved 1850s property, anchors town with a restaurant and bar Redditors recommend for its character and reliable quality. Brushland Eating House earns equal praise for inventive farm-to-table cooking in an intimate setting.
Stay: The surrounding countryside has excellent cabin rentals with wood-fired hot tubs and fire pits. Andes is an ideal quiet base for exploring the western Delaware County Catskills without the crowds.
Plan Your Catskills Trip
All seven towns are 2–3 hours from New York City by car. The Catskills are a driving region — public transit is essentially nonexistent once you leave the train station.
Best Time to Visit: Fall (late September–October) is peak season — foliage turns the mountains into a living painting, and Kaaterskill Falls is at its most dramatic. Summer brings tubing and hiking. Winter means ski season in Hunter and Windham.
Pro Tip from Reddit: Don't overplan. The Catskills reward wandering — a dirt road you didn't expect, a farm stand you nearly drove past, a diner that wasn't on the list. Leave room for all of it.
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Disclaimer: Travel information reflects February 2026 conditions. Hours, trail access, and business availability may change seasonally. Always verify current conditions before visiting. Respect local communities, natural areas, and posted trail regulations.