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Going Places

Going Places Catskill to Coxsackie

A Road Trip from Catskill to Coxsackie

Catskill sits on the west bank of the Hudson River with the Catskill Mountains forming a dramatic backdrop. Hudson sits across the river from Catskill; as Hudson’s gentrification has priced out many newcomers to the upstate scene, lesser known villages are attracting shopkeepers, artists, and creatives, that are worthy of exploration. Much of the architecture of the region dates back to the 18th Century, adding character and charm as these old building are slowly returned to their former glory. Our journey starts with a stroll along Catskill’s main street followed by a drive to Coxsackie with stops in Leeds and Athens along the eleven-mile route. Village Common Mercantile and Corduroy Shop are located on Catskill’s Main Street, with HiLo for sustenance. Leeds is home to Hartland on Hudson, a lovely stationery and coffee shop. Also in Leed’s is Gracie’s, serving made-from-scratch American classics. Burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and donuts are some of Gracie’s signature items, which started out as a food truck. The next stop Athens, has a growing food scene. Bonfiglio & Bread recently relocated from Hudson and has the best pizzas, sandwiches and bread. Crossroads Brewing Company renovated and repurposed Brooks Opera House into a microbrewery, serving great craft beer and local, farm fresh food. Go to Rive Gauche Bistro for classic French bistro cuisine, and during the summer drink and dine al fresco alongside the river at Happy Jake’s.  Further north in Coxsackie against a backdrop of empty historic storefronts reminiscent of a Hollywood stage set, are Mansion + Reed General Store, The Reed Street Bottle Shop and recently opened Pilothouse Paper.

Village Common Mercantile

Village Common is a lifestyle shop selling artisanal, handmade, and vintage goods. Established in 2014 as an online shop by Blake Hays and Benjamin Lebel, they opened a brick and mortar store this year in Catskill, NY. Read More

Corduroy Shop

At Corduroy Shop vintage textiles are recycled into decorative pillows, repurposed on antique furniture and stitched onto garments. Fabrics are repaired and patchworked, creating unique handcrafted items.

Hartland on Hudson

Hartland on Hudson is a beautiful, sunny coffee and stationery shop in a small upstate NY village. Emily Johnson founded her card and stationery company, Hartland Brooklyn, in 2012. Whilst searching for a larger studio space in Brooklyn or upstate NY, Emily and her husband, Nic Cameron, came across an old General Store/Post office in Leeds NY. Read more

Mansion + Reed

Mansion + Reed is a general store serving fresh brewed coffee, bakery items, and a selection of daily toasted sandwiches and scones. There is an expanding grocery section featuring goods from local farms and makers. Mansion + Reed also operates a guesthouse, with four charming suites on the second and third floors.

Visit

As well as the charming shops of Catskill, Leeds, Athens and Coxsackie, the area offers lots of year round activities. Catskill is home to the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, founder of the Hudson River School of painting. The nearby Catskill Mountains are wonderful for hiking and winter sports. The river and creeks are perfect for boating and kayaking in the summer months, and ice fishing and ice yachting when they freeze over in the winter. Spring through Fall the Hi-Way Drive In shows movies under the stars. May to September there is a lovely Farmer’s Market in Riverside Park every Wednesday afternoon.

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