Hailed as the birthplace of American art, this picturesque mountain town sits alongside the Hudson River and Catskill Creek. Replete with folklore and historic significance, Catskill boasts of being the inspiration for Washington Irving’s haunting tale of Rip Van Winkle; along the river’s edge stands the Thomas Cole House, once home to the famous painter and founder of the Hudson River School of Art.

Catskill’s Main Street is dotted with Victorian storefronts, charming shops, restaurants and pubs. Its surrounding forests, mountains, and natural splendor illustrate the magic that sparked the inspiration of yesteryear and still appeals to today’s tourists and locals alike.

> Thomas Cole, founder of the famed Hudson River School of painting was a long-time resident and you can still visit his historic home and studio.

> Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson lived in Catskill + trained at a local gym.

>Washington Irving set his tale, Rip Van Winkle within the Catskill Mountains.