Discover Phoenicia, New York: Part Two of Our Guide to This Catskills Gem

Welcome back to Phoenicia! In Part Two of our three-part series, Discover Phoenicia, New York—we’re continuing our exploration of the places, people, and experiences that give this charming hamlet in the Town of Shandaken its unmistakable Catskills character. From local favorites and creative spaces to unexpected discoveries, there’s always another reason to wander Main Street and explore all that Phoenicia and the surrounding Town of Shandaken have to offer.

There may be no better weekend to experience Phoenicia than August 21–23, when the 4th Annual Phoenicia Festival of the Arts takes over town with art, live music, performances, workshops, and the launch of the Phoenicia Film Festival. Phoenicia will be jumping all weekend, making it the perfect time to plan a visit, join the festivities, and discover for yourself what makes this small Shandaken hamlet such a special place. In case you missed it, here is Part One.

Phoenicia New York: What to Do. Where to Go. Who to Know.

In Part Two of our guide to Phoenicia, NY, we’re digging a little deeper into Phoenicia and the Town of Shandaken, with another collection of places and people that help make this corner of the Catskills so special. Think local businesses that should be on your radar, creative spaces, great food, outdoor adventures, and the people bringing fresh energy to the community—all with that unmistakable mountain-town spirit.

Whether you’re here for the Phoenicia Festival of the Arts, planning a Catskills weekend, exploring your own backyard, or wondering what life here might look like year-round, there’s plenty more to discover. So, let’s keep exploring…

THE GRAHAM & CO |  80 NY-214, Phoenicia, NY | Follow Instagram + Facebook

If you’re looking for a place to stay while in Phoenicia, just a couple of blocks from Main Street, The Graham & Co. puts a fresh spin on the classic Catskills motel. Martin Torres and Joe DiThomas, owners of this rustic-modern 20-room boutique hotel, pair a laid-back, design-forward sensibility with plenty of reasons to spend time outside. Set across nearly three acres, the property has a seasonal swimming pool, hammocks, fire pits, picnic areas, badminton, complimentary bikes, and lots of communal space for kicking back after a day exploring Phoenicia.

The rooms mix vintage and modern furnishings with thoughtful, unfussy details, while accommodations range from standard and deluxe rooms to bunk rooms and a standalone Bungalow with a full kitchen and private backyard fire pit. And don’t come expecting televisions and room service—that’s not the point. The Graham leans into a more relaxed Catskills rhythm: mornings start with coffee, afternoons might mean a dip in the pool, and evenings are made for gathering around the fire. It’s an easy home base for hiking, fishing, skiing, exploring Main Street—or simply doing very little at all.

INSIDE+OUT Tip: Grab one of the hotel’s bikes and pedal into town, or leave the car behind altogether—Main Street is just a short walk away.

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PEEKAMOOSE RESTAURANT  |  8373 State Route 28, Big Indian, NY | Follow Instagram + Facebook

A Catskills dining destination since 2004, Peekamoose Restaurant & Taproom in Big Indian brings together seriously good food and a relaxed atmosphere locals and visitors cherish. Owners Devin and Marybeth Mills came to the Catskills after years working in some of New York City’s most respected restaurants, including Gramercy Tavern and Le Bernardin. Chef Devin, a Catskills native and Culinary Institute of America graduate, was also an early champion of the region’s farm-to-table movement. Today, Peekamoose’s frequently changing menu celebrates what’s in season and is built around longstanding relationships with local farmers and purveyors.

The setting is every bit as memorable as the food. Housed in a restored farmhouse surrounded by the mountains and forests of Big Indian, Peekamoose is rustic, quirky, and intentionally unfussy, with handmade details fashioned from found objects, a lively Tap Room, an outdoor fire pit—and even an indoor treehouse for kids. It’s equally suited to a celebratory dinner, an office gathering, cocktails at the bar, or a relaxed meal after a day exploring the Catskills.

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TENDER LAND HOME | 64 Main St, Phoenicia, NY | Follow Instagram + Facebook

A longtime favorite on Main Street, Tender Land Home is the perfect gift shop and a place where you’ll inevitably find something you didn’t know you needed. Founded by David Pillard in 2002, the boutique takes its name from Aaron Copland’s opera The Tender Land and has become part of Phoenicia’s wonderfully eclectic shopping scene. Inside, you’ll find a carefully arranged mix of home goods, jewelry, pottery, handmade soaps, candles, textiles, accessories, and gifts that feel distinctive rather than mass-produced.

There’s a playful Catskills sensibility to the collection, from nature-inspired pillows and locally evocative candles to children’s books and colorful pieces for the home. Whether you’re searching for a gift, a little reminder of your Catskills weekend, or something unexpected for yourself.

INSIDE+OUT Tip: Grab yourself one of their Phoenicia “Bear Face” T-shirts.

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BETTINA CAFE & MARKET |  49 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY | Follow Instagram + Facebook

Located in the heart of Phoenicia, Bettina Cafe & Market is all about fresh, local food served with a creative twist and a strong sense of community. Breakfast and brunch are a big part of the draw—especially the pancakes—along with challah French toast, huevos rancheros, Turkish eggs, house-made granola, sandwiches, salads, craft coffee, and fresh-baked treats. Everything is cooked to order from scratch, with locally sourced ingredients used whenever possible, and Bettina even grows many of its own herbs and fresh-cut flowers on a small farm just up the road. Check out their full menu here.

The market side adds another reason to stop in: foodie gifts and products from women-owned and BIPOC brands line the shelves. Bettina also offers custom cakes, catering, private chef services and a space for intimate celebrations and events. Warm, welcoming, and proudly local.

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BRIO’S PIZZERIA & RESTAURANT |  68 Main Street, Phoenicia, NY | Follow Instagram + Facebook

A Phoenicia Main Street staple since 1973, Brio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is a casual, come-as-you-are spot that has been feeding locals and Catskills travelers for generations. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Brio’s has an extensive menu with something for just about everyone, but its signature is the crispy, thin-crust Neapolitan pizza, cooked in a wood-fired oven. That same oven turns out fresh pita and baked Asiago bread, while everything is cooked to order using fresh ingredients.

And save room for something sweet. Brio’s makes its desserts in-house, with a rotating selection that changes weekly and seasonally. Whether you’re stopping in for breakfast before heading into the mountains, grabbing a pizza after a day of exploring, or settling in for an easy dinner on Main Street, Brio’s is one of those longtime Phoenicia institutions that is very much a part of everyday life in this charming hamlet.

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THE VARGA GALLERY |  60 Main Street Phoenicia NY  | Follow Instagram + Facebook

The VARGA Gallery is more than a place to see art—it’s a creative hub that reflects the wonderfully eclectic spirit of Phoenicia. Founded by multimedia artist and curator Christina Varga, the gallery showcases contemporary work while creating opportunities for artists to connect, experiment, and engage with the community. Varga herself works across painting, assemblage, sculpture, and environmental art, and that multidisciplinary approach carries through to the gallery and the creative projects she brings to town. To learn more about her artwork and creative process, check out our Exclusive Interview: In the Studio with Christina Varga, done in collaboration with littlebitcreates.

This month, Varga is taking that vision far beyond the gallery walls with the 4th Annual Phoenicia Festival of the Arts, August 21–23. Produced by VARGA Gallery & Studio, the three-day celebration will turn Phoenicia into one big creative playground with visual art, live performances, artist markets, workshops, site-specific installations, and film screenings throughout town. This year also marks the launch of the Phoenicia Film Festival, with programming at the historic Phoenicia Playhouse. If you’re looking for a weekend to experience Phoenicia at its most creative and energetic, this is it.

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If you’ve been thinking about making the trip to Phoenicia, this is the month to do it. With the 4th Annual Phoenicia Festival of the Arts bringing even more art, film, music, performances, and creative energy to town, Phoenicia will be buzzing from Main Street and beyond. Come for the festival, stay for the food, shops, galleries, mountain scenery, and unmistakable Catskills character—and experience this spirited little hamlet when it’s truly in full swing. August in Phoenicia is not to be missed.

DID YOU KNOW?

The iconic Shandaken Eagle has quite a history! This two-ton cast-iron sculpture, with a 13-foot wingspan, was once perched atop New York City’s original Grand Central Depot, where it was installed in 1871. Today, it stands at the intersection of Routes 28 and 214 as the official symbol of the Town of Shandaken and one of Phoenicia’s most recognizable landmarks. Next time you pass it, take a closer look—you’re looking at a piece of New York history!

Discover Phoenicia, New York

Discover Phoenicia, New York: READ Part One of a Three-Part Guide to the Heart of the Catskills
Featuring: Shandaken Inn, Phoenicia Diner, Phoenicia Playhouse, The Nest Egg, Rail Explorers: Catskills, the Phoenicia Farmers Market and the Catskills Visitor Center

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Done in collaboration with the Phoenicia Business Association | Stay tuned for Part 3!
Photos by Julian Bracero | follow @julianbracero

PHOENICIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION | 38 Main Street, Phoenicia NY  | Follow on Instagram + Facebook

The Phoenicia Business Association (PBA) is an organization that advocates for the small businesses throughout  Phoenicia and Shandaken. Its members span a variety of local establishments, restaurants, and lodges that cater to tourists and locals alike. They also sponsor the ‘Visit Phoenicia” billboard on Route 28 in Kingston in the summer and help maintain signage and informational kiosks around Shandaken. The PBA encourages everyone to “Shop Local!”

See you in Phoenicia! 

What to Do. Where to Go. Who to Know.
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