This ‘Goldilocks’ Catskills Town Is One Of Upstate NY’s Best Small Escapes — With Fly-Fishing Rivers, Great Food & Design-Forward Shops

It’s no secret that the Catskills region in Upstate New York has tons to explore, especially in the winter. From sky-high getaways to wintry hamlets with only 75 residents at the end of a dead-end road, there’s truly so many places that are worth a little exploration to start 2026. Especially one in particular of note — tucked along legendary trout rivers and forested hillsides, quietly delivering one of the best small towns in the region without the crowds. Recently named one of the best small towns in the Catskills by *Travel & Leisure*, Livingston Manor, NY has become one of those rare places that feels both deeply rooted and totally of-the-moment. It’s artsy without trying too hard, outdoorsy without being overly rugged, and packed with genuinely good food, design-forward shops, and river access just minutes from a storybook Main Street. The result is a town that feels perfectly calibrated for New Yorkers craving nature *and* culture — all only two hours from the George Washington Bridge . (We can’t believe it, either) Here’s why Livingston Manor has quietly become one of the Catskills’ most compelling small-town escapes . A “Goldilocks” Catskills town that gets the balance right --------------------------------------------------------- Livingston Manor balances old-school river-town roots with a modern creative pulse, and we think that’s exactly what sets it apart from other Catskills towns. Sitting at the heart of one of the most legendary fly-fishing regions in the Catskills , anglers in waders are a common sight — often standing in line next to designers, artists, and weekenders grabbing pastries or natural wine. It’s the kind of juxtaposition that will have you scratching your head...but in like the best way possible. Main Street is compact, walkable, and refreshingly unfussy as well—a defining character of many Upstate NY towns that seemingly needs to check the box. You’ll find historic buildings, retro diners, and antique shops sitting comfortably alongside stylish boutiques, art spaces, and some of the best food in the region . Fly-fishing heritage meets modern Catskills culture --------------------------------------------------- Let’s make this clear...Livingston Manor isn’t just near good fishing — it’s widely considered the birthplace of American dry fly fishing . And even though it’s winter and the fisher demographics skew more towards experienced anglers, the town’s nearby Willowemoc Creek and Beaverkill River are still legendary nationwide, with the town’s fly-fishing legacy being known by plenty. Stops like Dette Flies — the oldest family-run fly shop in the world — and the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum keep that very history alive, even for visitors who’ve never held a rod. It gives the town a distinctly authentic river-town identity that you can feel just walking around. A surprisingly serious food & drink scene ----------------------------------------- For a hamlet this size, you might expect slim pickings...but Livingston Manor quietly boasts one of the strongest food scenes in the Catskills, far beyond just fish and game fare. You could easily spend an entire weekend eating your way down Main Street: * The Walk In is the essential breakfast stop, famous for buttery biscuits and fried chicken. * The Kaatskeller serves wood-fired pizza and cocktails under string lights in a cozy outdoor garden. * Main Street Farm is part gourmet grocer, part café — perfect for stocking up on local cheese, trout sandwiches, and pantry goods. * Sunshine Colony delivers moody wine-bar energy with a focus on natural and orange wines that feels straight out of Brooklyn. * For a splurge night, The DeBruce — a James Beard–nominated restaurant just outside town — offers refined, foraged, Catskills-driven dining on a sprawling wooded property. And for that perfect Catskills après moment, Upward Brewing Company sits at the base of its own short hiking trail (nicknamed *Beer Mountain*), letting you hike to a scenic overlook and walk straight down into the taproom for a well-earned pint. Art, design & curated shopping on Main Street --------------------------------------------- Another reason Livingston Manor stands out? Its cultural weight feels wildly outsized for a town this small. Catskill Art Space (CAS) anchors the creative scene with rotating contemporary exhibitions and permanent installations by artists like James Turrell and Sol LeWitt — a genuinely impressive lineup for a rural mountain town. Shopping here is equally curated, making it ideal for New Yorkers who love bringing a little Catskills aesthetic home. Shops like Nest (elevated home goods and apparel), Homestedt (outdoor gear and field-to-table essentials), and Long Weekend (mid-century vintage furniture) will have you ready to spend all your last pennies on cute goods to drag back to the city. Nature in every direction, every season --------------------------------------- Livingston Manor’s appeal isn’t limited to one season — it genuinely shines year-round and is worth visiting any time of year. Spring and summer bring trout season, swimming holes, paddling, and trail access in nearby wild forests. Fall foliage here is especially striking thanks to the area’s rolling elevation and river valleys, and winter transforms the town into a cozy, slow-paced retreat, with snowshoeing, fireside dining, and easy access to skiing at Belleayre Mountain about 45 minutes away. Trailheads, rivers, forest roads, and scenic drives are all just minutes from town too, making it easy to mix outdoor adventure with Main Street wandering. Visiting Livingston Manor from NYC ---------------------------------- As we mentioned earlier, Livingston Manor is only a two-hour drive from New York City more or less , making it an easy long-weekend escape or even a spontaneous overnight trip. Once you arrive, the town is compact and highly walkable, with plenty of charming inns, cabins, and boutique stays nearby — all designed around slowing down, eating well, and getting outside. In other words: exactly what New Yorkers are looking for right now. Source: https://secretnyc.co/livingston-manor-small-town-catskills/