Photo by Lawrence Braun
Visit this Sullivan County hamlet for great food, one-of-a-kind wares, and a thriving artistic community in the Catskills.
Dare we suggest that Narrowsburg could be the next Beacon or Hudson? Nestled in a crook of the Delaware River, the Sullivan County hamlet is a haven for art, food, and culture in the Catskills. Whether you’re just passing through or looking to take an upstate vacation, here are our picks for what to do, eat, and see while you’re in town.
10 a.m. – Breakfast and coffee at the Tusten Cup
Freshly brewed coffee, breakfast sandwiches, lunch wraps, and more await on Main Street at the Tusten Cup, where “the truth is in the taste.” This community hub offers simple fare made with quality ingredients as well as coffee, tea, chai, and matcha drinks. Sit down in the dining area to plan out your day or opt for a grab-and-go snack to get a jumpstart on your Narrowsburg excursion.
11 a.m. – Shopping in downtown Narrowsburg
Shop till you drop along Narrowsburg’s main drag with its many boutiques, antiques, and galleries. The River Gallery, located right next-door to the Tusten Cup, is a natural first stop. The space—which is owned and operated by Barry Becker and Tony Coscia, former fashion executives for Versace, Valentino, and YSL—is bursting with paintings, photographs, sculptures, furniture, antiques, haute knick-knacks, and more expertly curated wares.
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Take a right and head towards The Velvet Maple, where interior designer Alessandra Maria Iavarone shares her collection “high end furnishings” and “salvaged goods.”
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Cross the street for more artwork, home goods, vintage clothing, candles, and books at Tess. Need a statement piece for your living room? A gift for your cosmopolitan coworker? Look no further.
At the neighboring storefront, you’ll find Nest, ex-Vogue Design Director Anna Lauritzen Bern’s gorgeous bazaar with an assemblage furniture, rugs, wallpaper, and art.
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Next, shop for handmade clothing at MayerWasner, the haven for fashion and design as imagined by the husband-and-wife duo of Pamela Mayer and Karl Wasner. In addition to Mayer’s original designs, it offers a “curated selection of custom and conscientious” clothing, footwear, jewelry, accessories, and toiletries with a focus on “locally made and manufactured” products. The retail space is a work of art in itself.
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If you were about to be stranded on a desert island, which 10 books would you bring along? That’s the golden question that Aaron Hicklin, owner of One Grand Books, asked famous actors, athletes, artists, politicians, writers, and other big names. Every shelf in this stylish storefront is lined with their recommendations, meaning the entire bookstore is curated by the likes of Bill Gates, James Franco, Lupita Nyong’o, and Questlove.
1 p.m. – See art at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance
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As the Arts Council for Sullivan County, the DVAA “presents year-round programs in the visual, performing, and community arts.” From musical and theatrical productions to art exhibitions and film festivals, the organization is a hotspot for artistic excellence in the Catskills. Check its performance schedule for live shows and stop by the art gallery to see paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more installed in its gallery on Main Street.
2 p.m. – Enjoy lunch and libations at The Laundrette in Narrowsburg
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Recently lauded in an article of the best restaurants in the United States according to the “Rachel Ray” staff, this waterside pizza joint does thin crust pies, superb cocktails, and decadent desserts. It’s one of those places where you truly cannot go wrong. We tried the arugula-parmesan pizza and Brussels sprouts alongside a boozy beverage (or two), and everything was prepared to perfection.
2:50 p.m. – Pre-hike pick-me-up at 2 Queens Coffee
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Martin Higgins, the co-founder and head roaster at this coffee shop, has been in the java game for over two decades, carefully ” tasting, experimenting and nerding out on the science of roasting” so you can enjoy an unsurpassed cup of coffee. If you’re more of a tea drinker, try one of 2 Queens’ tea blends along with honey created by Charles Wilkin, beekeeper and co-founder. You’ll inevitably fall in love with the offerings from this dynamic duo, so purchase a canister of coffee grounds, loose tea, or raw honey to make your own beverages at home.
3 p.m. – Check in at Blue Fox Motel
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Skip town and head to your accommodations, where you can freshen up and change into hike-appropriate attire. Just five minutes away from Narrowsburg proper by car, Blue Fox Motel is a “rustic retreat” fit for “city and country foxes alike.”
3:30 p.m. – Hike the Tusten Mountain Trail
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Seeing as the surrounding area is ever so scenic, we’d be remiss not to suggest a hike along the Delaware River, which is just another three miles down the road from Blue Fox Motel. The Tusten Mountain Trail is a 2.9-mile loop with many a lookout to the water below. Four-legged friends are welcome on the trail, and hikers should look out for signs of the abandoned quarries along the route.
6 p.m. – Snap a selfie at the Observation Deck on Main Street in Narrowsburg
If you haven’t yet had your fill of idyllic views at the Tusten Mountain Trail, this observation deck on Main Street is worth a quick stop before dinner. There, you can look across the deepest section of the Delaware River via a tower viewer or snap a few pictures to commemorate your Narrowsburg day trip.
6:30 p.m. – Savor dinner at The Heron Restaurant
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Cocktails and comfort food—what more could you ask for? Listed by Sunshine Ruffalo (wife to Mark) as one of her essential stops in the Catskills in an article for Vogue, this restaurant on Main Street is the ideal way to conclude your day exploring town. Ask to sit out on the balcony for sprawling views of the river to complement your meal.
8 p.m. – Enjoy a nightcap at Blue Fox Motel
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Don’t call it a night without first paying a visit to Blue Fox Motel’s on-site restaurant and bar, which offers a full menu of American fare made with local, seasonal ingredients. Enjoy a local brew from Catskill Brewery or share a bottle of red, pink, white, or bubbly vino from the wine list. The roaring fire, quaint décor, and friendly service will end your day on a high note.
