Phoenicia is a true gem of the Hudson Valley, an out-of-the-way Catskills town that is also home to a bevy of acclaimed dining institutions and natural attractions. A popular vacation destination, it has more than enough corners and crannies to explore over the course of a weekend.
Here’s your guide to an ideal summer day in this bucolic mountain town. Heading there soon? Tag us @HudsonValleyMag on Instagram if you hit any of the spots on our list.
9 a.m. – Instagram breakfast at Phoenicia Diner
Expect classed-up, organic takes on traditional diner fare at this much-Instagrammed local institution. Since the early ’80s, this brunch spot has been nurturing it customers with food sourced directly from the Catskills and the Hudson Valley. Phoenicia Diner serves a menu of A-list hits, which range from French toast to the taco skillet with scrambled eggs, chorizo, and a crispy corn tortilla. The pancakes here are famous, and for good reason. Get them classic, with fruit and maple syrup, or try the buckwheat or vegan versions to switch things up.
P.S. Don’t eat eggs? Check out the vegan menu for top picks that are meat- and dairy-free.
5681 Rte 28, Phoenicia
845.688.9957
11 a.m. – Go on an adventure with Rail Explorers: Catskills
Fancy a good pedal along an abandoned rail line? That’s precisely what you’ll do when you book a tour with Rail Explorers: Catskills. The one-of-a-kind experience offers participants the chance to cruise the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad line along the Esopus Creek in either a two- or four-person pedal cart. Rides range from four to eight miles in length, so there’s something for every type of adventurer. Just make sure to book online in advance, since tour times fill up quickly.
70 Lower High St, Phoenicia
1 p.m. – Pick the perfect pie at Brio’s Pizzeria
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Quite literally a few steps away from Mystery Spot Antiques (a.k.a. your next stop) is Brio’s Pizzeria. Brio’s looks like any old pizza spot, but the Phoenicia mainstay does pizza differently in the best way. With a famed sesame thin-crust Neapolitan pizza recipe cooked in a wood-fired oven, Brio’s has gained the support of regulars and newcomers alike in its 50 years of business. Don’t skip out on the other menu favorites like pasta, sandwiches, freshly baked pita, and an array of house-made desserts.
68 Main St, Phoenicia
845.688.5370
1:45 p.m. – Shop vintage at Mystery Spot Antiques
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At Mystery Spot Antiques, clutter is praised and even celebrated within its seven rooms of vintage goods. Whether you’re on the hunt for vinyl records, antique lighting and houseware, midcentury modern décor, used books, or stylish vintage clothing out on the porch, Mystery Spot has a room for that. The Main Street hotspot is hard to miss — just look for the giant statue of Davy Crockett on the front lawn.
72 Main St, Phoenicia
845.688.7868
2:30 p.m. – Hike the trails at the Woodland Valley Campground
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At the foot of Slide Mountain, the Woodland Valley Campground is a popular Ulster County destination for camping, but the site also serves as the trailhead for both the Woodland Valley-Denning Trail and the Slide-Wittenberg Trail. If you’re up for the challenge, find your way on the latter for a hard 12-mile out-and-back that will take you to views from Slide Mountain, or just meander around the campground creek’s for freshwater fishing.
1319 Woodland Valley Rd, Phoenicia
845.688.7647
4:30 p.m. – Take a break at the Emerson Resort & Spa
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Located just south of town, Emerson is a hidden gem in the Catskills. The spa caters to everyone with a variety of treatment options, from facials to reflexology to massages. Come with your spouse for a couples massage, or try some spiritual healing if you crave a reset. Need your nails done? Emerson has you covered for that, too, with manicures, pedicures, and additional nail services. After you’ve been pampered, head outside to sip wine next to the spa pool or down by the creek.
5340 Rte 28, Mount Tremper
845.688.2828
6 p.m. – Grab a beer and a bite at Woodstock Brewing
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Woodstock Brewing’s mountainside location and plentiful outdoor seating make it a scenic choice to wile away an hour or two sharing wings or nachos alongside house brews like the Mean Charlene Fruited Gose, which is brewed with pineapple, mango, passion fruit, and tart key lime. Also worthy of note is the Woodstock Lager, which contains hints of “fresh baked biscuit” and “New York spring flowers.” While sipping on your brews or trying a flight, make sure to order the mega fry tower for the table and the smoked beef sandwich or cauliflower banh mi for yourself.
5581 Rte 28, Phoenicia
845.688.0054
8:30 p.m. – Spend a night at Phoenicia Lodge
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Nestled in the Esopus Valley, this Catskills lodge is a boutique mid-century getaway with five rooms, six cottages, and two suites. Each lodging option has been thoughtfully restored to blend the aesthetic of the past with modern conveniences and amenities. The lodge’s distinct red-painted buildings offer charm to the quaint resort. Hang out on the back lawn or in a hammock and dine on a complimentary breakfast in the a.m.
5987 Rte 28, Phoenicia
845.688.7772
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