Bethel is one of those places that every Hudson Valley resident needs to visit at least once. Although its claim to fame dates back to 1969, the town is more alive than ever. At Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, creativity abounds during art shows, local performances, movie nights, and celebrity concerts. Guests like Jason Aldean, Kevin Hart, and The Beach Boys grace the stage to share their talents and keep the colorful spirit of the region alive.
With an ever-changing calendar of events, Bethel is the place to be for entertainment in the Hudson Valley. If you’re going to see a show, however, chances are high that you’ll want to find a place to eat nearby. Luckily, we have a number of local restaurants in the region that are perfect for chowing down. After the performance, skip the bleary-eyed drive and book a night at a local inn instead. Need a recommendation? Don’t worry; we have that covered too.
Where to Eat
Hennings Local
Cochecton Center
845.252.3008
Dinner: Thurs-Sun 5-10 p.m.
A 14-minute car ride from Bethel will take you to Hennings Local, the rustic Catskills eatery that fuses Norwegian flavor with American comfort food. Open for dinner until 10 p.m. every day except Wednesday, the restaurant is an excellent pick for a meal before or after a show. Start off strong with Beaverkill Trout Sashimi, then move onto Hungarian Goulash with filet mignon tips or Fried Quinoa-Barley Cakes with carrot jus and organic vegetables. As for libations, the cocktails are not to be missed. Sample The Smoking Monk, made with Mezcal, Green Chartreuse, lemon, and cane syrup, or the Roscoe Mule, a medley of Bootlegger vodka, house ginger beer, and lime. Both are refreshing and just a little bit indulgent.
The Dancing Cat Saloon
2037 St Rt 17B, Bethel
845.583.3141
Sitting a hop, skip, and jump away from Bethel Woods, The Dancing Cat Saloon is the sister restaurant to the Catskill Distilling Company. Feel free to bring dogs and kids to the charming eatery, which boasts an outdoor deck for fresh air dining. Open for dinner on Wednesday and Thursday and for lunch and dinner on Friday through Sunday, the saloon is ready to feed weekend show-goers. As for what to order, you can’t go wrong with the Cat Reuben sandwich or the homemade Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms. With the distillery right next door, don’t forget to jump on the beverage menu. For cocktails, the Classic Sazerac, made with Catskill Straight Rye Whiskey, bitters, and a lemon twist, is the way to go. If beer is more your thing, keep it local with Devil’s Path, a powerful pale ale from Catskill Brewery.
The Local Table & Tap
3 Horseshoe Lake Rd, Kauneonga Lake
845.583.3020
Located a mere nine minute drive away from Bethel Woods, The Local is the place to go for lunch before a show. Take advantage of the waterfront dining and lounge on the deck as you enjoy a hearty burger or sandwich. Try the Local Burger, made with eight ounces of Hudson Valley Angus custom ground short rib and brisket beef, or go gourmet with the Dirty Truth, an update on grilled cheese that involves artisan sourdough bread, truffle roasted mushrooms, smoked gouda cheese, and arugula. For later-in-the-day diners, dinner is also available.
Yasgur’s Farm Café
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 866.781.2922
For an easy upstate lunch or dinner, head to Yasgur’s Farm Café. Housed inside the Museum at Bethel Woods, the café is open during regular hours and until show time on evening concert days. The farm-to-table menu features savory burgers, fresh salads, and tiered sandwiches. Perhaps the best deal of all, however, is the Yasgur’s Picnic Table menu, which allows diners to choose one of three sandwich options to go along with the accompanying chips and pasta or potato salad. Alison’s Veggie Patch, a wrap or pita loaded with grilled eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, sautéed onions, farro, roasted pepper, spring greens, and balsamic vinaigrette, is a vegetarian’s delight.
Where to Sleep
Airbnb: Getaway at Moonrise Pond
Cochecton
Planning to tie a concert at Bethel into a weekend family trip? An Airbnb rental may be the best option for you. Instead of booking a room or two, make a temporary move into this picturesque upstate cabin. With three bedrooms and two baths, the space accommodates six people. The rustic wooden home has a hot tub and indoor gas fireplace to ensure a cozy night in after a concert or show.
B&B: Lazy Pond Bed and Breakfast
79 Old Loomis Rd, Liberty
845.988.7061
Anyone who wants to turn an upstate jaunt into a fun-filled weekend will love Lazy Pond. The charming bed and breakfast sits centrally between a number of Catskills activities, including Bethel, Monticello Raceway, and Resorts World Catskills. Choose a room in the Main House, tuck away with the family in The Cottage, or kick back with friends in the Log Cabin. Visitors can stay the night in comfort, then enjoy the breakfast buffet and scenic views the next morning.
Camping: Pond View
Bethel
Use camping app Tentrr to find the glamping experience of your dreams. This particular campsite, for instance, sits on a private two and a half acre pond and is only two miles away from Bethel Woods. As with any Tentrr stay, the site includes two large tents, a fireplace, picnic table, camp toilet, metal grill, and outdoor sun shower. If you love the idea of overnighting it in the heart of the Catskills but don’t want to sacrifice all of your modern conveniences, this is the way to go.
