Lake George, Poconos and Catskills: Summer destinations Long Islanders love
Lake George offers thrilling activities and serene views along its expansive shoreline. Credit: Mackey Photo & Video Inc./Mackey Photo & Video/PoconoMountains.com
Start your summer a few hours' drive from Long Island at historic vacation spots in the Poconos, Catskills and Lake George.
The Poconos
Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, 1004 W. Main St., Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, 570-844-2001, poconomountains.com
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 2.5 hours
Pocono Mountains offers recreational activities like biking. Credit: PoconoMountains.com
Charming downtowns, locally sourced farmers markets, water parks and wellness centers make the Poconos a convenient getaway for both luxury and budget-minded travelers.
Resorts like Woodloch are very popular, says James Hamill, of the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau. (Woodloch Resort, 731 Welcome Lake Rd., Hawley, 570-685-8000, woodloch.com; room rates vary by date/rental chosen)
Vacationing on a budget? The Poconos has eight state parks and two national parks to explore. The nearly 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (nps.gov; free) features a boardwalk trail, scenic waterfalls, historic Millbrook Village and swimming at a riverfront beach.
At Hickory Run State Park and Boulder Field, hike on 40 miles of trails or picnic by a lake (Open daily, sunrise to sunset; 3 Family Camp Rd., White Haven, 272-808-6192, poconomountains.com; free admission, campsites starting at $22 per night, reserve at pennsylvaniastateparks.reserveamerica.com).
Stroudsburg is one of the Poconos' regional centers for shops, day spas, restaurants and art galleries. A free art walk visits local galleries from 6 to 8 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. Pick up homemade cheese, maple syrup and artisan breads at Monroe Farmers Market (Open Saturdays, May to October, 8 a.m. to noon; Courthouse Square, near Cafe Duet, 35 N. 7th St., Stroudsburg, monroefarmersmarket.com).
Visitors can hike the Lehigh Gorge in the Pocono Mountains. Credit: PoconoMountains.com
WHERE TO STAY
Bringing the kids? Splash around in the water parks at Great Wolf Lodge (1 Great Wolf Dr., Scotrun, 877-478-9653, greatwolf.com) and Camelback Resort, a ski resort that morphs into a fair-weather playland with zip-lining, mountain coaster, mini golf and more (193 Resort Dr., Tannersville, 855-515-1283, camelbackresort.com).
The Catskills
Catskills Visitor Center, 5096 NY-28, Mount Tremper, 845-688-3369, catskillsvisitorcenter.org
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 2.5 hours
Hippies "Magic Bus" replica at "The Story of the Sixties and Woodstock" at The Museum at Bethel Woods Center for the Art. Credit: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
The Catskills region rolls out the green carpet at splashy theme parks, nostalgic resorts and quaint downtowns nestled in the verdant valleys of a 700,000-acre wilderness recreation area.
"Every small town hums with live music and vibrant arts," says Lisa Berger, director of the Catskill Association for Tourism Services.
The Hudson River town of Catskill serves as the region’s gateway. Catskill boasts a Main Street lined with Victorian storefronts, shops and boutiques. Considered "the birthplace of American Art," Catskill is home to a National Historic Site preserving the living quarters, studio and legacy of Hudson River school of art founder Thomas Cole (Open Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 218 Spring St., Catskill, 518-943-7465, ThomasCole.org; $20, $5 ages 13-17). The natural wonder that inspired one of Cole's most famous paintings can be seen on a hike to Kaaterskill Falls (Entrance on Laurel Hill Road, Hunter, catskillsvisitorcenter.org; free).
Buildings sit on the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair's main stage at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Credit: AP/Julia Nikhinson
Nearby, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (200 Hurd Rd., Bethel, 845-583-2000, bethelwoodscenter.org) celebrates peace, love and the roots of rock and roll in concerts at the site of the 1969 Woodstock music festival. Find inner peace up a winding mountain road at the Tibetan Buddhist Monastery (335 Meads Mountain Rd., Woodstock, 845-679-5906, kagyu.org; free), where one-hour guided tours are offered weekends at 12:45 p.m.
Want to play in the mountain air? Breathe deep on a trail hike in the Catskill Preserve (5096 State Rte. 28, Mount Tremper, 845-256-3083, dec.ny.gov), splash around at the Zoom Flume Water Park (20 Shady Glen Rd., East Durham, 800-888-3586, zoomflume.com) or ride the scenic Catskill Mountain Railroad (55 Kingston Plaza Rd., Kingston, 845-332-4854, catskillmountainrailroad.com).
WHERE TO STAY
Today’s Catskills also boasts a Borscht Belt-era survivor — the Villa Roma Resort and Conference Center. An "All-Inclusive Fun Stay" ($250 per person) covers room, three daily meals and access to on-site pickleball and racquetball courts, an inflatable fun park, a bumper boat pond and a zip line ride (356 Villa Roma Rd., Callicoon, 800-533-6767, villaroma.com). The Eastwind Hotel-Windham recently added 12 new guest rooms to its cozy Scandinavian-style Mountain House (5088 Rte. 23, Windham, 518-734-0553, eastwindhotels.com; room rates starting at $249).
Lake George
Warren County Tourism Department, 1340 State Rte. 9, Lake George, visitlakegeorge.com
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: About 4 hours
For the Baxley family of Rockville Centre, leaping from Diver’s Rock in Lake George is a rite of passage. Credit: Kathy Baxley
Tourists flock to dine, shop and play in Lake George and its busy village on the southern lake shore. The 32-mile-long Queen of American Lakes brims with fun and outdoor activities along a 109-mile shoreline beneath breathtaking Adirondack Mountain views.
Quintessential experiences include Lake George Steamboat Company excursions such as Elvis tribute lunch or dinner cruises (57 Beach Rd., 518-668-5777, lakegeorgesteamboat.com; $33-$68). Another local tradition is spending a day picnicking, playing volleyball and swimming in crystal clear waters on the state-owned, lifeguard-protected Lake George Beach — aka Million Dollar Beach (139 Beach Rd., lakegeorge.com; free admission to beach, parking $10). For a real thrill, fly above it all with Parasail Joe’s Lake George (204 Canada St., 518-668-4013, parasailjoes.com; $109 per person).
Lake George Village hums with souvenir emporiums like Live Love Laugh, where you can purchase trading cards, Lake George hoodies and custom apparel and decals (183 Canada St., livelovelaughlg.com). Browse for national brands, local products and bargains at French Mountain Commons (1439 State Rte. 9, 518-792-1483, visitlakegeorge.com) and Log Jam Outlet Centers (1476 State Rte. 9, mcljo.com).
Lake George offers thrilling activities and breathtaking views along its 109-mile shoreline. Credit: Getty Images/Colin Archer
Head downtown to get your game on at Fun World Arcade, a 1970s-era retro pinball palace (127 Canada St., 518-668-2708, funworldarcade.com), or head to Escape LG’s and explore 15- and 60-minute escape rooms (115 Canada St., 518-668-2900, escapelg.com).
Living history presentations and demonstrations at Fort William Henry Museum recount the fort’s part in the mid-18th century French and Indian War (46 Canada St., fwhmuseum.com; $22.50, $13.50 ages 5 to 17). Kids can take an educational journey farther back in time amid replicas of the Titanosaurus and other dinosaurs at Lake George Expedition Park’s Dino Roar Valley (1912 State Rte. 9, 518-668-7627, lgepark.com; $25.99).
WHERE TO STAY
Courtyard by Marriott Lake George boasts lake views and easy access to the village (365 Canada St., 518-761-1150, marriott.com; room rates starting at $185). Silver Bay YMCA Conference & Family Retreat Center offers rooms, cottages and access to private beach (87 Silver Bay Rd., Silver Bay, 518-543-8833, silverbay.org; room rates starting at $109). Or sleep under the stars at a campsite on one of the lake’s 44 state-owned islands (boat access only, dec.ny.gov; $28).
