Forget the bumper-to-bumper autumn leaf-peepers and overcrowded hiking trails. When the brilliant foliage fades and the northern winds roll over the Western Catskills, Delaware County unlocks its true magic: quiet, crackling fireplaces, snow-dusted ridges, bustling indoor markets, vibrant main streets, and a relaxed, slow-paced charm that you just can’t get during peak season.
Spanning the vast, scenic terrain of the Western Catskills, Delaware County is the ultimate winter retreat for those who prefer cozy nooks, local culture, and farm-to-table dining without the crowds. Here is your ultimate guide to exploring Delaware County from November through March.
Winter is the prime season to wander indoors and absorb the rich art and history of the Catskills without rushing.
1053 Gallery (Fleischmanns): A renovated Main Street gallery pairs emerging and mid-career artists with events designed to bring visitors and the community together.
Art, food, wellness and conversation come together at 1053 Gallery, a contemporary art space on Main Street that is helping expand the creative landscape of the Catskills.
Founded in 2021, the gallery was created with an emphasis on purposeful growth in the region. The gallery’s programming extends beyond exhibitions. Its event schedule has included activities ranging from yoga sessions to chef-curated dinners, giving visitors another way to experience the space and connect with the region’s artistic community.
1053 Gallery is part of the Catskills’ growing contemporary art scene, with an approach that seeks to connect the area’s rural character with a more cosmopolitan artistic perspective.
For visitors exploring the Catskills, the gallery offers an arts-focused stop that combines contemporary creativity with a changing calendar of events. It is also part of a broader evolution in the region, where galleries, artists and cultural spaces are creating new reasons to explore the area’s towns and villages in every season.
The gallery is open in winter, making it a destination for visitors looking to experience the Catskills beyond the traditional summer and fall seasons.
1053gallery.com | 845-254-3461
Roxbury Arts Center (Roxbury): The Roxbury Arts Center at 5025 Vega Mountain Road combines the character of a historic building with space for exhibitions and performances. The center is home to Hilt Kelly Hall and the Walt Meade Gallery and can accommodate audiences of up to 200 people. Its exhibition calendar provides a changing look at contemporary and regional art. Recent programming has included exhibitions by individual artists as well as group shows, offering visitors an opportunity to see work that reflects the landscape, history and creative traditions of the Catskills.
The arts group’s programming also extends beyond its two primary centers, including performances and events at the historic Old School Baptist Church in Denver. Together, the venues form a network of cultural destinations that can be incorporated into a winter day trip through the Western Catskills.
For visitors strolling through Stamford, Headwaters is also part of the village’s visual landscape, with its storefront and art displays offering a glimpse of the creative activity inside.
And for those planning a winter getaway, the best approach is to check the Roxbury Arts Group’s calendar before setting out. Exhibitions, films, workshops and performances change throughout the season, so a visit can offer something different each time. Whether the plan is an afternoon of gallery-hopping, a hands-on workshop, a film on a snowy evening or simply a chance to meet artists and other visitors, the Roxbury Arts Group offers a reminder that the Catskills’ creative life does not hibernate when winter arrives.
roxburyartsgroup.org | 607-326-7908
Mural on Main (Hobart): Mural on Main brings large-scale public art to the heart of Hobart, transforming an ordinary wall into a colorful outdoor gallery. The mural adds another visual stop for visitors exploring Main Street and the village’s collection of independent bookshops, cafés and small businesses. The project is part of the creative character that has made Hobart an appealing destination for a leisurely Catskills day trip. Visitors can make a morning of browsing the shelves, stop for lunch or coffee and stroll the village while taking in the mural and other touches of local creativity.
Unlike an exhibit behind gallery doors, Mural on Main can be enjoyed at any hour and at no admission cost - a reminder that in the Catskills, sometimes the best art is simply waiting around the corner.
muralartgallery.org | 607-538-3002
Delaware County’s agricultural roots shine bright in winter, when local chefs and brewers lean into hearty, comforting seasonal menus.
The Andes Hotel & Restaurant (Andes): A beloved regional staple, this cozy tavern and hotel serves up elevated comfort food, locally sourced steaks, and cold craft beers right by a roaring fire. Their winter calendar is always packed with live music and community gatherings.
theandeshotel.com | 845-676-3980
The Blue Bee Cafe (Delhi): Originally housed in a bookstore, Blue Bee loves to tell transportive stories through high-quality food. Delicious pastries and sandwiches (gluten-free options!), relaxing, cozy atmosphere and a great place to have tea with your bestie. Monday through Saturday 10-4, and Sunday 10-3 for brunch.
114 Main St., Delhi | 607-746-8060
The Old Schoolhouse Inn & Restaurant (Downsville): For a meal with a sense of place, make a stop at The Old Schoolhouse Inn & Restaurant in Downsville where local character is part of the dining experience. Housed in a restored schoolhouse dating to 1903, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner in a historic setting filled with original architectural details. Its signature offering is all-natural, farm-raised Texas Longhorn beef, served in burgers and other dishes. The Old Schoolhouse is particularly appealing to travelers looking for a Catskills dining experience that combines hearty food with a historic atmosphere. Seasonal produce and local products have long been part of its farm-to-table character, while the restaurant’s setting makes it an easy stop during a day exploring the Delaware County countryside.
And if one meal turns into a weekend getaway, the inn offers four guest rooms and a honeymoon suite.
oldschoolhouseinn.com | 607-363-7814
Skip the big box stores and discover unique winter produce, artisan provisions, and handmade goods across the county’s historic villages.
Delhi Farmers’ Market (Delhi): When winter arrives in the Catskills, Delhi’s farmers’ market moves indoors, but the local bounty keeps coming. Each Wednesday, the market brings farmers, bakers, makers and small businesses together at the American Legion on Page Avenue. Shoppers can browse fresh seasonal vegetables, locally raised meat and poultry, cheeses, baked goods, jams, honey, maple products and prepared foods, along with handmade jewelry and other crafts. For travelers, the market offers an easy way to experience the agricultural character of Delaware County while meeting some of the people who grow, bake and create what is sold here. It is as much a community gathering place as a shopping stop — a good destination for stocking a picnic basket, picking up provisions for a vacation rental or finding a locally made gift.
The indoor market operates Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the colder months. The warm, wood-beamed American Legion hall adds a distinctly Catskills atmosphere to the experience.
Delhi American Legion, 41 Page Ave., Delhi | 607-746-3036
Hymer’s Farm Market (Delhi): offers produce, meat, dairy, candies, canned goods, maple syrup, honey, seasonal decor such as pumpkins and Christmas trees, and all things farm-fresh.
9 Main Street, Delhi | 607-643-5191
Good Taste Epicurean Market and Wine & Spirits (Franklin): offers world-class wine adjacent to a specialty food and cheese shop. This distinctive village boutique brings specialty foods, fine wines and spirits together with local art, live music and a taste of the Catskills. For travelers who like their shopping experiences with a little discovery, Good Taste Epicurean Market and Fine Wines and Spirits offers an inviting detour in the heart of Franklin’s historic district. The boutique combines specialty foods and carefully selected wines and spirits with an appreciation for the arts and the community around it. But Good Taste is more than a specialty food and beverage shop. Its space also serves as a small cultural destination, hosting art exhibitions, tastings and music that bring local artists and performers together with residents and visitors.
goodtastewines.com | 607-230-4053
After a day spent exploring snowy main streets and cozy taverns, retreat to a sanctuary with soft linens and stunning mountain views.
The Roxbury Experience (Roxbury): Known far and wide for its theatrical, outrageously creative, themed rooms and suites (think custom spa tubs, magical decor, and star-gazing balconies), The Roxbury offers a lavish, unforgettable winter escape.
theroxburyexperience.com | 607-326-7200
Inn at Octagon Acres (Hamden):A family-owned 10-room inn offers a comfortable home base for exploring Delaware County in every season. For travelers looking for a quiet place to settle in after a day exploring the Catskills, the Inn at Octagon Acres offers the warmth of a small, family-owned inn with the practical comforts of home. Located along Route 10 between Walton and the surrounding Catskills communities, the inn makes a convenient base for outdoor adventures, scenic drives and exploring nearby villages. Hiking, fishing, hunting and other seasonal activities are all within reach, while the nearby Hamden Covered Bridge and Downsville and Walton areas offer plenty of reasons to venture out.
innatoctagonacres.com | 607-865-3190
Whether you’re sipping tea in Delhi or raising a pint by the hearth in Andes, Delaware County proves that the Catskills don’t go to sleep after the autumn leaves fall—they just get comfortably quiet.
