This year we’ve written about a lot of escapes from New York, and something that excites us about Kenoza Lake & Sullivan County is that this escape is only a few hours from NYC. Here are our favorite things along the ambling, beautiful country roads which comprise Sullivan County, NY.
The thing which brought us to Sullivan County itself – Kenoza Hall! This small, boutique hotel, restaurant, and spa strikes the perfect balance between historical (the main building is set within an old farmhouse) and modern amenities. Whether you’re staying in a room in the main house or one of their new-build bungalows, you can enjoy all the property has to offer from kayaking on the lake (when it’s warm out!) to daily bonfires complete with s’mores kits or even taking a hike along the Kenoza Hall hiking trails.
Kenoza Lake
Conveniently, our favorite meal of our time in Sullivan County was right at Kenoza Hall in their wonderful restaurant! The menu takes some of the best of comfort and tavern food and elevates it in the bright and airy dining room. Our highlights are anything on the “frites” menu and the french onion soup which is topped with a cheese foam instead of a difficult-to-breach layer of molten gruyere. Since you won’t be driving either…the bar is TOP notch ;-)
Narrowsburg
A good spot for a casual lunch is The Laundrette – just a brief pop over to Narrowsburg. This tiny, colorful building is perched right on the edge of the water offering great views of Delaware River and fun and funky pizzas + cocktails.
Livingston Manor
This sister property to Kenoza Hall in nearby Livingston Manor is a great change of pace if you’re looking for something a little more casual. We stopped in to the downstairs tavern to enjoy hearty fried food, strong cocktails, and a solid pour of Guinness! Highlight: play your favorite tunes on the jukebox!
Callicoon
A modern cidery perched just above the town of Callicoon, this is a great place to sample some of the best of local (hard) cider in the area. If you can grab a seat on the terrace – near a heater – this is our favorite place to watch the sun go down.
Jeffersonville
Main street in Jeffersonville has a few gems, but this one-stop coffee shop, pantry, and boutique is a hit in our book. We loved the focus on highlighting brands and products that aren’t always found in “shoppy shops.” Extra points for carrying our favorite Indonesian instant noodle, Indomie!
Narrowsburg
Nestled among a cute block of shops lies One Grand Books – an impeccably curated store by names you probably know. We love that their selection isn’t exhausting, but rather a shop you can go in and find something you love with perspective…maybe to read in the Sauna at Kenoza Hall?
Narrowsburg
Just a few doors down from One Grand lies a perfect wine shop. A good selection of natural and hard-to-find wines pairs well with just about any liquor you'd need…and a good amount of New York State-made wines and spirits!
Callicoon
In one word: Magical. Spruce is a place where you can walk out with a freshly baked Sausage Roll, French linens, and hand-dipped taper candles. Tucked away in a little corner off Main St in Callicoon, the vibes are absolutely immaculate. And please, do NOT miss the British baked goods!
North Branch
Upstate trips call for lots of little 10-15 minute jaunts, and a great stop along the way as you bop across Sullivan County is the North Branch Cider Mill. This sweet shop located in a historic cider mill is full of cozy, wintery goodness – from wool blankets to Swedish candies to freshly made hot cider and apple cider donuts. They also have goats and sheep behind the shop that are available to be fed by hand…a must!
Callicoon
The newest shop in Callicoon, The Farmhouse Project is half boutique and half high-end cocktail bar. Their selection leans British countryside-gothic in the best way possible, and smells amazing thanks to their own collection of scented candles.
Callicoon
Like something out of an Amelie daydream, Pip-Squeak Chapeau is a wonderfully curated womenswear shop with many of the clothes made in Brooklyn out of antique textiles. Perfect for finding pieces for the layered women in your life who also love layering.
Callicoon
Sundays you can head to the waterfront park in Callicoon to shop the best of Sullivan County’s produce! Even in the tail end of November we were able to find fresh mushrooms, leeks, beets, and other fresh winter produce. Happens year round and is a great way to connect with sustainable and local food systems.
On-site at Kenoza Hall is the Hemlock Spa which offers a suite of treatments from massages to facials as well as access to the sauna, hot tub, and relaxation room. Even if you’re not staying on the property, you can purchase a day pass, treatment, or a pool & hot tub pass!
When the weather is warm enough, Kenoza Hall has a private dock and launching point for the provided canoes and kayaks to take out onto the lake. There’s no better place than to revel in your temporary peace and quiet than on the water.
Another wellness-focused thing to do in Sullivan County is to take a class at the Movement Studio on site at Kenoza Hall. They offer a huge variety of Yoga classes including multiple levels of Vinyasa and even aerial yoga. Like Hemlock Spa, this offering is open to anyone visiting the area.
If you’ve read our recent Livingston Manor guide, you know we love an old bridge, and this one (located inside its very own park) has a ton of history. We’re not here to recount the creepiness of old Dutch farmers and their conspiracies of witch craft, but if you give it a visit, give it a Google.
