The Horton Smith House

Things To Do on the Mountain Top

Art Classes: Take a weekend art class at Sugar Maples. Sugar Maples offers art exhibitions and art classes through the Spring, Summer and Fall. Check out the renovated 80 acre, 22 building complex originally a hot spot Catskill Mountain Resort in the 1920s. Registration is required.

Fishing: The Catskill Mountains have the waters and the fish waiting just for you. Whether calm-water lake fishing, sparkling-trout creek fishing, or bass fishing in the Hudson River, Windham is a great fishing destination for all anglers. Call for information on obtaining a fishing license.

Wine Tasting: Visit the Windham Winery for an afternoon of wine tasting. Windham Winery is the highest elevation Winery and Vineyard in the North East and produces some of the best micro brewed wines on the East Coast. Great Wine, Spectacular Views and Guided Tours make for a great day in the Catskills. And their truffles are delectable!

Cliff Diving: Visit Fawns River to bask in the sun or try your hand at the 60 foot jump into the sparkling water underneath the Kaaterskill Falls. Just a short drive from the Horton Smith House.

Golfing: Greene County is home to 10 great golf courses. The Windham Country Club is located only a short drive from The Horton Smith House. The Greene County Golf Association has information about the other USGA-approved golf courses. We also really enjoy the Rainbow Golf Club which is about a 25 minute drive from the Horton Smith House. Arrangements can be made for PGA lesson packages.

Hiking and Mountain Walks: Enjoy views and vistas of the Hudson River, Kaaterskill Falls, and historic sites from short walks or all-day hikes. The Escarpment Trail starts less than five miles from the Horton Smith House and offers a five-hour round trip hike. Casual and additional advanced hikes are a 20-minute drive from Windham. Also check out Hike the Catskills for additional information.

Horseback Riding: Tanglewood Ranch offers great trail rides daily. Open year-round for hour-long rides, they also offer a twilight 2 hour trail ride during the summer months.

Kayaking: Experience flat water kayaking on serene mountain lakes. Rentals available at North/South Lake.

Mountain Biking: From novice to expert, the area offers great mountain biking and cycling. Mountain bike rentals, maps and outdoor gear are available through Windham Mountain Outfitters. (518) 734-4700

Windham Mountain (800) 754-9463:
Ski Windham offers a real mountain adventure sure to invigorate body and soul. Here you will find 34 slopes and trails spanning two mountain peaks with a 1600-foot vertical drop. There's literally something for everyone: a separate learning terrain for beginners, groomed cruising runs for all levels, and moguls and steeps for experts. Alternative terrain includes snow parks, a half-pipe, and glade skiing. The snow tubing park has 10 chutes and two tows.

Hunter Mountain (888) 486-8376:
With a 3200-foot summit elevation and 1600 feet of vertical, Hunter is truly a big mountain experience. Such high elevation and 100% snowmaking explain why there's tons of snow at Hunter even when there's none in your backyard. More than 50 trails and 11 offer instant access to challenging steeps, huge moguls and wide-open cruising terrain. The snowboarding half-pipe and terrain park is smack in the middle of the mountain next to an arsenal of snow guns. The snow tubing park features three "tube tow" lifts and 12 chutes — each nearly 1,200 feet long.

Nordic Skiing: Mountain Trails X-C Ski Center offers 35 kilometers of woodland trails, plus a warming hut, fireplace, and snowshoe and pull-sled rentals. (518) 589-5361

Ice Skating: Bear Creek Landing features an outdoor regulation-size skating rink. Rentals and sharpening are available. (518) 263-3839

Snow Shoeing: Strap on some high-tech Atlas snowshoes and take in the stunning Catskill Mountain views as you meander among fresh snow, trees, and wildlife. Hunter Mountain offers three miles of exclusive trails on the summit of the mountain. (888) 486-8376

Snowmobile Riding: Zoom through the forest or enjoy a circular track. The Catskills has a number of snowmobile rental shops.

Arboretum: A fascinating place, the Mountain Top Arboretum, features a living collection of both exotic and native trees and shrubs. Approximately seven acres of flowering trees, evergreens, and shrubs live in this beautiful natural surrounding framed by the Catskill Mountains. Don’t miss a visit to the nearby historic stone church. (518) 589-3903

Bird Watching: You can spy a large variety of birds in our Northern Catskill Mountains.

Five State Lookout: View the entire Hudson River Valley and five states — New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Vermont at this scenic overlook. Mohican Trail, Route 23, East Windham.

Autumn Colors: Enjoy the vibrant colors of the autumn season. Scenic drives, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding all take on a colorful look in the Fall. Also enjoy apple and pumpkin picking in the nearby bountiful orchards.

Pratt Rock: Wacky, and worth seeing, Pratt Rock is a miniature "Mount Rushmore of the East" that features 150-year old, white-painted relief carvings depicting the likeness and achievements of Zadock Pratt. (518) 299-3395

Scenic Chair Lift Rides: Capture breathtaking views of the Northern Catskill Mountains from the summit of these two ski areas: at Windham Mountain (800) 754-9463 and at Hunter Mountain (888) 486-8376.

Tidal Swamp Forest: A breeding ground and nursery for American shad and bass, the Ramshorn-Livingston Sanctuary offers more than 3 miles of trails and 480 acres of the Hudson's largest tidal swamp forest. Following a half-mile walk, you can canoe from the tidal marsh out to the Hudson River.

American Museum of Firefighting: This Hudson-based museum has 83 engines on display and over 3000 pieces of related firefighting memorabilia. Open year round. Check out their virtual tour. (518) 828-7695

Arts Councils: Greene County Council on the Arts offers galleries, arts and crafts, shops, and information on cultural activities. Catskill Mountain Foundation Gallery offers an art gallery, bookstore, special exhibits and literature readings. (518) 734-3104

Bronk Museum: This complex of Dutch Colonial dwellings and 19th century barns includes the oldest surviving Dutch house in the Hudson Valley. The 1663 and 1738 dwellings are furnished with art, furniture, textiles, ceramics and silver. Open May through October. (518) 731-6490

Irish American Heritage Museum: Exhibits, films, lectures, and special educational programs chronicle the history and culture of the Irish in America. Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. (518) 432-6598

Irish and Cultural Sports Centre: The Michael J. Quill Centre offers educational programs in language, music, and literature, as well as festivals, theatre, music and dance. A Gaelic sports field features traditional Irish sporting events. Open May through October. (800) 434-3378

Thomas Cole House: The Residence and studio of the founder of the Hudson River School of Painting contains galleries of oil paintings and prints as well as rooms with Cole artifacts and period furnishings. Open May through October. (518) 943-7465

Ukrainian Church: Built without nails the traditional way, the Ukrainian Church and Grazhda is definitely worth a visit. Attend a concert or Ukrainian craft workshop, or simply enjoy the lovely hand-carved interior and works of art. (518) 734-5330

Zadock Pratt Museum: Located on the circa 1828 homestead of Zadock Pratt, the area’s most prominent tanner, the museum features period furniture, artifacts from Pratt's life, and a tannery exhibit. Open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. (518) 299-3395

Baseball Hall of Fame: An American classic, the Baseball Hall of Fame is located one hour and 15 minutes from the inn in Cooperstown, NY. Open year round. (888) 425-5633

Fairs & Festivals: Visit the website of the Greene County Promotion Department for the county's calendar of events, or call. (800) 355-2287

Giant Kaleidoscope: Catskill Corners is home to the world's largest kaleidoscope — built out of an historical barn. (845) 688-5300

Go-Karts: Adventure Machine Rentals offers all terrain go-karts. Two-acre trail course. No license required. (518) 678-5665

Historical Working Ranch: Explore an 1880 covered-wagon campsite, roast marshmallows over the fire, take a hayride to see Elk and Native American horse herds, or just enjoy the petting zoo at Windham Mountain Ranch. A treat for the whole family, the ranch features a Pioneer Museum, Carriage Museum, Blacksmith Shop and Sap House. Reservations a must. (518) 734-3364

Howe Caverns: Discovered in 1842, Howe Caverns is located 156 feet below ground. The one-and- a half-hour fun and informative tour is great for all ages. Located one hour from our location. (518) 296-8900

Miniature Golf: Bear Creek Landing built a wonderful million-dollar miniature golf course. You won't see clowns and moving objects. Instead, this course has beautiful landscaping, waterfalls and a river. (518) 263-3839

Tubing: A five-mile stretch of river winds through the beautiful mountains and greenery of the Catskills. Rent tubes at Town Tinker. (845) 688-5553

Water Park: Slide, spin, splash, and sun at Zoom Flume the Catskill's largest water park. Waterslides and attractions offer a full day of fun. Open June-Labor Day. (800) 888-3586

Antique Shops: Explore the treasure troves of Greene County’s antique shops, including Cha-Cha's Antiques and Collectibles at the Beds on Clouds . We also recommend antiquing in Saugerties and Hudson. Approximately 35 minutes from the inn, Hudson has over a hundred antique dealers along its main road, Warren Street.

Organic Farms: Pick your own or select at the stand at Black Walnut Farm in Cornwallville

Specialty Shops: Stores like the Catskill Mountain Country Store offer local products, old-fashioned candy and gifts in a unique country market setting. (518) 734-3387

Woodstock, NY: Stroll through this interesting little town with unique shops. Purchase anything from tie-died shirts to handcrafted fine arts and jewelry.