48 Hours in Hunter, NY: Ultimate Weekend Guide to Adventure & Cuisine
Looking for a top-notch weekend rendezvous at a top altitude to cap off your summer? Get a little outdoorsy and eat your share of tasty New York fare with a weekend in Hunter, best known as a world-class skiing destination—though it's as much fun in the summer as it is in the colder months.
FRIDAY
7 pm: VanWinkle's at the Kaatskill Mountain Club
For a delicious, kid-friendly meal with a variety of options—including pizza, burgers, and fresh Angus strip steak—head to VanWinkle's at the Kaatskill Mountain Club. Arrive before evening and you're sure to enjoy a stunning sunset along with your dessert. This spot is Hunter's best restaurant according to TripAdvisor.
SATURDAY
9 am: Bagel Bakery
Grab a freshly baked pastry or bagel with schmear from the top bakery around town, as chosen by TripAdvisor. Stop inside to dine while you enjoy the scent of freshly baked bread or grab your breakfast on the go to enjoy the morning sunshine. Grab a snack—you'll have an action-packed afternoon ahead of you.
10 am: Scenic Skyride on the Kaatskill Flyer
At 3,200 feet above sea level, this chairlift ride is sure to impress. Glide over the summit of this skiable terrain for fresh mountain air and a view chock full of greenery and beautiful summer flowers. Fun fact: this is the only six-person chairlift in New York State. You'll disembark with a slew of Instagrammable pics.
12 pm: Lunch at Ronnie MacGregor's Pub
Order some chicken fingers or a burger with sweet potato fries at this top Hunter Mountain eatery. Grab a spot outside to bask in the summer sun.
2 pm: Zipline Hunter Mountain
Whiz around on a zip line after lunch to complete your aerial tour of breathtaking Hunter Mountain. It's the longest and highest zipline canopy tour in Northern America—so in addition to the immersive experience, you'll also attain bragging rights.
4:30 pm: Horseback Riding at Bear Creek Landing
Take a sunset horseback ride along Hudson Valley's famous Bear Creek Landing. Explore the scenic path through 300 acres of trails and rivers. This will be your first look at the mountain by land. Not an experienced rider? That's okay—this ride is great for all levels of expertise.
7 pm: Hunter Mountain Brewery
Beer and food enthusiasts should stop by the Hunter Mountain Brewery for a locally made glass of wine or beer on tap. They use the best and most accessible ingredients available to brew up pilsners, pale ales, and lagers alike—oh, and they have some pretty tasty food, too!
SUNDAY
9 am: Breakfast at Frank's Bakery and Cafe
Stop by Frank's for a sausage, egg, and cheese or croissant and cup of joe to get the morning started right. Yelp calls it one of the best restaurants on the mountain.
10 am: Fly Fish
Whether you fly-fish every weekend or you've never seen a dry-dropper rig in your life, Hunter Mountain is the place to hit the river. Go with a group or go alone—the stunning rocks adjacent to the mountain green with running water throughout will make you feel like you belong on a postcard. These are memories you'll never forget!
GETTING THERE
By plane:
Albany International Airport— Catch a one hour cab or shuttle from Albany Int'l into Hunter Mountain.
By bus:
Charter a bus to the area.
By train:
Take Amtrak to the Hudson Station, then a 45-minute cab to Hunter Mountain.
By car:
From NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes
From Albany: 1 hour
From Philadelphia: 3 hours, 30 minutes
From Boston: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Don't forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram and Twitter with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!
