New Yorkers who aren’t enticed by a weekend amid the image-conscious crowds of the Hamptons often head a couple of hours north of the city for a more nature-clad respite: the Catskills. Follow their lead to discover the charms of this woodland escape. The Catskill Forest Preserve has provided the sylvan setting for cultural classics like Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle and James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans.

Fame aside, it also happens to be prime leaf-peeping territory during the fall, a hiker’s paradise in the spring and summer and an ample playground for winter sports. Here’s what to add to your weekend itinerary.

The landscape of the Catskills has inspired artists for centuries © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

Wander through Woodstock

Though it wasn’t the actual setting for the famed music festival (that was in nearby Bethel), Woodstock had hippie roots. You can still see their traces in town, although it has become one of the more sophisticated spots in the region. Tinker Street is the main thoroughfare, home to boutiques, art galleries and plenty of cafes and restaurants. Head to the Center for Photography for diverse works by local photographers, or to independent bookstore The Golden Notebook to pick up some vacation reading material. Yum Yum offers creative takes on Japanese noodle bowls and Southeast Asian street food, while locals’ favorite Cucina serves up Italian dishes in a restored farmhouse. And if you still have room in your stomach, Woodstock also has an outpost of Bread Alone, the Catskills-born bakery famous for its organic, wood-fired loaves and other baked treats made from locally sourced ingredients.

The wilderness around Woodstock holds many surprises, including this Buddhist monastery © Sam Aronov / Shutterstock

Just north of Woodstock, the Overlook Mountain trail follows an old carriage road that was used in the late 1800s to transport guests to the Overlook Mountain House. The five-mile hike isn’t your average wander through the wilderness – you’ll also encounter the mountain house ruins, a historic fire tower and a Buddhist temple on your journey, not to mention some pretty stellar views of the Hudson Valley.

Find inspiration in Palenville

Proudly identifying itself as the ‘village of falling waters’ described in Rip Van Winkle, the town of Palenville sits at the base of Kaaterskill Clove, a valley in the eastern Catskill Mountains. It was a favored location for painters from the Hudson River School, who used its unique vantage point to capture the surrounding landscape on canvas. Circle W, the town’s general store, has serviced locals since 1908 and was rescued from the wrecking ball in 2009. Since then it has evolved to cater to its discerning city-slicker visitors, offering hearty breakfast and lunch, great coffee, chai and matcha lattes, plus a curated selection of grocery goods, including local maple syrup.

Palenville is also a good base for taking advantage of the many spectacular hikes in the region. The trail to Kaaterskill Falls – one of the most popular and least strenuous – can be accessed from a verdant bend on Route 23a (the parking lot sits about 30 seconds past the trailhead if you’re coming from Palenville). Fawn’s Leap waterfall is also a well-loved swimming spot in the warmer months.

Colorful Tannersville offers a range of browsing options for visitors © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

Get some color in Tannersville

Not to be outdone by Palenville, Tannersville bills itself as ‘the painted village in the sky,’ though in this case, it’s not a literary reference. Instead it refers to the cheerful rainbow palette of the architecture on its main street where you’ll find a wide selection of do-you-really-need-this tchotchkes on offer at its quirky stores. When hunger strikes, stop by Maggie’s Krooked Cafe – a local staple for more than 30 years – or the two newer kids on the block, Mama’s Boy Burgers and Mama’s Boy Pizza. To burn off the calories afterwards, the 4.4-mile walk to Inspiration Point and Boulder Rock Trail is one of the area’s best hikes.

Earn your calories in Phoenicia

A sleepy but picturesque hamlet perched on the banks of Esopus Creek about 20 minutes from Tannersville, Phoenicia is a beloved getaway for lovers of the outdoors. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the draws in winter, while fishing, tubing and hiking are all prime activities in the warmer seasons (if you have the stamina, the five-hour round-trip hike to Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain offers especially rewarding views). The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice usually takes place in late July/early August, bringing together a captivating program of vocal performances ranging from gospel to opera, world music and musical theater.

Phonecia Diner has retained its vintage look and feel © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

Many New Yorkers make the trip here with a single goal in mind: to indulge in the delightfully caloric fare at Phoenicia Diner, a 1962 Greek diner that was transported to the Catskills from Long Island in the 80s. The recently renovated and reopened Sweet Sue’s is also a sure bet for good nosh, but it’s cash only (luckily, there’s an ATM across the street if you get caught out).

Though its roots lie in its namesake town, Phoenicia Flea is now a self-proclaimed ‘nomadic market of makers and merchants’ and takes place in different towns throughout the Catskills (check the website for locations). Another key draw for New Yorkers, the gathering of vendors from the region offers up everything from vintage clothing to apothecary items and handmade furniture.

Where to bed down in the Catskills

You’re almost spoiled for choice when it comes to finding lodgings in the Catskills. For the traditional lodge experience, Deer Mountain Inn sits tucked on a hillside above Tannersville and features six rooms, plus two nearby cottages with four rooms each. The inn’s restaurant recently got a revamp and is now helmed by Michelin-starred chef Ryan Tate, whose seven-course tasting menu is a must for foodies.

The Deer Mountain Inn is both a cozy retreat and a dining destination © Mikki Brammer / Lonely Planet

Prospect, the restaurant and bar at Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in nearby Hunter is another one to add to your gustatory bucket list. The sleek ‘alpine modern’ design of the 38-room boutique hotel makes it a preferred weekend pied-a-terre for Brooklynites, who enjoy kicking back aprés-ski in its lobby lounge around the stovepipe fireplace (the hotel has direct views to the slopes of Hunter Mountain). Phoenicia also has its own set of boutique lodgings at the Graham & Co., which includes a badminton court and swimming pool, as well as free access to bikes for exploring the area.

A little further east at the tip of the Ruth Reynolds Glunt Nature Preserve on the bank of the Hudson River, the Saugerties Lighthouse is an especially charming stay. The restored red-brick building not only houses a museum, but also a bed and breakfast that welcomes guests Thursday to Sunday year-round (be warned that there is no air-conditioning in summer). Climb up to the fully operational light tower for panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson Valley.

Make the escape

Unless you’re looking to hike (as a general rule, most trails are accessible only from April to late October), there’s really no bad time of year to visit the Catskills. Though you’ll need to rent a car to truly experience all that the area has to offer – bucolic one-street hamlets, artist enclaves, glorious waterfalls, and sweeping mountain views – it’s well worth it if you’re seeking refuge from the urban bustle.

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Chicago is practically tailor-made for family getaways, offering a wealth of interactive museums, fabulous parks and jaw-dropping architecture without the aloof attitude or supersized footprint that make some big cities feel like no-fly zones for tiny tourists. From tots to teens, there’s something for every child in the Windy City.

Skydeck at the Willis Tower gives brave little ones a birds-eye view of Chicago © Scott Olson / Getty Images

Scale scrapers and set sail

An up-close encounter with Chicago’s legendary architecture is a don’t-miss for visitors of all ages. Wee daredevils will delight in the city’s pair of high-altitude viewing decks, 360 Chicago at the John Hancock Building and Skydeck at the Willis Tower. As if the observatories’ heights weren’t dizzying enough (they’re perched on the 94th and 103rd floors of their respective buildings), glassy viewing alcoves reward brave little ones with the sensation of being suspended over the city. Not sure which to pick? Skydeck scores points for sheer loftiness, while lakeside 360 Chicago has the edge in the panorama department.

For a ground-up view of the skyline and a boat ride to boot, treat tweens and teens to the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s river tour, which delivers an overview of the city center’s most important buildings from aboard a double-decker cruiser. If your child is too young to know her Burnham from her van der Rohe, forego the formal tour and hop the Shoreline Water Taxi; in addition to serving up spectacular lakefront scenery, the service links two of the most popular ports of call for visiting families: Navy Pier and the Museum Campus.

The Art Institute’s stone lions are a picture-perfect Chicago landmark © Amanda Hall / robertharding / Getty Images

Make art and meet prehistoric beasts

The sprawling Field Museum captures little imaginations with colossal dino fossils (though beloved resident T. rex Sue is off display until 2019), but for an interactive experience to suit a broad range of ages and interests, it’s hard to top the Museum of Science and Industry. Big kids will get a kick out of descending into a coal mine, transmitting secret messages in the whispering gallery, and playing astronaut at the Henry Crown Space Center, while little ones will love peeping at the adorable hatchery chicks and catching their reflections in the mirror maze.

Over at the Art Institute of Chicago – free for under-14s – a real-life audience with some of the most recognizable paintings in the Western canon (think American Gothic, Nighthawks, and A Sunday on La Grande Jatte) may stir your child’s inner Picasso. Dollhouse fans will be enchanted by the tiny universe of the Thorne Miniature Rooms. The whole family can bust out the brushes at the drop-in Artist’s Studio, open daily. And even the most jaded teen will crack a smile for selfies with the iconic stone lions that stand sentry on the museum’s front steps.

If you’re after a quick diversion, the city has a number of special-interest museums perfect for keeping older kids engaged for an hour or two. At the Chicago Sports Museum, budding athletes can face off against virtual reality versions of local legends like Scottie Pippen and Patrick Kane, while the stacks of cash on display at the Federal Reserve’s Money Museum may inspire allowance renegotiations.

Lincoln Park Zoo’s otherworldly pavilion makes a great backdrop for family photos © Jacob Karmel / Shutterstock

Go wild

Wildlife enthusiasts are in for a treat at Lincoln Park Zoo, where Japanese macaques chill in hot springs. With its relaxed pace, the adjacent Farm-in-the-Zoo is geared to the littlest visitors. Be sure to stroll the boardwalk that links the two, where you’ll find an otherworldly honeycomb-like pavilion that makes the ultimate Chicago family photo op. Perhaps best of all for parents, the whole experience is free – even parking, if you’re lucky (or patient) enough to score a spot on Stockton Drive, just steps from one of the zoo’s main entrances.

Just up the street, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum earns high marks with youngsters for its butterfly haven, a light-filled indoor garden that’s home to 1,000 winged beauties. And in the South Loop, the Shedd Aquarium makes a splash with scuttling penguins, a shark-patrolled reef and stingrays and sea stars.

Rope bridges and climbing walls beckon at Maggie Daley Park © f11photo / Shutterstock

Park it

When the kids are looking to let loose, Chicago’s at the ready with miles of lakefront and a plethora of parks. With its vertiginous crow’s nests, climbing wall and wintertime skating ribbon, the Loop’s Maggie Daley Park is a crown jewel in the city’s park system, though parents of tiny tots should note that an abundance of boisterous big kids and hiding spots can make it a bit nerve-jangling. The wide-open spaces of nearby Grant Park, best known for pretty Buckingham Fountain, may be a better match for small ones. The AT&T Plaza at Millennium Park, home to super-photogenic interactive sculpture Cloud Gate (or the ‘Bean’), is a winner with kids of all ages.

Come summer, more than two dozen lifeguard-manned beaches beckon. Tucked behind the Museum Campus, 12th Street Beach gets props for its manageable size, proximity to the Loop and cool view of the Adler Planetarium. At North Avenue Beach, gutsy teens can test their balance on a stand-up paddleboard.

When the weather tanks, Garfield Park Conservatory offers a year-round burst of balmy air and verdant greenery. Inside, a dedicated children’s garden and a range of free drop-in classes get kids pumped about nature.

Summertime brings family-friendly concerts to Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion ©
masmithers /
CC BY 2.0

Catch a beat

It’s never too early for youngsters to get their first taste of the Chicago blues. While most venues cater to the 21-and-up crowd, celebrated club Buddy Guy’s Legends is open to all until 8pm. During lunch and dinner most days, performers play acoustic sets suitable for tender little ears.

On Monday and Thursday evenings during the warmer months, wagon-toting families descend upon the Pritzker Pavilion lawn for the Millennium Park Summer Music Series, a program of free gigs that draws acts like Jose Gonzalez and Femi Kuti. No matter the headliner, the vibe on the grass is chilled-out and super kid-friendly; parents sip wine on picnic blankets while little ones bop and twirl.

Kids with adventurous palates will love digging into dumplings and dim sum in Chinatown © Marco Bicci / Shutterstock

Chow down

Just about all but the most exclusive restaurants will accommodate children without batting an eye, though for your family’s own comfort you might find it best to have your doggie bags in hand by 6:30, when dinner crowds can make maneuvering strollers and highchairs awkward. Adventurous eaters will love slurping noodles beneath the pagodas of Chinatown and digging into enormous dosas amidst the sari shops and Indian candy stores of Devon Avenue: both ’hoods offer a spoil of dining spots that are casual and easy on the wallet.

Certain restaurants go the extra mile to welcome little guests. Lincoln Park’s retro RJ Grunts soothes post-zoo fatigue with kid-sized shakes and burgers along with a complimentary stroller valet, while over in hip Ukrainian Village, Quad Cities-style pizza spot Roots encourages tiny diners to play with their food, distributing dough balls to be squashed and stretched while dinner’s in the oven. (Grown-up topping options like duck sausage and a lengthy Midwestern beer list will keep Mom and Dad happy, too.)

Kids get the royal treatment each afternoon at the Drake Hotel’s Little Prince and Princess Tea, an elaborate spread of dainty nibbles served up in the hotel’s grand Palm Court. Fanciful decorations and carolers make holiday season visits here particularly magical. Parents and rugrats alike will be sweet on the inventive gelato at West Town’s Black Dog and the rich hot chocolate at Logan Square’s Katherine Anne Confections.

The James Hotel offers complimentary amenities like cookies and milk, kid-friendly books and board games © James Hotel

Set up camp

Home-sharing sites offer rental apartments scattered around Chicago’s vibrant neighborhoods. If self-catering’s not your family’s thing, you’ll find a bevy of boutique hotel options, as well as all the usual chain suspects, clustered around the Loop, Streeterville and River North neighborhoods – all good bases in terms of proximity to many of the city’s top kid-centric attractions.

Some hotels make a point of rolling out the red carpet for little ones. The stylish James sweetens the deal with perks like books, board games, and a milk and cookie turndown service. Up in quirky-cool Andersonville, the lovely Guesthouse Hotel offers spacious kitchen-equipped suites and a thoughtful menu of free-to-use kid essentials that run the gamut from car seats to sippy cups.

Getting around

Taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available, but rather than scrambling to stash strollers and secure child seats in an unfamiliar vehicle, consider the CTA train (or El, as it’s known locally). Most major sights are within an easy walk from an elevator-equipped station (indicated on system maps by an accessible icon). Tickets can be purchased at station kiosks. Bear in mind that train car interiors resemble sardine cans during morning and evening rush periods (roughly 6:30-9:30am and 3-6pm); for a comfortable ride, avoid traveling during these times.

Attractions tend to be quietest first thing in the morning. Some spots, like the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum, have designated stroller and wheelchair entrances, where lines are often significantly shorter. Finally, if you plan to hit more than a couple of signature attractions, consider a CityPass, valid for admission to your choice of five out of seven major sights. In addition to saving your brood a few bucks, it also includes fast-track entry to spots like Skydeck – no small thing when little legs grow tired and crankiness looms.

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Choosing to hike and walk for a good part of your global travels allows you to experience the world through a unique lens – you’ll get to know local communities, learn about a culture from the ground level and stay fit while doing it.

But before you lace up your boots and hit the trail you’ll need to know where to go. These routes will take you across the planet from Europe’s quaint alpine villages to New Zealand’s glacial landscapes, through desert vistas in the Middle East, the USA’s staggering canyons and on to some of the world’s highest peaks in Africa and Asia. Whether you fancy a day trip, a week-long wander or a longer-haul hike, there’s an epic adventure to suit all abilities.

Hiking the shore of Alftavatn Lake, just one spectacular spot along the Laugavegur hiking trail © attilio pregnolato / Shutterstock

Europe

With its well-established routes, challenging treks and excellent network of huts and cabins, Europe is a great place to start your hiking adventure.

At the edge of the European continent you can hike amid the spectacular volcanoes, glaciers and hot springs of Iceland. The 34-mile (55km) Laugavegur Trail takes in a plethora of these landscapes and there are six huts along the route for easy camping.

Slovenia plays host to come of the best hikes in Europe, including the sprawling 310-mile (499 km) Slovenian Mountain Trail, featuring 50 huts en route to house weary walkers. Don’t forget to get your special passport book stamped at the 80 checkpoints along the way.

Skirting the eponymous 4810m-high mountain, the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc takes you 105 miles into the heart of the continent. The trail passes through Switzerland, France and Italy, and hikers can easily customise their route to take in dense forest scenery or mountain passes, historical sights or all of the above!

A herd of giraffes grabbing a snack in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park © Delmas Lehman / Shutterstock

Africa

The bucket-list trek on the African continent is Mt Kilimanjaro. Located in Tanzania, near the border with Kenya, this dormant volcano is Africa’s highest peak standing at a soaring 5895m high. The eight-day route begins on hot plains, continues through jungle, alpine forest, moorland and eventually reaches the glacially-carved summit, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of the savannah below.

Other iconic treks include the Simien Mountains in Ethiopia, Blyde River Canyon in South Africa and summiting the continent’s second-highest peak, Mt Kenya. A classic African challenge is Namibia’s 52-mile (83.6 km), four-day trail through Fish River Canyon, the world’s second-largest canyon.

For wildlife encounters head for Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park. The reserve is home to hundreds of species of birds, primates, reptiles and mammals (including the ‘Big Five’), so walking the trails here offer abundant opportunities to spot nile crocodiles, buffalos, lions and elephants.

The Middle East is a gateway to some incredible hikes through breathtaking landscapes like Jordan’s Wadi Rum © Tibor Duris / Shutterstock

The Middle East

Jordan offers a multitude of day-long hikes that’ll get you out amongst its otherworldly desertscapes and ancient archaeological sites. For a longer stint on the road trek the 47-mile (75.6 km) trail from Petra to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, taking in the mesmerising architecture of the Rose Red City, plunging desert canyons and towering sandstone cliffs.

Alternatively try the newly established Jordan Trail, an epic 404-mile (650km) route that runs the entire length of the country from the farming villages of Umm Qais to the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba. If you don’t fancy the 36-consecutive-day hike, the route can be broken into eight distinct legs, each taking around four to five days to hike.

Other unmissable journeys include hiking Oman’s Grand Canyon Wadi Ghul (circumvent the rim before climbing Jebel Shams’ 3009m peak for spectacular views over this fissured landscape); and the Israel National Trail, crossing the entire country from Dan near the Lebanese border to Eilat at its southernmost tip.

Buddhist prayer flags dot the route along the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal © Alexander Mazurkevich / Shutterstock

Asia

The Himalayas are a haven for trekking opportunities, from Everest Base Camp to the mountain’s peak itself and Bhutan’s famed Snowman Trek, a high-altitude hike across nine passes. The Annapurna Circuit in Nepal is a classic high-alpine trek that follows ancient trade routes and passes through quaint mountain villages, with fluttering Buddhist prayer flags, stupa, prayer wheels and sturdy stone homes dotting the path. The circuit takes around 15 days and can be extended with side treks off the main route. Many guesthouses can be found along the trail, so you don’t need to carry a tent, sleeping bag or food for more than a day.

In China, don’t miss the trek through the beautiful Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan province. Then head northeast to the Great Wall, where you can hike on top of or along trails at the base of the wall. If you’re headed through Southeast Asia, the best hike is the two-day trek up Mt Kinabalu in Malaysia.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is nothing short of breathtaking! © Robert CHG / Shutterstock

Australia and the Pacific

New Zealand is a country that prides itself on its trekking (or tramping) opportunities. There are nine ‘Great Walks’ in the country, across various landscapes from beaches to mountains and forests, shimmering glaciers and spectacular waterfalls. The longest and most challenging of which is the 49-mile (79 km) Heaphy Track through the South Island’s Kahurangi National Park. The world-class Abel Tasman Coast Track is another spectacular hike taking in the region’s turquoise bays and golden coves.

Australia offers a bounty of walks from short city trails like Sydney’s Seven Bridges, Melbourne’s Capital City Trail and the Darwin City Trail, to wild wanderings in the Red Centre and along Victoria’s lush Great South West Walk. A particular bucket-list favourite is the iconic Three Capes Track in Tasmania. This four-day hike unravels the diversity of Tasmania’s landscapes taking you through 28.5 miles (46km) of dense forest, along dramatic cliff edges and out to the beautiful blue.

For an off-the-grid adventure, with a healthy shock of history and culture, tackle the Kokoda Track – a 60-mile (96km) hike that’ll get you up-close to the people, places and turbulent past of Papua New Guinea.

You’ll want to factor in some ‘just-stop-and-stare-at-the-incredible-landscape’ time on your Torres del Paine hike © David Ionut / Shutterstock

South America

Begin your South America trekking adventure in Patagonia, where you can set your sights on the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park. The 62-mile (100km) W Trek takes in craggy mountain ranges, glaciers, lakes and the famed three torres – three soaring spires behind a turquoise lake. The five-day Mt Fitzroy Trek, located in Argentina’s Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, is another classic trek in southern Patagonia.

Your global trekking tour has one clear direction from here – north along the spine of the Andes mountains to Peru. Here you can embark on the four- to five-day hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This famed 23-mile (37km) route winds it way along trails used by the Incas, and culminates at the Sun Gate at Machu Picchu. If you’re unable to get permits for the Classic Inca Trail (it’s a very popular hike and must be booked in advance), there are additional routes, such as the five-day Salkantay Trail that offer an alternative – but no less captivating – perspective on this region.

From Peru, head north to Ecuador, where you can hike around Cotopaxi Volcano or along the Quilotoa Loop, a multi-day trek through rural villages.

The South Kaibab Trail delivers iconic landscapes on an epic scale © Maridav / Shutterstock

North America

North America has thousands of miles of awesome hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains, the Sierra Nevada and the Appalachians to name but a few iconic areas. Yosemite National Park includes a number of one-day and overnight hikes, including the 5.4-mile (8.7 km) Mist Trail, past Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. For canyon enthusiasts, it doesn’t get any better than the epic South Kaibab Trail in Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park. Stay in Arizona for the amazing Templeton Trail in Sedona, where you can hike in the shadow of the region’s towering red buttes.

For long-distance treks, hike parts of the Continental Divide Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. Both extend thousands of miles between the borders of the US and Canada, and you’ll need to be fully equipped with camping gear and food to tackle these trails. Colorado is a great place to test out your knees and lungs with 58 peaks over 4267m to climb in the state alone.