Awosting Falls plunges over a dramatic shale escarpment in Minnewaska State Park, surrounded by pine forest and carriage roads. Photo: Escape Brooklyn
EB’s Top 5 in Kerhonkson:
• Honey from Damn Good Honey Farm: This roadside farm stand has some of the best honey in the Catskills (the name speaks for itself). Be sure to grab one or two jars of honey while in town.
• Awosting Falls at Minnewaska State Park: Of all the trails at Minnewaska, Awosting Falls is one of the best. This easy hike leads directly to the waterfall, which offers a refreshing temperature drop in the summer.
• Tours & Tastings at Westwind Orchard: In addition to being a great post-hike stop, Westwind Orchard also offers morning tours of the cidery, followed by cider tastings. Keep an eye on the orchard’s Tours and Tastings schedule to see when the next one is.
• Street Tacos & Drinks at Upstate Taco: Spend an evening digging into taqueria-style tacos at Upstate Taco. For a refreshing pairing, order some fish tacos and the Picosita – a spicy tequila-based cocktail with jalapeño and lime. For a vegetarian option, dig into the vegetable tacos, which pair beautifully with a Tecate michelada.
• Proximity to Accord: Just minutes apart, Kerhonkson and Accord are easy to explore in the same trip. While visiting Kerhonkson, add time in Accord to the itinerary – our guide offers more ideas.
Set between the Catskills and the Shawangunk Ridge, Kerhonkson, NY is a low-key gateway to some of the Hudson Valley’s most dramatic landscapes. Here, glacial lakes meet ridge-line trails, and post-hike afternoons wind down with small-batch cider, tacos, or natural wine beneath the trees.
Home to Minnewaska State Park Preserve – a 22,000-acre expanse of cliffs, forests, and panoramic viewpoints – Kerhonkson draws hikers, swimmers, and day-trippers with its blend of rugged terrain and relaxed hospitality. A six-mile hike might wrap with a sandwich and a cider flight, while a Friday night could mean craft cocktails at a roadside motel.
Kerhonkson moves at its own pace – mornings on the ridge, evenings around the table, with plenty of space to breathe between. Read on for our full area guide, including where to hike, eat, and drink.
What to Do in Kerhonkson, NY: Minnewaska State Park and Post-Hiking Stops
The main draw in Kerhonkson is Minnewaska State Park Preserve, a 22,000-acre expanse of forest, cliffs, and glacial lakes. Trails here range from accessible loops to more demanding climbs. The Lake Minnewaska Carriage Loop Road offers a 1.9-mile walk around the park’s namesake lake, while the equally popular Gertrude’s Nose and Millbrook Mountain Loop offers a more challenging route that stretches 6.7 miles and covers over 1,100 feet of elevation. For panoramic views without the full climb, Compass Rock offers a scenic midpoint. More experienced hikers may opt for the High Peters Kill Trail, known for its rugged terrain.
Post-hike, Damn Good Honey Farm serves fresh sandwiches and stocks a rotating selection of handmade goods, from raw honey to beeswax products. A short drive away, Westwind Orchard offers housemade cider flights in a casual setting surrounded by apple trees and rolling hills. For those in the mood for craft beer, Rough Cut Brewing Company pours small-batch ales in a cozy taproom that feels tailor-made for a laid-back afternoon. Just up the road in Accord, Arrowood Farms brews estate-grown beer and spirits, with a taproom and event lawn that hosts concerts, seasonal festivals, and weekend hangouts.
Where to Eat + Drink: The Best Bars and Restaurants in Kerhonkson, NY
Tucked at the far end of the restaurant, Inness’s bar offers a cozy retreat from the rest of the space. Photo: Christian Harder
On Friday evenings in Kerhonkson, the Catskill Cocktail Club sets up at the Starlite Motel, hosting weekly pop-ups with seasonal drinks in a playful setting. For dinner, Mill & Main brings a farm-to-table approach to a rustic space, with a menu focused on local ingredients and hearty comfort food.
Just outside of Kerhonkson in the neighboring town of Accord, Inness blends refined dining with sweeping mountain views. Its on-site restaurant offers a seasonal menu rooted in Hudson Valley ingredients, served in a warm, minimalist space that reflects the property’s overall design ethos. For something more casual, Upstate Taco in Stone Ridge turns out street-style tacos and Mexican-inspired cocktails in a casual but lively setting. See more nearby options in our Guide to Accord.
