A Guide to Livingston Manor, NY

Frick Pond, in the Delaware Wild Forest, in autumn. Photo: Escape Brooklyn.

In Sullivan County, 100 miles from New York City, Livingston Manor describes itself as “a small town with a big yard.” In 2019, Condé Nast declared it the “Catskills’ Newest Hotspot.” Through the two descriptions sound pretty far apart, as Livingston Manor locals with some authority – we agree with both.

Hotspot takes on another meaning in the Catskill Mountains; don’t come to town expecting a cityscape of nightlife and entertainment options. Sure, there are bars – and even a world-class art gallery – but Livingston Manor leans more leisure than excitement. This tiny town boasts excellent options for the outdoor-inclined, from world-famous fly fishing on its rivers to miles of hiking trails through its big back yard of forest, waterfalls, lakes and ponds. Livingston Manor is also home to a vibrant community of design, gift and outdoor shops, breweries, restaurants and bars – many of them part of a recent influx of creatives and entrepreneurs from the city.

The harmonious mix of its outdoor attractions and its great small businesses make Livingston Manor a wonderful place to visit, or live. Maybe even the best (wink, wink.)

Below, check out our guide to this very special town we call home – with our favorite spots to explore, eat, drink, stay and more.

See massive names in modern art like James Turrell and Sol LeWitt at Catskill Art Space in Livingston Manor, NY. Photo: Zach Hyman.

The tiny town of Livingston Manor has some of the best shopping in the Catskills. For the home design and decor enthusiast, check out a few of our favorite boutiques: Long Weekend, with expertly curated vintage and mid-century furniture, art and decor; the pocket-sized Homestedt, selling well-designed homewares, outdoor gear and local products; Spruce Homegoods, selling fine cheeses and home goods; and Life Repurposed, vintage and thrifted home goods and furniture. Livingston Manor’s newest shop addition, Corners, will tempt you to add a coffee table or art print to your home collection. Their gallery-like display of prints, office supplies, art and design books is a work of art in itself.

There’s a load of shopping for more niche products, too. We love Jitterbug, offering a little something for everyone with their supply of records, toys, games and art supplies. Old Souls is a new addition to town, where outdoorsy types can simultaneously stock up on gear and gifts. For the handier types, we adore Will Hardware, a hardware shop ripe with nostalgia, plus rows and rows of stuff you had no idea you needed (and many things you do).

In addition to the plethora of homewares to find while exploring, there’s a number of clothing shops to wander through: Nest, a lifestyle boutique with sourced products ranging from clothing to furniture to rugs; and Seasons, housing designers like Alex Mill and Ganni. In the nearby town of Roscoe, check out Taylor + Ace for even more vintage homeware and furniture at great prices.

Whatever you do, don’t miss Livingston Manor’s cultural gem and world-class art gallery, Catskill Art Space. Inside, find installations from massive names in modern art like Sol LeWitt and James Turrell alongside regional artists and curators. In an effort to make art accessible to all, admission is free, but donations are welcome.

View from the top of Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower in winter. Photo: Escape Brooklyn.

This mini-region within the Catskills is the birthplace of American dry fly fishing. Known for pristine, protected waters and abundant bug life, fly fishers from around the world come to fish on the famed Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Neversink, Delaware and Esopus rivers. To arrange a guided day on the water (and/or lessons) talk to the folks at Dette Flies. Located on right on Livingston Manor’s Main Street, Dette Flies is the oldest family run fly fishing shop in the world.

For those who prefer exploration on land, head to the nearby Willowemoc Wild Forest trails where there’s a 40+ mile trail system to explore. We love the 6.6 mile Hodge Pond and Frick Pond, or cut it short and just do the 2.1 mile Frick Pond portion. Both pass through an incredible maze of pine forest and boardwalked trails. Download AllTrails maps before you go; there’s no cell service.

Further afoot, check out one of the Catskills’ famous fire tower hikes. About 30 minutes from Livingston Manor, Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower and Red Hill Fire Tower are both beautiful trails with stunning 360° views at the top.

The best meal in Livingston Manor is at The DeBruce, where diners are treated to incredible food in a lovely dining room overlooking the mountains. Photo: Escape Brooklyn.

For breakfast or lunch, we love The Walk-In, famous for its square-shaped, flaky biscuits. At lunch, the menu includes excellent salads, sandwiches and soups. Hybrid gourmet grocer and cafe Main St. Farm also serves up some great sandwiches using produce and ingredients from local farms; be prepared for a line, but the food is worth it. For casual vibes, tacos and burgers — including veggie options — head to Van Smokey, an elevated meat shop with a bar and restaurant. They also host outdoor movie nights in summer and karaoke on Fridays; after dark, it becomes one of the livelier bars in town.

For dinner, The Kaatskeller is a longtime favorite, with excellent wood-fired pizza and a beautiful outdoor garden. Further down Main Street, Stumble Out serves seafood, cocktails and sidewalk spritzes in a lively corner space. Newcomer Threshold brings Korean-inspired food to the mix, along with a thoughtful and ambitious beverage program.

Just outside town, The DeBruce easily takes the cake for the best meal in the area, with memorable dinners served in a window-walled dining room overlooking the mountains. Be prepared to spend a bit more, but it’s worth the splurge, especially for a special occasion. For something more laid-back, Arnold House Tavern offers casual fare, a jukebox and pool-table vibes high atop Livingston Manor’s Shandelee Mountain.

Set just outside Livingston Manor’s town center, Mountain Terrace offers a quiet perch with easy access to the region’s best trails, shops, and local highlights. Photo: c/o Mountain Terrace

Livingston Manor has long been known for world-class fly fishing and trail access to the vast Willowemoc Wild Forest – but in recent years, it’s also become a hub for design lovers and creatives looking for inspiration in the quiet. Main Street is lined with small businesses that reflect the town’s evolving identity: well-edited vintage shops, outdoor gear suppliers, cult-favorite home goods stores, and one of the best small-scale art institutions in the country. Whether the draw is the rivers, the trails, or the elevated shopping, Livingston Manor strikes a rare balance of nature and culture.

A few standouts:

• The Mill Houses, a collection of five 19th-century homes with curated interiors and walk-to-everything ease;
• Koto House, a Scandinavian-inspired wellness getaway atop Shandelee Mountain;
• Mountain Terrace, perched on a hillside with a wide deck facing the Catskill range;
• Two Good Cabins, just down the road in Roscoe, with private lake access, a dock, kayaks, and more.

For more options, browse the Catskills Collection in the Escape Club app to explore our favorite design-forward rentals – from cozy cabins to modern homes with views.