Autumn views from Deer Mountain Inn in Tannersville, NY. Photo: Ernesto Roman

EB’s Top 5 in Tannersville:

• The Spruce Glen at Mountain Top Arboretum: While each section of the arboretum is incredible, the Spruce Glen houses 150-year-old stands of hemlock, spruce, fir, birch, beech, maple trees, and ends at the mountaintop Hidden Marsh.

• Swimming at North-South Lake: After hiking the challenging yet rewarding Scutt Road Loop, head to the campground to take a refreshing dip in North-South Lake.

• Proximity to Hunter, NY: Tannersville’s sister town of Hunter is about 15 minutes away, known for its namesake Hunter Mountain for skiing. Plan to visit!

• Happy Hour at Hotel Lilien: Stop into the cocktail bar and lounge at Hotel Lilien to start the evening with craft cocktails, local beer, and a curated selection of wine.

• Dinner and Drinks at Tabla: Head to Tabla for a dinner made up of elevated Spanish-fusion food, then move to the bar for a nightcap.

Perched high in the Catskill Mountains, Tannersville is a tiny town with outsized personality. Known as “The Painted Village in the Sky” for its technicolor Main Street facades, the village pairs kitschy charm with a quietly sophisticated food and arts scene.

Surrounded by miles of hiking trails, glacial lakes, and forests that blush crimson in fall, it’s a natural basecamp for outdoor lovers — but it’s just as much a destination for espresso-sipping at Lucky Catskills, gallery hopping, and long dinners by the fire at Deer Mountain Inn.

Whether you’re here for mountaintop views or just to wander between Main Street’s boutiques and bars, Tannersville is a reminder that the Catskills still have some colorful secrets left to share. Read on for our guide that shares the best things to do and see – plus find the best places to stay – in Tannersville, NY.

What to Do in Tannersville, NY: Get Outdoors at the Mountaintop Arboretum, Plus Nearby Hiking Trails

The Mountain Top Arboretum is open year-round, allowing visitors to explore the area through the seasons. Photo: Mountain Top Arboretum 

Tannersville may be best known for its painted Main Street, but just a few minutes outside town, the Mountain Top Arboretum offers a quieter kind of color. Open year-round, this 200-acre public garden is a patchwork of meadows, wetlands, and forest — each area with its own seasonal rhythm. Visitors can roam all four sections on self-guided paths, each taking about 30 to 45 minutes to explore. It’s the perfect way to ease into a day outdoors, coffee in hand and birdsong in the background.

Views from Huckleberry Point Trail. Photo: Escape Brooklyn

Looking for more of a climb? Lace up for Huckleberry Point, a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail with one of the most rewarding overlooks in the Catskills — especially in fall, when the valley below glows in red and gold. For a gentler route, the Scutt Road Loop at nearby North-South Lake stretches 5.5 miles across ridgelines and forests, with fewer steep gains and equally dramatic views.

Where to Eat + Drink: The Best Bars and Restaurants in Tannersville, NY

After a day of exploring the area, cozy up in front of the fireplace at Deer Mountain Inn’s restaurant. Photo: Ernesto Roman

Tannersville’s food scene punches well above its weight, offering everything from quick bites to white-tablecloth comfort. Start the morning at Maggie’s Krooked Cafe & Juice Bar for smoothies, eggs, or a muffin on the porch. For something heartier, make the scenic drive to Hunter for breakfast at Fellow Mountain Café, where the sourdough focaccia is reason enough to go.

At lunchtime, Lucky Catskills is the local go-to for rice bowls, ramen, and espresso — equal parts cafe and curated provisions market. Come evening, Tabla is the town’s crown jewel: a cozy, low-lit spot for Spanish-fusion small plates and inventive cocktails that go late. Prefer tacos and tequila? Pancho Villa delivers bold flavors and a festive vibe right on Main Street.

For something quieter (and a bit off the beaten path), Deer Mountain Inn offers a refined, fireside dining experience tucked into the woods — seasonal, locally driven, and best savored over a three-course meal. Meanwhile, Hotel Lilien’s cocktail bar and lounge serves up shareable plates and standout cocktails in its moody, wood-paneled bar — a perfect nightcap after a day on the trail.