Summer Activities for Kids in the Catskills

The Catskill Mountains are an ideal summer destination for families. Only a couple of hours north of New York City, the area is full of outdoor and indoor activities to entertain children and adults alike. But in such an expansive mountain range, it can be difficult to know where to start planning an itinerary that keeps kids interested.

The Emerson Resort & Spa is located centrally between many of the Catskills’ best summer activities for kids. With hiking trails, mountain adventures, and live entertainment nearby, plus plenty of family-friendly activities onsite at The Emerson, it’s easy to fill your vacation with memorable experiences while still leaving time to rest and enjoy the mountains.

Hiking Trails Kids Will Love in the Catskills

The Catskill Mountains offer hiking trails for every skill level, making it easy to introduce children to the outdoors. These nearby favorites are all within a short drive of The Emerson.

Ashokan Rail Trail

If you’re hiking with young children, a stroller, or a wheelchair, the Ashokan Rail Trail is an excellent choice. The wide, mostly flat gravel path stretches for eleven miles along the Ashokan Reservoir, offering expansive water and mountain views. Leashed dogs are welcome too.

Tanbark Loop

Older kids looking for a little adventure will enjoy Tanbark Loop. The two-mile trail includes a few steeper sections, interesting rock formations, and rewarding viewpoints that keep the hike engaging from beginning to end.

Diamond Notch Falls

For families hoping to see one of the Catskills’ beautiful waterfalls, Diamond Notch Falls is a great option. This easy out-and-back trail follows a peaceful creek before reaching the falls. Since it’s a popular destination, an early morning start often means fewer crowds.

Great Attractions for Kids in the Catskills

Cool down after your hike with a stop at one of these memorable Catskills attractions, and enjoy a fun, family-friendly experience.

Rail Explorers

One of the area’s most unique adventures, Rail Explorers lets families pedal specially designed electric-assisted rail bikes along the historic Ulster & Delaware Railroad. The route follows Esopus Creek through wooded scenery, with a peaceful turnaround where you can enjoy a snack before heading back. The ride is easy enough for most families while offering a perspective of the Catskills you won’t find from the road.

Catskill Animal Sanctuary

Kids love meeting animals, and the Catskill Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties offers a meaningful, interactive experience with them. A forty-minute drive from The Emerson, their Family-Focused Tours are a perfect day trip for families with young children and visitors with limited mobility. The one-hour tour introduces visitors to rescued farm animals who reside at the sanctuary, and children can enjoy hands-on interaction with them in a relaxes environment.

Scenic Trains in the Catskills

Two local railroads offer out-and-back scenic excursions through the mountains. Both the Delaware & Ulster Railroad and the Catskill Mountain Railroad provide relaxing rides with beautiful views, making them a great choice for younger children or grandparents traveling with the family.

A family of four rides a Rail Explorers vehicle down a railroad track in the Catskills

World’s Largest Kaleidoscope

Located right here at The Emerson, the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope offers an experience unlike anything else in the Catskills. Step inside the converted 60-food silo for an immersive show of light, color, and music that delights visitors of every age. Original video art is projected through a lens system and reflected in three 37 ½ foot mirrors, forming a perfect sphere when viewed from below.

After the show, spend time exploring The Shops at Emerson. Families often browse the Kaleidostore for kaleidoscopes, puzzles and games, then wander through the restored dairy barn to discover high-quality toys, Catskills souvenirs, and unique finds for every age.

Visit a Catskills Ski Resort for Summer Adventures

When you’re thinking of summer activities, a ski resort may not be the first thing you picture, but the mountains often offer fun activities after the snow melts. The Emerson is centrally located between all of the Catskills’ major ski resorts, and some offer scenic summer activities that make for an easy family day trip.

Belleayre Mountain

Belleayre’s Catskill Thunder Gondola carries visitors to the summit for panoramic mountain views, scenic hikes, and picnic spots overlooking the forest preserve. Down at Belleayre Beach, families can swim, rent paddleboats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or simply spend the afternoon by the water.

Hunter Mountain

Hunter Mountain’s scenic Kaatskill Flyer provides sweeping views of the surrounding peaks without the hike. For families looking for a little more excitement, they partner with Northeast Off-Road Adventures to offer a 4×4 Off-Road Adventure. This family-friendly off-road driving tour provides hours of breathtaking views and diverse, rugged terrain.

Kid-Friendly Live Entertainment in the Catskills

After a day outdoors, enjoy an evening performance at one of the area’s local venues.

Woodstock Playhouse

The Woodstock Playhouse summer season often includes family favorites, classic musicals, and Disney productions that make for an entertaining night out with kids.

Bearsville Theater

Bearsville Theater hosts concerts and special events throughout the summer, including occasional programming geared specifically towards children.

Kids swimming in the pool at the Emerson Resort. The pool is surrounded by lounge chairs, umbrella tables, and a lifeguard in a chair.

Unwind at our Family-Friendly Resort

Finding kid-friendly relaxation is just as important to a good vacation as your adventure itinerary. Between day trips exploring the Catskill Mountains, The Emerson Resort offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy time together as a family.

Outdoor Pool

On warm summer afternoons, the outdoor pool becomes a favorite gathering place for families. Kids can swim and play while parents lounge poolside with a Catskill Mountains backdrop.

Walk or Bike the Resort Trails

Take a leisurely walk along our Brookside Wander nature trail and discover more about the Catskills landscape. Along the way, you’ll find opportunities to learn about native plants, pollinators, stream ecology, and local wildlife. Families can also borrow complimentary binoculars and a birding guide from the resort to enjoy birdwatching along our many paths. Bald eagles, great blue herons, and many other bird species are often spotted throughout the area.

Campfire Nights

On Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting, families gather around the fire to end the day together. S’mores kits are available for purchase, making it easy to enjoy a classic summer tradition beneath the Catskills sky.

Stay at The Emerson for an Easy Family Getaway

Planning a family vacation is easier when so much is already waiting for you in one place. Stay at The Emerson Resort to be close to many iconic Catskills adventures, and enjoy elegant, comfortable accommodations, on-site dining and shopping, engaging activities for kids, and an award-winning spa for parents, all without leaving the property.

Kid-Friendly Summer Activities in the Catskills