Sullivan County, Catskills
A visitor guide to Livingston Manor and Roscoe
Two towns, one river valley, and a farm in between. Here is what to know before you plan a trip, from elevation and fall colour to fly fishing and breweries.
Elevation decides the season more than the calendar does
Livingston Manor sits at about 1,401 feet above sea level. Shandelee, the ridge directly above town, is about 2,119 feet, roughly 700 feet higher. Fall colour moves downhill, so the high ground turns while Main Street is still green. There is no reliable peak colour date to give in advance. Check the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report before you drive, and drive up rather than along to see more of the season in one trip.
Livingston Manor
A railroad town finding its second wind
Livingston Manor owes its start to the railroad. In the 1880s the O&W Railway rolled through, turning a quiet hamlet into a destination for city visitors escaping to the Catskills. When the trains stopped running in the 1950s, things went quiet again. Route 17, the Quickway, brought new visitors but also made it easy to drive right past Main Street.
These days new restaurants, shops and residents have brought fresh life to the Manor. Main Street is walkable end to end, so park once and wander.
Roscoe
Trout Town, USA
Roscoe sits where the Beaverkill and Willowemoc meet, and it has called itself Trout Town USA for over a century. The first recorded fly fishing match in the United States took place on the Beaverkill in 1864, and Junction Pool, where the two rivers join, is one of the most written about fishing spots in North America.
Roscoe was originally called Westfield Flats. A fire on November 19, 1916 destroyed 23 buildings along Stewart Avenue. The Presbyterian Church survived, and a marker commemorates the town's rebuilding. The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum preserves this history today: the grounds along the Willowemoc are free and open year round, and the museum closes December 9 and reopens January 9.
Beyond the two Main Streets
Unique experiences nearby
A handful of stops that only exist in this corner of Sullivan County. See the full list on our Unique Experiences page.
Livingston Manor
Arthur's Acres Pig Sanctuary
Home to rescued pigs of all sizes. Tours are by reservation only.
Upward Brewing Company
Beer Mountain is a beginner friendly hike from the brewery, about thirty minutes to the summit and dog friendly. Upward also has the largest outdoor seating area of the area's three drinks producers.
Roscoe
Beaverkill Angler
A fly shop in downtown Roscoe. Gear up, book a guided trip, or ask what is hatching.
Buck Brook Alpaca Farm
Farm tours and animal encounters, with tours going out on the hour. Donations are encouraged.
A short drive further
Bridle Hill Farm, Jeffersonville
Year round horseback riding lessons and guided trail rides.
Catskill Pheasantry and Sporting Clays, Callicoon
A sporting clays course paired with a working pheasantry.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
The museum stays open through December 31. The Harvest Festival runs Sundays through October 4 and is free.
Three drinks producers, all worth the drive
We have been to each of them. Upward has the strongest outdoor setup of the three.
| Producer | Town | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Catskill Brewery | Livingston Manor | Keeps an active seasonal calendar worth checking before you visit. |
| Do Good Spirits | Roscoe | An award winning craft distillery with an outdoor cocktail area and live music. |
| Upward Brewing Company | Livingston Manor | The largest outdoor seating area of the three, plus the Beer Mountain hike on site. |
One planning note that catches visitors out
Sullivan County's summer farmers markets wind down through late October and November. The Callicoon winter market does not start until December, so November sits in a gap with no market running. If a farmers market is on your list, plan for it outside that window.
Plan your visit by month
When Do The Leaves Peak In Sullivan County? How To Time A Catskills Fall Trip
Fall colour in the Catskills moves downhill. Livingston Manor sits at 1,401 feet and the ridge above it at 2,119, so the same weekend gives you two different autumns depending which road you drive. Plus what is open in October.
Read the post →What Is Open In The Catskills In November? A Visitor Guide To Sullivan County Off-Season
November in Sullivan County means empty roads and everything still open. The Catskill Fly Fishing Center closes December 9, Bethel Woods runs through December 31, and all three breweries are going. Here is what to plan around.
Read the post →A December Weekend In Livingston Manor: What To Do And The One Date To Check
The Catskill Fly Fishing Center closes December 9 until January 9, which catches visitors out. Bethel Woods runs to December 31 and the Callicoon winter market finally opens. A Friday to Sunday plan for a Catskills winter weekend.
Read the post →Ready to plan the rest of the trip?
See where to eat and shop in both towns, or reach out with questions about the area.