Halloween weekend is here. The city is filling up with vampires, pirates, six people dressed as the same internet meme, and one guy who “didn’t have time” and wore cat ears.
We have a better costume idea: a person relaxing in the mountains. It’s very convincing.
Just about 2 hours from New York City, Alpine Four Season Lodge in Highmount, near Belleayre Mountain, still has rooms for one or two nights this weekend, October 30 – November 1. No planning required. Pack a bag and point the car north.
Cozy up at Alpine Four Season Lodge.
A Quick Safety Briefing
Some guests ask if the Catskills get spooky this time of year. Fair question. Washington Irving did set two of his most famous stories here in the Hudson Valley. So, for the record:
There is no Headless Horseman at the lodge. He keeps to Sleepy Hollow and has never once made a reservation. (It’s hard to sign a guest book without a head.)
There are no moonwalking zombies, either. If you see a crowd dancing in perfect sync under a streetlight, you’re still in Manhattan. Keep driving.
And there are no haunted hayrides, only leaves. Many, many leaves. Some of them rustle dramatically. That’s the most suspense we offer.
The Actually Scary Fact
According to legend, Rip Van Winkle wandered into these very Catskill Mountains, shared a drink with some mysterious strangers, lay down for a nap and woke up 20 years later. His beard reached his belt, his musket had rusted, and he’d slept through an entire revolution.
We mention this because our beds are that comfortable. Please set an alarm. We cannot be held responsible for missed decades, missed checkout times or missed elections.
Halloween? Only If You Must
If trick-or-treating is non-negotiable, the village of Fleischmanns is just down the road. Expect small-town Halloween at its best: real candy, porch lights instead of subway lights, and absolutely no one in a $300 inflatable dinosaur costume blocking the sidewalk.
Let your inner child or kid collect the haul, then retreat to the mountains to negotiate the candy tax.
Do Something, or Absolutely Nothing
Late fall is the Catskills’ best-kept secret. The leaf-peeping traffic is gone, the air is crisp and the trails are wonderfully quiet.
If you’re feeling ambitious, hike the trails around Belleayre Mountain. If you’re feeling scenic, take the long way through the mountain villages with the windows down and your favorite playlist on. If you’re feeling lazy, sleep in, but see Rip Van Winkle above and set that alarm.
All three are correct answers.
Fleischmanns in the Catskills
Where to Eat (Because Candy Is Not Dinner)
Breakfast at Bettina, Phoenicia. Strong coffee, fresh pastries and pancakes worth getting out of bed for. Unlike Rip, you’ll want to wake up for these.
Coffee at Doolittle’s, Fleischmanns. Part café, part general store. Come in for a latte, leave with a latte and something you didn’t know you needed.
Dinner at The Print House, Fleischmanns. Cozy, relaxed, with good cocktails and no rush. The only spirits around here come with a garnish. We love that they have live music.
No cooking. No dishes. No line of ghouls at the door asking for snacks.
Your Weekend, Your Rules
Our individually designed rooms make a comfortable home base, whether you’re exploring every trail or just exploring the inside of your eyelids. Come as a couple, bring a friend, or turn it into a spontaneous family adventure.
The best getaways are the ones you didn’t plan. The second best are the ones you planned at noon on Friday.
The Only Thing Scary This Weekend: Missing Out
Rooms are limited, and the weekend starts in a few hours.
🍂 Book direct for our best available rate at alpinefourseasonlodge.com
Alpine Four Season Lodge | Highmount, NY | Near Belleayre Mountain
Proudly Headless-Horseman-free since forever.
