My scenic day trip to Livingston Manor, NY in the Catskills included a stop in Mountaindale, NY. It took an unexpected twist when Pat and I stopped by High Voltage and came across a weathered wooden sign that read “Creek Bar”, pointing into the woods—an invitation I couldn’t resist. The allure of discovering something off the beaten path was too tantalizing to ignore. As I followed the whimsical signposts through the forest, a sense of anticipation hung in the air. At the end of this winding leaf rich path Creek Bar revealed itself—a rustic retreat nestled amidst the pristine beauty of the Catskills. Creek Bar’s hidden location gives it the nickname “Mountaindale’s Best-Kept Secret.”
The highlight has to be its picturesque riverside setting along the banks of the Neversink River. While leaves float and run down the river in the fall, in the summer Creek Bar is a popular spot for tubing down the river.
We sat on one of the many lounge chairs with blankets next to an outdoor fire pit and enjoyed a memorable lunch. The place occasionally hosts live music events featuring local bands and musicians in the evenings.
The Catskills are renowned for trout fishing, making this dish a local delicacy, so I had to indulge in a local specialty. My plate arrived, a masterpiece of flavors—trout spread on toast with a touch of dill and olive oil, a dish that paid homage to the area’s rich fishing heritage. I watered it down with one of the many craft beer options. Creek Bar makes sure to rotate local and regional brews on tap so you’ll never have the same beer.
Did You Know?
The Catskills region, including Livingston Manor, NY, has long been a popular destination for fly fishing. The area’s rivers and streams are renowned for their trout populations. Livingston Manor hosts an annual “Trout Parade,” celebrating its fishing heritage and the community’s artistic spirit. The parade features unique trout-themed floats and attracts visitors from near and far. In fact, this area is known as the Trout Fishing Capital of America and there are plenty of activities and experiences to give it a try.
Once satiated, we continued our trip to Livingston Manor, NY, also known as the “Gateway to the Castkills.” It’s famous for its world-class trout fishing and its farm-to-table restaurants, cafes, and various eateries. We parked our car near the Main Street and discovered quaint boutiques and galleries, each offering a unique piece of the Catskills’ character. The place was extremely dog and beer friendly with a few antique shops and local food shops to purchase from. After all, the area is renowned for using local produce year round, so they flaunt it in the markets whenever possible.
Our final stop was Upward Brewery, perched on the foothills of what they call “Beer Mountain.” We settled in for a beer tasting from and learned about Upward Brewery’s commitment to sustainability. They utilize solar power and have implemented various eco-friendly initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint.
We took our last beer and walked up Beer Mountain. Remember to BYOB from the brewery because there are none at the top. Although it’s called Beer Mountain, there is no bar at the top, unfortunate! But there are some lounge chairs so you can enjoy your own. The trail wound its way up the mountain, the crunch of leaves underfoot providing a soundtrack to our journey. Upon reaching the summit, the panoramic view was nothing short of breathtaking. The fall foliage sprawled before us, a patchwork quilt of reds, oranges, and yellows—a living masterpiece.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we descended from Beer Mountain, our hearts full of appreciation for the beauty of the Catskills in the fall. It was now time for dinner, so a stop at the iconic Kaatskeller is a must for some wood-fire pizza. While we didn’t get to have our go at fly fishing, we definitely got a sense of the small yet hip area. It’s definitely an oasis for Brooklynites who escape New York in the fall. But it’s worth a trip and is easy, even if it’s just to see the foliage colors, stop by a hidden forest bar, enjoy a couple of beers, eat some trout and walk up beer mountain.
For a recap of my day trip to Livingston Manor, NY, see my TikTok below:
