Known for its abundance of hikes, rugged peaks, and the tallest cascading waterfall in the state, Catskill is a paragon of natural Hudson Valley beauty. Not to be missed while admiring the mountains is the nearby burgeoning bustle—the surrounding towns of Greenville, Cairo, Hunter, Windham, Athens, and Tannersville reveal hidden and well-known Greene County gems.
Killercat Mountain House
Hunter | airbnb.com/h/killercatmountainhouse @killercatmountainhouse
Get cozy this winter at Killercat Mountain House, an ultra-private Airbnb retreat that sleeps 10 guests and is just 5 minutes from Hunter Mountain. The Parisian-chic décor gives design lovers Insta-worthy moments inside and out, while epic views and amenities allow outdoor enthusiasts to indulge all season long.
Ukulele Catskill Group
The Ukulele Catskill Group, led by Carmen Borgia, brings songs and sweetness to the heart of the Catskill community. Welcoming players of all skill levels, the group hosts lively jam sessions, rehearsals, and performances. The light-hearted atmosphere inspires laughter and learning, cultivating the togetherness of the charming Catskill region’s cultural scene.
Mama’s Boy Burgers
6067 Main Street, Tannersville
(518) 589-6667 | Mamasboyburgers.com
When Mama’s Boy Burgers opened in 2015, owner Michael Koegel made a promise to use locally sourced, top-quality ingredients in all their dishes—a commitment that customers of the award-winning burger and ice cream joint in Tannersville can savor in every delicious bite.
“We’ve been extremely lucky to partner with JJF Farms,” Koegel explains. “Their black Angus cattle are raised humanely, without any hormones. We use a proprietary blend of their grass-fed beef to create our signature burgers, giving them an authentic flavor that you won’t find anywhere else in the Catskills.”
One of Mama’s Boy’s standout features is its wide range of house-made sauces—from herbed mayo, a signature “hot mama” sauce, to a classic, savory-sweet house sauce—used on burgers, as dippers for crispy fries and onion rings, and even as salad dressings.
The menu also satisfies vegetarians and vegans alike with its stand-out falafel and mushroom burgers and its seasonal produce offerings, including tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn, and Brussels sprouts from Story Farms, located just 10 miles away.
“We go through a lot of potatoes because we make our own fries,” Koegel says.
No meal is complete without a sweet treat. The rich, creamy frozen custard is the perfect base for milkshakes in dozens of flavors. Or, try a scoop of locally-made Del’s Ice Cream, a Hudson Valley favorite.
In its nearly 10 years, Mama’s Boy Burgers has established itself as a Catskills institution, earning “best-of” accolades across the Hudson Valley and even gaining recognition from renowned publications like Food and Wine.
This article appears in December 2024.
