Sullivan County

Understand

Geographically, Sullivan County isn't quite part of the two regions it's usually grouped in. While for many visitors it is synonymous with the Catskills, only two of the range's hundred highest peaks are in Sullivan, and it would be more accurately described as the southwestern foothills of those mountains. Other times, it's included as part of the Hudson Valley, although most of the county is in the drainage basin of the Delaware River, which forms its western border. The county's main artery, New York State Route 17 (slowly being converted into Interstate 86), runs north-south through the center, with its two largest communities, Liberty and the county seat of Monticello, right along it. It also divides the county economically. Paradoxically, the half of the county to the east, more geared to tourism and in more wooded and mountainous terrain, is more developed and populous. West of Route 17, in the wider, sparsely populated valleys that flow down to the Delaware, the main business is dairy farming. A little bit too far from the metropolitan area for a practical daily commute, the county's relationship to the city has been as a weekend and vacation spot. To talk about Sullivan County as a destination for travelers it's best to start by talking about its past, about the reasons people used to go there: the fabled Catskill Borscht Belt resorts. This era began in the early years of the 20th century, when Jewish emigrants from Eastern Europe looking for land to farm settled in this quiet rural backwater. In the summers, many of them started taking in fellow Jews who had settled in New York City as boarders. Shut out of other resorts of the era on account of their ethnicity, and wanting to keep kosher, these guests regularly returned to their mountain escapes from the crowded and hot tenements they called home.

Eventually some of these farms evolved into resorts, either by expanding their farmhouses into hotels, adding small bungalow colonies on the property or both.

Getting there

For decades every visitor to Sullivan County has come by road, in a car or bus. There are, for now, almost no other alternatives, befitting this backwoods vacation haven.

By air Stewart International Airport in New Windsor is the closest commercial passenger airport to Sullivan County. It's about an hour's drive from there to Monticello. For private pilots, there's the county's only airport, Sullivan County International Airport, 100 North Street, Monticello (although actually in the town of Bethel), +1 845 794-3000. Its runways are long enough to handle the sort of chartered private jets that would be expected to come for a casino.

By train As with air travel, there is no direct passenger rail service to any destination in Sullivan County. However, the last three stops on Metro-North's Port Jervis Line (PJL), serving Orange County to the southeast, are not too far from the county line. Middletown (New York) and Port Jervis train stations have both large parking lots and local taxi options; the former is close to Route 17 for quicker access to most points in Sullivan County. If you're headed to western Sullivan County, however, especially closer to the Delaware, however, Port Jervis is better situated.When traveling between Sullivan County and the city, some travelers skip the PJL altogether. They drive down Route 17 all the way to the Thruway, then exit where Interstate 287 splits off at the New Jersey state line and follow that state's continuation of Route 17 a short distance into Bergen County to the Ramsey–Route 17 station along NJ Transit's Main Line, the continuation of the PJL. Service is more frequent there and the large parking garage has affordable rates for multi-day parking. From Ramsey it's about an hour's drive to Monticello in good traffic conditions. The nearest Amtrak stop is Poughkeepsie. From there it's about an hour and a half drive. However, travelers headed for Sullivan County from trains along the east side of the Hudson would be well-a

Getting around

There is no passenger rail service to or in Sullivan County. 'Move Sullivan' is the county's only public bus system other than the limited 'Shortline' shuttle that services some towns and villages located in Sullivan County. The main Shortline depot is located in Monticello. Besides these services you'll likely be getting around by car or bicycle on the roads.

There are a couple of state highways entirely within the county. New York State Route 17B connects Monticello with the hamlet of Callicoon along the Delaware. Near White Lake it provides the easiest access to Bethel Woods and the original Woodstock festival site. New York State Route 52A, in western Sullivan County, shortens the trip from Callicoon to Liberty between the small hamlets of Fosterdale and Kenoza Lake. Te county maintains an extensive numbered-route system of its own. Those roads are generally paved, signed and well-maintained regardless of where in the county they are. A local road map, such as those produced by Jimapco and sold in many convenience stores, will generally suffice to guide you around them.

See

1 Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (Hurd Road a half-mile N of NY 17B in the town of Bethel, E of the hamlet of White Lake), toll-free: +1-866-781-2922, [email protected]. In the mid-2000s local entrepreneur Alan Gerry realized a long-held Sullivan County dream of capitalizing on the Woodstock festival site's potential as a tourist draw. The original site, at the southeast corner of the intersection of Hurd and West Shore roads, has been left undisturbed and accessible. On the hill nearby is a modern amphitheatre that has hosted performances by everyone from acts that appeared at the original festival to symphony orchestras. The nearby museum is also a must-see for anyone wanting to better appreciate the cultural significance of the surrounding acres of what was once Yasgur's Farm. (updated Mar 2015) 2 Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor (S side of Old Route 17 2 mi (3 km) from Exit 95 or 96 on Route 17/I-86), ☏ +1 845-439-4810, fax: +1 845-439-3387, [email protected]. Apr–Oct: daily 10AM-4PM; Nov-Mar Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Exhibits here are devoted to every aspect of fly fishing, with historic flies from the museum's extensive collection on display along with vintage bamboo rods and displays on Theodore Gordon and the others who made fly fishing what it is today while on the Catskill streams. They're changed regularly, so it's worth coming back. The museum's educational programs take advantage of its prime location on the banks of Willowemoc Creek, and offer something for everyone, from the novice to the seasoned angler and tyer who wants to explore rodmaking. free. (updated Mar 2015) 3 Minisink Battleground County Park, County Road 168, Minisink Ford (Follow signs from NY Route 97), ☏ +1 845-807-0261. 8AM-sunset. On July 22, 1779, Patriot militia from Orange County bent on avenging a raid on what is now part of Port Jervis were d