New York's idyllic Catskills region is booming as Americans ditch European vacations for 'restorative' getaways closer to home

Along the Hudson River just a few hours north of New York City, there's an idyllic mountain region filled with charming small towns, rolling farmland and hundreds of miles of hiking trails.

Welcome to the Catskills, the booming country getaway that's become a go-to destination for New Yorkers looking for anything from a weekend escape to a farmstead wedding venue.

Over the last decade - and especially since the COVID-19 pandemic - the region has been undergoing a renaissance as visitors and transplants breathe new life into its towns and villages.

Joseph Satto, broker and principal of Fresh Air Team at Compass , which specializes in luxury Catskills listings, said his firm has seen a 'significant uptick' in buyers looking to purchase second or weekend homes in the region.

'We still have a slight supply shortage,' Satto told the Daily Mail. 'And it just seems like there's always more demand than there is supply, even in a high interest rate environment.'

The vast majority of his buyers are city dwellers, he said, with New York City residents making up the largest group, followed by some buyers from New Jersey and Long Island.

Foster Supply Company , which opened its first hotel, The Arnold House, in 2014, now operates four properties in the Catskills.

The Catskills has become a booming country getaway that's become a go-to destination for New Yorkers looking for anything from a weekend escape to a farmstead wedding venue

The Daily Mail was invited to stay at one of Foster Supply Company's properties, the luxurious The DeBruce hotel (pictured) in Livingston Manor, New York, where rooms start at $449 per night

Joseph Satto, broker and principal of Fresh Air Team at Compass, which specializes in luxury Catskills listings, said his firm has seen a 'significant uptick' in buyers looking to purchase second or weekend homes in the region

The Daily Mail was invited to stay at one of Foster Supply Company's properties, the luxurious DeBruce hotel in Livingston Manor, New York, where rooms start at $449 per night.

The DeBruce is one of several upscale hotels that have opened in the area over the past decade as visitor numbers have grown - a trend that has accelerated as Americans increasingly look for getaways that offer the escape of an international vacation without the airfare, airport delays and exhausting itineraries.

But travel planner Andrés Serra, head of operations at Optimise Travel, said he would not describe the trend as Americans abandoning international travel altogether.

'I don't think Americans are giving up on international travel,' Serra told the Daily Mail. 'Instead, I notice that people save long-haul flights for trips that feel worth the cost and effort and pick domestic spots for shorter getaways.'

Cost is also playing a role. According to Deloitte's 2026 summer travel survey, just 45 percent of Americans planned a summer vacation with paid accommodation, the lowest level in six years.

Among those staying home, 35 percent said they could not afford a trip, while 32 percent said travel was too expensive. Those who were traveling expected to spend 17 percent more on their longest summer trip than they did in 2025.

For New Yorkers, Serra said, the Catskills can offer something that is difficult to replicate on a short international trip - ample vacation time without flights cutting in.

'If you live in New York City and want to get away for three or four nights, the Catskills let you spend more of your time actually on vacation,' he said. 'Many areas are just a two to three-hour drive away.'

The DeBruce, one of four hotels now operated by Foster Supply Company, has become part of Livingston Manor's evolution from a sleepy Catskills hamlet into a destination for city dwellers seeking a slower pace of life

Realtors in the region say business is booming. Among the properties currently for sale is this $1.8 million, 14.3-acre property in the Shawangunk Valley, which has four bedrooms

A short trip to Europe, by comparison, can involve an overnight flight, arriving at the airport hours early to get through check-in and customs and dealing with transfers at both ends.

'All of that can eat up most of your first and last days,' Serra said.

Driving also gives travelers more control over what they pack and when they leave - while allowing them to bring pets and avoid some of the costs associated with flying.

'One car can replace two return plane tickets, checked bag fees, airport transfers, and some local transport,' Serra said.

The shift comes as lodging continues to outperform, with short-term rental demand rising 2 percent and hotel RevPAR climbing 8.2 percent nationally, according to July 2026 data from the US Travel Association's Travel Insights Dashboard.

For New Yorkers, that can mean swapping a European getaway for a three-hour drive to the mountains.

Kirsten Harlow Foster founded Foster Supply Company with her husband and partner, Sims Foster. She told the Daily Mail they are seeing more and more guests turn their Catskills trips into extended vacations rather than just a quick weekend escape.

'You're not getting on a plane, you're not dealing with all sorts of logistical chaos,' Harlow Foster told the Daily Mail. 'You're just getting in your car and throwing your hiking boots in the back.'

Homes in the area of the Catskills are particularly appealing for New Yorkers who are looking for weekend and summer homes with ample land and panoramic views

The company's guest data shows that visitors are becoming increasingly loyal to the region.

Some 3,856 of their guests have returned after visiting one Foster Supply property, while the company's most frequent guest has made 49 visits totaling 79 room nights.

More recently, Foster Supply has noticed guests staying at two of its properties on a single trip - turning a weekend getaway into a more deliberate regional tour.

Serra said the Catskills' variety makes it particularly well suited to longer stays.

'The Catskills are great for planning because you can stay in one place and still enjoy different kinds of trips,' he said. 'I can organize hiking, restaurant visits, and time in different small towns without needing to switch hotels.'

'This way, a four-night stay feels varied, but you don't have to schedule every day full of activities.'

And not all visitors are capitalizing on their PTO. In fact, these longer stays are also being helped by the flexibility of remote work.

Catapulted to popularity during the height of the pandemic, Serra said remote work can allow visitors to add nights to a trip without using additional vacation days.

Its lush forests and sweeping streams make it perfect for hiking and fishing

Deloitte's survey even found that 34 percent of surveyed travelers planned to work during their longest summer trip in 2026, up from 23 percent in 2025.

'Someone might arrive on Thursday evening, work from the accommodation on Friday, take the weekend off, work on Monday, and return that evening,' he said. 'That turns a two-night weekend into a four-night stay.'