Wellness travel to the Catskills and Hudson Valley, NY: from spas and glamping to wellness retreats and outdoor recreation
The best places for recreational vacations on the East Coast at any time of the year are located just two hours from New York City. It's upstate in the scenic Hudson Valley and Catsill. You'll find chic spas that utilize natural rituals like aromatherapy massages and forest bathing, charming glamping and plenty of outdoor adventures for a variety of ages and preferences.
Spend a night under the stars, try out alternative therapies or simply change from the stress-filled hustle and bustle of the city to fresh air and an energizing atmosphere. The perfect wellness vacation awaits you in upstate New York, all that's left to do is choose what to do.
Spa Resorts
Luxury resorts in the Catskill and Hudson Valley area can be a great base for vacation and wellness travel in New York State. Especially if you choose a chic option like Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection. This escape an hour and a half from New York City is surrounded by wild forests and flowering meadows, epitomizing the beautiful laid-back nature of the Hudson Valley no matter the season. Detached cabins around the Gardiner River create a pastoral, hidden-away retreat with beautiful views of the Shawangunk Range.
The resort boasts a wonderful spa, with a menu of services and treatments that changes seasonally as the spa utilizes local botanicals. Guests at Wildflower Farms can complete their experience of relaxation and unwinding with lounging by the indoor saltwater pool and outdoor hot tubs.
One of upstate New York's historic and most famous resorts in the Catskill and Hudson Valley region, Mohonk Mountain House has been welcoming guests since 1869. It is located 90 miles from New York City and is a National Historic Landmark. The castle resort offers all-inclusive vacations, farm-to-table cuisine and countless activities included with lodging on 40,000 acres of pristine forest. It recently renovated its spa, adding an outdoor treatment area and a variety of new services and rituals: hydrotherapy massage, mindfulness sessions, etc.
You can also enjoy a spa with saltwater and mineral pools in the northern part of the state at the modern "landscape" Piaule Catskill Resort. It's minimalistic, perfect for a relaxing vacation, and the experience will include yoga, bird walks, sound baths, etc. in addition to the spa.
The INNESS Resort has gained a loyal following for its farmhouse aesthetic, harvest-based cuisine and beautiful grounds, and in June 2024 it will open a spa with a sauna, pools, fitness center and an emphasis on organic produce on the treatment menu.
Glamping
Glamping in the Hudson River Valley and Catskill region is also undoubtedly worth including in the recreational tourism. For travelers who seek to be one with nature, a modern, comfortable tent, such as AutoCamp Catskills, will prove to be just the thing. Another cool option is the 31-foot Airstreams trailers with all the amenities. Wellness experiences here include forest bathing, pottery workshops, yoga, meditation, energy rituals, and more.
To explore the Catskills area and the Hudson Valley, it won't be hard to find the perfect base camp, such as Eastwind Hotel & Bar. This hotel offers minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired cabins and suites while enjoying the tranquility of the natural surroundings.
Getaway Eastern Catskills offers guests tiny cabins 2.5 hours from New York City amid serene oaks, tall spruce and pine trees and green hills, close to numerous lakes, waterfalls and historic sites. The cabins are small but elegant in their simplicity and equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, from a large bed to hot showers.
Wellness Spaces
Many day spas that employ alternative methods of relaxation and wellness can be found in upstate New York. For example, Hudson Valley Healing Center offers an infrared sauna, salt cave, vitamin drips, and hyperbaric chambers.
The BODHI Spa can help bring more serenity to your life with eight specialty spa treatments (acupuncture, massage, etc.), yoga classes and workshops that promote healing.
Contemporary yoga studios like Stone Wave Yoga in the Hudson River Valley of upstate New York offer a wider range of wellness services through classes in a variety of yoga modalities, meditations, as well as workshops, teacher trainings and retreats.
Natural Activities
The main reason travelers are so drawn to upstate New York is because of its delightful hiking opportunities, which also promotes healing and wellness. The Catskills and the Hudson Valley are especially popular during the fall season, when the surrounding scenery delights the eye with the full spectrum of fall foliage colors. But other times of the year are just as picturesque, such as in the summer and spring when wildflowers frame the trails. There are many beautiful hiking trails in this region that will showcase all the splendor of the surrounding nature. You can discover hidden gems and well-known traveler favorites like the Brace and Overlook mountains, see unique waterfalls, or visit beautiful national wildlife refuges. The trails are varied in difficulty and route length, so whether you're an amateur or experienced hiker, you'll be able to find an adventure that suits you.
Aside from hiking, there are plenty of other fun things to do outdoors in upstate New York at different times of the year. For example, you can explore bike trails, go kayaking, or climb the Shawangunk Mountains. As the weather gets colder, mountain resorts take the lead, offering ideal conditions for snowboarding and skiing. You can diversify your slopes with cross-country skiing or ice skating on ice-covered lakes. Even with the cold temperatures, there are plenty of cool ways to spend time outdoors in the area.
