About Catskill Mountains
The Catskill Mountains, also known as the Catskills, are a geographic region of the larger Appalachian Mountains, located in southeastern New York. The Catskills are well known in American culture, both as the setting for many 19th-century Hudson River School paintings and as the favored destination for vacationers from New York City in the mid-20th century. The region's many large resorts gave countless young stand-up comedians an opportunity to hone their craft. In addition, the Catskills have long been a haven for artists, musicians, and writers, especially in and around the towns of Phoenicia and Woodstock. The Catskills are located approximately 100 miles (160 km) north-northwest of New York City and 40 miles (60 km) southwest of Albany, starting west of the Hudson River. Today the Catskills are popular for outdoor activities such as Mountain Biking, Skiing, White Water Rafting and Hiking and Camping.