Location: Monticello
Top Things to do in Monticello
The 9 Best Things to Do in Monticello, United States
Monticello /ˌmɒntɪˈsɛloʊ/ is a village located in Thompson in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 6,726 at the 2010 census. It is the seat for the Town of Thompson and the county seat of Sullivan County. The village was named after the residence of Thomas Jefferson.
Restaurants in Monticello
1. Holiday Mountain Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By beenaroundtheworld77 - New York City, New York
Though it was pretty empty and several of the activities weren't fully/operational, we enjoyed what was. The bumper boats, go carts, bunjee bounce, super slide, mini golf and bumper cars. It wasn't cheap but it was a treat for the kids and we tried to do enough activities to make the entry fare worthwhile. Staff was all friendly and helpful. Don't expect a grand scale amusement park, this is more like a mini fairground, but it works.
2. The Museum at Bethel Woods
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 424 reviews
Reviewed By RexT - Ottawa, Canada
The idea of visiting the Woodstock site has been in the back of my mind for decades. I am a child of the 60s and that event had a huge impact on me personally. I had initially assumed that a trip there would mean looking at a farmer's field in the middle of nowhere. Boy was I wrong.
On a beautiful sunny October day, we spent 5-6 hours pouring over many state-of-the-art exhibits in this lovely museum which REALLY captures the spirit of "Woodstock" and of the 1960 music scene. It was not busy that day so we felt like we had the place virtually to ourselves.
It was a thrill to walk the hills where the event actually occurred and to visit the monument. My only (minor) complaint is that it would have been nice to somehow mark exactly where the stage was. We had a good general idea, but a flagpole or two might make for a nice addition.
Long story short, I can happily check this off my bucket list. This visit exceeded ALL of my expectations. Kudos to the organizers and administrators!
3. Woodridge Segway Tours
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By saveroom4dessert - New Jersey
We really enjoy touring with a Segway. This was our first time with Woodridge but we did 3 other tours prior to this tour. The staff was very friendly and arrived on time. Plenty of time was given for instruction. The railroad trail was nice to ride on and the time of the tour was as expected. I wouldn't call it a tour though, it was more like just a ride in the park. There seemed to be some history here but none of that was mentioned by the guide. He just kept telling everyone to watch out for the rocks. This is a nice day out in the country so give it a try.
4. Forestburgh Playhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By RobinsRatings - Atlanta, Ga
While visiting the Catskills my wife and I went to the Forestburgh Playhouse for the pre-show cabaret and buffet dinner followed by their presentation of Funny Girl. I cannot express in words what a wonderful evening it was. The cabaret performed by a cast made...MoreThank you so much for such a wonderful review of the Forestburgh Playhouse. I am so delighted that you enjoyed your experience with us! We hope you'll return to enjoy more Broadway in the Catskill!
5. The Country Bum'kin Antiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By NewYorkCityWaterside - new york city
this is a multi dealer antique and collectible including art store.There is a very large inventory of country charm stoneware ,antique furniture accessories vintage jewelry and more.Much more. Down the road from the performing arts and concert center where the original Woodstock concert was.Whether you are urban suburban or rural ,something is sure to catch your interest. Have fun
6. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 381 reviews
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit cultural organization committed to inspiring expression, creativity, and innovation through the arts. Located at the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival in Bethel, NY., just 90 miles from New York City on a lush campus featuring bucolic countryside views, the center is comprised of the Pavilion Stage amphitheater that accommodates 15,000, an intimate 440-seat indoor Event Gallery, and the award-winning Museum at Bethel Woods. The center offers a diverse selection of popular artists, culturally-rich performances, and educational and community programs that inspire creative expression and civic engagement to enrich the human spirit. Bethel Woods is exemplary in its efforts to engage, inspire and advocate for the accessibility of the arts for all ages and to connect with community partners to broaden programmatic reach and to strengthen support and resources for its activities.
Reviewed By Sicarrie - Hitchin, United Kingdom
I had long wanted to see where Woodstock took place and was able to grab the opportunity on a sunny Wednesday morning in September. We’d allowed ourselves three hours before we needed to head off, which we thought would be plenty of time. To be honest, we could have spent much longer here.
The museum is beautifully done and more comprehensive than expected; starting with the cultural changes in the 1950’s that led to the Woodstock generation and why it happened. It was hugely informative, well laid out and utterly fascinating. I had assumed we’d whistle through ‘a museum about a festival’ in 30 minutes. Wrong. There’s a few short films along the way, so leave plenty of time. The final 20 minute film (about the music) before the exit is excellent. We actually ran out of time to really appreciate the additional exhibition in the additional space below the museum.
A quick trip out to the memorial plaque is a must for a photo, but you get a much better feel for what it could have been like from the top of the field behind the museum. There’s a nice ‘You are here’ picture from 1969 to help you see where you are. We grabbed some lunch from the café and sat out on the grass of the original festival bowl (which is well away from the new venue), looking down to where the stage once was and the lake beyond. Funny how an empty field can be so captivating.
Three hours came and went far too quickly and we needed to be away. I could have stayed sat in that field for the rest of the day. It’s such a beautiful and evocative place – I hope to go back one day. If you have any interest in Woodstock, then this is worth the effort to get to. It really is outstanding given it is just about three days in August nearly fifty years ago.
7. Monticello Casino and Raceway
Overall Ratings
3 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By AndreaMac1956 - Worcester, Massachusetts
We went to Monticello Casino and Raceway to see the trotters, and were surprised at how few people were in attendance. The horses were two-year-olds, and it was really exciting to watch them race live rather than on a tv screen. Especially from our vantage point in the outdoor stands (we were told that the indoor grandstand is now permanently closed due to the low attendance), and on a lovely September day.
My friend and I aren't big gamblers, but we still enjoyed trying to figure out which horses to bet on, and whether to place each of our two dollar bets to win, place, show, or some other combination. The lady selling tickets at the inside booth was really friendly and helpful, but the man at the outside kiosk was impatient and a bit rude, even though it wasn't at all busy. We ended up winning a few and losing a few, so it made the event a lot of fun for us. We didn't do any gambling in the casino, but we did get a couple of freshly made sandwiches at the cafe-a thick pastrami on rye, and a loaded Turkey on a bulkie roll-both of which were surprisingly good.
8. Catskill Distilling Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Farm Distillery located across the street from the entrance to the Woodstock Museum and the Bethel Performing Arts Center. We make and sell handcrafted Spirits from NY State Farmers products including Peace Vodka, Curious GIn, Wicked White Whiskey, Righteous Bourbon, Defiant Rye Whiskey, Fearless Wheat Whiskey, One and Only Buckwheat and Bosco Monte Vecchio Grappa. Open Weekends and by appointment for tours, tastings and purchases. Tasting Room open for special events and available for private events and features the restored bar from the 1939 Worlds Fair in Queens. Dancing Cat Saloon next door for great local fare and live music and Stray Cat Gallery and Alley Cat Art & Antiques across the street for Woodstock collectibles, arts, local crafts, local history, handmade jewelry, awesome artwork and antiques. Check site for site for add'l info. open times and connections to all of our social media.
Reviewed By nyackgirl47 - Nyack
The Dancing Cat came first, followed by the distillery. They make a lot of great liquors, but the Peace Vodka is my favorite. You can taste at the distillery, and then go next door to the Saloon for a "Summer of 69" made with the Peace Vodka!
9. Hurleyville Arts Centre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Gabriel E - Mongaup Valley, New York
I am so used to travelling to Manhattan to meet Pilar after work and go see some overpriced show…surely enjoyable but indubitably overpriced every time. We’d always get back home to Sullivan County late at night and exhausted from the journey. When rumor of an Art Center in Hurleyville being built started making the rounds I for one was overjoyed. Yes, we already have a wonderful cultural hub here in the form of Bethel Woods and we have enjoyed quite a variety of performances there, but it’s always nice to try something new out. So, last night was it; our first foray into the unknown, analogous to virgins at the Rocky Horror Picture Show, we had no idea what to expect. And if you’ve no idea what I mean by that, well then, go see the Rocky Horror Picture Show!! (Forestburgh Playhouse AND Bethel Woods!)
It was FREEZING and we were disappointed to find that the parking lot was rather dismal in size, and packed to the gills already, half an hour before show time. We easily found parking up the street though, and would not have minded the short trot back were our frostbitten hineys not about to drop off from the cold.
We entered the main hall of the Hurleyville Art Centre, got our tickets at the will call desk, and waited to be let upstairs where the performance was to be. Met our eye doctor there, Dr. Isseks from Liberty and engaged in small talk until it was time. Let me tell you – Hurleyville most certainly hired a brilliant architect to design this building – what a truly spectacular architectural venue it was turning out to be, and built so that EVERYONE, from the fully abled to the physically incapacitated, could enjoy it, and the design incorporations are so subtle that one does not notice unless one is specifically looking. For example, the rest room doors are extra wide yet they are inconspicuous and do NOT have those GLARING “Handicap” signs on them. A significant plus for the otherly abled amongst us, I think. We walked up the main stairs to the second floor, still smelling of fresh paint and new construction, into a lobby where we were met by enormous wooden doors reminiscent of the massive doors to Erebor in The Hobbit, as remembered by Thorin II Oakenshield! Through those doors went we and into an enormous hall, high ceilings towered above and splendid ….crystal snowflake chandeliers (for lack of a better description) hanging high. The first thing which came to mind as I stepped inside was the grand ballroom dance scene from The Sound Of Music.
Ok, enough with the Center and on to the performance. As the title states, we went to see The Dali Quartet and they had with them, Pedro Giraudo, a guest bassist as well as the choreographer Edgar Osorio and his lovely companion, Valerie Levine. They performed a total of ten pieces. I’ve never before reviewed a performance of this nature therefore I think I’ll just share moods and contemplations which I experienced with each piece.
With the very first fiery notes which blazed off the violin strings we were swept into the melancholy then jolted to the tempestuous. This was the String Quartet No. 3 in E Flat Major, 1. Allegro by Juan Crisóstomo de Arriaga, which set my toes and fingers tapping.
This was followed by a sudden rush of cosmopolitan living…rush rush, breathless and exhausted and ready for that end of day martini…shaken and not stirred, acknowledgments to Pedro Giraudo and his masterful A Octavio Brunetti!
And then…the echoes of a thousand sorrows piercing to the deepest depths of the soul, courtesy of Carlos Almarán and his ballad, La Historia de un Amor (The Story of Love) from the 1956 film Bolero.
Imagine the cruelty of emerging from the above just to be thrown into a cacophony; a dissonance of trivialities; such brazen excitement and frenzy, and with like abruptness one envisions the sun peering through the foggy mountains of a brisk Catskill fall morning whilst enjoying the first steaming espresso of the day on the back deck gazing thoughtfully into the early morning mist. That would be Claude Debussy’s String Quartet in G Minor, Op 10; II. Assez vif et bien rythmè (Fairly lively and well paced.)
This followed by the solemnity of quiet steps through the forest – the sky shimmers – walking deeper and deeper into the dark. Thank you Pedro Giraudo and your touching Con un nudo en la garganta. (With a knot in the throat.)
Imagine this if you will – A boorish, jostling, piercing dissonance subtly congruous. They joust back and forth; the violins versus the viola. A maddening rush. Alberto Ginastera’s String Quartet No. 1, Op. 20: I. Allegro violento ed agitato. (Joy violent and agitated.)
This was followed by the first dance performance of the evening; a delightfully mischievous foray onto the dance floor by Edgar Osorio and Valerie Levine performing their interpretation of Danzon Almendra, a fiery piece by the famed Cuban composer, Abelardito Valdes.
Suddenly and without a moment to recover, we were swept away to a sultry Argentine night and found ourselves swaying to the sound of romance as we were immersed in the exotic tango by Carlos Gardel, El Dia Que Me Quieras (The Day That You Love Me from the 1935 film, Tango.)
After such an experience, the next piece was curiously anti-climactic in a way. A joyful tango through which the two dancers told a story of fiery passion; of a harmonious union, right there in front of us…almost scandalous! La Luciernaga by Jose Dames and Jose Amigo.
The above fulfilled the obligations of the program but the night was not yet over as our artists graced us with one more treat.
La Cumparsita by Julio Iglesias, a fun and energetic tango performed wonderfully by Edgar and Valerie.
So, I ask, where else can one enjoy such an exclusive evening for twenty bucks? Yep – that was it – twenty (20) bucks ($).
After the show, we quickly trotted across the frozen street to The Pickled Owl where it was nice and warm, for coffee and a snack. See the images and drool.
All in All, an extremely enjoyable evening with Pilar and our guest from Kingston, Father Arthur Rojas. The Hurleyville Arts Centre is a beautiful venue with wonderful programming accessible to everyone and I daresay destined to be yet another in the rapidly growing list of Sullivan County “go to” destinations!
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