Delaware County sits in the Great Western Catskills along New York State's Delaware River, and it is a fantastic destination for a fall weekend with the guys that includes golf, fly fishing, fire tower hikes, and taverns ready to satisfy even the most hungry dudes in your group. To learn more and share this destination with you we chatted with Nicolas Fabian who handles PR for Delaware County, NY to talk about where he would send a group of men looking for adventure and what he would have them do on an Upstate NY guys trip!
The picks below cover where to go, but a group still has to sort the basics before the drive. Here is what the county's tourism board puts on its site that makes a long weekend easier to set up. These picks come from Nicolas Fabian, who handles PR for Delaware County. You can also explore more awesome ideas for a Western Catskills guys getaway on the county's official website for the Great Western Catskills. Delaware County sits two and a half hours from New York City, - which puts it within range for a weekend crew coming from Boston (about five hours out), Philadelphia (around four), Pittsburgh (about six) or even Cleveland (closer to seven) without burning a whole day in the car. Once everyone arrives, the county hands over the full menu - breweries for the beer drinkers, wing spots for the hands-dirty eaters, upscale tables for the foodies, and trails, golf courses and pickup-game parks for the rest of the weekend. Why is Delaware County a good fit for a guys trip instead of a family or couples trip? While Delaware County can cater to families or couples as well, a group of guys would get the most out of the trip. Close to major cities like New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Buffalo, and more, a group of guys won't be squished into a car all day, making for easy travels. There's great breweries, perfect for the beer drinkers, great restaurants if you want to get your hands dirty with buffalo wings (and more upscale options for the foodies), and outdoor offerings galore. Horseback riding, hiking while the leaves change, biking, fishing, golf, parks to get a pickup football game or toss a frisbee. Really, anything a group of guys could want to do. The opening move is a drive to Margaretville: 18 holes at Hanah Mountain Resort & Country Club, whose elevation changes and mountain views hit hardest in fall color, then dinner at Chappie's, a classic Catskills tavern in downtown Roxbury where the "loser pays the bill" tab gets settled. Where should a group of guys start a long fall weekend in Delaware County, and what should they do first? First thing I'd do is drop my bags and play a round of 18 holes. Surrounded by beautiful fall foliage, I'd head straight to Hanah Mountain Resort & Country Club in Margaretville, known for dramatic elevation changes and beautiful mountain views. What does the rest of that first day look like once the group comes off the 18th hole? After 18 holes, all guys can think about is food (loser pays the bill). Head to Chappie's, a classic Catskills tavern and staple in downtown Roxbury. The menu features hearty, satisfying comfort food including juicy burgers, hand-cut steaks, seafood, and solid nightly dinner specials. It's an ideal spot for a group of guys looking to kick back after a day on the river or trail, grab a table, hit the bar for cold beers, and refuel on big, classic plates. Asked for one pick with no advance knowledge, this is Nicolas's call: the 4-mile Bramley Mountain Trail in Delhi climbs to a restored fire tower with 360-degree views over the Catskill High Peaks at peak red and gold. If a group of guys could pick only one spot in Delaware County without knowing anything about it, what should it be, and what catches first-timers off guard? I'd say to hike the 4-mile Bramley Mountain Trail & Fire Tower in Delhi. At the top, hikers can reach the restored fire tower at the summit, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the Catskill High Peaks blanketed in peak red and gold foliage. Its unexpected beauty surprises even the most skilled hikers. The one mandatory table is The Roxbury Social - seasonal regional ingredients, creative shared plates and artisanal pizzas beside a rotating list of local craft beers and signature cocktails, in a room built for group rounds and the game. Beyond the trails and the golf course, which restaurant or bar should be mandatory for a fall weekend, and what should the group order? The Roxbury Social; it's a lively, community-centric spot and taproom bringing an elevated yet casual dining experience to Roxbury. The menu highlights seasonal regional ingredients, creative shared plates, artisanal pizzas, and a rotating draft list of local craft beers and signature cocktails. It's built for group gatherings where guys can share a few rounds, order multiple plates for the table, watch the game, and enjoy a vibrant weekend evening environment. Order whatever, you won't be disappointed! The slow-down slot is the river: the West Branch of the Delaware is world-renowned among anglers for rainbow trout feeding at peak autumn - wade out, take in the scenery, and dinner might catch you. Where in the weekend should a group slow down and take in the scenery? Definitely fly fishing; guys can just wade out on the West Branch of the Delaware River which is world-renowned among anglers for rainbow trout during peak autumn feeding. Kick back, enjoy some drinks, take in the scenery, and maybe you'll catch dinner! To keep the night going, Packin Heat Bar & Grill in Walton is the high-energy neighborhood pub: loaded burgers and wings, cold draft beer, a full liquor bar, a pool table and the game on. For a group that wants to keep the energy going after dinner, where should they close out the night? Packin Heat Bar & Grill; A high-energy, classic neighborhood pub and grill in Walton known for drinks, hearty comfort food, and an upbeat atmosphere. The menu features loaded burgers, wings, and classic bar snacks alongside cold draft beer and a full liquor bar. It's the go-to spot for a guys' trip night out, perfect for playing a game of pool, watching the game, and enjoying cold drinks. Nicolas's booking-ahead answer is comfort over logistics: the county trades the crowdedness of better-known areas for easy access, so the real prep is just packing comfortable clothes. What is the one thing a group should book or plan ahead before they arrive, because showing up without it could cost them? The great thing about Delaware County is you're escaping the crowds for the most part, so many things are readily accessible without the crowdedness of other areas. I'd say just make sure to pack comfortable clothing! A full Saturday runs from breakfast at Walton Diner through the day's hikes - Bramley Mountain, Jensen Ledges, Shavertown or the Rock Rift Fire Tower - with a barbecue and football in the park, a nap, and a nightcap at Packin Heat. If a group is putting together a loose itinerary for a long fall weekend, what does the ideal Saturday look like from morning to night? Wake up and grab breakfast at Walton Diner, an authentic, beloved small-town diner in the heart of Delaware County serving up timeless homestyle classics. The kitchen focuses on big portions and comfort favorites, from the half-pound "Walton Big Belly Burger" and classic stacks of pancakes to hand-spun milkshakes and hot open-face dinners. Then, hike & leaf peep at Bramley Mountain Trail & Fire Tower in Delhi, Jensen Ledges, a moderate 3-mile trail featuring a cascading waterfall backdrop, the Shavertown Trail, a 5 round-trip excursion that cuts through dramatic rock ledges and forest to deliver spectacular, reflective views of the Pepacton Reservoir, the Rock Rift Fire Tower, a challenging 7-mile round-trip trek tailored for advanced hikers that climbs over 1,000 feet, and more. Fire up the bbq while playing football in one of the many parks in Delaware County, before a round of golf. Then a quick nap to get energy for the night at a camping or glamping ground, boutique hotel, or farm stay, depending on the vibe you're going for. Close the night at Packin Heat Bar & Grill with beers and the game. The stops above land in Margaretville, Roxbury, Delhi and Walton, so the weekend means driving between four towns. I'd check the distances between them on a map before booking anything, choose a home base, and plan the weekend with the guys around two or three of the stops each day. The Great Western Catskills site has the rest of the county to fill in the gaps. Photos courtesy of Great Western Catskills.
A Short Drive From NYC, Boston and Philly With Beer, Wings and Trails
Golf at Hanah Mountain, Then Burgers and Steaks at Chappie's in Roxbury
Hike the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower in Delhi for Peak Foliage Views
The Roxbury Social Taproom for Shared Plates and Local Drafts
Fly Fish the West Branch of the Delaware While the Trout Feed
Packin Heat Bar and Grill in Walton for Pool and the Game
Pack Comfortable Clothes and Skip the Crowds
A Saturday Itinerary From Walton Diner to Packin Heat
Four Towns Apart, So Pick the Home Base First