by Ben Kopke
 No, not
Margaritaville, Margaretville!
Whether your interests take you hiking on a wooded trail or hunting for antiques,
Margaretville, in Delaware County, New York, is a wonderfully charming place to
spend a weekend.
Nestled in the Northeast
corner of the Catskill Forest Preserve, and a short drive away from numerous lakes,
rivers, mountains and trails, Margaretville's Main Street provides an array of diversions
after a day of outdoor fun.
The "Biggest Little Town in the Catskills," Margaretville is located just off Route
28, which winds its way west through the Catskills.
Crossing the bridge over the East Branch of the Delaware River lands you directly
on the one-stoplight Main Street.
While the town itself
can be explored on foot in a day, to appreciate all that Margaretville and the region
have to offer fully, you'll have to plan a trip each season for winter skiing, warm-weather
biking and hiking, or fall foliage viewing.
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THINGS
TO DO
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See a full list
of activities and businesses
 Margaretville's
business district is concentrated primarily along Main Street. For antiques, try
Kicking Stones Antiques, near the corner of Bridge Street and Main Street.
Just off Main, on a pier constructed over the river, the Binnekill Square
area has a gallery and restaurant, as well as quiet places where visitors can relax
and take a breather.
Drop by the East Branch Art Gallery to peruse local artists' works. Just
off Bridge Street and running parallel to the river is a small park with seating
areas as well as skateboarding ramps.
 For entertainment,
bowl a few racks at the Margaretville Bowl, about five to ten minutes' walk
down Route 28 from the junction with Bridge Street. Further along Route 28, across
from the Hess Station, The Meadows Miniature Golf & Driving Range has afternoon
barbeques daily in the summer. Serious golfers should head to "Terminator,"
a USGA-rated course at The Hanah Country Inn and Golf Resort on Rt. 30. Improve
your swing at their golf school.
 Margaretville's
greatest attraction, however, is its proximity to the outdoor playground of the
Catskill Forest Preserve, the greater Catskill Park, and the Catskills
region of New York. With over 300,000 acres within the preserve, 300 miles of hiking
and biking trails with public campgrounds and backcountry camping, multiple ski
areas, and some of the finest trout fishing in the east, the opportunities are endless.
Access to the park is convenient from Main Street, as the Day Brook Ridge trailhead
lies at the end of Bridge Street in Margaretville. Trail maps are available at
Margaretville's Chamber of Commerce, located on Main Street near Binnekill
Square.
Del-Sports, Inc.,
on Main Street, has fly fishing supplies and is a good place to start for local
advice.
Margaretville's neighboring
town, Arkville, is the home of the Delaware and Ulster Rail Ride. In operation
year-round, the Rail Ride takes passengers on scenic trips through the local Catskill
area. A series of themed events are also planned, including afternoon train robberies.
On weekends from June through October, the Rail Ride runs to Belleayre Mountain.
Home of the "longest skiable trail in the Catskills," Belleayre is open to hiking
and biking in the warmer months.
The Belleayre Music
Festival, running July through August, draws a variety of acts, ranging from
Suzanne Vega to the Mambo Kings. Other nearby ski areas include Plattekill,
Windham and Hunter Mountains.
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LODGING
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 Margaretville
Mountain Inn Bed & Breakfast (left), a little over a mile outside of town, is
a beautiful old Victorian with views of the Catskill Forest Preserve from
its location atop Margaretville Mountain.
The Margaretville Mountain Inn also offers Village Suites, a duo of
two-bedroom suites conveniently located in the town of Margaretville itself. Each
suite sleeps up to six guests comfortably and has a kitchen and fireplace.
 Outside of town,
the Margaretville Motel (left) is along Route 28 less than a five-minute
walk from the Adirondack Trailways stop at the Hess Station. Take advantage of the
Golf & Stay packages at the Hanah Country Inn and Golf Resort off Rt.
30. Swim, play tennis and improve your swing. They'll pick you up at the bus station.
See a full list
of lodgings
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DINING
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 Margaretville's
dining options are located on or just off Main Street, all within easy walking distance
of one another. In the center of town, the Main Street Cafe serves a varied
menu of fish, standard American and Italian dishes as well as a full lunch and breakfast
menu in a pleasant setting. Just across the street from the Main Street Cafe,
the Cheese Barrel Sandwich Shop is a great option for lunch or simply satisfying
your sugar cravings with an ice cream.
Binnekill Square's Binnekill Square Restaurant (above) is built on a pier
over the river and opens nightly for dinner. A short walk further along Main Street
will take you to Summerfields, a restaurant and bar with an American menu
of predominantly surf-and-turf options. Summerfields also has an open-air
patio in back with outdoor seating for riverside dining.
Flour Patch is a great option for morning coffee and bagels.
See full list
of dining
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NIGHTLIFE
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After dinner, head to Summerfields and their
riverside patio for pool and ping-pong.
For the most local option, belly up to the bar at the
Village Pub. For more low-key
fun, try Margaretville Bowl, on Route 28 about five to ten minutes' walk
from downtown (headed back toward the Hess Station).
Occasionally the Open
Eye Theatre will hold shows at the Dry Brook Community Center in nearby Arkville.
See full list
of nightlife
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TRANSPORTATION
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BUS:
Adirondack Trailways runs buses daily to Margaretville
and makes stops just outside of town at the Margaretville
Motel on Route 28s.
Travel time: 3 hours.
Call 800-858-8555 to check
schedule.
BIKE:
Adirondack Trailways accepts bicycles. Bicycles
must be securely fastened and wrapped in a box, canvas
or other substantial material, so that, if the bike is
stored with luggage, there will be no damage to other
items in the baggage compartment. In addition, a $20.00
fee will be assessed for bikes stored with luggage. If
there is an empty storage compartment under the bus, no
fee will be assessed. Also, there is no guarantee that
bicycles will be accepted by connecting bus carriers.
CAR:
While the town of Margaretville
is easily managed on foot, car rental is strongly recommended if you want to do
justice to the surrounding area.
There
are no rental facilities in Margaretville itself, so take
Metro-North to Poughkeepsie, where Enterprise (845-485-2222)
will pick you up at the station.
See full list
of transportation
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TRAVEL
TIPS
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Pack sunscreen, trail mix and a flashlight.
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WEATHER
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