The Rise of the Western Catskills on Instagram: How Upstate New York Became a Social Media Hotspot

January 21, 2026 | Field Guide, Catskills, Local Activity Guide, Shops, Upstate Field Guide

Once a quiet escape known only to locals, the Western Catskills have become one of upstate New York’s most Instagram-worthy destinations. From scenic mountain views and charming small towns to farm-to-table dining and creative culture, the region is now packed with viral favorites and trending spots worth the trip. Whether you’re planning a weekend retreat or a longer escape, plan your next getaway with a Red Cottage stay, the perfect home base to explore all the Western Catskills’ cult favorites, hidden gems, and must-see locations lighting up Instagram.

Western Catskills continue to rise on Instagram Must See Spots — *Image courtesy of Brushland Eating House*

📍Brushland Eating House
A destination restaurant known for seasonal menus, thoughtful interiors, and plates that made the Western Catskills a dining pilgrimage.

📍First Bloom
Cookbook author Alison Roman’s curated corner store in Bloomville, mixing pantry staples with thoughtfully chosen goods, a must stop for food lovers.

📍DELCO
A modern apparel shop offering well made basics, thoughtful design, and Catskills cool style that’s earned a steady spot on curated feeds.

📍The StoneHouse
A specialty boutique offering vintage Moroccan rugs, Turkish kilims, pillows, linens, and textiles, each handpicked for artistry, culture, and timeless character.

📍Bovina Farm and Frumentary
A seven generation homestead on 20 acres with overnight stays, a brewery, and a small restaurant, made for gathering in the Western Catskills.

📍This & That
A Delhi shop of old and new home finds with a sharp editing eye, plus decorating services, founded in 2020 by a former chef turned stylist.

📍Solinsky’s Meats
The Catskills’ charcuterie house and salumeria with a cult following, featured in Eater, known for expertly cured meats and snackable provisions.

📍Kabinett & Kammer
Sean Scherer’s cult favorite Catskills shop, a curiosity cabinet of antiques, natural wonders, and art, beloved as an interiors and design reference.

As the Western Catskills continue to rise on Instagram, what’s trending online is rooted in something timeless: natural beauty, creative energy, and a slower way of traveling. From beloved local favorites to the spots everyone’s saving and sharing, this region rewards curiosity. When you’re ready to experience it for yourself, a Red Cottage stay offers the perfect place to unplug, settle in, and explore everything the Western Catskills have to offer.

Discovering Why Everyone Loves Stowe, Vermont: A Weekend Itinerary

Our Noteworthy Properties

We stayed here with a large group many of which

Jan 19, 2026

We stayed here with a large group many of which were architects and interior designers (which is why we settled on this home - design alone!) and this home truly impressed us. The space is beautiful and very thoughtfully done. The amenities checked all of our boxes, and the house was a fantastic place to gather and cook together. Why go out when we had a roaring fire and good food. (though we do we a reservation at the Maker in Hudson every year we come to the area - a must do) Everyone was happy with the beds, bedding etc. I found the communication in advance was very helpful as well (the constant questions of 'do you have a crockpot, a stand fan etc ' ...... all the planner questions). Being able to leave without the laundry list of Air Bnb tasks was fantastic as well. We were extremely happy with our stay and would absolutely book again, especially to experience it in a different season and see what it’s like in the summer with use of the pool and outdoor Kitchen !

Stayed at: Graybarn at Copake Lake

We were a group with two families and the cottage

We were a group with two families and the cottage was well set up with bedrooms and a shared bathroom for the parents upstairs, and a common area/bedroom and bedroom with a shared bathroom downstairs. There was plenty of common space with lots to games, and we all loved the hot tub. A really lovely way to spend a long winter weekend.

Stayed at: Stowe Woods Chalet

We had a wonderful time at this home in Stowe!

Jan 15, 2026

We had a wonderful time at this home in Stowe! There were 8 of us and we felt right at home. Plenty of space for everyone. It is about 20 minutes from Stowe's resort, but worth the drive as we felt we had a ton of privacy and the surroundings were so peaceful. A private hot tub is a huge plus for the winter as well, so happy to have been able to stay here!

My partner and I had a perfect getaway. The cabin

Jan 14, 2026

My partner and I had a perfect getaway. The cabin was wonderfully secluded, so cute on the inside and such beautiful surroundings. It was very cozy and comfy and we would absolutely return.

Stayed at: Cosmo Cabin

Jan 12, 2026

Stayed at: Noorden House

The property was amazing. Beautifully furnished with everything we needed.

The property was amazing. Beautifully furnished with everything we needed. The maintenance crews were there every morning before 7am to clear any overnight snow and gritted the roads, private driveways and the steps right up to the front door, I was very impressed with this.

Stayed at: Wildewood

A group of friends and I stayed here for a

Jan 11, 2026

A group of friends and I stayed here for a weekend getaway. We wanted a peaceful, private, and cozy place to watch movies, play games, and have a few drinks. This house was exactly what we were hoping for! It was very cozy and had everything we envisioned for our short trip away from the city.
The kitchen was perfect, as we spent a LOT of time in the kitchen cooking meals. The common area was cozy but the TV setup is outdated. It was difficult to figure out how to work streaming services so we ended up using the HDMI to plug into a laptop we brought to watch movies & listen to music.
We LOVED the jacuzzi but the cover was broken into pieces so it was difficult to put on/take off.
It was difficult to find the house because Google Maps told us to take a back road that ended up having a locked gate. We had to ask a neighbor for directions. The address is difficult to see from the main road.
Overall, I would recommend & would love to visit in the summer so we can use the grill!

Stayed at: Bush Kill Park

Everything is perfect – beautiful home quality design, fixtures and

Jan 10, 2026

Everything is perfect - beautiful home quality design, fixtures and amenities

Stayed at: Harlem Valley Hideout

Stayed at: Kripplebush Hollow

It was a fabulous place to stay. Quaint place and

Jan 9, 2026

It was a fabulous place to stay. Quaint place and great location to town. Easy ride to skiing and other stores( grocery etc.) Highly recommend this property.

Stayed at: Historic Hobble Inn

The Rise of the Western Catskills on Instagram: How Upstate New York Became a Social Media Hotspot

Our Noteworthy Properties

The Bluff at Eagle Hollow

Break House

Brookside Manor

Casa Manzara

Crossbridge – Full Property (House + Apartment)

Hilltop

We stayed here with a large group many of which

We were a group with two families and the cottage

We had a wonderful time at this home in Stowe!

My partner and I had a perfect getaway. The cabin

The property was amazing. Beautifully furnished with everything we needed.

A group of friends and I stayed here for a

Everything is perfect – beautiful home quality design, fixtures and

It was a fabulous place to stay. Quaint place and

We stayed here with a large group many of which

We were a group with two families and the cottage

We had a wonderful time at this home in Stowe!

My partner and I had a perfect getaway. The cabin

The property was amazing. Beautifully furnished with everything we needed.

A group of friends and I stayed here for a

Everything is perfect – beautiful home quality design, fixtures and

It was a fabulous place to stay. Quaint place and

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