"Once in a while, you discover a town that has everything-great coffee, food with character, shop owners with purpose." Budget Travel described Phoenicia (2 hrs from NYC) in 2011,having voted it one of the "Coolest Small Towns in America", adding, "You won't find a more charming slice of small town Americana than you will right here." Phoenicia is embedded in the middle of Catskill State Park, which is 700,000 acres of gorgeous. Included are: miles of hiking trails, a scenic railway, hidden swimming holes, a posse of local artists, world class skiing, and of course, TUBING. Phoenicia sits right up against Slide Mountain, the tallest peak in the Catskills. The town center is crammed with art galleries, shops, a playhouse, restaurants, and a super-sized statue of a frontier dude. The town was a favorite destination of Babe Ruth and gangster "Dutch" Schultz. The Shandaken theatrical Society Playhouse offers plays, concerts, and monthly screenings of such vintage films as Creature From The Black Lagoon and Purple Rain. There is also the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice, which partners bright young talent with established professional artists. The area around Phoenicia has a wealth of campgrounds, offering everything from privately sited tents, to cabins and RV hook-ups.
