FRIDAY
2 p.m. Sound sleep
Carl's Rip Van Winkle Motor Lodge 810 Route 23B, Leeds 518-943-3303 www.ripvanwinklemotorlodge.com Many families come for the week to the 30 housekeeping cabins, but the 14 fresh and well-kept motel rooms rent by the night. Family-run mini-resort has playground, barbecues, picnic areas, and 160 acres of meadows and woods. $75-$90.
3 p.m. Birth of a movement
Cedar Grove 218 Spring St., Catskill 518-943-7465 www.thomascole.org Home and studio of Thomas Cole vividly re-creates the spot where the painter saw America anew. Guided tour $7, Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through October.
7 p.m. Waterfront grazing
Creekside Restaurant 162 West Main St., Catskill 518-943-6522 Huge burgers, racks of ribs, large steaks, and sandwiches available indoors or on deck overlooking marina on Catskill Creek. $6-$20.
SATURDAY
12:30 p.m. Fuel up
The Catskill Mountain Country Store & Restaurant 5510 Route 23 (Main Street), Windham 518-734-3387 You'll be hard-pressed not to share your deli sandwich or burger with the friendly cats on the outdoor deck near the farm animal ``looking zoo." $7-$11.
2 p.m. Scale the heights
North-South Lake Campground County Route 18, Hainesville 518-589-5058 www.dec.state.ny.us Hiking trails reach aeries favored by Hudson River School painters. Swimming beach and boat rentals. Parking and day use fee $6 per car.
7 p.m. Country fare
Ursula's Logsider Cafe 800 Route 23B, Leeds 518-943-2581
Hugely popular ``country bistro" serves ample portions of diner food, including meatloaf and house specials of smoked chicken and ribs. $9-$13.
SUNDAY
10 a.m. Morning glory
Bell's Cafe 387 Main St., Catskill 518-943-4070 Keith and Yael McMurrow's snazzy in-town bistro does popular weekend brunch with Middle Eastern accents such as roast lamb panini with grilled vegetables and harissa. $7-$10.
11 a.m. Last sights
Thompson Street Cemetery, Catskill Before leaving town, pay final respects to Thomas Cole's grave in hilltop cemetery at junction of Thompson and Spring streets.
