Catskill Mountain views meet village charm in Delhi
At the foothills of the Western Catskills, Delhi embodies small-town living with a backdrop of forested mountains. The village center features boutiques and trendy eateries, while the more wooded outskirts lend themselves to outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing and kayaking. And with SUNY Delhi’s campus woven into the community, the town offers a mix of student energy and rural tranquility. “There are beautiful rolling hills, and the whole area has a history of forests and agriculture,” says Rich Santos, a local Realtor with Keller Williams Upstate NY Properties. “There’s a student population, but it doesn’t have a college-town vibe.” Santos also notes that many villages in the surrounding areas are more drive-through towns, but in Delhi, people can spend a whole day. “And it’s in that magical under-3-hour drive to Metro New York, making it popular for second homeowners,” he adds.
Bramley Mountain Trail and river access provide escapes
A major draw to Delhi is its abundant supply of outdoor recreation. In the village, the Delhi Public Pool and Playground is situated beside the American Legion sports fields, which were renovated in 2022 by students in SUNY Delhi’s Golf and Sports Turf Management program. Also in town, the Delhi Trails consist of four paths through Mt. Crawford, totaling slightly more than 5 miles. On the east side, Bramley Mountain Trail is a popular trail extending roughly 4 miles to a summit of about 2,800 feet. “They just redid the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower,” Santos says. “They had all the pieces stored away at a local farm and got funds to restore it. It was a great community group effort.” The West Branch of the Delaware River flows through town, providing areas for fly fishing and kayak launching.
Historic homes and ranch-styles meet cabin retreats
Though Delhi’s housing inventory is low, interested buyers can find a mix of historic and modern styles with corresponding price points. In the village, many homes reflect Victorian and Colonial Revival designs, while ranch-style houses with attached garages are more prevalent outside of the town's core. Single-family home prices generally range from $140,000 to $365,000, depending on size and condition. While less common, custom-built properties and mountain cabins can be found around Delhi’s countryside, commanding prices up to $745,000. Homes situated along the river are at a higher risk of flooding, according to First Street.
Delaware Academy and SUNY Delhi serve area students
Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi serves kindergarten through 12th-grade students, with a shared campus split into two buildings: an elementary school and a middle-high school. The face of the campus is a Classical Revival structure built in 1819 that showcases red brick and white columns. All three public schools receive a B rating from Niche. Students can take Community Action Service Art, an art class with past projects that include The Memory Project, in which students created portraits of children in India’s orphanages and sent the art to them. Another is the Fire Hydrant Design Contest, in which small groups design and decorate a fire hydrant in the village.
SUNY Delhi, part of the State of University of New York system, offers an array of majors, including nursing, mechatronics and construction. “Delaware Academy is on the east side of the valley, and the SUNY Delhi campus is on the other,” Santos says. “You can be at a high school game, look across the river, and see the lights for a game going on at SUNY.”
Walkable Main Street features storefronts and eateries
Walking along Delhi’s Main Street reveals a blend of history and local flavor. Federal, Victorian and colonial-style buildings house a variety of establishments, from The Lost Bookshop, which offers a curated selection of books and gifts, to Blue Bee Cafe, a bakery and coffee shop known for house-made brews, teas and ice cream. “There’s three-quarters of a mile that’s dense and walkable with consumer-friendly storefronts,” Santos says. “It’s a mix of blue collar and whimsy.” EightyMain is an upscale kitchen and bar serving cocktails, pastas and specials, while Delhi Pizza Company is a laid-back option for a slice. Fresh produce is available at Good Cheap Food, and Price Chopper provides a broader range of grocery options.
Maple Shade Farm hosts annual Hootenanny festival
Tucked in the scenic hills of eastern Delhi, Maple Shade Farm is a family-run venue known for hosting weddings and community gatherings. The Maple Shade Hootenanny is held each autumn to celebrate local foods, ciders and craft vendors. The festival offers family-friendly activities, including bounce houses, train rides and live music.
Routes 10 and 28 connect Delhi to nearby bigger cities
State Route 10 and state Route 28 extend from Main Street, providing convenient access to nearby cities like Binghamton, 70 miles west. Commuters can reach Albany, about 80 miles east, and Syracuse, around 115 miles northwest, both of which provide international air travel. The Trailways bus picks up passengers from two stops in Delhi and routes them to New York City. For healthcare needs, O’Connor Hospital is a critical access hospital.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
