Fallsburg is a long-time vacation hotspot in the Catskill Mountains
Fallsburg has long been a vacation hub in New York’s Catskill Mountains, where people are drawn to the area’s natural beauty and proximity to New York City. Alla Sienitsky, the principal broker with Resort Realty who’s sold homes in the area for over 27 years, says that many people get confused when talking about Fallsburg. “It’s a variety of little hamlets,” she says. “One of my favorites is Hurleyville. It’s a fairy tale of a town. The whole main street was revived with beautiful shops and stores and restaurants.” Hurleyville and the rest of Fallsburg are part of the Borscht Belt, a resort area that catered to Jewish vacationers and reached peak popularity in the 1950s and ‘60s. Though all the resorts are now closed, the area still attracts second-home buyers and is seeing increased growth, leading to new businesses and development.
A variety of suburban and rural living in midcentury homes
Fallsburg’s hamlets are spread out among the hilly countryside, and the homes here range from rural retreats to more densely packed enclaves with a suburban feel. “We are a second-home community and have always been since the ‘60s,” Sienitsky says. “We have a lot of second homes in general in Sullivan County.” In the hamlets, early 20th-century National homes and midcentury ranch-style houses are common, while rustic cabins and spacious custom homes are on the outskirts. Houses under 1,000 square feet can range from around $130,000 to $210,000; larger homes range from $220,000 to $580,000. Custom luxury properties can cost more. Houses and apartments in low-rise complexes are available for rent. Properties near the Neversink River might be at high risk of flooding and require flood insurance.
Lakeside parks, rail trails and golf courses for outdoor fun
One of the area’s qualities that makes it such a desirable second-home community is the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. “In Fallsburg, we have Morningside Park, which has a lake, and they offer this for the public,” Sienitsky says. “You can rent a paddleboat. I think you can even rent a campsite.” The park also has a playground, a swimming pool and a dog park. The Neversink River, which has several access points throughout the community, is known for fly fishing. The area’s golf courses are another popular way to get outside. Tarry Brae Golf Course and Lochmor Golf Course are both town-owned and have 18-hole courses; Lochmor also offers lessons and has a driving range. Fallsburg’s Rails to Trails system connects several of the hamlets, providing a way to stroll through nature or travel around on foot or by bike.
The Fallsburg Central School District and private Jewish schools
Kids can attend schools in the Fallsburg Central School District, which earns an overall rating of C-minus from Niche. They can start at the C-minus-rated Benjamin Cosor Elementary and then go to the C-rated Fallsburg Junior-Senior High. Junior and senior high students can participate in around 50 after-school programs, including the Comet Chronicles student newspaper, the Junior Science Olympiad and the young entrepreneurs club. There are also several private Jewish schools in the area, including the unrated Bais Yaakov of South Fallsburg, an all-girls high school. The State University of New York at Sullivan, a nearby community college, offers over 40 certification and associate degree programs.
Car and bus routes connect to area amenities
State Route 42 leads around 8 miles to Monticello, where commuters to New York City can get on Coach USA’s ShortLine Hudson bus. New York City is a 104-mile trip, which takes around two hours by bus or car. Move Sullivan has bus routes around the county. Sidewalks make most of the hamlets pedestrian-friendly, though residents will need a car to get around to most places.
Congregation B’nai Israel, which is also called The Woodbourne Shul, is one of several houses of worship here. Chai Care, an urgent care facility, is in South Fallsburg, and Garnet Health Medical Center in Harris is around 10 miles away. New York Stewart International Airport, which has commercial flights to destinations in the southeastern United States, is 49 miles away, and Westchester County Airport offers more options 94 miles away.
Italian restaurants and kosher markets dot the area
Many of Fallsburg’s hamlets have small commercial centers with restaurants, shops and grocery stores. In Hurleyville, diners can enjoy Italian comfort food at Casa Mia, while The Dale is a trendy hangout in Mountain Dale that’s known for sourdough pizza. South Fallsburg has kosher eateries like Boosur Meat & Deli, which has prepared foods and sandwiches. Kosher grocery stores in the area include Buy Rite Supermarket and Landau’s Supermarket. The nearby village of Monticello has national retailers like Walmart, The Home Depot and ShopRite.
Regular events at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Center
The Hurleyville Performing Arts Center is a community hub that offers regular events, from live music performances to film screenings. The space hosts dance classes for kids and adults, and it also hosts a regular social dance for seniors. From June through September, there are monthly festivals here. June’s Pride Festival features drag performances and circus entertainment and July’s Music Festival centers around local musicians.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
