Cats are pretty amazing creatures. I mean, they use their whiskers to help navigate their surroundings and sense nearby objects in the dark. Their purring not only sounds adorable and makes their human smile, but some say the low-frequency vibrations can have healing effects on the cats as well, releasing endorphins that promote pain relief and a sense of well-being. And domesticated cats date back thousands of years; our love for them and their fascination with us form a mutual bond that only grows stronger as time goes by. 

So, when I saw a news segment about the Catskill Cats in Greene County, New York, I knew I had to jump in the car and check them all out. 

It was my first time visiting Catskill. It’s a great little village, the main street lined with quaint shops and various eateries. No matter where I looked, there were cat statues – over 70 of them, all done by local artists, on display from Memorial Day to mid-September, and auctioned off at the end of Labor Day weekend.   

2026 will be the 20th anniversary of Cat’n Around Catskill, and there’ll be so many fantastic fiberglass themed-statues designed by artists and sponsored by local businesses – sitting cats and standing cats. It’s a photographer’s dream!

“When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction” -Mark Twain

One of my favorite statues last year was titled “Clawed Monet.” It was such a bright and cheerful cat, with brilliant sky blues and a depiction of the water lily scene everyone knows and loves. My other favorite was “Frida Kahlo.” This one had 3D sunflowers on her form, flowers in her braided hair, big blue eyes, and bright red lipstick – I loved it! All the ones I saw had personality, and each artist's imagination offered touches of whimsy and humor throughout the village. It really was delightful.   

Some of the organizations that have benefited from the sale of the cats include the Greene County Women’s League, the Catskill Food Pantry, and Cultivate Catskill, to name a few. Art for a good cause, I’m all over it!

“Once the cats are all decorated,” a friendly stranger standing next to me, as we admired a cat made to look like a colorful quilt, explained, “they undergo a clear coat bath at nearby Quality Auto to ensure they hold up against New York’s weather.” All of the cats were in great shape. I assume that’s the reason why, it sure made sense.

Village Pizza II

I grabbed a map showing where the cats were hanging out, and it was fun to follow it. I wanted to make sure I found as many as possible while I was in town. Families were out and about, with the little kids calling out to their parents, “Look at this one, Momma!” “Dad, come over here, isn’t this the coolest thing?” It made me smile to see folks enjoying the sunny day and all the cats along the main drag and side streets. As soon as I spotted the cat painted with sizzling-hot pizza slices, I was derailed for about half an hour. 

I decided to grab a slice of pizza and a side of fries, and that was a great decision! It was nice to take a little break from the summer heat. The Village Pizza II shop was quiet when I arrived and very busy when I left. There were framed awards hung along the walls, music playing, and a pretty robust menu to choose from. I ordered their two-slice special. If you like pizza as I do, the crust has to be thin and crisp, the red sauce needs to be made in-house, and the cheese needs to be on overload. Check, check, check.

Catskill Chocolate Co

Believe it or not, my car found a spot right outside the doors of this fantastic candy shop in the village center. Before I left to go home, I stopped in for a treat. What a charming place! It’s a little gift shop/café/candy store rolled into one, and I loved it! There was no place to sit while I was there, but so many people were enjoying cappuccinos and pastries by the windows inside. I was happy to choose some unique candies and have them boxed up for me. I asked the counter person if she thought they’d make it home in one piece. She couldn’t help but laugh at the question. “Ummm,” she smirked. “I don’t think so.” She was 100% correct.

The chocolates are small-batch, handmade confections made with brands that support fair farming practices. And, let me tell you, they are mouthwatering: from the truffles and creams to the caramels, nonpareils, and uniquely flavored morsels, you’re sure to find some that call out to your chocolate-loving palate. I tried their fig-and-balsamic caramel in a milk chocolate shell. It was so creamy and gooey in the same bite. Make sure you stop in and try them out when you visit Catskill. You’ll be happy you did. 

This year, I’m going to add a few other stops along the road. I heard there’ll be peacock statues in Kingston, sailboat statues in nearby Saugerties, fanciful guitars in Woodstock, and painted bears in Cairo. If true, I’ll spend a few fun days enjoying outdoor art shows, and I’ll love exploring the charm of New York villages at the same time. I hope you clear a day or two from your summer calendar to do the same!