Mahayana Buddhist Temple
We will start the day with a visit to the Mahayana Temple in the Catskills. Dedicated in 1971, this is the Retreat of the Eastern States Buddhist Temple of America. At the time of founding, there were no other Chinese Buddhist retreats on the eastern coast of the United States.
The Mahayana Temple is located in a beautiful location between lakes and meadows.
Inside one of the temple buildings.
Explore the beautiful grounds and the different temple buildings including the Seven Storied Jade Pagoda and a temple featuring 500 Buddha statues.
Mountain House Site
We will then drive to the site once occupied by what was America's most fashionable resort, The Catskill Mountain House. It was visited by three U.S. presidents (U.S. Grant, Chester A. Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt) and the power elite of the day.
The hotel was built in 1824 and was famous for its panoramic views of the Hudson Valley on one side and two lakes on the other side that provided water and recreation. All that remains today of this famous resort is the gateposts and the sweeping views from the cleared site which we will enjoy.
We will eat lunch at a local restaurant.
Zadock Pratt Museum
We will visit the Zadock Pratt Museum, dedicated to exhibiting the history and culture of the Northern Catskill Region from the 17th century to the present.
The museum is the former home of Zadock Pratt and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986. Receive a guided tour and explorer the exhibits and periodic rooms.
 Learn about the interesting life of Zadock Pratt, a man who built the largest tannery in the world of its time. To accommodate the labor force necessary for the tannery, the town of Prattsville population increased from around 500 to over 2000.
Zadock Pratt was a member of the United States House of Representatives; he was the father of the US Bureau of Statistics. He was also a Colonel of the 116th regiment from 1822 – 1826. Through his life had a total of five wives.
Pratt Rock Hike
Next we will hike to "America's First Mt. Rushmore" Pratt Rock. Zadock Pratt hired a stonecutter to carve a series of stone carvings depicting his life story to promote himself. The carving took place from 1843 – 1871. We will explore this relative, short but steep, and narrow hike to the carvings.
We will also climb up to the top of the rocks which provide an amazing view of the River and valley below. Trail length is about 1/4 mile to the top. If you do not feel like participating in this short but steep hike, you will have the opportunity to relax by a picnic table listening to the river and enjoy the relaxing natural surroundings.
We will drive back to NYC. Arrival back to NYC at approximately 7:30 pm.
Hines Tours reserves the right to alter the itinerary, plans and arrangements for the tour, if in the judgment of Hines Tours it becomes advisable to do so.
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